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dtALTH  SCIENCES  LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  MARYLAND 
BALTIMORE 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/joumalofmississ1111miss 


HEALTH  SCIENCES  LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  MARYLAND 
BALTIMORE 


VOLUME  XI 


January- December,  1970 


EDITOR 

William  M.  Dabney,  M.D. 

ASSOCIATE  EDITORS 
George  H.  Martin,  M.D. 
Thomas  W.  Wesson,  M.D. 

MANAGING  EDITOR 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 

EDITORIAL  CONSULTANT 
Betty  M.  Sadler 

EDITORIAL  ASSISTANT 
Nola  Gibson 

PUBLICATIONS  COMMITTEE 
Lawrence  W.  Long,  M.D. 
Chairman 

Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr..  M.D. 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
and  the  editors 


• THE  ASSOCIATION 
Paul  B.  Brumby,  M.D. 
President 

Arthur  E.  Brown,  M.D. 
President-elect 

Raymond  S.  Martin,  M.D. 
Secretary-T  reasurer 

William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
Speaker 

John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  M.D. 
Vice  Speaker 

Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 

H.  Cody  Harrell 

Assistant  Executive  Secretary 

James  F.  McPherson,  II 
Executive  Assistant 


Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 
735  Riverside  Drive 
Jackson  39216 


HEALTH  SCIENCES  LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  MARYLAND 
BALTIMORE 


The  Journal  of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 
is  owned  and  published  by  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  As- 
sociation, founded  December  15,  1856.  Editorial,  executive, 
and  business  offices,  735  Riverside  Drive,  Jackson,  Mississippi. 
Office  of  publication,  1201-05  Bluff  Street,  Fulton,  Mis- 
souri. Copyright  1970,  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association. 


Volume  XI 
Number  1 

January  1970 


• EDITOR 

William  M.  Dabney,  M.D. 

• ASSOCIATE  EDITORS 
George  H.  Martin,  M.D. 
Thomas  W.  Wesson,  M.D. 

• MANAGING  EDITOR 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 

• EDITORIAL  CONSULTANT 
Betty  M.  Sadler 

• EDITORIAL  ASSISTANT 
Nola  Gibson 

• PUBLICATIONS  COMMITTEE 
Lawrence  W.  Long,  M.D. 

Chairman 

Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr.,  M.D. 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
and  the  editors 

• THE  ASSOCIATION 
James  L.  Royals,  M.D. 

President 

Paul  B.  Brumby,  M.D. 

President-elect 
Walter  H.  Simmons,  M.D. 

Secretary-Treasurer 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
Speaker 

John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Vice  Speaker 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 
H.  C.  Harrell 

Executive  Assistant 


The  Journal  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  is  owned  and  pub- 
lished by  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association,  founded  1856.  Editorial,  ex- 
ecutive, and  business  offices,  735  Riverside 
Drive,  Jackson,  Mississippi  39216;  office 
of  publication,  1201-5  Bluff  Street,  Fulton. 
Missouri  65251.  Subscription  rate,  $7.50 
per  annum;  $1  per  copy,  as  available.  Ad- 
vertising rates  furnished  on  request. 
Second-class  postage  paid  at  the  post  office 
at  Fulton,  Missouri. 


CONTENTS 


ORIGINAL  PAPERS 


Practical  Uses  of  Steroids 
and  Gonadotropins 

in  Obstetrics  1 Veasy  C.  B.  Buttram, 
Jr.,  M.D.,  Paige  K. 

Besch,  Ph.D.,  and 

L.  Russell  Malinak, 

M. D. 

Acute  Illness  Among 

Returnees  From  Vietnam  8 Robert  E.  Blount,  M.D. 

Modern  Concepts  in 
Treatment  of  Respiratory 

Insufficiency  13  G.  B.  Shaw.  M.D. 

SPECIAL  ARTICLE 


Radiologic  Seminar  XCI: 
Tracheoesophageal  Fistula 


18  Walter  T.  Colbert, 
M.D. 


EDITORIALS 


Medicaid  in  Mississippi: 

A Bare  Bones  Beginning  23  Million  Dollar  Shoestring 

The  Old  Chit-Chat  Gets 

a Facelifting  25  Newsletter’s  New  Look 


Mandatory  Licensure  for 

Mississippi  Nurses  25  Policy  Decision 

Jackson  Chamber  Honors 

Health  Care  Team  26  Service  Recognition 

Our  Environment  Is  at  Stake  27  Pollution  Dilemma 


THIS  MONTH 

The  President  Speaking  22  Needed  Now 

Medical  Organization  37  USM  Student  Health 

Service  Offers 
Comprehensive  Campus 
Care  Program 

Copyright  1970,  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


Convalescing ...  but  still  a long  way  to  go. 
Anxiety  can  make  it  even  longer. 


Convalescence  following  medical  or  surgical  procedures  may  be  almost 
endless  to  an  anxious  patient.  And,  indeed,  anxiety  with  some  patients 
actually  retards  progress — for  example,  by  inducing  insomnia  and  reducing 
cooperation. 

As  physicians  have  found  during  nearly  15  years  of  widespread  use,  Equanil 
may  be  a beneficial  part  of  aftercare.  It  helps  relieve  anxiety  and  tension, 
thus  often  aiding  your  primary  therapy. 


Indications:  For  use  in  management  of 
anxiety  and  tension  occurring  alone  or  as 
accompanying  symptom  complex  to  med- 
ical and  surgical  disorders  and  pro- 
cedures. Though  not  a hypnotic,  fosters 
normal  sleep  through  antianxiety  and 
related  muscle-relaxant  properties. 
Contraindications:  History  of  sensitivity 
to  meprobamate. 

Important  Precautions:  Carefully  super- 
vise dose  and  amounts  prescribed,  espe- 
cially for  patients  prone  to  overdose 
themselves.  Excessive  prolonged  use  has 
been  reported  to  result  in  dependence  or 
habituation  in  susceptible  persons,  as 
alcoholics,  ex-addicts,  and  other  severe 
psychoneurotics.  After  prolonged  exces- 
sive dosage,  reduce  dosage  gradually  to 
avoid  possibly  severe  withdrawal  reac- 
tions. Abrupt  discontinuance  of  excessive 
doses  has  sometimes  resulted  in  epilepti- 
form seizures. 

Warn  patients  of  possible  reduced  alcohol 
tolerance,  with  resultant  slowing  of  reac- 
tion time  and  impairment  of  judgment  and 
coordination. 

Reduce  dose  if  drowsiness,  ataxia  or 
visual  disturbance  occurs;  if  persistent, 
patients  should  not  operate  vehicles  or 
dangerous  machinery. 

Side  Effects  include  drowsiness,  usually 
transient;  if  persistent  and  associated  with 
ataxia,  usually  responds  to  dose  reduc- 
tion; occasionally  concomitant  CNS  stim- 
ulants (amphetamine,  mephentermine 
sulfate)  are  desirable.  Allergic  or  idio- 
syncratic reactions  are  rare,  but  such 
reactions,  sometimes  severe,  can  develop 
in  patients  receiving  only  1 to  4 doses  who 
have  had  no  previous  contact  with  mepro- 
bamate. Previous  history  of  allergy  may 
or  may  not  be  related  to  incidence  of 
reactions.  Mild  reactions  are  charac- 
terized by  itchy  urticarial  or  erythematous 
maculopapular  rash,  generalized  or  con- 
fined to  groin.  Acute  nonthrombocyto- 
penic purpura  with  cutaneous  petechiae, 
ecchymoses,  peripheral  edema  and  fever 
have  been  reported.  One  fatal  case  of 
bullous  dermatitis  following  intermittent 
use  of  meprobamate  with  prednisolone 
has  been  reported.  If  allergic  reaction 
occurs,  meprobamate  should  be  stopped 
and  not  reinstituted.  Severe  reactions, 


observed  very  rarely,  include  angioneu- 
rotic edema,  bronchial  spasms,  fever, 
fainting  spells,  hypotensive  crises  (1  fatal 
case),  anaphylaxis,  stomatitis  and  proc- 
titis (1  case)  and  hyperthermia.  Treat 
symptomatically  as  with  epinephrine,  anti- 
histamine and  possibly  hydrocortisone. 
Aplastic  anemia  (1  fatal  case),  thrombo- 
cytopenic purpura,  agranulocytosis  and 
hemolytic  anemia  have  occurred  rarely, 
almost  always  in  presence  of  known  toxic 
agents.  A few  cases  of  leukopenia,  usually 
transient,  have  been  reported  on  con- 
tinuous administration. 

Meprobamate  may  sometimes  precipitate 
grand  mal  attacks  in  patients  susceptible 
to  both  grand  and  petit  mal.  Extremely 
large  doses  can  produce  rhythmic  fast 
activity  in  the  cortical  pattern.  Impairment 
of  accommodation  and  visual  acuity  has 
been  reported  rarely.  After  excessive 
dosage  for  weeks  or  months,  withdraw 
gradually  (1  or  2 weeks)  to  avoid  recur- 
rence of  pretreatment  symptoms  (insom- 
nia, severe  anxiety,  anorexia).  Abrupt 
discontinuance  of  excessive  doses  has 
sometimes  resulted  in  vomiting,  ataxia, 
tremors,  muscle  twitching  and  epilepti- 
form seizures.  Prescribe  very  cautiously 
and  in  small  amounts  for  patients  with 
suicidal  tendencies.  Suicidal  attempts 
have  resulted  in  coma,  shock,  vasomotor 
and  respiratory  collapse  and  anuria.  Ex- 
cessive doses  have  resulted  in  prompt 
sleep;  reduction  of  blood  pressure,  pulse 
and  respiratory  rates  to  basal  levels;  and 
occasionally  hyperventilation.  Treat  with 
immediate  gastric  lavage  and  appropriate 
symptomatic  therapy.  (CNS  stimulants 
and  pressor  amines  as  indicated.)  Doses 
above  2400  mg. /day  are  not  recom- 
mended. 

Composition:  Tablets,  200  mg.  and  400 
mg.  meprobamate.  Coated  Tablets, 
WYSEALS®  EQUANIL  (meprobamate)  400 
mg.  (All  tablets  also  available  in 
REDIPAK®  [strip  pack],  Wyeth.)  Contin- 
uous-Release Capsules,  EQUANIL  L-A 
(meprobamate)  400  mg. 


EQUANIL 

(meprobamate) 


Wyeth  Laboratories  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


Photo  professionally  posed. 


January  1970 


? Doctor: 

sissippi  Hospital  and  Medical  Service  (Blue  Cross-Blue  Shield) 
been  named  fiscal  administrator  for  Medicaid.  Commission  made 
iuncement  in  pre-Christmas  news  conference,  and  estimates  are 
t program  will  cost  6 per  cent  of  $33*4  million  budget  or  about 
nillion  per  year  to  administer. 

Selection  of  fiscal  administrator  was  narrowed  when 
insurance  companies  pulled  out  of  bidding!  The  Blue 
plan  was  the  only  bidder  for  the  gargantuan  task  of 
program  administration,  paying  physicians,  hospitals, 
nursing  homes,  and  health  agencies. 

fsident  Nixon  conducted  closed-door  conference  with  AMA  leader- 
p delegation  made  up  of  President  Dorman  and  group  of  Trustees, 
ee  subjects  were  discussed:  Medical  manpower  shortages , care 

its,  and  services  to  the  poor.  AMA  has  initiated  positive  pro- 
ms to  get  manpower  up,  costs  held,  and  care  delivery  to  poor. 

st  recommendations  from  the  McNerney  Medicaid  Task  Force  will 
r heavily  upon  delivery  system  and  alter  federal  pay  policy, 
emey  wants  5 per  cent  of  Medicare  budget  or  $130  million  to 
toward  paying  for  medical  services  on  a fee-for-time  basis 
for  group  practice  payments.  Plan,  however,  does  not  exclude 
-for-service  under  traditional  delivery  patterns  - yet. 

yersity  Medical  Center  growth  may  be  impaired  if  construction 
ds  are  not  provided  within  next  year!  Facilities  are  squeez- 
with  record  enrollment  of  778  students  in  all  programs.  Class 
*73  has  90  beginning  medical  students,  and  degree  nurse  enroll- 
.t  is  142.  Various  allied  programs  account  for  remainder,  and 
student  is  pursuing  combination  M.D.-Ph.D.  degree. 

[A  headquarters  office  has  a new  telephone  number  made  necessary 
building  expansion.  Make  a note  of  354-4533  with  Area  Code  66l. 
Iding  addition  is  virtually  complete  and  scheduled  for  occupancy 
next  two  weeks.  Watch  for  announcement  of  February  open  house. 


Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  JANUARY  1970 


1 0 

Surgeons  Plan 
Meet  in  St.  Paul 

The  American  College  of  Surgeons  will  hold 
the  second  of  three  1970  Sectional  Meetings  in 
St.  Paul,  Minn.,  Feb.  16-18.  Some  550  surgeons 
are  expected  to  attend  this  intensive  three-day 
program,  open  to  all  doctors  of  medicine.  This 
is  the  first  ACS  meeting  in  St.  Paul  since  1957. 
Headquarters  hotel  is  the  St.  Paul  Hilton. 

Dr.  Frederick  M.  Owens,  Jr.,  clinical  as- 
sociate professor  of  surgery,  University  of  Min- 
nesota Medical  School,  and  his  local  advisory 
committee  on  arrangements,  have  selected  a dis- 
tinguished faculty  to  present  “How-I-Do-It”  clin- 
ics, panel  discussions,  scientific  papers,  symposia, 
and  medical  films  in  general  surgery  and  the  spe- 
cialties of  otorhinolaryngology,  thoracic  surgery 
and  urology. 

Subjects  to  be  covered  include  vascular  sur- 
gery, rhinoplasty  and  septoplasty,  mediastinos- 
copy, perforation  of  the  esophagus,  cardiac  in- 
juries, emergency  treatment  of  head  injuries  in 
Viet  Nam,  arterial  surgery  for  renal  disease,  pros- 
tatic carcinoma,  Wilms’  tumor,  carcinoma  of  the 
breast  and  transportation  of  the  injured  patient. 


Assisting  Chairman  Owens  are  these  Minne- 
sota Fellows  of  the  College:  general  surgeons 
Lyle  J.  Hay;  Armond  J.  Kremen;  John  F.  Perry, 
Jr.,;  Edward  W.  Humphrey:  Lyle  A.  Tongen; 
F.  Henry  Ellis,  Jr.;  Claude  R.  Hitchcock.  Spe- 
cialty representatives  are  Joseph  H.  Pratt,  gyne- 
cology-obstetrics; Hendrik  J.  Svien,  neurosur- 
gery; Malcolm  A.  McCannel,  ophthalmology; 
Jerome  A.  Hilger,  otorhinolaryngology;  Donald 
R.  Lannin,  orthopedics;  John  B.  Erich,  plastic; 
Loren  E.  Nelson,  proctology;  Josiah  Fuller,  tho- 
racic, and  Edward  J.  Richardson,  urology. 

Hotel  reservation  forms  may  be  obtained  by 
writing  directly  to  the  St.  Paul  Hilton,  St.  Paul, 
Minn.  55101,  or  Mr.  T.  E.  McGinnis,  Amer- 
ican College  of  Surgeons,  55  East  Erie  Street, 
Chicago,  111.  60611.  No  registration  fee  is  charged 
Fellows  of  the  College,  members  of  the  Candi- 
date Group,  residents  or  interns  who  present  let- 
ters of  identification  signed  by  chiefs  of  surgery 
or  the  hospital  administrator.  Non-Fellows  pay 
$15.00.  Doctors  in  the  Federal  Services  pay 
$7.50. 

Dr.  Robert  J.  Kamish,  Chicago,  assistant  di- 
rector, is  in  charge  of  scientific  sessions  for  all 
Sectional  Meetings.  Dr.  C.  Rollins  Hanlon,  Chi- 
cago, is  director  of  the  College.  Dr.  Joel  W. 
Baker,  Seattle,  is  president. 


HIGHLAND  HOSPITAL 

Asheville,  North  Carolina 

FOUNDED  1904 

A DIVISION  OF  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  PSYCHIATRY  OF  DUKE  UNIVERSITY 

Accredited  by  the  Joint  Commission  on  Accreditation  and  Certified  for  Medicare 

Complete  facilities  for  evaluation  and  intensive  treatment  of  psychiatric  patients,  including  individual  psycho- 
therapy, group  therapy,  psychodrama,  electro-convulsive  therapy,  Indoklon  convulsive  therapy,  drugs,  social  ser- 
vice work  with  families,  family  therapy  and  an  extensive  and  well  organized  activities  program,  including  oc- 
cupational therapy,  art  therapy,  music  therapy,  athletic  activities  and  games,  recreational  activities  and  outings.  The 
treatment  program  of  each  patient  is  carefully  supervised  in  order  that  the  therapeutic  needs  of  each  patient  may 
be  realized. 

High  school  facilities  for  a limited  number  of  appropriate  patients  are  now  available  on  grounds.  The  School 
Program  is  fully  integrated  into  the  hospital  treatment  program  and  is  accredited  through  the  Asheville  School 
System. 

Complete  modern  facilities  with  85  acres  of  landscaped  and  wooded  grounds  in  the  City  of  Asheville. 

Brochures  and  information  on  financial  arrangements  available 
Contact:  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Harkins,  ACSW,  Coordinator  of  Admissions 

or 

Charles  W.  Neville,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Assistant  Professor  of  Psychiatry  and  Medical  Director 
Area  Code  704-254-3201 


MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 


CHP  Study 
Is  Published 

The  goals,  priorities  and  problem  areas  of  com- 
prehensive health  planning  are  reviewed  in  a new 
document  issued  by  the  Health  Insurance  Council. 

Entitled  “Community  Health  Action-Planning 
— Problems  and  Potentials,”  the  22-page  publica- 
tion is  designed  as  an  introductory  guide  to  plan- 
ning for  business  and  professional  leadership  in- 
volved in  state  and  community  health  activities. 

Included  is  information  on  the  history  of  health 
planning,  key  provisions  of  planning  legislation, 
suggested  organization  and  relationship  of  health 
agencies  within  a state,  criteria  for  effective  area- 
wide planning  agencies,  priority  actions  to  be 
taken  by  agencies,  and  barriers  that  may  be  en- 
countered. 

In  a concluding  summary,  the  author,  David 
Robbins,  Controller  and  Director  of  Statistics, 
Health  Insurance  Association  of  America,  urges  a 
concerted  effort  by  business  executives  to  help 


1 i 

solve  the  problems  of  health  facilities,  services, 
manpower  and  environment. 

A special  report  issued  in  conjunction  with  the 
booklet  reviews  the  progress  of  the  Health  Insur- 
ance Council  Program  for  Community  Health  Ac- 
tion-Planning (HiCHAP),  noting  that  “every  ini- 
tial goal  of  the  program  has  been  filled.” 

The  Council,  in  its  report,  said  that  insurance 
companies  representatives  serving  as  HiCHAP  co- 
ordinators are  active  in  45  states.  Of  the  Gover- 
nor’s Advisory  Councils  now  formed  in  46  states, 
the  District  of  Columbia,  and  Puerto  Rico  under 
the  Partnership  for  Health  law,  insurance  compa- 
ny executives  have  been  appointed  to  35  of  these 
councils,  and  in  eight  states  serve  as  chairman. 

It  further  reports  that  insurance  representatives 
are  on  the  boards  and  committees  of  over  half  of 
the  more  than  80  areawide  health  planning  agen- 
cies funded  to  date  by  the  federal  government. 

Copies  of  the  health  planning  document  and 
the  HiCHAP  progress  report  may  be  obtained 
without  charge  from  the  Health  Insurance  Coun- 
cil, 750  Third  Avenue,  New  York  10017. 


Announcing  the  Thirty -Third  Annual  Meeting  nf 
THE  MEW  ORLEANS  GRADUATE  MEDIEAL  ASSEMRLY 


Conference  Headquarters — The  Roosevelt  Hotel- — March  2,  3,  4,  5,  1970 


GUEST  SPEAKERS 


John  J.  Bonica,  M.D..  Seattle,  Wash. 
Anesthesiology 

John  R.  Hill,  M.D.,  Rochester,  Minn. 

Colon  and  Rectal  Surgery 
Walter  B.  Shelley,  M.D.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Dermatology 

H.  M.  Pollard,  M.D.,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 

Gastroenterology 
Walter  Lane,  M.D.,  Tampa,  Fla. 

General  Practice 

Henry  Clay  Frick,  II,  M.D.,  New  York,  N.Y. 
Gynecology 

William  H.  Crosby,  Jr.,  M.D.,  Boston,  Mass. 
Internal  Medicine 

Thomas  L.  Petty,  M.D.,  Denver,  Colo. 
Internal  Medicine 

David  N.  Danforth,  M.D.,  Chicago,  111. 
Obstetrics 


Jack  A.  Dillahunt,  M.D.,  Albuquerque,  N.M. 
Ophthalmology 

John  J.  Niebauer,  M.D.,  San  Francisco,  Calif. 
Orthopedic  Surgery 

William  K.  Wright,  M.D.,  Houston,  Tex. 
Otolaryngology 

Omer  E.  Hagebusch,  M.D.,  St.  Louis.  Mo. 
Pathology 

Chester  M.  Edelmann,  Jr.,  M.D.,  Bronx,  N.Y. 
Pediatrics 

Howard  P.  Rome,  M.D.,  Rochester,  Minn. 
Psychiatry 

Wendell  P.  Stampfli,  M.D..  Denver,  Colo. 
Radiology 

Joel  W.  Baker,  M.D.,  Seattle,  Wash. 

Surgery 

Edwin  J.  Wylie,  M.D.,  San  Francisco,  Calif. 
Surgery 


Ralph  A.  Straffon,  M.D.,  Cleveland,  Ohio 
Urology 


Lectures,  symposia,  clinicopathologic  conference,  round-table  luncheons,  medical  motion  pictures,  technical  exhibits, 
and  entertainment  for  visiting  wives.  (All-inclusive  registration  fee — S35.00.) 

This  program  is  acceptable  for  twenty-two  (22)  prescribed  hours  and  nine  (9)  elective  hours  by  the  American  Acad- 
emy of  General  Practice. 

For  information  concerning  the  Assembly  meeting  write  Secretary, 

The  Newr  Orleans  Graduate  Medical  Assembly,  Room  1538, 

1430  Tulane  Avenue,  New  Orleans,  Louisiana  70112. 


for  the  debilitated 
geriatric  patient 


TABLETS 

high  potency  B-complex  and  C 
for  nutritional  support 


AVAILABLE  ONLY  ON  Rx 
contains  water-soluble  vitamins  only 
b.i.d.  dosage 
good  patient  acceptance 
no  odor,  and  virtually  no  aftertaste 


Each  Berocca  Tablet  contains: 


Thiamine  mononitrate  15  mg 

Riboflavin  15  mg 

Pyridoxine  HCI 5 mg 

Niacinamide 100  mg 

Calcium  pantothenate  20  mg 

Cyanocobalamin  5 meg 

Folic  acid 0.5  mg 

Ascorbic  acid 500  mg 


Usual  dosage  is  one  tablet  b.i.d. 

Indications:  Nutritional  supplementation  in  conditions  in 
which  water-soluble  vitamins  are  required  prophylactically 
or  therapeutically. 

Warning:  Not  intended  for  treatment  of  pernicious  anemia 
or  other  primary  or  secondary  anemias.  Neurologic  involve- 
ment may  develop  or  progress,  despite  temporary  remission 
of  anemia,  in  patients  with  pernicious  anemia  who  receive 
more  than  0.1  mg  of  folic  acid  per  day  and  who  are  in- 
adequately treated  with  vitamin  B12. 

Dosage:  1 or  2 tablets  daily,  as  indicated  by  clinical  need. 
Available:  In  bottles  of  100. 


Roche 

LABORATORIES 


Division  ol  Hoffmann-La  Roche  Inc. 
Nutley.  New  Jersey  07110 


1 Pot  Policy  Chicago  - AMA's  new  policy  position  on  mari- 

hs  Hard  tine  juana  minces  no  words  in  characterizing  can- 

nabis  as  "a  dangerous  drug.  ..and  a psycho- 
■Lve  substance  which  can  have  a marked  deleterious  effect...” 
Icy  says  that  sale  and  possession  of  marijuana  should  not  be 
^alized,  pointing  out  that  if  potency  were  legally  controlled, 
ice  would  predictably  be  an  illicit  market. 


Makers  Hit  New  York  - The  Tobacco  Institute,  trade  as- 

ismoking  Spots  sociation  for  cigarette  manufacturers,  took 

full  page  ads  in  newspapers  to  protest  what 
.called  "untruthful  and  misleading  statements”  by  American  Can- 
: Society  and  American  Heart  Association  in  forced-free-time 
commercials  discouraging  smoking.  TI  said  that  such  commercials 
uuld  be  stopped.  FCC  requires  networks  to  give  time  to  offset 
bes  pitches  equating  smoking  with  outdoors  and  the  good  life. 


itists  Get  Blow  Washington  - After  extensive  study,  HEW  has 
"m  HEW,  APHA  reported  to  the  Congress  that  chiropractic 

is  quackery  and  that  payment  for  spine  punchers* 
i vices  should  not  be  made  in  Medicare  program.  American  Public 
s.lth  Association  followed  up  by  concurring  and  asking  that  no 
ament  be  made  to  chiropractors  under  Title  XIX  Medicaid.  Mis- 
. sippi  program  cannot  pay  cultists  under  existing  law. 


sil  Dogpatch  Gets  Dogpatch.  Ark.  - Sen.  J.  William  Fullbright 
:leral  Handout  (D.  ,Ark.  ) has  accomplished  what  A1  Capp*s 

mythical  Sen.  Jack  S.  (Good  Ole  Jack  S. ) Phog- 
;md  has  never  been  able  to  do  in  the  popular  comic  strip,  "Li'l 
ler”:  He  got  $120,000  in  sure  *nuff  federal  money  for  Dogpatch, 

c. , a private  amusement  park.  Money  will  provide  hillbilly  Dis- 
fland  water  and  sewerage  services  under  public  health  aegis. 


V Disposal  Poses  Ft.  De trick,  Md.  - The  U.S.  Chemical  and  Bio- 
alth  Problems  logical  Warfare  Center  has  the  problem  of  carry- 

ing  out  President  Nixon* s edict  to  dispose  of 
3 nation* s stockpile  of  CBW  weapons.  Although  top  secret,  deadly 
senal  is  known  to  contain  potent  strains  of  anthrax,  encephalitis, 
ague,  Q fever,  Chikungunya  fever,  and  a host  of  fatal  bugs.  CBW 
LI  henceforth  be  confined  to  defensive  research  and  vaccines. 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  JANUARY  1970 


1 4 


equivalent  to 


Erythromycin  Estolate 


Each  5 cc.  contain 
erythromycin  estolate 
equivalent  to  250  mg. 
erythromycin  base. 


When  mixed  as  directed, 
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estolate  equivalent  to  125  mg. 
erythromycin  base. 


Hr  When  mixed  as 
f directed,  each  cc. 

will  contain 
erythromycin  estolate 
equivalent  to  100  mg. 
erythromycin  base. 


mMmmmmmm. 

Each  tablet  contain 


Each  5 cc.  contain 
erythromycin  estolate 
equivalent  to  125  mg. 
erythromycin  base. 


The  many 
forms 
of  Ilosone 


Each  Pulvule®  contains 
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erythromycin  base. 


Additional  information 
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Eli  Lilly  and  Company 
Indianapolis,  Indiana  46206 


Each  Pulvule  contains 
erythromycin  estolate 
equivalent  to  250  mg. 
erythromycin  base. 


900761 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

January  1970,  Vol.  XI,  No.  1 


Practical  Uses  of  Steroids  and 
Gonadotropins  in  Obstetrics 

and  Gynecology 

VEASY  C.  B.  BUTTRAM,  JR.,  M.D.,  PAIGE  K.  BESCH,  Ph.D.,  and 

L.  RUSSELL  MALINAK,  M.D. 

Houston,  Texas 


The  obstetrician  and  gynecologist  frequent- 
ly encounters  a patient  who  exhibits  signs  and 
symptoms  which  might  indicate  an  endocrine 
abnormality.  Before  undertaking  a workup,  the 
physician  should  know  just  what  tests  are  avail- 
able to  him,  what  tests  might  be  of  benefit  both 
in  the  diagnosis  and  treatment,  the  time  and  ex- 
penses involved,  and  how  to  interpret  the  labo- 
ratory results  that  he  may  obtain.  The  purpose 
of  this  paper  is  to  discuss  several  steroid  and 
gonadotropin  determinations  that  are  available 
to  practicing  physicians  and  place  emphasis  par- 
ticularly upon  their  practical  use. 

Estrogens  are  phenolic  steroids  that  are  se- 
creted by  the  ovaries,  adrenal  glands,  testicles 
and  the  fetal-placental  unit.  At  the  present  time, 
there  are  known  to  be  at  least  20-25  metabolites 
in  the  urine  which  can  be  considered  estrogens. 
The  metabolites  that  are  most  important  are 
known  as  Ei  (estrone),  E2  (estridiol)  and  E3 
(estriol).  Et  and  E2  are  primarily  secreted  by  the 


From  the  Department  of  Obstetrics  and  Gynecology, 
Baylor  University  College  of  Medicine. 

Read  before  the  Section  on  Obstetrics  and  Gynecology, 
101st  Annual  Session,  Mississippi  State  Medical  As- 
sociation, Biloxi.  May  13,  1969. 


ovaries  in  the  non-pregnant  female.  A small 
amount  of  estrone  and  estridiol  can  be  secreted 
by  the  adrenal  gland.  Estriol  in  the  non-gravid 
female  is  produced  primarily  in  the  liver  from 
metabolism  of  estrone  and  estridiol;  in  the  gravid 
female,  the  major  portion  of  estriol  is  produced 
in  the  fetal-placental  unit. 


The  availability  and  benefit  of  tests,  the 
time  and  expenses  involved  and  the  inter- 
pretation of  laboratory  results  are  things  a 
physician  must  know  before  undertaking  a 
workup  of  a patient  who  appears  to  have 
endocrine  abnormality.  Several  steroid  and 
gonadotropin  determinations  available  to 
practicing  physicians  are  discussed  with  par- 
ticular emphasis  placed  upon  their  practical 
use.  Diagnostic  methods  expected  to  be 
available  in  the  near  future  are  also  con- 
sidered. 


Before  an  estrogen  determination  is  ordered, 
it  should  be  emphasized  that  there  are  interfer- 
ing agents  which  alter  the  estrogen  values  ob- 
tained from  urine.  These  consist  of  hormones 


JANUARY  1970 


1 


STEROID  USAGE  / Buttram  et  al 

which  inhibit  hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian  func- 
tion, i.e.,  contraceptives.  The  cost  of  a total  uri- 
nary estrogen  determination  ranges  from  $15-$30 
and  the  time  involved  varies  from  4-24  hours. 
Fractionated  estrogens  on  the  other  hand  costs 
approximately  $30-$50,  and  the  time  required 
for  such  a determination  is  seven  days. 

ESTROGEN  PEAK 

In  the  pre-menopausal  female,  estrogen  values 
range  from  5-25  /ngm  per  24  hours.  It  is  well 
known  that  the  estrogen  value  is  greatest  just 
prior  to  ovulation.  (See  Chart  I.)  LH  release 
and  subsequent  ovulation  is  apparently  depen- 
dent on  this  peak.  There  is  also  a peak  of  estrogen 
in  the  mid-portion  of  the  luteal  phase  of  the  cycle. 
Why  females  have  this  second  surge  of  estrogen 
is  not  known.  It  has  been  theorized  that  it  is  due 
to  the  release  of  estrogen  from  other  follicles 
that  were  stimulated  by  FSH  in  the  pre-ovula- 
tory and  post-ovulatory  phase  of  the  menstrual 


cycle  which  did  not  mature  to  the  stage  needed 
for  ovulation.  These  follicles  persist  during  the 
luteal  phase  of  the  menstrual  cycle,  and  it  is  con- 
ceivable that  they  produce  estrogen  at  that  time. 

The  initial  peak  of  estrogen  is  secreted  by  the 
follicle  which  has  been  brought  to  maturity  un- 
der FSH  stimulation  and  subsequently  ovulates 
following  LH  release.  Thus,  during  the  earlier 
portion  of  the  menstrual  cycle,  the  estrogen  value 
is  at  its  lowest  level  and  may  range  from  5-10 
^gm  for  24  hours  (Table  I).  The  level  of  estro- 
gen during  the  mid-portion  of  the  menstrual 
cycle  prior  to  ovulation  and  during  mid-luteal 
phase  may  approach  the  25  ^gm  peak.  The  nor- 
mal value  of  estrogen  in  a post-menopausal 
woman  varies  from  5-10  ^gm  per  hour.  The 
major  portion  of  this  estrogen  comes  from  the 
adrenal  glands. 

The  proper  clinical  use  of  estrogen  determi- 
nations in  the  evaluation  and  treatment  of  endo- 
crine abnormalities  is  variable.  In  the  normal 
menstruating  female  an  estrogen  determination 
is  seldom  of  benefit  in  the  diagnosis  or  treatment 


-13-11-9-7-5-3-1  1 3 5 7 91113  15 


DAY  OF  CYCLE 


Chart  I.  The  variation  of  the  three  major  urinary  estrogens  during  the  menstrual  cycle. 


2 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


TABLE  I 

SOME  NORMAL  URINARY  STEROID  VALUES  IN  THE  WOMAN 


Steroid  Pre-Ovulatory  Post-Ovulatory  Post-Menopausal  Pregnancy 


Total  Estrogen  (/i  gm)  5-10  5-25  5-10  8-35  mg* 

Pregnanediol  (mg)  <0.2  0.8-3. 5 <0.5  5-30* 

17-Ketosteroids  (mg) 5-8  5-15  3-8  5-20 

17-Hydroxycorticoids  (mg)  3-5  3-8  2-5  3-8 

Testosterone  (/x  gm ) 0-10  10-20  10-30  ? 

HCG  — — — 800-100,000  IU* 


* These  values  vary  with  gestational  age. 


of  an  endocrine  abnormality.  We  feel  that  a wom- 
an who  is  having  normal  menstrual  cycles  will 
have  an  estrogen  level  that  is  within  the  5-25 
/xgm  normal  range.  Therefore,  an  estrogen  de- 
termination would  be  of  little  practical  value  to 
the  physician  in  this  patient.  In  the  amenorrheic 
female,  an  estrogen  determination  may  be  of 
some  benefit  (Table  II).  Further  discussion  of 
the  practical  use  of  estrogen  will  follow  the  intro- 
duction of  the  gonadotropins. 

GONADOTROPIN  VALUES 

The  pituitary  gland  is  the  only  organ  known 
to  produce  human  pituitary  gonadotropins.  The 
interfering  agents  which  alter  the  urinary  values 
are  estrogens,  androgens,  and  progestins.  Some 
of  the  frequently  used  tranquilizers,  sedatives, 
and  narcotics  also  interfere;  they  suppress  the 
hypothalamus  or  pituitary  gland.  The  cost  ranges 
from  $20-$35,  and  the  time  required  for  this 
particular  determination  is  approximately  two 
weeks  in  most  laboratories.  This  is  one  of  the 
crudest  laboratory  determinations.  Normal  values 
in  the  pre-menopausal  woman  range  between 
6-48  m.u.  per  24  hours  and  in  the  post-meno- 
pausal female,  between  48-192  m.u.  per  24 
hours.  The  clinical  usefulness  is  hampered  by  the 

TABLE  II 

ESTROGENS  MAY  BE  OF  VALUE  IN 
THESE  DISORDERS 

1.  Hypothalamic  amenorrhea 

2.  Amenorrhea-galactorrhea  syndrome 

3.  Hypopituitarism 

4.  Ovarian  agenesis  or  dysgenesis 

5.  Premature  ovarian  failure 

6.  Congenital  absences  of  the  vagina 

7.  Gonadotropin  therapy 

8.  Estrogen  secreting  tumors  of  the  ovary 

9.  Gynecomastia  in  the  male 


fact  that  the  determination  is  so  crude.  Only 
values  which  are  extremely  high  or  repeatedly 
low  are  of  benefit  to  the  practicing  physician. 

In  the  normal  menstruating  female,  a total 
pituitary  gonadotropin  level  is  of  no  benefit  in 
evaluating  a problem.  If  she  is  menstruating, 
even  if  infrequently,  she  is  producing  enough 
FSH  to  stimulate  the  follicles  to  produce  estro- 
gen. The  urinary  gonadotropic  (HPG)  value 
would  possibly  be  low  but  still  within  normal 
range.  Only  in  the  completely  amenorrheic  fe- 
male is  the  total  pituitary  gonadotropin  determi- 
nation of  any  value  to  the  physician.  In  the 
menopausal  woman  or  one  with  ovarian  failure, 
a tremendous  increase  in  the  trophic  hormones 
urinary  level  occurs.  In  hypothalamic  or  pitui- 
tary pathology,  low  values  for  the  trophic  hor- 
mones are  expected;  this  is  frequently  not  the 
case,  however.  This  is  possibly  due  to  the  wide 
range  of  normal  for  the  test  and  the  low  value 
that  is  reported  to  be  within  normal  limits. 

NORMAL  VALUES 

In  the  hypothalamic  amenorrheic  syndrome, 
the  amenorrhea-galactorrhea  syndrome,  or  in  hy- 
popituitarism, estrogen  values  are  usually  in  the 
low  normal  range.  This  also  is  apparently  due  to 
the  wide  range  of  normal  values  for  urinary 
estrogen  and  the  fact  that  the  adrenal  glands 
can  produce  enough  estrogen  to  give  a value  of 
5 pgm  or  more.  Therefore,  the  culdoscopic  find- 
ing of  unstimulated  ovaries  may  be  of  more 
practical  value  than  an  estrogen  or  gonadotropin 
determination.  These  estrogen  deficient  patients 
generally  respond  poorly  to  Clomid.  An  estrogen 
determination  might  give  some  prognostic  infor- 
mation, as  we  feel  that  those  individuals  who 
have  high  normal  estrogen  values  respond  much 
more  favorably. 


JANUARY  1970 


3 


STEROID  USAGE  / Buttram  et  al 

Patients  with  ovarian  agenesis  or  dysgenesis 
or  premature  ovarian  failure  generally  have  a 
low  normal  or  low  estrogen  level  and  a high 
gonadotropin  titer.  Evaluation  of  the  vaginal  mu- 
cosa for  estrogen  effect  is  as  beneficial  as  an 
estrogen  determination  in  the  above-mentioned 
problem  and  is  less  expensive. 

In  those  rare  cases  of  congenital  absence  of 
the  vagina,  where  a vaginal  smear  cannot  be  ob- 
tained, an  estrogen  determination  may  be  of  some 
benefit  to  the  physician.  A high  normal  estrogen 
level  would  indicate  that  ovaries  are  present.  A 
urinary  cytogram  for  estrogen  effect  may  also  be 
of  value. 

GONADOTROPIN  THERAPY 

In  the  recent  past,  gonadotropin  therapy  has 
been  used  with  qualified  success  in  infertile  pa- 
tients with  low  gonadotropic  hormone  release. 
At  the  present  time,  it  is  difficult  to  know  just 
how  much  FSH  to  administer  and  the  amount 
required  varies  considerably  in  each  individual. 
Estrogen  values  during  and  following  gonadotro- 
pin therapy  have  been  of  some  benefit.  During 
gonadotropin  therapy,  the  estrogen  value  should 
rise.  Evaluation  of  this  estrogen  output  is  bene- 
ficial in  evaluating  further  FSH  need.  However, 
because  estrogen  determinations  are  time  consum- 
ing and  costly;  their  use  in  patients  receiving 
gonadotropin  therapy  has  been  less  than  ideal. 

Occasionally,  an  estrogen  secreting  ovarian 
tumor  may  be  diagnosed  by  estrogen  determina- 
tions. Generally,  this  is  not  the  case.  Most  pa- 


tients with  ovarian  tumors  that  secrete  estrogen 
will  have  a palpable  adnexal  mass.  Following  ex- 
cision of  a functioning  ovarian  tumor,  subsequent 
estrogen  determinations  might  indicate  recurrence 
or  metastatic  disease.  Likewise,  in  male  patients 
with  gynecomastia,  an  estrogen  determination 
may  be  of  some  benefit  in  both  diagnosis  and 
treatment. 

PRACTICAL  USES 

The  greatest  practical  use  of  estrogen  determina- 
tions is  in  the  pregnant  female.  Placental  insuffi- 
ciency may  be  associated  with  postmaturity,  dysma- 
turity,  diabetes,  and  toxemia  of  pregnancy.  The 
estrogen  values  in  pregnancy  are  increased  1,000 
fold  over  those  in  the  non-pregnant  female.  Re- 
cent investigations  indicate  that  urinary  estrogen 
levels  in  the  third  trimester  of  pregnancy  are  in- 
dicative of  feto-placental  well  being.  It  is  impor- 
tant that  frequent  determinations  be  obtained; 
delivery  of  the  infant  should  be  considered  when 
an  estrogen  value  drops  50  per  cent  or  more. 
The  total  estrogen  value  is  not  as  important  as  is 
a decrease  which  is  noted  on  serial  determina- 
tions. In  some  cases,  fetal  death  in  utero  may  be 
diagnosed  by  a low  estrogen  level.  Also,  it  has 
been  recommended  by  some  authors  that  estro- 
gen values  accurately  reflect  fetal  size  and  should 
be  performed  on  any  patient  prior  to  elective 
repeat  cesarean  section. 

Progesterone  is  known  to  be  produced  in  the 
ovary,  adrenal,  testes,  and  placenta.  There  are 
more  than  20  compounds  in  the  urine  which  can 
be  considered  progesterone  metabolites;  of  these, 
pregnanediol  (PL>)  is  the  most  important.  (See 


Chart  11.  Urinary  pregnanediol  excretion  throughout  the  normal  cycle. 


4 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Chart  II.)  Any  agent  which  contains  estrogen, 
progesterone  or  androgen  can  suppress  the  hy- 
pothalamus and  the  pituitary  gland  and  thus  in- 
terfere with  the  pregnanediol  determination.  The 
cost  of  this  test  is  approximately  $15  and  the 
time  required  is  two  days  (Table  II).  The  non- 
gravid  female  excretes  0. 5-0.9  mg  pregnanediol 
each  24  hours  in  the  follicular  phase  of  the  men- 
strual cycle  and  0.9-3. 5 mg  each  24  hours  in  the 
luteal  phase.  In  the  pregnant  female,  the  preg- 
nanediol values  increase  approximately  2.75 
mg/24  hours  each  gestational  month.  The  normal 
day-to-day  variation  in  excretion  is  considerable; 
thus  the  test  is  of  little  value. 

There  is  no  practical  value  of  pregnanediol 
determinations  in  pregnancy.  It  has  been  felt 
that  the  P2  value  was  indicative  of  fetal-placental 
well  being.  Recent  investigations  have  virtually 
disproved  this  hypothesis.  In  the  menstruating 
female,  the  pregnanediol  value  may  be  of  some 
benefit  for  detection  of  ovulation,  but  other 
tests  such  as  basal  body  temperatures  or  endo- 
metrial biopsies  are  as  enlightening  and  less  ex- 
pensive. In  the  amenorrheic  female,  P>  values 
are  never  of  benefit,  simply  because  the  amenor- 
rheic patient  rarely  ovulates. 

STEROID  METABOLISM 

Urinary  1 7-hydroxycorticoids  are  produced 
only  from  the  metabolism  of  steroids  produced  in 
the  adrenal  glands.  There  are  many  compounds 
in  the  urine  which  react  chemically  as  1 7-hy- 
droxycorticoids. The  interfering  agents  are  iodides, 
paraldehyde,  chloral  hydrate,  sulphur  drugs, 
chlorophenothiazine,  spironolactones,  Furadantin, 
quinine,  colchicine,  Darvon,  bilirubin,  glucose, 
coffee,  spinach,  and  others.  Stress  may  cause  an 
increase  in  1 7-hydroxycorticoids.  When  the  pa- 
tient enters  the  hospital  for  endocrine  evaluation, 
she  is  generally  anxious;  thus  a temporary  in- 
crease in  1 7-hydroxycorticoids  may  occur.  The 
cost  of  this  procedure  is  approximately  $15,  and 
the  time  involved  is  usually  three  days.  The  nor- 
mal values  vary  with  each  laboratory.  Generally, 
5-10  mg.  per  24  hours  is  considered  normal  for 
a male  and  2-8  mg.  per  24  hours  for  a female. 

The  clinical  use  of  1 7-hydroxycorticoids  is  re- 
lated to  its  value  as  a screening  procedure  for 
adrenal  disorders.  In  Cushing  syndrome  in  which 
an  over-production  of  cortisol  occurs  1 7-hydroxy- 
corticoids are  increased.  In  congenital  and  ac- 
quired adrenal  hyperplasia,  the  1 7-hydroxy- 
corticoids are  normal  or  low  normal.  These  pa- 
tients have  compensated  for  their  enzymatic  de- 


fect and  thereby  produce  enough  hydrocortisone 
to  survive.  In  Addison’s  disease  and  panhypo- 
pituitarism, low  normal  or  slightly  subnormal 
levels  are  found.  These  values  are  only  sugges- 
tive, not  diagnostic.  Also,  Addison’s  disease  and 
panhypopituitarism  cannot  be  differentiated  by  a 
1 7-hydroxycorticoid  value  alone. 

ORIGIN  OF  17-KETOSTEROIDS 

Origins  of  17-ketosteroids  are  the  ovaries, 
adrenal  glands,  testicles  and  placenta.  There  are 
a number  of  17-ketosteroids  in  the  urine  but  only 
seven  are  of  importance.  Among  the  interfering 
agents  are  such  substances  as  ascorbic  acid,  Dori- 
den,  morphine,  mephrobamate.  Stress  may  also  give 
false  high  values.  The  cost  ranges  from  $7.50-$  15 
and  the  time  required  is  around  two  days.  Most 
procedures  used  to  detect  urinary  17-ketosteroids 
are  very  crude,  and  at  best  the  determination  is  a 
measurement  of  weak  androgens  produced  in 
the  body.  Twenty  to  40  per  cent  of  the  17- 
ketosteroid  values  may  be  non-specific  urinary 
chromogens.  For  example,  of  12  mg/24  hours 
for  a female,  2-4  mg.  of  this  determination  may 
be  interfering  urinary  chromogens  that  are  not 
1 7-ketosteroids.  The  normal  values  vary  with  the 
laboratory;  the  male  range  is  8-20  mg.  per  24 
hours,  and  that  of  the  female  is  5-15  mg.  per  24 
hours. 

As  with  the  1 7-hydroxycorticoids,  17-ketoster- 
oids are  used  primarily  as  a screening  procedure 
for  adrenal  pathology.  When  an  increase  in  17- 
ketosteroids  is  obtained,  it  should  be  assumed 
that  the  problem  lies  in  the  adrenal  gland  until 
proven  otherwise.  Secretion  of  17-ketosteroid  in- 
creases in  adrenal  tumors,  Cushing  syndrome, 
congenital  adrenal  hyperplasia  and  possibly  in 
acquired  adrenal  hyperplasia  and  borderline 
adrenal  dysfunction.  In  Addison’s  disease  and 
panhypopituitarism  low  normal  to  sub-normal 
values  of  17-ketosteroids  are  present.  Although 
ovarian  pathology  may  cause  an  increase  in  17- 
ketosteroids,  this  is  generally  not  the  case.  Ele- 
vated 17-ketosteroid  values  are  occasionally  as- 
sociated with  adrenal  rest  tumors  of  the  ovaries 
or  arrhenoblastomas.  A discussion  of  17-keto- 
steroid  values  in  patients  with  enzymatic  pathol- 
ogy of  the  ovaries  and/or  the  adrenal  glands  will 
appear  later  in  this  paper. 

Testosterone  can  be  produced  in  the  ovaries, 
testicles  and  probably  to  a small  degree  by  the 
adrenals.  Precursors  of  testosterone  are  produced 
abundantly  by  each  of  these  glands.  Conver- 
sion of  these  precursors  to  testosterone  may 


JANUARY  1970 


5 


STEROID  USAGE  / Buttram  et  al 

take  place  in  the  liver  and  other  peripheral 
sites.  The  interfering  agents  are  corticoids,  estro- 
gens, progestins,  and  androgens,  as  these  may  al- 
ter the  biosynthesis  of  the  secreting  endocrine 
gland.  The  cost  varies  from  $35-$55,  and  the  time 
required  is  approximately  two  weeks.  Testoster- 
one is  not  a 1 7-ketosteroid.  It  is  present  both  in 
the  urine  and  the  plasma.  Androstenedione  is 
a 1 7-ketosteroid  which  is  found  only  in  the  plas- 
ma. Dehydroepiandrosterone  (DHEA)  is  the 
most  androgenic  1 7-ketosteroid  found  in  the 
urine.  If  testosterone  is  given  an  androgenicity 
value,  androstenefione  is  one-tenth  and  DHEA 
is  one-thirtieth  of  that  value.  The  metabolism  of 
these  compounds  are  shown  in  Chart  III.  Urinary 
1 7-ketosteroids  are  measurements  of  the  weakest 
androgens  produced  in  the  body  and  do  not  re- 
flect unmetabolized  androstenedione  or  testoster- 
one. The  normal  values  for  urinary  testosterone 
in  the  male  are  30-200  ^gm  for  24  hours  and  0-20 
gm  for  24  hours  in  the  female.  In  the  plasma, 
the  value  is  approximately  0.68  g gm  and  0.10  /xgm 
respectively.  In  the  normally  menstruating  fe- 
male, testosterone  levels  vary  throughout  the 
menstrual  cycle;  the  peak  of  testosterone  is 
around  the  time  of  ovulation,  apparently  stimu- 
lated by  the  LH  peak. 


Metabolism  of  Some  Endogenously  Produced  Androgens 


D ehyd  ro  epiandro  s te  ro  ne 


1 7-ketosteroids.  Occasionally,  both  testosterone 
and  the  1 7-ketosteroids  are  increased.  Using  these 
generalizations,  a differentiation  between  primary 
ovarian  and  primary  adrenal  enzymatic  pathol- 
ogy can  usually  be  made.  When  an  enzymatic 
deficiency  in  either  gland  is  so  mild  that  it  cannot 
be  detected  by  measurement  of  testosterone  or 
1 7-ketosteroids,  a diagnostic  dilemma  is  present. 
A similar  diagnostic  problem  arises  when  enzy- 
matic deficiencies  are  present  in  both  endocrine 
glands. 


URINARY  TESTOSTERONE 

Androgen  secreting  ovarian  tumors,  such  as 
arrhenoblastoma  and  hilus  cell  tumors,  are  gen- 
erally associated  with  an  increase  in  urinary  tes- 
tosterone. These  particular  tumors  may  cause  no 
increase  in  1 7-ketosteroids.  In  contradistinction, 
adrenal  tumors  usually  secrete  a large  amount  of 
1 7-ketosteroids  and  little  testosterone.  Plasma 
testosterone  values  have  not  as  yet  been  well  cor- 
related with  disease  processes. 

Human  chorionic  gonadotropin  is  produced  by 
the  placenta.  There  are  multiple  methods  of  de- 
tection of  this  trophic  hormone.  The  hemaggluti- 
nation tests  have  a sensitivity  as  low  as  800-1000 
IU  of  HCG.  The  time  required  is  generally  2-4 
hours  and  the  approximate  cost  is  $5.  The  latex 
agglutination  tests  have  a sensitivity  as  low  as 
2000  IU  of  HCG  and  the  time  required  is  2-3 
minutes;  the  cost  is  around  $3.  The  complement 
fixation  test  is  rarely  used  today.  The  radioim- 
munoassay technique,  which  is  relatively  new,  is 
very  specific  and  sensitive,  and  can  detect  HCG 
values  as  low  as  0.06  HCG  per  ml.  of  serum.  The 
bioassay  techniques  used  in  the  past  were  fairly 
specific  and  quantitative  for  HCG  but  due  to  the 
crudeness  and  the  methodology  involved,  these 
techniques  are  currently  seldom  used. 

LH  AND  HCG  DETERMINATIONS 


Chart  111.  Metabolism  of  some  endogenously  pro- 
duced androgens. 


Testosterone  determinations  are  useful  in  dif- 
ferentiating ovarian  from  adrenal  pathology. 
When  a major  enzymatic  deficiency  exists  in  the 
ovary,  excess  androgen  production  occurs  gener- 
ally in  the  form  of  elevated  testosterone.  Occa- 
sionally, both  testosterone  and  1 7-ketosteroids 
are  elevated.  When  a major  enzymatic  deficiency 
exists  in  the  adrenal  gland,  excess  androgen  pro- 
duction occurs  generally  in  the  form  of  elevated 


Lutenizing  hormone  (LH)  and  human  chori- 
onic gonadotropin  (HCG)  crossreact  immuno- 
logically.  Thus,  10  units  of  LH  plus  10  units  of 
HCG  react  immunologically  as  20  units.  In  the 
normally  menstruating  female,  the  peak  of  LH 
is  around  mid-cycle  and  ranges  from  200-300 
IU  HCG  (Chart  IV).  In  the  post-menopausal 
female,  the  LH  value  may  be  600  IU  HCG.  If 
a sensitive  immunological  test  for  HCG  is  used,  a 
positive  pregnancy  test  in  a post-menopausal 
female  may  occur  when  the  LH  titer  approxi- 
mates 600-800  IU  HCG.  HCG  titers  are  de- 
tectable on  the  24th  day  of  pregnancy;  by  day 


6 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


MEAN  URINARY  EXCRETION  OF  FSH  & LH  ACTIVITY  ARRANGED  ACCORDING 
TO  THE  DEVIATIONS  FROM  THE  TIME  OF  MAXIMAL  LH  EXCRETION 
IN  EACH  CYCLE  (64  NORMAL  CYCLES) 


DAYS 


Composition  pattern  of  FSH  and  LH  excretion.  Vertical  lines  represent  the  standard  error. 
(From  Stevens,  1966.) 


Chart  IV.  Pattern  of  LH  & FSH  during  the  normal  cycle. 


30,  there  is  a 100-fold  increase,  and  by  day  42, 
the  value  is  increased  some  3000  fold.  The  peak 
of  HCG  is  noted  around  the  50th-70th  day  of 
gestation. 

The  best  clinical  use  of  HCG  determinations 
is  in  diagnosis  of  pregnancy.  If  a sensitive  tech- 
nique is  used  properly,  a positive  pregnancy  test 
occurs  by  day  30  of  the  menstrual  cycle  or  16 
days  after  conception.  Most  physicians  delay 
this  determination  until  day  42  because  some 
women  ovulate  later  than  day  14. 

This  test  is  useful  in  the  diagnosis  of  hydatidi- 
form  mole  and  choriocarcinoma;  it  must  be 
stressed,  however,  that  very  high  levels  of  HCG 
may  occur  in  normal  pregnancy  during  the  third 
month.  The  post-treatment  care  of  the  patient 
with  trophoblastic  disease  is  enhanced  by  very 
sensitive  techniques  for  HCG  determinations. 

In  the  near  future,  the  obstetrician  and  gyne- 


cologist will  have  several  new  methods  for  ster- 
oid and  gonadotropin  determination  which  will 
aid  both  in  diagnosis  and  treatment  of  endocrine 
abnormalities.  The  competitive  protein  binding 
technique  for  estrogen,  progesterone  and  testos- 
terone appears  to  be  a very  rapid,  accurate  and 
sensitive  method  for  detection  of  these  steroids, 
although  it  is  still  in  the  early  stages  of  develop- 
ment. The  radioimmunoassay  for  FSH  and  LH 
and  other  trophic  hormones  is  also  in  its  infancy. 
This  technique  is  complex  but  holds  a lot  of 
promise  for  all  physicians  and  individuals  inter- 
ested in  the  field  of  reproductive  physiology'. 
Production  and  secretion  rates  are  complicated 
and  have  not  to  date  been  useful  in  clinical  ob- 
stetrics and  gynecology.  Conversion  studies  of 
steroids  are  also  complex,  but  they  appear  prom- 
ising for  future  practicing  physicians.  *** 

5353  Dora  Street  (77005) 


JANUARY  1970 


7 


Acute  Illness  Among  Returnees 

From  Vietnam 


ROBERT  E.  BLOUNT,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


It  is  estimated  that,  during  1970  more  than 
6,000  Mississippians  will  be  returning  to  the 
United  States  after  completing  a 12-month  tour 
of  duty  in  Vietnam.  Traveling  by  jet,  these  troops 
may  arrive  home  during  the  incubation  period  of 
a number  of  tropical  diseases. 

Those  who  have  engaged  in  combat  in  the 
Central  Highlands  of  South  Vietnam  probably  have 
been  exposed  to  virulent  strains  of  Plasmodium 
falciparum  malaria.  These  troops  have  been  tak- 
ing a tablet  containing  300  mg.  Chloroquine 
(base)  and  45  mg.  primaquine  (base)  once 
weekly  as  chemoprophylaxis.  Some  are  receiving 
a daily  dosage  of  25  mg.  of  diaminodiphenyl- 
sulfone  (Dapsone)  as  a third  chemosuppres- 
sive  agent.  On  being  rotated  from  Vietnam,  each 
individual  is  issued  a supply  of  the  chloroquine- 
primaquine  tablets  with  instructions  to  take  one 
each  week  for  eight  weeks.  He  is  warned  not  to 
use  these  combined  tablets  for  the  therapy  of 
any  clinical  illness  because  of  the  hemolytic  po- 
tential of  the  larger  dosage  of  primaquine  in- 
volved. Most  returning  troops  are  also  given  a 
supply  of  Dapsone  tablets  and  instructed  to  take 
one  daily  (in  addition  to  the  weekly  doses  of 
chloroquine-primaquine)  for  28  days  after  leav- 
ing the  high-risk  area. 

Because  certain  strains  of  P.  falciparum, 
found  in  Southeast  Asia  (and  in  South  America), 
are  resistant  to  chloroquine,  as  well  as  to  almost 


From  the  Departments  of  Preventive  Medicine  and 
Medicine,  University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medi- 
cine. 

Read  before  the  Section  on  Preventive  Medicine,  101st 
Annual  Session.  Biloxi,  May  14,  1969. 


all  of  the  synthetic  antimalarials  including 
Quinacrine,  Proguanide,  Pyrimethamine,  Amo- 
diaquine,  and  Primaquine,  some  of  these  re- 
turnees will  experience  clinical  disease  due  to 
P.  falciparum.  These  infections  may  show  little 


Troops  returning  by  jet  to  the  United 
States  from  service  in  Vietnam  may  easily 
arrive  home  during  the  incubation  period  of 
a number  of  tropical  diseases.  The  author 
discusses  the  symptoms  and  treatment  of 
malaria,  melioidosis , leptospirosis,  tsutsuga- 
mushi  disease,  Japanese  B encephalitis  and 
other  communicable  diseases  found  in  Viet- 
nam. 


clinical  improvement  or  drop  in  parasitemia  lev- 
els after  1.5  gm.  (base)  of  chloroquine  in  three 
days.  Parenteral  administration  of  chloroquine 
also  proves  ineffective.  Recrudescence  rates  range 
from  50  per  cent  to  80  per  cent  after  chloroquine 
therapy. 

Fatalities  due  to  P.  falciparum  malaria  have 
been  increasing  in  the  USA  during  the  past  few 
years.  Dangerous  levels  of  parasitemia  occur 
with  incredible  rapidity,  leading  to  complications 
such  as  cerebral  malaria,  acute  renal  insufficiency, 
massive  intravascular  hemolysis,  disseminated 
intravascular  coagulation,  or  acute  pulmonary 
edema  with  pleural  effusion. 


8 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


A high  index  of  suspicion  for  malaria  must  be 
maintained  when  troops  from  Southeast  Asia  be- 
come ill.  This  also  holds  true  for  tourists,  seamen. 
Peace  Corps  volunteers  and  airline  crews.  Re- 
peated thick  as  well  as  thin  blood  smears  should 
be  obtained  and  studied,  in  order  to  rule  out  ma- 
laria, in  any  illness  developing  among  such  per- 
sonnel. An  accurate  species  diagnosis  is  neces- 
sary since  the  drug  of  choice  for  Vivax  or  Quar- 
tan malaria  is  still  Chloroquine,  1.5  gm.  of  the 
base  (or  2.5  gm.  of  the  salt)  in  3 days.  Then 
Primaquine  15  mg.  daily  for  14  days,  being  ef- 
fective against  the  exoerythrocytic  or  tissue 
stages  or  all  malaria  species,  usually  accom- 
plishes a radical  cure  of  vivax  and  quartan  ma- 
laria. 

For  chloroquine  resistant  strains  of  P.  falci- 
parum malaria,  combined  drug  therapy  utilizing 
at  least  two  antimalarials  is  required,  at  least  un- 
til more  ideal  therapy  is  available.  Currently 
quinine  is  once  again  the  drug  of  choice  for  any 
individual  who  subsequently  develops  P.  falci- 
parum malaria  contracted  in  Southeast  Asia. 
Quinine,  650  mg.  every  eight  hours,  for  10  days 
(total  20  gm.)  is  given  concurrently  with  pyri- 
methamine 25  mg.  twice  daily  for  the  first  three 
days  (total  150  mg.  in  3 days).  Beginning  on 
day  seven  diaminodiphenylsulfone,  (currently 
available  only  in  military  hospitals)  25  mg.  daily, 
is  begun  and  continued  for  the  next  four  weeks 
(28  days). 

FALCIPARUM  MALARIA 

In  patients  seriously  ill  with  falciparum  ma- 
laria, marked  electrolyte  and  hemodynamic 
changes  occur.  Careful  monitoring  of  fluid  intake 
and  output  and  daily  recording  of  body  weight 
is  indicated.  In  the  critically  ill,  measurement 
of  central  venous  pressure  is  helpful  in  the 
avoidance  of  fluid  overloading. 

If  oliguria  develops  the  use  of  the  osmotic  di- 
uretic mannitol,  following  adequate  hydration, 
appears  helpful  in  restoring  sufficient  urine  out- 
put to  prevent  oliguric  renal  failure.  However, 
if  a test  dose  of  20  gm.  (as  a 20  per  cent  solu- 
tion) of  mannitol  does  not  produce  a urine  vol- 
ume of  at  least  60  ml/hr  for  each  of  the  next 
two  hours,  fluids  should  be  restricted  and  the 
patient  treated  as  for  acute  renal  failure. 

Dennis  et  al.  have  demonstrated  a rapid  con- 
sumption of  coagulation  factors  plus  evidence  of 
a defibrination  syndrome  in  patients  critically  ill 
with  P.  falciparum  malaria.  In  view  of  this  evi- 


dence that  disseminated  intravascular  coagula- 
tion occurs  in  such  patients,  the  cautious  admin- 
istration of  heparin  (0.5  mg/kg  intravenously 
every  eight  hours)  would  appear  to  be  indicated. 
Both  animal  and  clinical  experience  support  this. 

In  cerebral  malaria,  or  when  the  acutely  ill 
falciparum  malaria  patient  is  unable  to  take  or 
retain  quinine  orally,  the  initial  dosage  of  quinine 
should  be  given  intravenously.  Rapid  intravenous 
administration  of  quinine  may  prove  disastrous. 
If  given  slowly,  preferably  by  infusion,  in  dosage 
not  exceeding  640  mg.  every  eight  hours,  the 
drug  is  well  tolerated,  provided  urine  output  is 
adequate.  If  severe  oliguria  or  anuria  is  present, 
dangerous  quinine  blood  levels  may  result.  Oral 
administration  is  to  be  resumed  at  the  earliest 
practicable  moment. 

MASSIVE  HEMOLYSIS 

Massive  hemolysis  with  marked  hemoglobi- 
nuria has  occurred  in  nonimmune  American 
soldiers  during  the  primary  attack  of  P.  falciparum 
malaria,  with  or  without  quinine  therapy.  The 
use  of  adrenal  steroid  therapy,  such  as  dexa- 
methasone,  has  appeared  to  be  useful.  Carefully 
matched  transfusions,  preferably  of  packed  eryth- 
rocytes, may  be  useful  in  correcting  anemia 
that  is  of  life  threatening  severity.  If  the  blood 
smear  shows  parasitemia,  quinine  should  be  cau- 
tiously administered.  In  many  of  the  “blackwater 
fever”  cases  in  or  from  South  Vietnam,  para- 
sitemia has  been  demonstrated. 

Dexamethasone  has  been  effective  in  the  man- 
agement of  the  cerebral  edema  occurring  in  cere- 
bral malaria.  Rapid  reversal  of  choked  discs  and 
clearing  of  the  sensorium  has  been  noted.  In  the 
management  of  a person  having  just  returned  from 
South  Vietnam,  who  is  acutely  ill  with  falciparum 
malaria,  a careful  search  also  is  indicated  for  com- 
plicating or  coexisting  acute  infectious  diseases. 

AVAILABILITY  OF  QUININE 

A brief  telephone  survey  of  hospital  pharma- 
cies in  Mississippi  failed  to  locate  quinine  di- 
hydrochloride for  intravenous  use,  except  for  the 
Veterans  Administration  Hospital  in  Jackson.  Qui- 
nine sulfate  for  oral  use  was  available  in  only  a 
few.  It  is  suggested  that  preparations  of  quinine 
for  both  oral  and  intravenous  use  be  stocked  in 
every  pharmacy  for  emergency  therapy  of  chloro- 


JANUARY  1970 


9 


VIETNAM  RETURNEES  / Blount 

quine  resistant  strains  of  falciparum  malaria.  It 
is  further  suggested  that  valuable  time  not  be 
lost  by  the  trial  of  chloroquine  therapy  for  P.  fal- 
ciparum malaria  imported  from  Southeast  Asia. 

Anopheline  vectors  are  present  in  some  parts 
of  every  one  of  the  continental  United  States. 
Thus  there  is  the  possibility  of  these  indigenous 
vectors  becoming  infected  with  not  only  P.  vivax 
gametocytes,  but  with  gametocytes  of  chloro- 
quine resistant  strains  of  P.  falciparum  malaria. 
This  could  lead  to  outbreaks  of  malaria  due  to 
mosquito  transmission  of  these  introduced  strains 
of  malaria. 

Fortunately,  it  has  been  proven  that  one  dose  of 
45  mg.  of  primaquine  base  will  render  adult 
gametocytes  non-infective  for  mosquite  vectors 
for  a period  of  at  least  12  days.  If  each  individ- 
ual, returning  from  Southeast  Asia,  will  take  one 
chloroquine  primaquine  tablet  each  week  for 
eight  weeks,  as  instructed,  the  sporontocidal 
effects  of  primaquine  should  effectively  prevent 
infection  of  indigenous  anophelines.  This  at  least 
reduces  the  threat  of  malaria  once  again  becom- 
ing endemic  in  the  United  States. 

MELIOIDOSIS 

Another  disease  that  should  be  suspected  in 
any  febrile  returnee  from  Southeast  Asia  is  mel- 
ioidosis. This  disease,  endemic  in  Southeast  Asia, 
is  caused  by  the  motile,  bipolar,  poorly  staining 
gram  negative  bacillus  Pseudomonas  pseudomal- 
lei. Some  100  cases  were  recognized  in  the  French 
forces  in  Indochina  between  1948  and  1954.  Ap- 
proximately 140  cases  have  occurred  in  American 
Armed  Forces  personnel.  There  is  serological 
evidence  of  many  inapparent  infections  especial- 
ly among  the  South  Vietnamese.  The  clinical 
manifestations  are  protean,  ranging  from  a ful- 
minant septicemia,  with  multiple  visceral  and 
cutaneous  abscesses  as  well  as  pneumonia,  to  a 
relatively  mild  pulmonary  infiltrate  that  may 
mimic  tuberculosis.  Acute  suppurative  arthritis, 
cutaneous  ulcers,  osteomyelitis,  or  draining  si- 
nuses of  skin,  muscle  and  bone  may  appear.  Sev- 
eral recent  burn  evacuees  to  the  Brooke  Army 
Burn  Center,  all  without  evidence  of  pulmonary 
lesions,  have  developed  septicemia  due  to  Ps. 
pseudomallei. 

The  organism  is  often  easily  recovered,  using 
ordinary  culture  media  from  sputum,  cutaneous 
and  other  abscesses,  or  ulcers,  or  from  the  blood 


stream.  Whitish  mucoid  colonies  develop  char- 
acteristic wrinkling  within  4 or  5 days.  The  cul- 
ture medium  of  choice  appears  to  be  eosin  meth- 
ylene blue  (EMB),  and  the  initial  culture  has  in- 
variably required  a minimum  of  48  hours  incu- 
bation. Serologically,  culture  proven  cases  usual- 
ly develop  hemagglutination  titers  of  1:40  and 
above,  and  complement  fixation  titers  of  1:8  or 
above. 

FULMINANT  INFECTIONS 

Most  of  the  fulminant  infections  with  high 
spiking  fever,  septicemia  and  multiple  visceral 
abscesses  have  occurred  in  troops  in  South  Viet- 
nam. So  far  in  the  United  States,  except  for  the 
burn  cases,  the  few  returnees  from  South  Vietnam 
who  have  developed  clinically  proven  melioidosis 
usually  have  shown  an  onset  with  fever,  and 
cough,  productive  of  scanty  purulent  blood 
streaked  sputum,  together  with  pleuritic  pain. 
Chest  films  in  those  with  pulmonary  changes 
have  shown  infiltrates  varying  from  diffuse  ir- 
regular nodular  densities  to  an  almost  lobar 
pneumonic  consolidation.  Cavitary  lesions  are  not 
infrequent.  Most  of  these  cases  have  shown  rapid 
improvement  on  full  doses  of  multiple  antibiotic 
therapy.  Based  on  sensitivity  studies  and  clinical 
observations,  effective  antibotics  in  therapy  of  mel- 
ioidosis are  tetracycline,  chloramphenicol,  kana- 
mycin.  novobiocin,  and  sulfisoxazole.  Almost 
uniform  resistance  has  been  observed  against 
penicillin,  ampicillin,  cephalothin,  colistimethate 
and  streptomycin. 

In  the  critically  ill  patient,  massive  doses  of  a 
combination  of  antibiotics  such  as  chlorampheni- 
col, tetracycline  and  sulfisoxazole,  have  led  to 
recovery  in  few  cases,  but  these  fulminant  infec- 
tions have  shown  a high  mortality  rate.  In  most 
of  the  returnees  to  the  United  States,  the  illness 
has  shown  a subacute  pulmonary  lesion,  respond- 
ing well  to  combinations  of  antibiotic  therapy. 
Bennett  of  the  Communicable  Disease  Center  has 
reported  that  chloramphenicol  and  kanamycin  in 
combination  are  antagonistic,  at  least  in  vitro. 

LEPTOSPIROSIS 

Clinical  cases  of  leptospirosis  varying  in  se- 
verity from  mild  episodes  of  an  “aseptic  menin- 
gitis”-like  syndrome  to  an  icteric  state  with  se- 
vere liver  and  kidney  involvement  may  occur  in 
men  who  have  served  in  the  Mekong  Delta.  A 
large  proportion  of  infections  are  inapparent. 


10 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


The  signs  and  symptoms  of  leptospirosis  are 
generally  non-specific.  After  an  incubation  pe- 
riod usually  of  10-12  days,  but  ranging  from  3 
to  30  days,  the  onset  may  be  insidious  or  abrupt. 
A rising  fever  accompanied  by  chills,  myalgia, 
headache,  and  malaise  is  common.  An  early 
leptospiremia  persists  for  approximately  6 to  8 
days,  occasionally  for  two  weeks.  During  the 
first  week  the  organisms  may  sometimes  be 
found  in  the  cerebrospinal  fluid.  Fever  of  102  to 
104  degrees  F may  persist  for  several  days  to  a 
week.  During  the  leptospiremic  period  conjuncti- 
val suffusion,  retro-orbital  pain,  pharyngitis,  mus- 
cle tenderness,  nausea,  vomiting,  abdominal  pain, 
relative  bradycardia,  adenopathy  and  nuchal 
rigidity  are  frequently  noted.  Signs  of  meningeal 
irritation  usually  appear  early  and  often  be- 
come pronounced  during  the  second  week.  There 
is  increased  spinal  fluid  pressure  and  a delayed 
appearance  of  lymphocytic  pleocytosis.  In  milder 
cases  of  leptospirosis,  meningeal  signs  frequently 
dominated  the  clinical  picture.  Such  cases  prob- 
ably might  have  been  termed  “aseptic  meningitis” 
a few  years  earlier. 

CLINICAL  IMPROVEMENT 

With  the  disappearance  of  leptospiremia,  clin- 
ical improvement  occurs,  although  a secondary 
febrile  episode  may  appear.  By  the  6th  to  10th 
day  detectable  antibodies  are  present.  Full  re- 
covery usually  occurs  within  two  weeks  in  mild 
cases.  Leptospiras  appear  in  the  urine  after  the 
first  week  of  illness.  Shedding  of  leptospiras  in 
the  urine  is  more  pronounced  the  first  weeks  after 
clinical  improvement  is  noted,  but  may  occur  in- 
termittently for  three  or  more  months  thereafter. 
In  milder  cases,  a slight  leukopenia  occurs. 
Where  there  is  liver  involvement,  the  white  cell 
count  may  be  elevated  (above  15,000  cells  per 
cu.  mm.)  with  neutrophilia.  Renal  findings  vary 
from  a mild  transient  proteinuria,  usually  noted 
in  benign  leptospirosis,  to  a severe  nephritis  with 
hematuria,  casts,  and  oliguria,  or  even  anuria. 

Severe  nephritis  frequently  is  noted  in  the  ic- 
teric form  of  leptospirosis.  Jaundice  in  these  cases 
usually  develops  in  the  middle  or  latter  part  of 
the  first  week.  The  liver  becomes  enlarged  and 
tender.  Mucous  membrane  and  cutaneous  ecchy- 
moses  are  frequent,  and  gastrointestinal  hemor- 
rhage can  occur.  The  mortality  in  jaundiced  pa- 
tients who  are  severely  ill  ranges  from  50  to  30 
per  cent.  Fatal  anicteric  cases  are  extremely  rare. 

Paired  or  serial  sera  specimens  may  reveal  a 
4 fold  (diagnostic)  rise  in  agglutination  or  com- 


plement fixation  titer.  Leptospira  may  be  isolated 
by  culture  or  animal  incubation  of  blood  or  cere- 
brospinal fluid  in  the  first  week  of  illness,  or  from 
urine  after  the  first  week.  Fluorescent  antibody 
technics  are  very  promising. 

No  really  effective  specific  therapy  is  available. 
Penicillin  is  apparently  useful  only  when  admin- 
istered in  the  first  48  hours  of  illness. 

TSUTSUGAMUSHI  DISEASE 

Tsutsugamushi  Disease  (scrub  typhus),  a mite- 
borne  rickettsial  disease,  was  seen  in  great  num- 
bers by  medical  officers  in  the  South  and  South- 
west Pacific  in  WWII.  Cases  currently  appear 
among  troops  who  have  been  operating  in  cer- 
tain grasslands  areas  of  South  Vietnam.  A small 
eschar  0.5  to  1.0  cm.  in  diameter  usually  indi- 
cates the  site  where  the  infected  mite  took  a blood 
meal.  On  or  about  the  5th  day  of  this  febrile  ill- 
ness a faint  erythematous  macular  rash  may  ap- 
pear for  a few  hours.  The  leukocyte  count  is 
usually  not  remarkable.  Paired  sera  should  be 
obtained  and  a four-fold  rise  in  the  OXK  (Weil- 
Felix)  titer  is  considered  diagnostic.  A rise  in 
OXK  titer  may  also  occur  in  leptospirosis  and  in 
mite-borne  relapsing  fever.  Tetracycline  usually 
produces  a prompt  defervescence.  Tetracycline 
therapy  does  not  prevent  a subsequent  diagnostic 
rise  in  serologic  titer.  The  mortality  rate  from 
clinical  illness  due  to  the  South  Vietnam  strain 
of  Rickettsia  tsutsugamushi  (orientalis)  is  quite 
low  compared  to  that  of  strains  found  in  the 
Southwest  Pacific. 

JAPANESE  B ENCEPHALITIS 

A very  few  cases  of  Japanese  B encephalitis 
have  occurred  among  American  troops  in  South 
Vietnam.  This  mosquito-borne  virus  disease  may 
present  as  a severe  diffuse  encephalomyelitis. 
Many  inapparent  infections  may  occur  simul- 
taneously. Paired  sera  should  be  obtained  for 
serologic  diagnosis. 

Complement  fixing  or  neutralizing  antibodies 
develop.  The  virus  can  be  often  recovered  from 
the  brain  of  fatal  cases.  Therapy  is  symptomatic 
and  supportive. 

Some  intestinal  helminthiasis  may  be  expected 
among  Vietnam  returnees.  Hookworm  infestation 
may  be  responsible  for  considerable  epigastric 
distress.  With  the  stools  showing  occult  blood, 
the  diagnosis  of  peptic  ulcer  has  been  suspected. 
In  a number  of  cases,  a peripheral  blood  eosino- 


1 1 


JANUARY  1970 


VIETNAM  RETURNEES  / Blount 

philia  has  directed  attention  to  the  possibility  of 
intestinal  parasitism.  Ascariasis,  strongyloidiasis 
and  trichuriasis  may  also  appear  among  returnees. 

TROPICAL  SPRUE 

A few  cases  of  tropical  sprue  have  been  recog- 
nized among  American  service  men  returning 
from  Vietnam.  Should  such  a returnee  show  a per- 
sistent diarrhea,  and  no  demonstrable  pathogens, 
a d-zylose  absorption  test  is  indicated.  A Sudan 
IV  stain  of  a fecal  smear  may  show  neutral  fat 
globules,  or  fatty  acid  crystals.  A biopsy  speci- 
men of  jejunal  mucosa  may  show  villous  atrophy, 
or  flattening.  Cases  of  tropica!  sprue  usually  fail 
to  respond  to  a gluten  free  diet.  Most  of  the  cases 
from  South  Vietnam  have  responded  to  15  mg. 
daily  dosage  of  folic  acid  given  over  a 12-week 
period.  The  acutely  ill  patient  with  severe  diar- 
rhea and  weight  loss  should  also  be  given  tetra- 
cycline 1 gm.  daily  for  30  days  followed  by  0.5 
gm.  daily  for  another  5 months  plus  folic  acid.  15 
mg.  daily  and  vitamin  Bi2  30  micrograms  intra- 
muscularly each  week  for  six  months. 

HIGH  PLAGUE  INCIDENCE 

With  an  enormous  plague  infected  rodent  res- 
ervoir in  South  Vietnam,  a high  incidence  of 
plague  among  the  Vietnamese  is  not  unexpected. 
American  troops  have  received  an  effective 
plague  vaccine  and  so  far  have  developed  only 
three  clinical  cases  of  the  disease.  Two  of  these 
presented  with  fever  and  inguinal  adenopathy; 
all  three  cases  survived.  Plague  should  be  sus- 
pected in  any  returnee  who  develops  a febrile 
illness  and  a regional  adenopathy  within  10  days 
of  his  departure  from  Vietnam.  Needle  aspira- 
tion of  the  bubo  may  permit  recovery  and  identi- 
fication of  the  Pasteurella  pestis  by  smear,  cul- 
ture, and/or  animal  inoculation.  Immunofluores- 
cent  staining  provides  a highly  specific,  quick  and 
reliable  means  of  diagnosis.  Although  strains  of 
P.  pestis  in  South  Vietnam  have  shown  some  in- 
crease in  resistance  to  streptomycin  in  vitro,  this 


antibiotic  is  still  the  drug  of  choice.  Large  doses 
(0.5  gm.  IM  of  3 h for  2 days  followed  by  2 gm. 
daily  for  10  days)  are  recommended. 

TUBERCULOSIS 

There  is  a high  incidence  of  tuberculosis 
among  the  Vietnamese.  Many  American  troops 
have  been  tuberculin  tested.  Those  with  records 
of  negative  intradermal  tuberculin  (purified  pro- 
tein derivative)  should  be  retested  annually  for 
several  years.  Those  with  positive  intradermal 
tests  should  have  annual  chest  x-rays.  Recent 
converters  should  be  treated. 

Schistosomiasis  has  not  yet  proven  to  be  en- 
demic in  South  Vietnam.  Infectious  hepatitis  in  a 
relatively  mild  form  has  occurred  in  American 
troops.  Leprosy  does  occur  among  the  Vietnam- 
ese, but  the  incidence  of  leprosy  among  Ameri- 
can returnees  is  expected  to  be  infinitesimally 
low. 

Other  infectious  diseases  endemic  in  South 
Vietnam  are  essentially  cosmopolitan  in  occur- 
rence and  have  not  been  discussed.  *** 

2500  North  State  St.  (39216) 

REFERENCES 

1.  Hunter,  G.  S.,  Ill;  Frye,  W.  W.;  and  Swartzwelder, 

J.  (editors):  A Manual  of  Tropical  Medicine,  ed.  4, 
Philadelphia,  W.  B.  Saunders  Company,  1966. 

2.  Blount,  R.  E. : Chloroquine  Resistant  Falciparum 
Malaria  (editorial),  JAMA  200:886  (June)  1967. 

3.  Blount,  R.  E.;  Alstatt,  L.  B.;  Conrad,  M.  E.;  Blount, 
R.  E.,  Jr.;  Drew,  R.;  and  Tigertt,  W.  D.:  Panel  on 
Malaria,  Ann.  Int.  Med.  70:127-153  (Jan.  1)  1969. 

4.  Weber,  D.  R.;  Douglass.  L.  E.;  Brundage,  W.  G.;  and 
Stallcamp,  T.  C.:  Acute  Varieties  of  Melioidosis  Oc- 
curring in  U.  S.  Soldiers  in  Vietnam,  Am.  J.  Med. 
46:235-244  (Feb.)  1969. 

5.  Alexander,  A.  D.;  Gochenour,  W.  S.,  Jr.;  Reinhard, 

K.  R.;  Ward,  M.  K.;  Yager,  R.  H.:  Am.  Public  Health 
Assn.  Diagnostic  Procedures  and  Reagents,  Chapter 
on  Leptospirosis,  ed.  5,  1969. 

6.  Gilbert,  D.  N.;  Moore,  W.  L.;  Hedberg,  D.  L.;  and 
Sanford,  J.  P.:  Potential  Medical  Problems  in  Per- 
sonnel Returning  from  Vietnam,  Ann.  Int.  Med. 
68:662-678  (March)  1968. 

7.  Greenberg,  J.  H.:  Public  Health  and  the  Vietnam 
Returnee,  JAMA  207:697. 

8.  Dennis,  L.  H.,  et  al:  A Coagulation  Defect  and  Its 
Treatment  with  Heparin,  in  Malaria,  Military  Medi- 
cine 131:1107-1110  (Supplement). 

A complete  bibliography  will  be  furnished  on  request 
to  the  author. 


1 2 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Modern  Concepts  in  Treatment 
Of  Respiratory  Insufficiency 


G.  B.  SHAW,  M.D. 
Jackson,  Mississippi 


In  the  past  several  years  there  has  been  a 
great  emphasis  on  the  treatment  of  respiratory 
insufficiency.  This  has  come  about  for  several 
reasons.  First,  there  is  an  increasing  incidence 
of  obstructive  lung  disease  in  the  population  in 
general.  Second,  there  is  increased  information 
coming  from  the  research  lab,  leading  to  improved 
knowledge  in  the  complex  problems  involved  in 
respiratory  insufficiency.  Third,  better  instruments 
are  available  giving  quicker  results  on  various 
parameters  used  to  follow  the  patient  with  this 
condition.  Finally,  there  is  increasing  sophistica- 
tion in  the  instruments  and  machines  used  in 
managing  these  patients.  All  of  these  factors 
have  culminated  in  improved  methods  in  caring 
for  the  patient  with  respiratory  insufficiency. 

Respiratory  failure  is  not  a disease  per  se,  but 
a syndrome  of  ineffective  lung  function  due  to 
many  causes.  The  literature  defines  respiratory 
failure  in  terms  of  a P02  less  than  50  mm.  Hg. 
and/or  PCOL»  greater  than  50  mm.  Hg.  This  suf- 
fers the  same  drawback  as  trying  to  define  uremia 
as  a BUN  above  a certain  number  or  congestive 
heart  failure  as  an  end-diastolic  pressure  of  great- 
er than  a certain  figure.  Nevertheless,  we  need 
specific  values  in  order  to  quantitatively  appraise 
the  problem. 

For  the  most  part  respiratory  failure  is  thought 
of  as  the  end  result  of  obstructive  lung  disease. 
However,  there  are  numerous  causes  of  respira- 
tory failure  which  may  be  a result  of  dysfunction 


Read  before  the  Section  on  Medicine,  101st  Annual  Ses- 
sion, Mississippi  State  Medical  Association.  Biloxi, 
May  14.  1969. 


of  any  of  the  organs  responsible  for  respiratory 
effort. 

In  the  brain,  the  respiratory  center  is  respon- 
sible for  initiating  the  inspiratory  effort.  Though 
many  things  are  known  to  act  on  this  center. 


Many  changes  in  the  handling  of  patients 
with  respiratory  insufficiency  have  developed 
in  the  last  several  years  as  a result  of  im- 
proved understanding  of  the  pathophysiol- 
ogy of  the  problem.  The  causes  of  respira- 
tory failure  are  reviewed  and  management 
discussed. 


there  remains  a large  gap  in  the  knowledge  of 
this  complex  system.  Among  the  conditions 
known  to  affect  the  respiratory  effort  are  pri- 
mary alveolar  hypoventilation,  and  its  related 
condition,  the  Pickwickian  syndrome.  Overdosage 
of  certain  drugs  including  sedatives,  tranquil- 
izers and  narcotics  are  known  to  depress  respira- 
tion. Additionally,  certain  other  conditions  such 
as  brain  trauma  and  cerebrovascular  accidents 
may  well  be  a cause  for  respiratory  insufficiency. 
The  spinal  cord  may  be  involved  with  a number 
of  conditions  such  as  poliomyelitis,  Guillain-Barre 
syndrome,  trauma  and  spinal  anesthetics.  Periph- 
eral neuritis  and  myasthenia  gravis  may  cause 
respiratory  failure. 

Distortion  of  the  thoracic  cage  with  kyphoscoli- 


JANUARY  1970 


1 3 


Respiratory  Insufficiency  / Shaw 

osis,  various  kinds  of  trauma  and  especially  the 
flail  chest  may  lead  to  under-ventilation.  Changes 
occurring  in  the  pulmonary  circulation,  which 
may  include  pulmonary  embolus,  and  acute  left 
ventricular  failure,  caused  by  myocardial  infarc- 
tion, may  precipitate  respiratory  failure.  Finally, 
the  many  types  of  lung  disease  including  pneumo- 
thorax, pleural  effusion,  progressive  pulmonary 
fibrosis  and  obstructive  lung  disease  may  all  even- 
tuate in  respiratory  failure.  So  it  is  obvious  that 
any  condition  of  proper  severity  involving  any  of 
the  organs  effecting  the  respiratory  system  may 
produce  a state  of  respiratory  insufficiency. 

Oxygenation  of  the  body  is  one  of  the  two 
main  functions  of  the  lung.  Several  terms  which 
are  used  in  describing  the  state  of  oxygenation 
include  oxygen  content,  oxygen  saturation,  and 
oxygen  partial  pressure.  The  oxygen  content  is 
the  actual  volume  of  oxygen  per  100  cc.  of  blood. 
In  normal  arterial  blood  this  is  19.5  cc.  per  cent, 
assuming  a normal  hemoglobin  of  15  gm.  Any 
reduction  of  hemoglobin  would  reduce  the  oxygen 
content  of  blood.  Normal  oxygen  saturation  is  95 
per  cent,  indicating  95  per  cent  of  the  hemoglobin 
in  the  arterial  system  is  saturated  with  oxygen. 

OXYGEN  PRESSURE 

The  partial  pressure  of  oxygen  relates  to  the 
amount  of  dissolved  oxygen  in  the  plasma  and  is 
directly  related  to  the  oxygen  saturation.  It  is 
the  partial  pressure  of  the  oxygen  which  is  im- 
portant, for  it  is  the  pressure  gradient  from  the 
lung  to  the  capillary  which  is  responsible  for  the 
passage  of  oxygen  across  the  alveolar-capillary 
membrane.  Likewise,  the  pressure  gradient  at 
the  systemic  capillary  level  is  responsible  for  the 
oxygen  passing  from  the  peripheral  capillary 
into  the  tissues.  The  recent  availability  of  the 
Clark  electrode  to  measure  P02  directly  in  ar- 
terial blood  makes  this  measurement  much  eas- 
ier. Normal  values  for  arterial  blood  is  85  to 
95,  decreasing  slightly  in  the  older  patient. 

The  diagnosis  of  hypoxemia  presents  many 
problems.  The  hypoxemic  patient  may  demon- 
strate irritability,  slight  confusion,  a loss  of  judg- 
ment, especially  in  dangerous  situations,  and  per- 
haps even  violent  behavior.  The  only  specific 
clinical  sign  of  hypoxemia  is  cyanosis,  which  oc- 
curs only  in  the  severely  hypoxemic  patient. 
The  only  accurate  method  of  diagnosing  this 
problem  is  arterial  blood  gas  measurements. 

What  levels  of  hypoxemia  may  be  dangerous? 


Hypoxemia  occurs  at  a P02  of  about  60.  Cyano- 
sis, which  is  the  only  definite  sign  of  hypoxemia, 
occurs  at  a P02  of  50.  As  POL>  continues  to  drop, 
tissue  injury  can  be  demonstrated  with  eleva- 
tion of  SGOT  and  other  enzymes.  Finally,  a P02 
of  20  is  incompatible  with  life.  It  should  be  re- 
membered that  these  are  only  guides — a normal 
person  rendered  acutely  hypoxic  may  die  with  a 
P02  of  40.  Conversely,  a chronically  hypoxemic 
patient  might  be  fairly  comfortable  at  the  same 
POo. 

TREATMENT  OF  HYPOXEMIA 

The  treatment  of  hypoxemia  is  rather  easy. 
It  simply  involves  increasing  the  oxygen  con- 
centration the  patient  is  breathing.  Though  there 
are  many  methods  of  administering  the  oxygen, 
the  one  most  commonly  available  to  most  hos- 
pitals and  physicians  is  the  nasal  cannula.  Heated 
nebulizers  furnishing  40  per  cent  oxygen  concen- 
tration are  also  quite  effective.  Oxygen  tents,  for 
the  most  part,  have  no  place  in  this  condition, 
for  it  rather  effectively  isolates  the  patient  which 
hinders  effective  respiratory  care.  Several  prin- 
ciples should  be  emphasized.  In  the  usual  patient 
in  respiratory  insufficiency,  only  very  small  in- 
creases in  the  oxygen  concentration  are  neces- 
sary. Usually  oxygen  at  a rate  of  2-3  liters  per 
minute  is  entirely  sufficient  to  prevent  hypox- 
emia. Secondly,  if  a patient  is  hypoxemic,  he  re- 
quires oxygen  continuously.  This  includes  periods 
of  eating,  bathing,  exercise  and  bathroom  privi- 
leges. A third  principle  which  should  be  em- 
phasized is  the  hazard  of  using  too  high  a con- 
centration of  oxygen.  If  a patient  is  in  severe 
distress  and  is  breathing  from  a hypoxic  drive, 
then  use  of  too  high  concentrations  of  oxygen 
may  lead  to  further  respiratory  depression. 

ELIMINATION  OF  C02 

The  elimination  of  C02  from  the  body  is  the 
second  function  of  the  lungs.  The  body  is  almost 
completely  dependent  on  the  lungs  to  carry  out 
this  function.  As  the  result  of  aerobic  metabolism, 
the  body  produces  approximately  100  cc.  of 
C02  per  square  meter  of  body  surface  area  which 
amounts  to  about  200  cc.  in  a 70  kilogram  man 
per  minute.  The  body  is  dependent  on  alveolar 
ventilation  to  eliminate  the  C02:  alveolar  venti- 
lation = Produced^^63  c°2 . jf  alveolar  ventilation 
is  decreased,  then  the  body  levels  or  partial 
pressure  of  C02  increases.  Therefore,  the  PCOo 


1 4 


JOURNAL  MS M A 


in  arterial  blood  is  a function  of  alveolar  venti- 
lation. The  PC02  is  directly  proportional  to  the 
carbonic  acid  in  the  blood,  and  therefore,  any 
rise  in  PC02  produces  a rise  in  carbonic  acid 
which  therefore  increases  the  hydrogen  ion  con- 
centration causing  an  acidosis. 

This  is  related  through  the  Henderson-Hassel- 
balch  Equation:  H*(aonomoles)=24  F^-Q(m(nieqf  * 
Though  this  does  not  look  like  the  familiar  Hen- 
derson-Hasselbalch  equation,  it  is  another  way 
of  writing  the  equation.  In  looking  at  this  it  can 
be  seen  that  an  increase  of  the  PC02  on  the  right 
side  increases  the  hydrogen  concentration.  If  the 
PC02  rises  due  to  inefficient  alveolar  ventila- 
tion, then  the  patient  will  immediately  develop 
a respiratory  acidosis.  The  bicarbonate  as  de- 
picted in  the  formula  is  a function  of  the  kid- 
neys. If  the  PC02  rises,  then  the  kidneys  func- 
tion to  increase  the  bicarbonate  in  an  effort  to 
compensate  for  the  acidosis  and  return  the  hy- 
drogen ion  concentration  or  ph  toward  a more 
normal  figure.  The  dynamics  of  the  system  are 
important.  If  respiration  is  cut  in  half,  there  is  an 
immediate  and  sustained  rise  in  minutes  of  the 
PC02.  However,  the  kidney  functions  in  a period 
of  hours  to  days  rather  than  minutes,  and  there- 
fore, compensation  always  lags  in  insufficient 
breathing. 

C02  RETENTION 

The  clinical  diagnosis  of  C02  retention  is  dif- 
ficult with  many  non-specific  symptoms  and 
signs.  When  significant  C02  levels  develop,  the 
patient  becomes  increasingly  drowsy,  and  as  the 
PCOL»  approaches  90,  the  patient  will  progress 
into  a coma.  Asterixis  or  a flapping  tremor  is  not 
peculiar  to  liver  disease  alone.  A rather  typical 
flap  may  be  seen  in  a patient  in  respiratory  fail- 
ure. In  the  late  stages  of  C02  retention,  papil- 
ledema may  be  produced  due  to  increased  cerebral 
vasodilitation  with  increased  blood  flood.  As  in 
hypoxemia,  the  only  true  and  accurate  method 
of  determining  C02  states  is  the  measurement 
of  blood  gas.  Arterial  blood  is  preferable,  but 
venous  blood  may  be  sufficient  in  measuring  the 
PC02,  unlike  hypoxemia  where  arterial  blood  is 
mandatory. 

There  are  several  principles  which  should 
be  mentioned.  Any  elevation  of  PC02  means  the 
patient  is  hypo-ventilating.  Secondly,  any  eleva- 
tion of  PC02  renders  the  patient  hypoxemic. 
From  the  alveolar  air  equation:  PACE  = Fi,,2 
P(B-H20)  - PACCE  x 1.2,  a PC02  at  a normal 
level  of  40  reduces  the  oxygen  from  140  in  room 


air  to  approximately  90  in  the  arterial  blood;  on 
the  other  hand,  if  the  PC02  is  80,  the  C02  dis- 
places oxygen  in  the  alveolar  rendering  the  pa- 
tient much  more  hypoxemic. 

Though  the  treatment  of  hypoxemia  is  easy 
with  the  administration  of  oxygen,  the  treat- 
ment of  excess  C02  retention  is  a more  difficult 
clinical  problem.  If  the  cause  of  the  respiratory 
insufficiency  is  acute,  such  as  trauma,  then  venti- 
latory assistance  is  mandatory.  In  the  emergency 
room,  this  might  be  the  Ambu  bag  or  mouth  to 
mouth  breathing.  In  the  operating  room,  this 
may  be  the  anesthesia  machine.  The  IPPB  ma- 
chines have  enjoyed  increasing  popularity  over 
the  past  several  years.  If  the  patient  is  alert  and 
cooperative,  perhaps  a face  mask  or  mouth 
piece  will  be  sufficient,  though  one  could  use  this 
only  for  limited  periods  of  time. 

TRACHEAL  INTUBATION 

If  this  should  not  prove  an  effective  method, 
then  tracheal  intubation  with  an  anesthesia  type 
endotracheal  tube  would  be  in  order.  With  proper 
care  and  due  precautions,  these  tubes  may  be 
left  in  place  for  several  days.  As  a general  rule 
of  thumb,  if  the  tube  is  needed  more  than  two 
days,  conversion  to  a tracheostomy  seems  to 
be  indicated;  however,  many  cases  have  been 
treated  with  tubes  for  up  to  one  week  without 
undue  problems.  There  are  complications  from 
the  tubes,  and  these  may  present  early  or  late. 
Finally,  the  tracheostomy  may  be  indicated,  and 
it  is  well  recognized  that  these  are  not  without 
complications  also. 

PRINCIPLES  OF  MANAGEMENT 

In  the  more  chronic  problems  such  as  emphy- 
sema, where  the  lungs  are  diseased,  it  may  not 
be  possible  to  return  the  patient  to  a normal 
blood  gas  state.  Principles  of  management  are 
slightly  different.  The  first  principle  is  to  clean 
the  tracheo-bronchial  tree.  If  the  patient  is 
awake  and  coughing,  then  full  advantage  is 
taken  of  this.  If  he  is  too  weak  to  cough,  naso- 
tracheal suction  may  well  be  lifesaving.  Various 
stimulants  including  ethamivan  or  dextroamphet- 
amine may  increase  his  level  of  consciousness, 
and  therefore  improve  his  ventilatory  effort.  Var- 
ious physical  therapy  maneuvers  also  assist  in 
more  effective  ventilation  and  drainage  of  the 
tracheo-bronchial  tree.  Finally,  if  these  methods 


1 5 


JANUARY  1970 


Respiratory  Insufficiency  / Shaw 

in  the  chronic  patient  are  ineffective,  supported 
respiration  with  the  respirators  may  be  neces- 
sary. 

THE  IPPB  MACHINE 

Since  the  mid-1950s,  when  the  value  of  IPPB 
machines  was  first  recognized  during  the  polio 
epidemic  in  the  Scandinavian  countries,  much 
improvement  has  occurred.  The  cost  of  the  IPPB 
devices  ranges  from  $50  to  $5,000  depending 
on  the  qualities  and  sophistication  desired.  The 
two  main  functions  served  by  the  IPPB  machine 
are:  (1)  providing  a deep  breath  and  (2)  pro- 
viding a vehicle  for  medication.  Though  it  is  not 
the  purpose  of  this  paper  to  discuss  these  ma- 
chines, certain  principles  should  be  mentioned. 

The  pressure  necessary  to  ventilate  a patient 
in  various  conditions  differs.  A pressure  of  15  cm. 
Hl.O  may  be  adequate  for  the  obstructed  patient 
with  big  overdistended  lungs.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  “stiff  lung”  as  seen  in  pulmonary  edema, 
pulmonary  fibrosis,  and  other  conditions  may 
require  pressures  of  30-50  cm.  Hv>0,  and  occasion- 
ally pressure  of  120  cm.  H>>0,  may  be  necessary. 

Secondly,  despite  the  manufacturers’  claim  of 


delivering  a 40  per  cent  0_>  concentration,  this  is 
not  so,  except  on  the  newer  and  more  expensive 
machines.  The  average  CX  concentration  deliv- 
ered is  between  50-60  per  cent;  so  this,  in  effect, 
is  uncontrolled  CT.  Compressed  air  rather  than 
CX  is  adequate  in  most  cases.  Some  type  of 
moisture  is  necessary  to  keep  from  drying  the 
tracheo-bronchial  tree.  A side  arm  medication 
nebulizer  is  completely  insufficient.  A main  stream 
nebulizer  or  humidifier  is  most  desirable. 

Infection  is  increasingly  recognized  as  a prob- 
lem. Gram  negative  organisms  have  been  found 
as  a cause  of  a necrosing  pneumonitis.  The 
source  of  infection,  in  most  cases,  is  in  the  main 
stream  nebulizers.  Careful  monitoring  at  regular 
intervals  is  essential  in  insuring  the  machines  are 
free  of  bacterial  contamination. 

SUMMARY 

In  summary,  many  important  and  improved 
changes  in  the  respiratory  insufficiency  prob- 
lem have  come  about  in  the  past  several  years. 
All  of  these  changes  are  based  on  improved  un- 
derstanding of  the  pathophysiology  of  the  prob- 
lem. If  these  pathophysiology  changes  are  under- 
stood, then  a more  rational  approach  to  therapy 
is  possible.  *** 

440  East  Woodrow  Wilson  (39216) 


RESTFUL  REST  ROOM 

Stopping  at  a rural  service  station,  the  motorist  asked,  “Do 
you  have  a rest  room?” 

“Nope,”  said  the  attendant.  “When  any  of  us  git  tired  we  jes 
sit  on  one  of  them  oil  drums.” 


16 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Cancer  Quiz 

Cancer  Committee 
University  Medical  Center 
Jackson,  Mississippi 


This  feature,  consisting  of  review  questions  re- 
lated to  the  cancer  field,  was  prepared  by  the 
Cancer  Committee  of  the  University  Medical 
Center.  Answers  appear  on  a separate  page. 

Questions  from  readers  related  to  these  re- 
view questions  may  be  submitted  to  the  Edi- 
tors of  the  Journal  for  forwarding  to  the  com- 
mittee. Each  will  receive  a personal  reply.  Suit- 
able questions  from  readers  will  be  considered 
for  publication.  This  initial  presentation  relates 
to  general  cancer  statistics,  based  on  data  pub- 
lished by  the  American  Cancer  Society. 

Comment  and  suggestions  are  invited  from 
readers. — The  Editors. 

1 ) In  the  United  States,  cancer  deaths  represent 

approximately  what  per  cent  of  total  deaths: 

a)  5% 

b)  15% 

c)  25% 

d)  35% 

2)  These  cancer  deaths  represent  a total  num- 
ber in  the  range  of: 

a)  100,000 

b)  300.000 

c)  500,000 

d)  700.000 

3)  The  annual  U.  S.  death  total,  if  expressed 

in  deaths  per  unit  of  time,  would  be: 

a)  One  death  per  1 minute 

b ) One  death  per  2 minutes 

c)  One  death  per  5 minutes 

d)  One  death  per  10  minutes 

4)  The  mortality  rate,  male  to  female  is: 

a)  50%  men/50%  women 

b)  45%  men/55  % women 

c)  45%  men/45  % women 

d)  60%  men/40%  women 


5)  The  two  leading  causes  of  cancer  deaths 
in  the  U.  S.  A.  are: 

a)  breast  cancer 

b ) cervix  cancer 

c)  lung  cancer 

d)  rectal-colon  cancer 

6)  The  two  leading  causes  of  cancer  deaths 
among  American  men  are: 

a)  lung  cancer 

b ) rectal-colon  cancer 

c)  Hodgkin's  disease 

d ) stomach  cancer 

7 ) The  leading  two  causes  of  cancer  deaths 
among  American  women  are: 

a)  lung  cancer 

b)  breast  cancer 

c)  cervix  cancer 

d)  rectal-colon  cancer 

8)  Incidence  data  shows  the  most  common  can- 
cer is: 

a)  lung  cancer 

b ) breast  cancer 

c)  cervix  cancer 

d)  skin  cancer 

9)  Approximate  annual  total  cancer  deaths  in 
Mississippi  is: 

a)  1,000  per  year 

b)  2,000  per  year 

c)  3,000  per  year 

d)  4,000  per  year 

10)  If  your  patient  community  consists  of  5,000 
people,  the  approximate  number  that  will 
be  under  cancer  care  during  the  next  year  is: 

a)  10 

b)  20 

c)  30 

d)  50 

(Answers  on  page  49) 


JANUARY  1970 


17 


Radiologic  Seminar  XCI: 
Tracheoesophageal  Fistula 


WALTER  T.  COLBERT 
Natchez,  Mississippi 


Tracheoesophageal  fistula  (TEF)  occurs 
once  in  3000  births,  and  in  over  95  per  cent  of 
instances  is  associated  with  atresia  of  the  esopha- 
gus. This  anomaly  is  one  of  the  most  frequent 
congenital  defects,  which,  if  left  untreated,  will 
be  uniformly  fatal  in  the  neonatal  period. 

There  are  two  conditions  which  may  herald  the 
birth  of  a child  with  esophageal  atresia  and 
tracheoesophageal  fistula-polyhydramnios  and 
prematurity.  Commonly  associated  anomalies 
that  should  be  recognized  at  birth  are  congenital 
heart  defects,  imperforate  anus,  arm  and  hand 
anomalies,  and  clefts  of  the  lip  and  palate.  In 
babies  born  of  mothers  with  polyhydramnios  a 
routine  part  of  the  neonatal  examination  must  in- 
clude the  passage  of  a nasogastric  tube  and  veri- 
fication of  its  presence  in  the  stomach  by  x-ray. 
The  same  procedure  should  be  followed  in  the 
routine  examination  of  premature  babies  or  those 
born  with  any  of  the  above  mentioned  malforma- 
tions. 

In  a majority  of  infants  with  esophageal  atresia 
and  TEF  anomalies  the  diagnosis  will  be  sug- 
gested by  the  following  signs.  Apparently  exces- 
sive mucus  will  usually  be  the  first  clinical  sign, 
as  all  of  the  mucus  must  be  regurgitated  in  in- 
stances of  esophageal  atresia.  These  infants  will 


Sponsored  by  the  Mississippi  Radiological  Society. 

From  the  Department  of  Radiology,  Natchez  General 
Hospital. 


also  cough,  choke,  and  may  become  cyanotic 
when  fed.  These  findings  will  frequently  be  no- 
ticed by  personnel  in  the  nursery.  It  is  important 
that  the  diagnosis  be  made  promptly,  as  the  pre- 
vention of  pneumonitis  by  appropriate  therapy 
is  mandatory  if  these  infants  are  to  be  salvaged. 

The  diagnosis  can  be  established  definitely  by 
failure  of  passage  of  a radiopaque  catheter  into 
the  stomach.  If  the  tube  cannot  be  passed  into 
the  stomach  and  verified  as  to  position  by  radio- 
logic  means,  a small  amount  of  opaque  material 
can  be  introduced  into  the  catheter  and  the  site 
of  esophageal  atresia  will  be  demonstrated.  In 
those  instances  where  there  is  no  associated 
esophageal  atresia — a relatively  small  percent- 
age— the  diagnosis  will  depend  upon  actual  con- 
trast filling  of  the  communication  between  the 
esophagus  and  trachea.  This  can  be  accomplished 
by  the  injection  of  opaque  material  through  a 
catheter  in  the  upper  esophagus,  with  care  being 
taken  to  avoid  spillage  of  the  opaque  material 
over  the  epiglottis. 

CASE  I — This  two  day  old  male  infant  was 
noted  by  the  nursery  personnel  to  cough,  choke 
and  become  cyanotic  whenever  feeding  was  at- 
tempted. TEF  was  suspected  clinically,  and  a 
catheter  was  passed  easily  into  the  stomach  ex- 
cluding the  presence  of  esophageal  atresia. 
Opaque  material  (micropaque)  was  then  intro- 
duced through  an  esophageal  catheter,  and  a di- 
rect communication  between  the  upper  esophagus 
and  trachea  was  demonstrated.  The  patient  was 


1 8 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Case  I — Figure  1.  Oblique  views 
of  the  barium-filled  esophagus  demon- 
strate beginning,  and  subsequent  en- 
thusiastic filling  of  the  tracheobron- 
chial tree  through  the  tracheo-esopha- 
geal  communication  (arrow).  Opaque 
material  was  introduced  into  the 
esophagus  using  a balloon  catheter  in 
order  to  prevent  aspiration  of  opaque 
material  over  the  epiglottis. 


Case  I — Figure  2.  Chest  film  made 
immediately  following  the  fluoroscopic 
procedure:  an  unintended,  but  normal 
bronchogram  is  noted.  The  lung  fields 
were  grossly  clear  in  approximately  72 
hours. 


JANUARY  1970 


19 


HEH  H02b 


Case  II — Figure  1 . Oblique  views 
of  the  chest  with  contrast  material  in 
the  esophagus  demonstrate  a blind 
pouch,  with  no  communication  with 
the  tracheobronchial  tree.  The  patient 
did  not  aspirate  any  of  the  opaque 
material  over  the  epiglottis. 


Case  II — Figure  2.  A routine  chest 
and  abdomen  film  demonstrate  rela- 
tive over-expansion  of  the  lung  fields, 
and  considerable  gas  throughout  the 
gastrointestinal  tract.  This  finding  in- 
dicated a definite  communication  be- 
tween the  tracheobronchial  tree  and 
GI  tract  below  the  site  of  obstruction 
demonstrated  on  the  contrast  study. 


20 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


treated  surgically,  with  primary  closure  of  the 
fistulous  communication.  This  type  of  tracheo- 
esophageal fistula  comprises  only  4 per  cent  of 
the  TEF  anomalies. 

CASE  II — This  new  born  female  infant  was 
noted  to  have  “excessive  mucus”  immediately 
after  birth.  It  was  not  possible  to  pass  a catheter 
into  the  stomach,  and  opaque  material  intro- 
duced into  the  pharynx  demonstrated  a blind 
pharyngo-esophageal  pouch,  with  no  communi- 
cation between  the  atretic  esophagus  and  the 
tracheobronchial  tree.  A film  of  the  chest  and 
abdomen,  however,  demonstrated  over-expan- 
sion of  the  lung  fields,  and  considerable  gas 
throughout  the  entire  GI  tract.  This  finding  indi- 
cated a definite  communication  of  the  GI  tract  with 
the  tracheobronchial  tree  distally.  These  findings 
were  verified  at  the  subsequent  surgical  proce- 
dure. This  type  of  tracheoesophageal  fistula  com- 
prises approximately  87  per  cent  of  the  TEF 
anomalies. 


The  two  cases  noted  above  are  fairly  typical 
examples  of  the  TEF  anomalies  that  present 
themselves  in  the  immediate  neonatal  period, 
and  which  can  be  diagnosed  promptly  by  roent- 
genologic means. 

SUMMARY 

Tracheoesophageal  fistula  and  esophageal 
atresia  are  neonatal  emergencies  which  can  be 
diagnosed  promptly  by  roentgenologic  means. 
While  uncommon  in  occurrence,  prompt  recog- 
nition is  necessary  for  survival  of  these  infants. 
Pneumonitis  remains  the  usual  cause  of  a fatal 
outcome  in  these  anomalies,  but  this  complica- 
tion can  be  prevented  by  prompt  recognition  of 
the  fistula  and  appropriate  treatment.  *** 

Jefferson  Davis  Memorial  Hospital  (39120) 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Holder,  Thomas  M.,  and  Ashcraft.  Keith  W. : Current 
problems  in  surgery.  Chicago.  Yearbook  Medical 
Publishers,  Inc.,  1966. 


PROFESSIONAL  GRATUITY 

Called  by  his  draft  board,  a young  man  was  examined  by  his 
family  doctor  who  happened  to  be  on  the  board.  He  passed  easily 
and  was  inducted,  which  burned  him  up. 

Next  day  he  phoned  the  doctor  and  said.  “You're  one  heck  of  a 
doctor.  It’s  funny  you  always  found  something  wrong  with  me 
when  I was  paying  to  visit  you!" 


JANUARY  1970 


21 


The  President  Speaking 


‘Needed  Now’ 


JAMES  L.  ROYALS,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 

The  first  three  days  in  December  the  AMA  held  its  annual 
clinical  convention  in  Denver.  In  addition  to  your  delegates,  sev- 
eral of  your  officers  attended.  On  Saturday,  preceding  the  regular 
meeting,  there  was  an  all  day  conference  on  peer  review.  This 
was  a most  enlightening  conference,  which  revealed  to  us  that  prob- 
lems physicians  face  are  more  or  less  the  same  throughout  our 
nation. 

The  afternoon  part  of  this  meeting  was  composed  of  two  dem- 
onstrations by  peer  review  committees,  one  a committee  from  a 
hospital  staff  as  it  functioned  in  reviewing  the  in-hospital  activities 
of  its  staff  members  and  the  other  a peer  review  committee  from 
a county  medical  society  as  it  dealt  with  problems  relating  to 
a broader  aspect  of  our  health  care  system.  These  interesting 
demonstrations  revealed  the  degree  to  which  organized  medicine 
in  other  areas  of  the  country  are  dealing  with  pressing  and  some- 
times painful  problems  within  its  own  ranks. 

It  is  essential,  if  medicine  hopes  to  continue  as  a free  enter- 
prise, to  improve  its  own  peer  review  so  as  to  assure  a continuing 
up-grading  of  quality  medical  service.  I find  that  Mississippi  is 
behind  the  other  states  in  the  application  of  peer  review  and 
urge  that  medical  staffs  and  component  medical  societies  move 
rapidly  ahead  in  this  urgently  needed  area  of  self-analysis. 


22 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


JOURNAL  OF  THE 
MISSISSIPPI  STATE 
MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

VOLUME  XI.  NUMBER  1 
January  1970 


Medicaid  in  Mississippi: 
A Bare  Bones  Beginning 


I 

The  first  day  of  1970  will  be  more  remark- 
able for  eight  hours  of  bowl  games  on  television, 
family  gatherings,  and  a few  headaches  from  the 
festivities  of  New  Year’s  Eve  than  for  the  incep- 
tion of  the  $33.7  million  Medicaid  program  in 
Mississippi.  For  all  intent  and  purpose,  the  date 
is  so  much  statutory  rhetoric,  because  the  pro- 
gram will  not  be  fully  operational  before  spring 
or  perhaps  summer.  It  is  a bare  bones  beginning. 

The  Mississippi  Medical  Assistance  Act  of 
1969,  House  Bill  2 of  the  Extraordinary  Session 
of  the  Legislature,  is  the  legal  mouthful  for 
Medicaid.  Its  birth  pains  were  harsh  as  the  so- 
lons  debated  with  spirit — and  sometimes  acri- 
mony— from  July  22  through  Oct.  11.  It  ex- 
ists only  because  of  administration  leadership, 
an  understanding  of  what  had  to  be  done  by  a 
majority  of  legislators,  and  the  support  of  the 
health  care  team. 

It  is  a complicated  law  which  implements  the 
most  complex  health  care  program  ever  devised 
by  the  Congress.  The  proof  of  this  pudding 
shows  up  in  the  misunderstanding  about  it  dur- 
ing debate  in  the  Legislature.  And  beyond  this. 


there  were  out-and-out  hostile  efforts  openly  ex- 
erted to  cloud  the  issues  and  defeat  the  bill. 
But  this  is  mostly  in  the  past  tense,  as  the  mecha- 
nism of  state  government  has  meshed  in  heroic 
effort  to  get  the  program  off  the  ground  in  a mat- 
ter of  two  and  one-half  months.  Almost  any 
workable  result  has  got  to  go  down  in  the  history 
books  as  a compliment  to  the  John  Bell  Williams 
administration  and  the  newly  created  Mississippi 
Medicaid  Commission. 

The  program  director.  Dr.  Alton  B.  Cobb  of 
Jackson,  has  assembled  the  nucleus  of  a compe- 
tent staff,  initiated  communications  and  working 
agreements  with  providers,  coordinated  with  oth- 
er state  agencies,  and  begun  the  task  of  building 
the  substantial  fiscal  machine  necessary  to  make 
as  many  as  2 million  payments  per  year. 

II 

For  a minimum  of  three  months,  only  six  ser- 
vices will  be  activated: 

— Inpatient  hospital  services. 

— Outpatient  hospital  services. 

— Other  laboratory  and  x-ray  services. 

— Skilled  nursing  home  services. 

— Physicians’  services. 


JANUARY  1970 


23 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

— Periodic  screening  and  diagnostic  services. 

Seven  other  categories  of  services  under  the 
program  are,  for  the  moment,  deferred  because 
of  time  demands  in  solving  staggering  imple- 
mentation problems.  These  are  home  health  ser- 
vices for  beneficiaries  eligible  for  skilled  nursing 
home  services,  emergency  ambulance  service  or- 
dered by  a physician  or  law  enforcement  officer, 
legend  drugs  and  insulin,  sharply  limited  dental 
services,  eyeglasses  following  eye  surgery,  inpa- 
tient hospital  services  for  those  over  age  65  in 
an  institution  for  tuberculosis  or  mental  disease, 
and  care  and  services  provided  in  Christian  Sci- 
ence sanatoria. 

In  scope,  amount,  and  duration,  services  are 
generally  limited  by  frequency  of  utilization,  ex- 
cept for  physicians’  services  which  are  addi- 
tionally limited  by  dollar  amounts.  Inpatient  hos- 
pital care  is  provided  for  20  days  per  fiscal  year 
with  an  additional  20  days  available  on  review, 
recertification,  and  approval  by  the  utilization 
review  mechanism.  Outpatient  hospital  care  is 
limited  to  30  visits  per  fiscal  year. 

Stays  in  nursing  homes  beyond  90  days  must 
pass  review  criteria,  and  while  specific  limitations 
on  laboratory  and  x-ray  services  are  not  men- 
tioned, the  labs  must  be  certified  under  Title 
XVIII  (Medicare). 

Ill 

Physicians  will  be  compensated  for  services 
rendered  in  the  hospital,  nursing  home,  office, 
patient’s  home,  or  elsewhere.  Ordinarily,  hospital 
visits  are  limited  to  one  per  day,  and  the  pro- 
gram will  pay  for  a maximum  of  36  nursing 
home  visits  per  year. 

Limitations  on  home  and  office  visits  are  not 
mentioned,  but  the  Medicaid  Commission  has 
plans  for  closely  supervised  utilization  review. 
Diagnostic  laboratory  services  performed  in  the 
physician’s  office  are  limited  to  hematocrit,  hemo- 
globin, routine  urinalysis,  and  WBC. 

The  Medicaid  law  prescribes  payment  for  phy- 
sicians under  the  Mississippi  Blue  Shield  F-300 
fee  schedule,  and  it  is  neither  complete  nor  rela- 
tive. Generally,  the  schedule  provides  payment 
around  the  50th  to  as  much  as  the  60th  per- 
centiles. For  the  many  procedures  not  covered  by 
the  F-300,  the  California  Relative  Value  Index 
of  1964  will  be  used  with  a $4  per  point  conver- 
sion coefficient.  In  some  instances,  this  will  per- 
mit professional  compensation  at  as  much  as 
the  70th  percentile. 

By  anybody’s  measurement,  these  are  sub- 


standard fees,  and  this  has  been  the  pattern 
for  Medicaid  nationally  in  1969  following  the 
HEW-imposed  fee  freeze.  Participation  is  volun- 
tary, of  course,  and  those  participating  should 
charge  their  usual  and  customary  fees  exactly  as 
charged  to  private  patients,  regardless  of  what 
they  receive  in  payment. 

Charges  at  the  usual  and  customary  level  are 
crucially  important  if  we  are  to  avoid  a distorted 
profile  of  fee  patterns  prevailing  in  Mississippi. 
For  many  years,  some  physicians  charged  only 
what  low  option  care  financing  plans  would  pay 
on  the  shaky  assumption  that  they  were  expedit- 
ing payment  of  what  they  would  get  anyway. 
This  practice  actually  worked  against  the  phy- 
sician in  the  matter  of  his  receiving  fair  profes- 
sional compensation,  because  there  was  simply 
nothing  on  the  books  to  prove  that  the  real 
charges  were  greater  than  the  parsimonious  al- 
lowances of  the  financing  mechanism. 

IV 

It  is  fair  to  say  that  Medicaid  in  Mississippi  is 
in  a probationary  period  as  it  moves  onto  the 
scene  to  finance  health  care  for  about  9 per  cent 
of  the  state’s  population.  For  such  a massive  task, 
it  is  indeed  a bare  bones  program.  To  make  it  a 
viable  mechanism  as  visualized  by  the  associ- 
ation’s House  of  Delegates  in  approving  it  on 
two  occasions  will  demand  patience,  leadership, 
and  not  a little  sympathetic  understanding. 


24 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


The  physician  is  not  being  fully  compensated 
for  his  services  under  the  program — not  na- 
tionally nor  in  Mississippi.  Through  June  30. 
1969.  total  payments  to  physicians  under  all 
Medicaid  programs  then  operational  amounted 
to  11  per  cent  of  all  combined  state  and  federal 
funds  expended,  while  89  per  cent  had  been 
paid  to  hospitals,  nursing  homes,  pharmacists, 
and  all  other  care  sources.  Two  principal  and 
opposite  arguments  about  professional  compen- 
sation have  been  noted  in  Mississippi: 

— When  the  state  buys  a tire  for  a state- 
owned  vehicle,  it  pays  the  price  of  a tire.  When 
a shovel  is  purchased  for  the  Forestry  Commis- 
sion. the  state  pays  out  the  price  of  a shovel. 
Hence,  when  the  state  purchases  an  appendec- 
tomy, it  should  pay  the  going  price. 

— Since  1936  when  the  State  Hospital  Com- 
mission program  was  enacted,  physicians  have 
received  nothing  for  their  services  to  the  indigent 
in  Mississippi  and  were,  in  fact,  forbidden  to 
charge,  accept  payment,  or  in  any  manner  be 
compensated.  Under  Medicaid,  at  least  a be- 
ginning has  been  made  with  half  a fee  or  a little 
more. 

The  association  has  spoken  frankly  in  this 
connection:  Physicians  should  be  compensated 
for  services  actually  rendered  with  payment  of 
true  usual  and  customary  fees.  This  will  be  a 
goal  in  any  program — not  just  Medicaid — which 
falls  short.  But  it  does  not  mean  that  Medicaid 
will  be  ignored  or  that  the  association's  increas- 
ing effectiveness  in  peer  review  will  be  denied 
the  program.  Nor  does  this  infer  that  support 
is  grudgingly  given,  because  the  word  of  the 
House  of  Delegates  is  the  association's  pledge 
and  bond.  The  practicing  physician  asks  only 
that  a fair  shake  be  afforded  him.  and  he  will 
carry  out  his  dedication  in  partnership  with  his 
state. — R.B.K. 

The  Old  Chit-Chat 
Gets  a Facelifting 

The  state  medical  association’s  oldest  existing 
and  continuing  publication,  the  Newsletter,  has 
turned  up  with  its  third  facelifting.  Beginning 
with  this  issue  of  the  Journal,  the  Newsletter 
goes  to  a three-page  format  as  more  or  less  the 
first  and  last  words  in  each  issue.  The  third  page, 
entitled  “In  Conclusion.'’  will  be  the  last  page 
in  each  issue. 


Newsletter  is  19  years  old.  having  made  its 
initial  appearance  as  a single  mimeographed 
page  in  1951  which  was  published  twice  month- 
ly. A year  later,  it  showed  up  as  a four-page 
monthly  publication  sent  to  every  member  and 
continued  uninterrupted  until  December  1959. 
When  the  first  issue  of  the  Journal  was  published 
in  January  1960,  Newsletter  appeared  as  a two- 
page  bound  insert  in  the  front  of  the  book. 

After  10  years,  the  chatty  sheet  becomes  an 
integral  part  of  the  Journal  on  three  printed 
pages.  The  Editors  and  Committee  on  Publica- 
tions feel  that  the  new  format  will  give  more 
flexibility,  increase  readership,  and  assist  in  pro- 
duction. The  insert  was  printed  at  Jackson  and 
shipped  to  the  Journal  printers,  sometimes 
with  teeth-gnashing  results.  For  example.  News- 
letter was  missent  by  the  post  office  to  the  wrong 
city  twice  in  1969  and  completely  lost  once  some- 
where in  that  rain.  snow,  sleet,  and  gloom  of  night 
through  which  the  U.  S.  mail  must  traverse. 

As  with  each  and  every  feature,  article,  and 
regular  department  in  the  Journal,  the  News- 
letter belongs  to  the  membership.  Suggestions, 
criticism,  and  comment  are  invited  on  the  new 
format.  As  for  the  retiring  two-pager,  appreci- 
ation is  expressed  for  letters,  calls,  and  com- 
ment— both  kinds — over  the  past  decade. — 
R.B.K. 

Mandatory  Licensure 
For  Mississippi  Nurses 

The  state  medical  association  has  a new  pol- 
icy on  licensure  of  nurses,  a carefully  developed 
course  of  action  which  is  the  product  of  open  de- 
bate, serious  study,  and  multi-level  review  and 
approval  by  constitutional  bodies. 

Subject  to  the  actual  bill  introduced  in  the 
1970  Regular  Session  of  the  Legislature  as  to 
form  and  content,  the  association  approves  man- 
datory licensure  of  nurses  in  Mississippi. 

At  the  101st  Annual  Session  in  May  1969. 
the  House  heard  sincere  pro  and  con  debate  on 
this  issue.  Recognizing  it  as  a matter  requiring 
further  study  and  mature  consideration,  the  House 
recommitted  the  issue  to  the  Council  on  Medical 
Service.  The  council,  in  turn,  met  and  reviewed 
the  matter,  assigning  it  to  the  Committee  on  Nurs- 
ing. one  of  the  council’s  committees  devoted  to 
one  of  its  many  specialized  fields. 


25 


JANUARY  1970 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

The  committee  made  studies,  met  with  rep- 
resentatives of  the  nurses  association,  took  the 
pulse  of  hospitals,  and  considered  views  of  phy- 
sicians. Through  these  deliberations,  the  new  pol- 
icy was  carefully  shaped  with  virtually  no  rami- 
fication neglected  in  the  process. 

The  committee  first  looked  at  licensure  for 
all  health  care  and  health-related  professions. 
Generally,  such  licensure  is  a function  of  the 
states  and  has  these  characteristics: 

— It  is  issued  to  an  individual  rather  than  to 
a company,  corporation,  or  impersonal  entity. 

— It  authorizes  the  individual  so  licensed  to 
engage  in  a profession  or  occupation,  usually 
employing  a special  or  distinctive  identifying 
title. 

— It  is  granted  on  one  or  more  of  the  follow- 
ing conditions:  Education  or  training  minimums, 
apprenticeship  or  practice,  proficiency  or  knowl- 
edge, good  character,  honorable  intent,  and  at- 
tainment of  a stated  age. 

Licensure  of  an  occupation  or  profession  is 
either  mandatory  or  permissive.  Of  13  health 
care  and  health-related  professions  and  occupa- 
tions licensed  in  Mississippi,  nine  are  mandatory 
(as  in  the  case  of  physicians  and  dentists),  while 
four  are  permissive.  Mandatory  licensure  re- 
quires that  the  individual  practicing  the  profes- 
sion or  engaging  in  the  occupation  be  licensed 
and  prohibits  all  others  from  doing  so.  Permis- 
sive licensure  permits  only  those  licensed  to  use 
a particular  title  or  designation  relating  to  the 
profession  or  occupation,  but  others  are  not  pro- 
hibited from  working  in  the  field  as  long  as  they 
do  not  use  the  protected  title  or  designation. 

Nurses  have  mandatory  licensure  in  42  state 
jurisdictions  for  the  R.N.  and  permissive  licen- 
sure in  nine,  including  Mississippi. 

Mississippi  nurses  have  long  sought  manda- 
tory licensure.  Such  a law  was  enacted  in  1958 
but  vetoed  by  the  then-Governor  because  of  the 
composition  of  the  examining  board  and  not,  ac- 
cording to  the  association’s  understanding,  be- 
cause of  the  mandatory  aspects.  Arguments  over 
the  issue  have  nearly  always  centered  on  the 
crucial  matter  of  whether  such  a law  would  ex- 
acerbate the  already  serious  shortage  of  nurses 
in  the  state. 

The  draft  bill  which  was  examined  by  the  as- 
sociation's official  bodies  exempts  from  licen- 
sure “any  person  functioning  under  proper  su- 
pervision as  nursing  aids,  attendants,  orderlies, 
and  other  auxiliary  workers  in  private  homes, 
offices,  hospitals,  nursing  or  rest  homes,  or  insti- 
tutions.” 


The  draft  also  omits  the  two  physician-mem- 
bers from  the  Board  of  Nurse  Examiners.  The 
proposed  board  would  consist  of  five  R.N.’s  and 
two  L.P.N.’s,  and  the  latter  would  not  be  per- 
mitted a vote  except  on  matters  relating  to  li- 
censed practical  nurses.  The  policy  of  the  medi- 
cal association  expresses  serious  reservations  over 
the  composition  of  the  proposed  board  “not 
necessarily  related  to  the  physician-members.” 
The  policy  expresses  concern  for  a “balance  in 
the  exercise  of  this  power  by  inclusion  of  health 
team  representatives  other  than  nurses  as  full 
voting  members.” 

But  in  giving  approval  to  the  principle  of 
mandatory  licensure  for  nurses,  the  policy  has 
been  carefully  reviewed  by  a committee,  an 
elected  council,  and  the  Board  of  Trustees.  It  is 
an  expression  of  concern  and  good  faith  by  the 
physicians  of  Mississippi  who  have  reserved  the 
right  to  speak  up  in  the  forging  of  any  law  which 
may  be  enacted. — R.B.K. 

Jackson  Chamber  Honors 
Health  Care  Team 

A very  special  year-end  occasion  honored 
medicine  in  Mississippi  as  the  Jackson  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  made  health  care  and  care 
providers  the  theme  of  its  1969  membership 
meeting.  Although  the  Jackson  Chamber  is  typi- 
cal in  being  oriented  toward  business  and  indus- 


“Sorry  we  can’t  discharge  you  from  the  hospital 
today , Mr.  Wilkins  . . . it’s  far  too  windy  outside.” 


26 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


try,  the  capital  city  organization  has  strong  med- 
ical orientation,  too. 

The  3,000-plus  member  group  has  long  recog- 
nized that  Jackson  is  a primary  medical  cen- 
ter and  has  given  strong  support  to  develop- 
ment of  medical  facilities  in  the  capital.  The 
chamber  points  out  with  pride  that  medical  care 
is  the  second  biggest  “industry”  in  the  city,  sec- 
ond only  to  state  government  in  total  employ- 
ment. An  estimated  8,000  individuals  are  in- 
volved full  time  in  health  services  and  supportive 
work. 

The  membership  meeting,  attended  by  800  at 
a gala  banquet,  singled  out  for  recognition  physi- 
cians, dentists,  hospitals,  nursing  homes,  pharma- 
cists, and  health  services  supply  sources.  One 
hundred  twenty-five  Jackson  physicians  are  on 
the  active  membership  rolls  of  the  chamber 
which  also  boasts  33  dentists.  Well  represented 
also  are  leaders  from  hospitals,  nursing  homes, 
wholesale  and  retail  drug  firms,  medical  supply 
sources,  and  dental  laboratories. 

Although  the  state  feels  the  pinch  of  health 
service  personnel  shortages,  it  benefits  from  a 
continuing  maximum  effort  by  its  health  care 
team.  In  turn,  these  providers  of  services  are 
grateful  for  recognition  by  civic  leadership.  Each 
needs  the  other  in  working  for  a better  state. 
—R.B.K. 

Our  Environment 
Is  at  Stake 

If  the  fight  against  pollution  is  lost,  then  we 
also  lose  the  productive  environment  in  a nation 
of  plenty.  And  the  latest  word  is  that  we  are  los- 
ing the  fight. 

The  Comptroller  General  of  the  United  States, 
Elmer  B.  Staats,  has  reported  to  the  Congress 
that  $5.4  billion — that’s  $1.2  billion  federal  dol- 
lars and  a hefty  $4.2  billion  from  the  states — 
spent  on  water  pollution  control  has  been  largely 
dissolved  into  the  effluent  and  wastes  that  fill 
our  rivers,  streams,  and  land-locked  bodies  of 
water. 

Mr.  Staats  says  that  some  good  has  come  of 
the  monumental  effort,  but  pollution  has  increased 
in  spite  of  the  expenditures.  As  waste  control 
projects  are  completed,  more  sources  of  pollution 
crop  up.  In  the  13  years  of  the  life  of  the  Federal 
Water  Pollution  Control  Administration,  the  ton- 
nage of  waste  discharge  into  rivers  and  streams 
has  actually  increased.  Worse  yet  are  the  inade- 
quate treatment  systems  which  may  mask  the 
problem. 


The  Comptroller  General  believes  that  pres- 
ent programs  are  little  more  than  a shotgun  ap- 
proach, and  he  hints  that  some  funds  have  been 
dumped  into  the  pork  barrel  rather  than  the 
sewage  lagoon.  There  is  also  an  overtone  of  in- 
adequate state  law  and  enforcement  against  mu- 
nicipal and  industrial  pollution  sources. 

Mississippi  was  late  coming  into  the  program, 
and  we  have  a commission  which  is  less  than 
two  years  old.  But  the  important  thing  is  that 
something  is  being  done  about  a serious  health 
and  environmental  safety  problem.  It’s  not  a 
matter  of  shackling  industry  or  of  making  produc- 
tion uneconomical.  Industry  can  no  more  survive 
in  a polluted  environment  than  can  its  workers 
and  consumers  of  its  products. 

While  Mr.  Staats  was  addressing  himself  to 
the  economic  aspects  of  the  problem  which  is 
his  job  in  reporting  to  the  Congress,  he  demon- 
strated clearly  that  he  understands  the  health 
aspects  of  it,  too.  With  stern  realism,  the  report 
recommends  that  no  federal  money  be  plunked 
down  for  antipollution  projects  until  their  effec- 
tiveness is  assured. 

All  of  this  means  that  the  task  of  creating  a 
safer  environment  is  everybody’s  job  under  well- 
enforced  laws.  Pollution  is  a health  problem  of 
undefined  dimensions,  but  we  can  easily  see  that 
it  is  massive  enough  to  threaten  our  very  existence. 
We’d  better  do  something  about  it — and  soon. 
—R.B.K. 


January  19-23 

CANCER  CHEMOTHERAPY 
INTENSIVE  COURSE 

University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 
January  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  1970,  beginning 
at  8 a.m. 

Sponsored  by  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  with  the  support  of  the 
Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Program 

Participants: 

Warren  N.  Bell.  M.D.,  professor  of  clinical  lab- 
oratory sciences  and  chairman  of  the  depart- 
ment and  associate  professor  of  medicine.  The 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 
G.  D.  Deraps.  M.D.,  instructor  in  medicine.  The 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 


JANUARY  1970 


27 


POSTGRADUATE  / Continued 

This  one-week  intensive  course  will  com- 
bine lectures,  group  discussions,  case  presenta- 
tions and  actual  clinical  evaluation  and  man- 
agement of  patients  with  the  most  common 
malignancies.  Course  content  will  include  meth- 
ods for  office  screening,  tumor  staging,  natural 
history  of  disease,  indications  and  treatment 
of  various  malignancies  with  chemotherapy 
and  radiotherapy. 

February  9-13 

RADIOLOGY  INTENSIVE  COURSE 
University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 
February  9,  10,  11,  12,  13,  1970,  beginning 
at  8 a.m. 

Sponsored  by  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  with  the  support  of  the 
Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Program 

Participant: 

Robert  D.  Sloan,  M.D.,  professor  of  radiology 
and  chairman  of  the  department.  The  Uni- 
versity of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 

The  one-week  intensive  course  will  include 
practical  observations  of  radiologic  procedures 
in  the  diagnostic,  therapeutic,  and  isotope 
areas,  as  well  as  sessions  dealing  with  equip- 
ment, techniques,  artefacts,  and  radiation  safe- 
ty. Registrants  will  participate  in  numerous 
diagnostic  conferences  demonstrating  practical 
points  of  radiographic  interpretation,  stressing 
both  the  value  and  limitations  of  clinical  radi- 
ology. 

Registration  in  both  intensive  courses  is  lim- 
ited to  five  physicians  from  the  class  of  20  en- 
rolled in  the  Mississippi  Postgraduate  Insti- 
tute in  the  Medical  Sciences,  a Mississippi  Re- 
gional Medical  Program-supported  project  de- 
signed by  the  University  of  Mississippi  Medi- 
cal Center  and  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association. 

CIRCUIT  COURSES 

Southwestern  Circuit 

McComb — January  6 — Session  2,  Southwest 
Mississippi  General  Hospital,  7 p.m. 
Session  2 — Hyperthyroidism 

Medical  Management,  Dr.  Herbert  Lang- 
ford 

Surgical  Management,  Dr.  Harvey  Johns- 
ton 


Southern  Circuit 

Biloxi — January  7 — Session  1,  Howard  Me- 
morial Hospital,  6:30  p.m. 

Gulfport — February  4 — Session  2,  Gulfport 
Memorial  Hospital,  6:30  p.m. 
Hattiesburg — January  8 — Session  1;  Febru- 
ary 5 — Session  2,  Forrest  General  Hos- 
pital, 6:30  p.m. 

Session  1 — Diagnosis  and  Management  of 
Anemia 

In  Adults,  Dr.  Guy  Gillespie 
In  Children,  Dr.  Robert  E.  Carter 
Session  2 — Diagnosis  and  Management  of 
Malignant  Skin  Lesions 
Dermatologic  Approach,  Dr.  James  G. 
Thompson 

Surgical  Approach,  Dr.  J.  Manning  Hud- 
son 

Eastern  Circuit 

Columbus — January  27 — Session  1,  Lowndes 
County  General  Hospital,  6:30  p.m. 
Session  1 — Carcinoma  of  the  Cervix 

Radiologic  Approach,  Dr.  Bernard  Hick- 
man 

Surgical  Approach,  Dr.  Richard  Boronow 
FUTURE  CALENDAR 

January  6,  1970 

Circuit  Course,  McComb 

January  7 

Circuit  Course,  Biloxi 
January  8 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 
January  19-23 

Cancer  Chemotherapy  Intensive 
Course 

January  27 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 
February  4 

Circuit  Course,  Biloxi 
February  5 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 
February  9-13 

Radiology  Intensive  Course 

February  11 

Seminar  on  Back  Pain 

February  17 

Circuit  Course,  Natchez 
February  24 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


March  2-6 

Renal  Disease  Intensive  Course 
March  4 

Circuit  Course,  Biloxi 
March  6 

Renal  Disease  Seminar 
March  12 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 
March  16-20 

Cardiology  Intensive  Course 
Stroke  Intensive  Course 

April  1-3 

Cardiovascular  Seminar 
April  7 

Circuit  Course,  McComb 
April  16 

Mississippi  Thoracic  Society,  Jackson 
April  21 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 
May  11-14 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


RMP  Awards 
Cardiopulmonary  Grant 

The  Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Program  has 
awarded  a nine-month  grant  of  $38,988  to  the 
Mississippi  Heart  Association  for  a cardiopul- 
monary resuscitation  project. 

Aimed  at  training  members  of  the  health  team 
in  approved  techniques  of  cardiopulmonary  re- 
suscitation, the  program  also  seeks  to  broaden 
the  development  of  continuous  inservice  instruc- 
tion programs  in  each  regional  hospital,  nursing 
home  and  extended  care  facility. 

Erratum 

Through  an  inadvertent  binding  error,  pages 
547-550  were  omitted  from  some  copies  of  the 
December  1969  Journal,  Vol.  X,  No.  12.  The 
missing  pages  are  part  of  CPC  XCV. 

We  apologize  to  our  author.  Dr.  William  B. 
Wilson  of  Jackson,  and  to  our  readers.  Those 
having  received  copies  with  missing  pages  are 
requested  to  inform  the  Editors  by  postal  card, 
and  a complete  reprint  of  the  article  will  be  re- 
turned— with  an  unused  postal  card. 


Cftest 

HOSPITAL 

(Formerly  Hill  Crest  Sanitarium) 


7000  5TH  AVENUE  SOUTH 
Box  2896,  Woodlawn  Station 
Birmingham,  Alabama  35212 

Phone:  205-836-7201 


A patient  centered 
independent  hospital  for 
intensive  treatment  of 
nervous  disorders  . . . 

Hill  Crest  Hospital  was  estab- 
lished in  1925  as  Hill  Crest 
Sanitarium  to  provide  private 
psychiatric  treatment  of  ner- 
vous or  mental  disorders.  Indi- 
vidual patient  care  has  been 
the  theme  during  its  44  years 
of  service. 

Both  male  and  female  pa- 


tients are  accepted  and  depart- 
mentalized care  is  provided  ac- 
cording to  sex  and  the  degree 
of  illness. 


In  addition  to  the  psychiatric 
staff,  consultants  are  available 
in  all  medical  specialities. 


MEDICAL  DIRECTOR: 

James  A.  Becton,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 


CLINICAL  DIRECTORS: 

James  K.  Ward,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 
Hardin  M.  Ritchey,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A, 


HILL  CREST  is  a member  of: 

AMERICAN  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
. . . NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  PRI- 
VATE PSYCHIATRIC  HOSPITALS  . . . 
ALABAMA  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
BIRMINGHAM  REGIONAL  HOSPITAL 
COUNCIL. 

Hill  Crest  is  fully  accredited  by  the  Joint 
Commission  on  Accreditation  of  Hospitals 
and  is  also  approved  for  Medicare  pa- 
tients. 


C/test 

HOSPITAL 

BIRMINGHAM,  ALABAMA 


JANUARY  1970 


29 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 


Blair  E.  Batson  and  Janice  Redd,  both  of 
Jackson  and  UMC,  attended  the  fall  meetings  of 
the  Southern  Society  for  Pediatric  Research  in 
Richmond,  Va. 

G.  Lacey  Biles  of  Sumner  spoke  at  a recent 
District  Four  Heart  Association  meeting  in 
Clarksdale.  Also  speaking  was  Walter  Taylor 
of  Clarksdale  who  talked  on  diet  and  heart  dis- 
ease. 

Robert  E.  Blount  of  Jackson  and  UMC  met 
with  the  American  Rheumatism  Association  in 
Tucson.  Ariz.  Dec.  5-6. 

L.  H.  Bounds  is  serving  his  second  term  as  pres- 
ident of  the  Meridian  Symphony  Society  Board. 

John  Bower  of  Jackson  and  UMC  recently 
spoke  to  the  Corinth  Chapter  of  the  Kidney 
Foundation  of  Mississippi  about  kidney  disease 
and  the  treatments  including  transplanting  and 
the  artificial  kidney  machine. 

Ralph  H.  Brock  of  McComb  announces  the  re- 
moval of  his  office  to  150  Marion  Avenue. 

Raymond  W.  Browning  of  Greenwood  an- 
nounces the  removal  of  his  office  to  his  newly 
constructed  clinic  at  1317  River  Road. 

Paul  B.  Brumby  of  Lexington  recently  addressed 
the  annual  convention  of  the  Mississippi  Fed- 
eration of  Licensed  Practical  Nurses,  Inc.  at 
the  Hotel  Heidelberg  in  Jackson. 

Ten  Jackson  physicians  were  cited  as  health 
leaders  by  the  Jackson  Chamber  of  Commerce  at 
its  annual  meeting  in  November.  Those  spot- 
lighted in  the  “Salute  to  Health  Care  Facilities 
and  People”  were  Robert  Carter,  David  Wil- 
son, James  L.  Royals,  William  O.  Barnett, 
James  Hendrick,  William  Lotterhos,  Alton 
Cobb,  W.  L.  Jaquith,  Eric  McVey,  and  Hugh 
Cottrell. 

Robert  E.  Carter,  UMC  dean  and  director, 
participated  in  a National  Volunteer  Leadership 
Conference  of  the  National  Foundation-March 
of  Dimes  in  San  Diego  in  December. 

Walter  Crawford  of  Tylertown  spoke  to  the 


Tylertown  Rotary  Club  during  National  Family 
Health  Week. 

Robert  L.  Donald  of  Pascagoula  has  been 
named  State  Chairman  for  Jaycee  International 
Medical  Supplies  Program.  The  J.I.M.S.  Program 
was  conceived  and  initiated  by  Dr.  Donald. 

William  E.  Eggerton  of  Meridian  announces 
the  opening  of  his  offices  at  1 1 2-24th  Avenue 
for  the  practice  of  dermatology. 

Ira  E.  Gaddy,  Jr.  of  Mississippi  City  has  been 
appointed  to  the  board  of  trustees  of  Memorial 
Hospital  in  Gulfport.  Dr.  Gaddy  has  the  distinc- 
tion of  being  the  first  physician  appointed  to  the 
board  of  trustees. 

R.  F.  Gates  of  Gulfport  has  assumed  the  presi- 
dency of  the  Coast  Counties  Medical  Society. 
New  president-elect  is  Paul  Horn  of  Biloxi  and 
retiring  president  is  A.  K.  Martinolich  of  Bay 
St.  Louis.  E.  T.  Riemann,  Jr.  of  Gulfport  was 
named  vice  president,  and  Hal  Cleveland  of 
Gulfport  is  secretary-treasurer. 

Hannelore  H.  Giles  of  Hattiesburg  announces 
the  opening  of  her  office  for  the  practice  of  cardi- 
ology at  990  Hardy  Street. 

Raymond  F.  Grenfell  and  James  L.  Royals  of 
Jackson  attended  the  AMA  clinical  meeting  in 
Denver  last  month. 

Arthur  C.  Guyton,  Harper  K.  Hellems, 
Herbert  G.  Langford,  Richard  G.  Hutch- 
inson, Gaston  Rodriguez,  and  David  G.  Wat- 
son, all  of  Jackson  and  Joe  M.  Ross  of  Vicks- 
burg attended  the  American  Heart  Association 
scientific  sessions  and  annual  assembly  in  Dal- 
las. 

Carl  Hale  of  Hattiesburg  recently  discussed 
radiological  services  at  Forrest  General  Hospital 
at  a Hub  City  Kiwanis  Club  meeting  at  the  Red 
Carpet  Inn. 

G.  Swink  Hicks  of  Natchez  has  been  re-elected 
to  serve  a three  year  term  on  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees of  the  Mississippi  Baptist  Hospital. 

Gerald  Hopkins  of  Oxford  recently  spoke  to 
the  District  Six  meeting  of  the  Mississippi  Heart 
Association  in  Grenada.  He  was  introduced  by 
Gaines  L.  Cook  of  Grenada,  Medical  Repre- 
sentative of  Grenada  County. 

Jerry  W.  Iles  of  Natchez  presented  a biograph- 
ical summary  of  Dr.  John  Wesley  Monette,  the 
first  physician  to  become  a member  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi Hall  of  Fame,  at  a recent  meeting  of 


30 


JOURNAL  MSM  A 


ill 

St 


m 


is 

e 


] 


Achrocidin  Tablets  and  Syrup 


Tetracycline  HC1— Antihistamine— Analgesic  Compound 

Each  tablet  contains:  ACHROMYCIN®  Tetracycline  HC1  125  mg.;  Phenacetin  120  mg.;  Caffeine  30  mg.;  Salicylamide  150  mg.;  Chlorothen  Citrate  25  mg. 


ACHROCIDIN  Tetracycline  HC1— Antihistamine— Analgesic  Compound  Tablets  and  Syrup  are  recommended  for  the  treatment 
of  tetracycline-sensitive  bacterial  infection  which  may  complicate  vasomotor  rhinitis,  sinusitis  and  other  allergic  diseases  of  the 
upper  respiratory  tract,  and  for  the  concomitant  symptomatic  relief  of  headache  and  nasal  congestion.  For  children  and  elderly 
patients  you  may  prefer  caffeine-free  ACHROCIDIN  Syrup.  Each  5 cc  contains:  ACHROMYCIN  Tetracycline  equivalent  to 
Tetracycline  HC1  125  mg.;  Phenacetin  120  mg.;  Salicylamide  150  mg.;  Ascorbic  Acid  (C)  25  mg.;  Pyrilamine  Maleate  15  mg. 


Contraindications:  Hypersensitivity  to  any 
component. 

Warning:  In  renal  impairment,  since  liver  tox- 
icity is  possible,  lower  doses  are  indicated;  dur- 
ing prolonged  therapy  consider  serum  level 
determinations.  Photodynamic  reaction  to  sun- 
light may  occur  in  hypersensitive  persons. 
Photosensitive  individuals  should  avoid  expo- 
sure; discontinue  treatment  if  skin  discomfort 
occurs. 

Precautions:  Drowsiness,  anorexia,  slight  gas- 
tric distress  can  occur.  In  excessive  drowsi- 
ness, consider  longer  dosage  intervals.  Persons 


on  full  dosage  should  not  operate  vehicles. 
Nonsusceptible  organisms  may  overgrow;  treat 
superinfection  appropriately.  Treat  beta- 
hemolytic  streptococcal  infections  at  least  10 
days  to  help  prevent  rheumatic  fever  or  acute 
glomerulonephritis.  Tetracycline  may  form  a 
stable  calcium  complex  in  bone-forming  tissue 
and  may  cause  dental  staining  during  tooth 
development  (last  half  of  pregnancy,  neonatal 
period,  infancy,  early  childhood). 

Adverse  Reactions:  Gastrointestinal— anorexia, 
nausea,  vomiting,  diarrhea,  stomatitis,  glossi- 
tis, enterocolitis,  pruritus  ani.  Skin— maculo- 


papular  and  erythematous  rashes;  exfoliative 
dermatitis;  photosensitivity;  onycholysis,  nail 
discoloration.  Kidney— dose-related  rise  in 
BUN.  Hypersensitivity  reactions— urticaria, 
angioneurotic  edema,  anaphylaxis.  Intracranial 
—bulging  fontanels  in  young  infants.  Teeth— 
yellow-brown  staining;  enamel  hypoplasia. 
Blood— anemia,  thrombocytopenic  purpura, 
neutropenia,  eosinophilia.  Liver— cholestasis  at 
high  dosage. 

Upon  adverse  reaction,  stop  medication  and 
treat  appropriately. 


LEDERLE  LABORATORIES,  A Division  of  American  Cyanamid  Company,  Pearl  River,  New  York  10965 


534-9 


PERSONALS  / Continued 

the  Natchez  Historical  Society  at  Coyle  House 
on  Wall  Street. 

William  E.  Lotterhos  of  Jackson  addressed 
the  North  Jackson  Kiwanis  Club  in  observance 
of  National  Family  Health  Week.  His  topic  was 
the  family  physician  today.  Dr.  Lotterhos  is 
president-elect  of  the  American  Academy  of 
General  Practice. 

Thomas  Stanley  Martin  of  Hattiesburg  has 
been  elected  to  active  membership  in  the  Amer- 
ican Academy  of  General  Practice.  Dr.  Martin  is 
director  of  student  health  services  and  the  medi- 
cal clinic  at  the  University  of  Southern  Mis- 
sissippi. 

Albert  Meena  of  Jackson  has  been  elected  as 
one  of  nine  directors  of  the  Better  Business  Bu- 
reau for  a three  year  term. 

Shelby  W.  Mitchell  of  Laurel  is  serving  as 
acting  health  director  of  Harrison  County.  The 
post  has  been  vacant  since  Hurricane  Camille. 
Dr.  Mitchell’s  regular  assignment  is  health  of- 
ficer of  Jones,  Jasper,  and  Covington  Counties. 

Steven  L.  Moore  of  Jackson  has  been  appoint- 
ed Mississippi’s  new  comprehensive  health  plan- 
ning director  by  Gov.  John  Bell  Williams.  Dr. 
Moore  was  formerly  director  of  the  division  of 
local  health  services  in  the  State  Board  of  Health. 

William  G.  Munn  has  moved  into  his  new 
medical  clinic  at  the  corner  of  East  Jackson  Ave- 
nue and  Oak  Street  in  Mendenhall. 

Dudley  H.  Mutziger  of  Natchez  announces  the 
removal  of  his  offices  from  729  North  Pearl  Street 
to  the  Medical  Arts  Building  on  Sgt.  Prentiss 
Drive. 

Glenn  T.  Pearson  of  Hattiesburg  has  been 
elected  secretary-treasurer  of  the  Hattiesburg 
Area  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

Curtis  D.  Roberts  of  Brandon  has  been  elected 
vice-chief  of  the  medical  staff  of  Rankin  Gen- 
eral Hospital.  Roland  Samson  was  elected  to  a 
three-year  term  on  the  executive  committee,  and 
Robert  Rester  was  named  to  the  hospital’s  ac- 
tive staff. 

Maurice  Taquino  of  Biloxi  was  elected  to  the 
board  of  directors  of  Harrison  County  Private 
School  Foundation  at  its  annual  meeting  in  Gulf- 
port. 

Norman  W.  Todd  of  Newton  recently  attended 
an  Air  Medical  Examiner  Flight  Surgeon  Sem- 
inar in  Oklahoma  City.  Dr.  Todd  has  been  a sen- 

3 2 


ior  medical  examiner  for  all  types  of  commercial 
and  private  pilots  for  10  years. 

Richmond  Sharbrough  of  Vicksburg  has  been 
elected  vice  president  of  the  newly  organized 
Men’s  Golf  Association  of  that  city. 

Guy  T.  Vise  of  Meridian  is  serving  as  chairman 
of  the  Operation  Drug  Alert  committee  of  the 
Meridian  Kiwanis  Club.  The  program  is  de- 
signed to  alert  Meridian  people  to  the  dangers 
of  drug  abuse. 

David  G.  Watson  of  Jackson  participated  in  a 
symposium  on  the  Natural  History  and  Progress 
in  Treatment  of  Congenital  Heart  Disease  Dec. 
3-7  in  Toronto,  Canada. 

David  B.  Wilson  of  Jackson  and  UMC  attended 
the  Washington,  D.  C.  meeting  for  a Maryland- 
D.  C.-Delaware  Hospital  last  month. 


. Armstrong,  George  Glaucus,  Sr.,  Hous- 
ton.  M.D.,  Memphis  Hospital  Medical  Col- 
lege, Tenn.,  1903;  residency,  Charity  Hospital, 
Jackson,  Sept.  1,  1918-Dec.  1,  1919;  postgradu- 
ate work,  Chicago  EENT  College,  Illinois,  1920 
and  1922;  EENT  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  La., 
1925  and  1927;  member  MSMA  Fifty  Year  Club; 
Emeritus  member  MSMA  and  AMA:  died  Nov. 
17,  1969,  age  90. 

Otken,  Luther  B.,  Sr.,  Greenwood.  M.D., 
University  of  Texas  Medical  Branch,  Galveston, 
1917;  interned  Manhattan  Maternity  Hospital, 
New  York  City,  N.  Y.,  one  year;  died  Nov.  25, 
1969,  age  80. 


Raney,  Daniel  H.,  Mattson.  M.D.,  Uni- 
versity  of  Texas  Medical  Branch,  Galves- 
ton, 1917;  interned  St.  Louis  City  Hospital,  3 
months;  scholarship  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  1919; 
member  MSMA  Fifty  Year  Club;  Emeritus  mem- 
ber MSMA  and  AMA;  died  Nov.  27,  1969,  age 
82. 


No  reports  of  election  of  new  members  in  the 
association  were  reported  to  the  Journal  during 
December  1969. 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Book  Reviews 

Genetics  and  Counseling  in  Medical  Practice. 
By  Leonard  E.  Reisman,  M.D.  and  Adam  P. 
Matheny,  Jr.,  Ph.D.  215  pages  with  illustrations. 
St.  Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mosby  Co.,  1969.  $12.75 

This  small  volume  provides  a good  overall 
view  of  genetic  counseling  aimed  at  the  medical 
practitioner.  It  is  easy  to  read,  and  well  worth 
reading  for  anyone  called  on  to  provide  counsel- 
ing for  genetic  disorders.  Its  greatest  value  is  as 
a volume  to  read  through  for  “the  big  picture” 
since  it  is  not  an  exhaustive  reference  text.  It 
nevertheless  presents  adequately  the  fundamen- 
tals of  the  major  areas  of  medical  genetics  in- 
cluding probabilities,  Mendelian  principles,  chro- 
mosome abnormalities  and  inborn  errors. 

Chapters  on  the  general  approach  to  genetic 
counseling,  genetics  and  cancer,  and  mental  re- 
tardation are  particularly  commendable.  These 
chapters  answer  frequently-recurring  questions 
directed  by  the  medical  practitioner  to  the  genetic 
counselor.  The  authors  have  obviously  drawn  a 
great  deal  of  the  material  from  their  own  experi- 
ences in  the  sections  on  chromosome  abnormali- 
ties and  their  clinical  photographs  are  very  good. 

Diagrammatic  illustrations  explaining  inherit- 
ance patterns  are  lacking,  and  the  explanations 
in  text,  though  adequate,  may  thus  be  hard  to 
find  for  quick  review  by  a busy  practitioner. 
The  authors  have  perpetuated  the  inadequate 
nationwide  list  of  service  facilities  for  genetic 
counseling  which  would  be  better  omitted  in  fa- 
vor of  a reference  to  the  International  Directory 
of  Genetic  Services  edited  by  Bergsma  and 
Lynch  and  published  by  the  National  Founda- 
tion. 

John  F.  Jackson,  M.D. 

Symposium  on  Sports  Medicine.  By  the  Amer- 
ican Academy  of  Orthopaedic  Surgeons.  210 
pages  with  199  illustrations.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V. 
Mosby  Company,  1969.  $15.00. 

In  1962  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
American  Academy  of  Orthopaedic  Surgeons 
established  a Committee  on  Sports  Medicine  up- 


on the  recommendation  of  President-Elect  Dr. 
Clinton  Compere.  This  Committee  was  charged 
with  many  approaches  to  improving  the  medi- 
cal care,  and  particularly  the  orthopaedic  care  of 
American  youth  engaged  in  athletics.  Dr.  Don 
O’Donoghue  was  appointed  chairman.  A major 
mandate  was  to  develop  a sophisticated  post- 
graduate course  on  sports  medicine  for  ortho- 
paedic surgeons  and  other  physicians  with  a spe- 
cial interest  in  the  care  of  the  athlete.  At  this 
postgraduate  course  approximately  twenty  very 
fine  papers  were  presented  and  appropriately,  the 
papers  presented  at  this  course  have  now  been 
compiled  as  a birthday  volume  to  Dr.  O'Don- 
oghue. 

The  essayist  of  each  of  the  individual  papers 
is  an  expert  in  his  field  and  all  have  a definite  in- 
terest and  insight  into  the  problems  of  treating 
sports  injuries.  The  articles  are  varied  in  their 
topics  and  include  problems  of  evaluation  of 
perspective  athletes,  as  well  as  detailed  reports 
of  the  effect  of  altitude  on  the  athletes  during 
the  most  recent  Olympic  games.  All  of  the  ex- 
tremities with  reference  to  the  most  frequent  in- 
juries are  well  covered  and  I feel  that  the  six 
separate  papers  dealing  with  knee  injuries  are 
the  best  that  1 have  seen. 

This  book  would  definitely  be  of  benefit  as  a 
reference  for  any  physician  who  is  dealing  with 
athletic  injuries,  whether  he  be  an  orthopaedic 
specialist  or  not.  There  are  one  hundred  ninety- 
nine  illustrations,  which  are  all  very  well  done 
and  very  clearly  produced  on  paper. 

I feel  that  the  Committee  on  Sports  Medicine 
of  the  American  Academy  of  Orthopaedic  Sur- 
geons should  be  commended  on  this  publication 
and  recommend  it  highly  to  any  physician  deal- 
ing with  these  problems. 

H.  Lowry  Rush,  Jr.,  M.D. 


New  Books  Received 

The  Practice  of  Refraction.  By  Sir  Stewart 
Duke-Elder,  M.D.,  Ph.D.,  F.A.C.S.  321  pages 
with  244  illustrations.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V. 
Mosby  Company,  1969.  $11.75. 


JANUARY  1 970 


35 


THE  LITERATURE  / Continued 

Acute  Renal  Failure:  Diagnosis  and  Manage- 
ment. By  Robert  G.  Muehrcke,  M.D.,  F.A.C.P. 
263  pages  with  126  illustrations.  St.  Louis:  The 
C.  V.  Mosby  Company,  1969.  $19.75. 

Health  Education.  By  Bernice  R.  Moss,  Ed.D., 
Warren  H.  Southworth,  Dr.  P.H.,  and  John  Les- 
ter Reichart,  M.D.  Washington,  D.  C.:  National 
Education  Association  of  the  United  States,  1969. 
Fifth  Edition.  $5.00. 

Cardiac  Arrest  and  Resuscitation.  By  Hugh 
E.  Stephenson,  Jr.,  M.D..  F.A.C.S.  500  pages 
with  223  illustrations.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mos- 
by Company,  1969.  $29.50. 

Handbook  of  Ocular  Therapeutics  and  Phar- 
macology. By  Philip  P.  Ellis,  M.D.,  and  Donn 
L.  Smith,  M.D.  and  Ph.D.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V. 
Mosby  Company,  1969.  Third  Edition.  $10.75. 

Fundamentals  of  Inhalation  Therapy.  By  Don- 
ald F.  Egan,  M.D.  468  pages  with  148  illustra- 
tions. St.  Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mosby  Company, 
1969.  $11.00. 

Arrows  of  Mercy.  By  Philip  Smith.  236  pages. 
Garden  City  N.  Y. : Doubleday  and  Company, 
1969.  $5.95. 

FDA  Warns  Against 
Bard  Urethral  Catheters 

The  Food  and  Drug  Administration  has  issued 
a warning  to  all  physicians  and  clinics  against 
using  49  types  of  urethral  catheter  trays  and 
kits  produced  by  C.  R.  Bard,  Inc.,  of  Murray 
Hill.  N.  J. 

All  of  these  trays  contain  a packet  of  cleans- 
ing solution  or  “detergicide.”  This  detergi- 
cide,”  also  called  “prep  solution,”  “cleansing  so- 
lution,” or  “antiseptic  towlette,”  has  been  found 
to  contain  bacteria  of  pseudomonas  species,  com- 
monly known  as  EO-1,  a pathogenic  organism 
which  may  produce  severe  genitourinary  infec- 
tions. 

C.  R.  Bard,  Inc.,  undertook  a voluntary  recall 
in  Sept,  of  the  contaminated  trays  from  its  dis- 
tributors and  from  hospitals  in  the  United  States 
and  Canada.  FDA  has  determined  that  the  re- 
call was  not  effective  due  in  part  to  lack  of  co- 
operation by  several  large  distributors  who  de- 
clined to  participate. 

FDA  attempted  to  warn  nursing  homes  and 
the  medical  profession  of  the  dangers  involved 
in  the  use  of  these  trays  by  issuing  a press  re- 
lease in  Oct. 


Administration  checks  on  dissemination  of  the 
warning  revealed,  however,  that  the  majority  of 
nursing  and  convalescent  homes  are  still  unaware 
of  the  recall  or  the  health  hazards  of  the  cath- 
eter trays  containing  the  contaminated  detergi- 
cide.  They  are  still  in  use  in  many  institutions. 

Recently  a marked  increase  in  severe  genito- 
urinary infections  associated  with  the  use  of  the 
catheter  trays  containing  the  contaminated  agent 
has  been  reported  by  hospital  authorities. 

Additional  investigations  by  the  FDA  have 
also  disclosed  non-sterility  of  some  of  the  lubri- 
cant jelly  packs  in  the  Bard  trays.  Both  FDA  and 
AMA  are  attempting  to  alert  all  physicians  as- 
sociated with  hospitals,  urologic  clinics,  nursing 
and  convalescent  homes,  to  take  immediate  steps 
to  check  all  stocks  of  sterile  urethral  catheter 
trays  or  kits  from  C.  R.  Bard,  Inc.  They  should 
arrange  for  prompt  return  to  the  supplier  of  any 
existing  stocks  bearing  any  of  the  following  re- 
order or  item  numbers: 

7501,  7503,  7505,  7602,  7602P,  7604, 
7610,  8145,  8214,  8216,  8218,  8220,  8300, 
8364-16,  8364-18,  8365-16,  8365-18,  8400, 
8401,  8464-16,  8464-18,  8464D-16,  8464D- 
18,  8465-16.  8465-18,  8500,  8501,  8504-16, 
8504-18,  8505-16,  8505-18,  8505A-16, 

8505A-18,  8554,  8556,  8554-A,  8556-A, 
8558,  8558-A,  8560,  8810,  8816,  8816-A, 
8818,  8818-A,  8819,  4200,  4210,  8556-A, 

8 5 60- A. 

Frontiers  of  Medicine 
1970  Scheduled 

Registrations  are  being  accepted  for  Frontiers 
of  Medicine  1970  to  be  held  in  Lakeland,  Flor- 
ida, Feb.  18  through  20.  The  meeting,  sponsored 
by  the  Lakeland  Graduate  Medical  Assembly, 
has  been  approved  by  the  American  Academy 
of  General  Practice  for  14  hours  elective  credit. 

A wide  range  of  current  medical  topics  is  of- 
fered by  this  year’s  Frontiers  of  Medicine  pro- 
gram with  an  outstanding  guest  faculty  from 
throughout  the  United  States. 

Co-sponsors  of  the  Frontiers  meeting — which 
last  year  was  highlighted  by  Drs.  Christiaan 
Barnard  and  Denton  Cooley — are  the  medical 
staffs  of  Winter  Haven  Hospital  and  Bartow 
Memorial  Hospital. 

Registration  fee  is  $100.  For  details,  contact 
the  Lakeland  Graduate  Medical  Assembly,  P.  O. 
Box  23335,  Lakeland,  Florida  33830  (813/ 
683-1636  or  683-2038). 


36 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


USM  Student  Health  Services  Offers 
Comprehensive  Campus  Care  Program 


One  of  the  more  important  buildings  at  the 
University  of  Southern  Mississippi  in  Hattiesburg 
is  a modest  two-story  brick  and  tile  structure  on 
the  main  campus,  nestled  between  a cluster  of 
more  imposing  “cousins.” 

The  unit  is  the  USM  Infirmary,  where  despite 
a relatively  limited  floor  space  as  compared  to 
dormitory  and  classroom  buildings,  an  astound- 
ing number  of  students  trek  annually  through 
its  doors. 

Constructed  in  1962,  the  unit  replaced  an 
outdated  wooden  building  which  had  long  since 


Though  small  in  size,  in  contrast  to  towering 
Pulley  Hall  at  right , the  University  of  Southern  Mis- 
sissippi’s Health  Services  Clinic  is  a busy  place, 
sometimes  treating  more  than  6,000  out-patients  a 
quarter.  Only  a portion  of  the  two-story,  36-bed  in- 
firmary is  visible  here.  Dr.  Thomas  S.  Martin,  M.D. 
is  Director  of  Health  Services  at  USM. 


seen  its  best  days.  The  present  infirmary  has 
about  10,000  square  feet  of  assignable  area,  36 
beds,  and  all  of  the  necessary  rooms  for  the  ser- 
vices offered. 

Dr.  Thomas  S.  Martin  is  director  of  Student 
Health  Services,  and  is  now  entering  his  fourth 
year  with  the  school.  Dr.  Martin  serves  also  as 
team  physician,  and  as  assistant  professor  of 
health  and  physical  education,  teaches  some 
classes. 

The  staff  at  the  infirmary  consists  of  Dr. 
Martin  and  seven  registered  nurses,  who  rotate 
hours  according  to  work  load  levels,  so  as  to  pro- 
vide 24-hour  service.  For  a time  a second  phy- 
sician was  available  full-time.  However  Dr.  Andin 
C.  McLeod,  Jr.  has  now  left  in  order  to  obtain 
further  specialized  training. 

The  Student  Health  Services  is  supported  by 
a health  fee  which  is  included  in  an  incidental 
fee.  Broadly  it  covers  clinical  and  hospital  ser- 
vices limited  to  cases  of  ordinary  illness.  The 
University  does  not  assume  responsibility  in  cases 
of  extended  illness  or  for  treatment  of  chronic 
diseases.  Cases  requiring  surgery  are  handled  by 
a physician  and  hospital  of  the  student’s  choice. 

After  initial  evaluation  and  possible  treatment, 
the  USM  infirmary  may  make  further  disposi- 
tion of  the  patient,  including  continued  treat- 
ment of  minor  illnesses  either  as  a bed  patient  or 
as  an  ambulatory  out-patient;  referral  to  a local 
private  physician  or  clinic  for  further  diagnostic 
evaluation  and  treatment  if  the  case  is  other  than 
a routine  minor  illness;  send  the  patient  home  to 
the  care  of  his  local  physician  if  the  condition  war- 
rants, and  especially  if  the  expected  duration  of 
illness  is  lengthy;  or  requires  hospitalization. 

The  School  Health  Service  attempts  to  moni- 
tor and  maintain  surveillance  over  the  student’s 


JANUARY  1970 


3 7 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

general  health,  while  he  is  away  from  home,  and 
to  offer  liaison  between  his  own  family  physi- 
cian, his  parents,  and/or  his  local  physician. 

Types  of  illness  most  frequently  encountered, 
and  their  disposition,  include: 

The  various  types  of  tonsilopharyngitis  are  the 
most  common  illnesses  seen.  Where  the  duration 
is  short,  they  are  treated  at  the  infirmary,  but 
where  a period  of  several  weeks  is  anticipated, 
the  cases  are  sent  home  for  treatment  by  the 
family  physician.  Since  it  is  important  to  identify 
and  separate  the  cases  of  streptococcus  bacterial 
sore  throats  so  that  they  may  be  adequately 
treated  in  order  to  prevent  rheumatic  fever,  a 
throat  culture  is  taken  in  most  cases,  done  by 
the  State  Board  of  Health  at  no  charge. 

Sprains  and  strains  during  intramural  seasons 
and  late  afternoon  activities  produce  many  mus- 
culoskeletal injuries  that  are  treated  at  the  school. 
The  nurses  are  well-trained  in  physical  therapy 
measures.  An  ice  machine  and  a whirlpool  bath 
have  proven  invaluable.  Other  orthopedic  prob- 
lems are  generally  referred  to  local  orthopedic 
surgeons,  of  which  there  are  now  four  in  Hatties- 
burg. 

Lacerations  that  occur  on  campus  as  a result 
of  accidents,  intramurals,  or  athletics  are  surgi- 
cally repaired  in  the  clinic.  Those  resulting  from 
automobile  accidents  and  off-campus  incidents 
are  referred  to  the  Forrest  General  Hospital 
emergency  room.  Though  not  deemed  the  respon- 
sibility of  the  school,  the  school  physician  is 
usually  called  upon  by  the  hospital  to  care  for 
these  patients  in  the  emergency  room,  the  stu- 
dent bearing  the  cost. 

Respiratory  problems,  most  being  of  viral 
origin,  are  amenable  to  bed  rest,  anti-pyretics, 
and  expectorants.  More  severe  cases  are  often 
referred  to  the  care  of  a local  or  home-town 
physician.  X-rays  are  sometimes  required,  at  the 
student’s  expense,  and  are  made  at  the  Forrest 
General  Hospital. 

Bacterial  pneumonia  is  generally  not  consid- 
ered a minor  illness,  but  is  sometimes  treated 
on-campus,  out  of  necessity  or  special  conveni- 
ence to  the  patient. 

Viral  influenza  does  not  lend  itself  to  adequate 
treatment  on  the  campus  and  victims  are  too  ill 
to  attend  class.  Because  of  this  and  the  usual 
long  duration,  victims  are  sent  home,  as  a rule, 
where  there  is  a better  chance  for  a more  rapid 
recovery.  In  September,  preventive  “flu-shots” 
are  offered — but  the  protection  rate  is  only  about 


30  per  cent  and  only  a relatively  few  students 
and  faculty  avail  themselves  of  the  vaccine. 

Gastrointestinal  problems  constitute  the  sec- 
ond most  frequent  complaint  on  campus,  embrac- 
ing the  syndrome  of  nausea,  vomiting,  and  diar- 
rhea. Some  of  these  illnesses  are  food-borne  in 
origin,  while  most  are  the  result  of  viral  infection. 
Generally,  an  overnight  stay  in  the  clinic  with 
proper  supportive  measures  is  adequate  for  re- 
covery. Acute  abdominal  emergencies  are  re- 
ferred elsewhere. 

The  clinic  is  equipped  to  handle  acute  asth- 
matic attacks,  and  other  emergency  situations 
due  to  allergies.  Allergy  injections,  prescribed 
by  private  physicians,  are  administered  by  the 
nursing  staff  according  to  directions  given  by  the 
student’s  physician. 

Emotional  problems  embracing  acute  hysteria, 
very  mild  depression,  or  anxiety  cases  fall  in  the 
category  of  minor  illnesses,  but  more  severe  cases 
are  referred  elsewhere.  Under  the  direction  of  a 
psychiatrist  a student  may  be  observed  for 
several  days  in  the  clinic,  when  requested  by  his 
physician. 

Genitourinary  problems  include  cystitis,  usual- 
ly treated  at  the  clinic  and  followed  up  with  re- 
ferral to  specialists  when  required;  and  kidney 
trauma,  with  the  clinic  used  in  precautionary  ob- 
servation, thus  saving  the  student  a large  hos- 
pital bill. 

The  USM  Clinic  operates  around  the  clock 
during  each  school  quarter.  Two  scheduled  clin- 
ics are  held  daily,  one  in  the  morning,  the  other 
in  late  afternoon.  The  late  “sick  call”  draws  the 
most  patients.  A daily  clinic  load  for  the  physi- 
cian may  consist  of  as  few  as  35  patients  to  a 
peak  of  124. 

The  clinic  operation  provides  most  of  the 
commonly  used  drugs  to  the  student  body  free  of 
charge.  They  often  issue  drugs  such  as  antihista- 
mines, antibiotics,  and  antipyretics.  Many  pre- 
scriptions must  still  be  written  however  and  filled 
by  area  drug  stores  at  student  cost. 

A universal  problem  for  student  health  ser- 
vices is  kept  under  moderate  control  at  USM. 
Written  excuses  to  class  instructors  for  class  ab- 
sences are  not  provided.  At  an  institution  of 
nearly  8,000  students,  this  has  eliminated  the 
unending  lines  of  “written-excuse-seekers.”  How- 
ever the  student  is  encouraged  to  explain  his 
problems  to  the  instructors,  and  verification  of 
clinic  visits  via  telephone  is  always  available  if 
the  instructor  calls. 

An  indication  of  the  patient  load  experienced 
over  a period  of  time  at  USM  is  the  fact  that 


38 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


4.576  out-patients  were  treated  during  spring 
quarter  as  compared  to  6.220  during  winter 
quarter,  1969.  During  the  same  periods,  282  bed 
patients  were  provided  for  in  spring  quarter,  and 
387  during  winter  quarter. 

Presently  Southern  is  seeking  another  full  time 
physician.  “We  hope  to  attract  another  man  of 
Dr.  Martin’s  caliber,”  Dean  Peter  E.  Durkee 
comments.  Any  inquiries  from  interested  physi- 
cians should  be  directed  to  Dr.  Durkee,  Dean  of 
Student  Affairs,  Box  7,  Southern  Station,  Hat- 
tiesburg. Miss.  39401. 


MSU  Mitchell  Lectures 
Features  Dr.  Cooper 

The  C.  B.  Mitchell  Lectures  of  Mississippi 
State  University  this  year  featured  Dr.  Louis  Z. 
Cooper,  one  of  the  nation’s  leading  researchers 
on  the  Rubella  or  “German  Measles”  problem. 

The  second  distinguished  lecturer  in  the  MSU 
series,  Dr.  Cooper  is  author  of  “Rubella:  A Pre- 
ventable Cause  of  Birth  Defects.”  He  received  his 
M.D.  degree  from  Yale  University  School  of  Med- 
icine and  is  currently  affiliated  with  the  New 
York  University  Medical  Center  and  Bellevue 
Hospital. 

While  on  campus  Dr.  Cooper  spoke  to  pre- 
med  students  about  challenges  in  the  fields  of 
career  research,  internal  medicine,  and  pedi- 
atrics. On  Mon.,  Dec.  8,  he  conducted  an  exten- 
sive testing  of  several  thousand  young  women  of 
child-bearing  age  to  determine  their  suscepti- 
bility to  Rubella. 

Rubella,  more  commonly  known  as  German  or 
Three  Day  Measles,  accounts  for  birth  defects 
in  hundreds  of  children  each  year.  This  year  a 
“giant  leap”  in  medicine  was  the  production  of 
an  effective  vaccine  for  Rubella  along  with  a 
simple  new  technique  for  determining  individual 
susceptibility  (or  immunity)  to  this  previously 
wide-spread  “childhood”  disease. 

The  initial  use  of  the  vaccine  is  to  go  to  all 
children  who  are  primarily  responsible  for  the 
epidemic  spread  of  Rubella  and  the  exposure  to 
susceptible  mothers-to-be.  Prospective  mothers 
should  then  be  tested  for  immunity.  Dr.  Cooper 
says,  “The  concept  is  to  vaccinate  children  to 
protect  the  mothers.” 

The  test  for  immunity  consists  of  a drop  of 
blood  on  a piece  of  filter  paper.  This  properly 


identified  specimen  processed  in  Dr.  Cooper’s 
laboratory  can  determine  if  the  patient  has  ever 
had  Rubella.  He  estimates  that  there  are  2,000,- 
000  women  of  child-bearing  age  in  this  country 
who  are  susceptible. 

The  C.  B.  Mitchell  Lectures  initiated  last  year 
was  tremendously  successful  with  the  two  days 
and  nights  of  appearances  of  the  world  known 
authority  on  the  health  hazards  of  tobacco,  Dr. 
Alton  Ochsner  of  New  Orleans. 

The  C.  B.  Mitchell  Pre-Med  Fund  was  estab- 
lished in  1967  by  Mississippi  State  University 
Medical  Alumni  and  friends  in  recognition  of 
the  need  for  an  enriched  premedical  curriculum 
at  Mississippi  State  and  in  honor  of  the  doctor 
who  served  MSU  students  for  so  many  years  as 
college  physician. 

The  program  was  supported  in  part  by  the 
Merck  Sharp  and  Dohme  Post-Graduate  Medi- 
cal Program  and  the  Oktibbeha  County  March 
of  Dimes. 


Self-Employed  M.D.’s 
Insured  for  Disability 

Many  self-employed  physicians  reached  an  im- 
portant social  security  landmark  this  October. 
With  their  earnings  covered  since  1965,  they 
have  now  contributed  to  social  security  long 
enough  to  be  insured  for  disability. 

Social  security  disability  benefits  can  be  paid 
to  an  insured  person  under  65  who  has  a physi- 
cal or  mental  impairment  so  severe  as  to  keep 
him  from  doing  any  substantial  work  for  a year 
or  longer.  Payments  begin  after  a waiting  period 
of  6 full  calendar  months. 

Benefits  can  be  as  much  as  $218  a month  for 
a disabled  person  alone  and  up  to  $434.40  a 
month  for  a family.  Self-employed  physicians  dis- 
abled in  the  immediate  future,  however,  would 
probably  not  yet  be  eligible  for  these  maximums 
since  their  earnings  have  been  covered  by  social 
security  for  a relatively  short  time.  Benefits  are 
figured  from  a person’s  average  covered  earnings 
over  a period  of  years. 

“This  disability  protection  can  be  a valuable 
supplement  to  the  physician’s  private  insurance,” 
said  Bernard  Popick.  director  of  social  security’s 
disability  program.  “It  is  part  of  the  total  social 
security  package  of  protection — disability,  re- 
tirement, survivors  and  health  insurance — toward 
which  the  physician  has  been  contributing.” 


JANUARY  1970 


39 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

AMA’s  Dr.  McCleave  Is 
MSMA  and  UMC  Guest 

As  part  of  the  continuing  program  of  the 
MSMA  Committee  on  Medicine  and  Religion, 
The  Rev.  Dr.  Paul  D.  McCleave,  director  of  the 
AMA  department  of  medicine  and  religion,  met 
with  the  state  committee  and  appeared  before 
the  student  assembly  at  the  University  Medical 
Center  in  late  November. 

In  his  remarks  to  the  committee  and  the  stu- 
dents, Dr.  McCleave  addressed  himself  to  the 
care  of  the  whole  man  and  to  problems  in  pa- 
tient care  related  both  to  physical  aspects  and  to 
moral  issues  confronting  both  patients  and  phy- 
sicians. 


Dr.  John  M.  Alford,  Jr.  of  Greenwood,  chair- 
man, presided  at  the  MSMA  committee  meeting. 
John  Sanders,  president  of  the  junior  class  at 
UMC  and  chairman  of  the  student  assembly 
committee,  served  as  host  to  Dr,  McCleave.  Also 
appearing  on  the  program  was  Thad  Waites  of 
Waynesboro,  student  body  president. 

At  the  state  association  meeting,  members  of 
the  UMC  student  government  as  well  as  Dr. 
Robert  E.  Carter,  medical  school  dean  and  di- 
rector,  were  present  as  guests  of  the  committee. 

The  Committee  on  Medicine  and  Religion  is 
a constitutional  body  of  the  association  whose 
members  are  Drs.  Andrew  K.  Martinolich,  Jr., 
of  Bay  St.  Louis,  F.  C.  Minkler,  Jr.,  of  Pasca- 
goula, S.  Lamar  Bailey  of  Kosciusko,  Eugene  M. 
Murphey,  III,  of  Tupelo,  Julian  Wiener  of  Jack- 
son,  and  Dr.  Alford,  chairman. 


Highlighting  the  MSMA  Committee  on  Medicine 
and  Religion  meeting  at  which  Dr.  Paul  McCleave, 
second  from  right , director  of  the  AMA  department 
of  medicine  and  religion,  appeared  was  a private 
luncheon  at  Primos'  Northgate  Restaurants.  Discuss- 


ing Dr.  McCleave’s  address  are  from  left,  Dr.  Rob- 
ert Carter,  UMC  director  and  dean;  Dr.  John  Alford, 
MSMA  committee  chairman;  and  John  Sanders, 
chairman  of  the  medical  center  student  assembly 
committee. 


40 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Regional  Medical 
Expands  Activities 

Out  of  the  planning  and  into  the  doing  phase 
as  of  July  1,  the  Mississippi  Regional  Medical 
Program  has  mounted  seven  new  projects  and  is 
set  to  expand  two  established  activities  with  a 
$1,527,930  grant  for  1969-70. 

The  award  from  the  Division  of  Regional  Med- 
ical Programs,  Health  Services  and  Mental  Health 
Administration,  DHEW,  also  covers  cost  of  de- 
veloping additional  projects  to  improve  the  qual- 
ity and  availability  of  diagnosis  and  treatment  of 
heart  disease,  cancer,  stroke,  and  related  dis- 
eases in  Mississippi. 

Says  Dr.  Guy  Campbell,  Mississippi  coordi- 
nator, the  seven  new  projects  are  pieces  of  an 
over-all  plan  to  provide  more  health  manpower, 
and  improve  the  health  service  delivery  system 
by  Unking  to  available  resources  such  as  the 
State  Board  of  Health,  Office  of  Comprehensive 
Health  Planning,  and  the  University  Medical  Cen- 
ter. 

Emphasis  thus  far  is  on  continuing  education 
and  on  clinic  expansion,  he  says.  New  programs 
are: 

Mississippi  Postgraduate  Institute  in  the  Medi- 
cal Sciences,  described  elsewhere  in  this  publi- 
cation, with  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  As- 
sociation and  University  Medical  Center  as  co- 
applicants. 

Recruitment  of  Health  Manpower  in  Mississip- 
pi— a Mississippi  Hospital  Association  program 
to  stimulate  student  interest  in  health  careers  and 
initiation  of  now  nonexistent  allied  health  train- 
ing programs. 

Cardiovascular  Clinics — The  State  Board  of 
Health  plan  to  strengthen  its  heart  clinic  network 
with  the  cooperation  of  local  physicians,  the  Med- 
ical Center  and  the  Mississippi  Heart  Association. 

A System  of  Coronary  Care  Units  in  Mississip- 
pi— a University  Medical  Center  project  to  estab- 
lish an  exemplary  coronary  care  unit  in  the 
teaching  hospital  as  the  first  step  in  a system  of 
regional  centers  which  may  monitor  individual 
beds  in  smaller  hospitals  in  the  area. 

Therapy  Training  and  Consultation  Program 
— The  Medical  Center’s  project  to  begin  correc- 
tion of  deficiencies  in  personnel,  facilities,  and 
educational  opportunities  in  radiation  therapy  so 
the  service  can  be  expanded  and  upgraded 
throughout  the  state.  The  first  year’s  budget  will 
finance  purchase  of  a linear  accelerator. 

Regional  Comprehensive  Neurology  Clinics — 
The  State  Board  of  Health  and  Medical  Center 


joint  plan  for  clinics  in  six  cities  to  cover  all  neuro- 
logical disease  with  emphasis  on  stroke  and  with 
input  from  a primary  and  a rehabilitation  team, 
and  correlation  with  the  heart  clinics  and  the 
demonstration  stroke  unit  at  University. 

Comprehensive  Renal  Disease  Training  Pro- 
gram— A Medical  Center  application  to  carry  out 
training  programs  for  physicians,  nurses,  and 
others  who  care  for  nephrology  patients,  includ- 
ing those  on  chronic  dialysis. 

Three-year  funding  was  approved  for  five  of 
the  seven  projects. 

The  grant  also  covers  renovation  funds  for  the 
pulmonary  disease  training  program  initiated  as  a 
feasibility  study  under  earmarked  money  last 
March. 

Support  also  continues  for  the  four-bed  Dem- 
onstration Stroke  Unit  which  is  to  expand  to  six 
beds  with  the  renovation  of  the  vacated  seventh 
floor  nursing  unit  to  be  shared  with  the  Clinical 
Research  Center. 

In  approving  the  Mississippi  program  for  op- 
erational activities,  the  national  reviewing  bodies 
noted  the  involvement  of  major  health  organiza- 
tions such  as  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  As- 
sociation in  the  planning  process,  the  close  tie- 
in  with  the  Office  of  Comprehensive  Health  Plan- 
ning, and  cordial  relationship  with  adjoining  re- 
gions. Mississippi’s  avowed  intent  to  do  first  what 
can  be  done  with  existing  resources  and  the  re- 
gion’s recognition  of  its  health  manpower  as  its 
key  asset  were  seen  as  strengths  in  an  early  pro- 
gression from  planning  to  activation. 

Florida  Hosts  PG 
Education  Program 

The  Department  of  Psychiatry  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Florida  College  of  Medicine  and  the  north- 
east, central  and  southwest  chapters  of  the  Flor- 
ida Psychiatric  Society  will  co-sponsor  a pro- 
gram of  continuing  education  in  Gainesville, 
Florida  on  Feb.  10-11,  1970.  The  program  will 
consist  of  lectures  and  workshops  and  will  fea- 
ture Dr.  Harold  Rosen  of  Johns  Hopkins  Uni- 
versity of  ‘‘Psychiatry  and  the  Abortion  Faws” 
and  “Hypnosis  in  Psychiatry.”  Dr.  Samuel  R. 
Warson  of  the  department  of  psychiatry  is  di- 
rector of  the  workshop. 

For  programs  and  reservations  requests  should 
be  directed  to  the  Division  of  Postgraduate  Edu- 
cation. J.  Hillis  Miller  Health  Center,  Box  758, 
University  of  Florida,  Gainesville,  Florida  32601, 
Tel.  904-392-3143.  A general  announcement  bro- 
chure will  be  distributed  about  Dec.  15. 


JANUARY  1970 


41 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

UMC  and  MSBH  Set 
Up  Neurological  Clinics 

Two  state  agencies  have  pooled  resources  to 
put  a new  medical  team  in  the  field  conducting 
clinics  for  victims  of  neurological  diseases  and 
related  disorders. 

Working  together  on  the  team  are  the  State 
Board  of  Health,  through  its  Division  of  General 
Health  Services,  and  the  University  of  Mississippi 
Medical  Center  in  Jackson. 

The  effort  is  officially  titled  the  Regional  Com- 
prehensive Neurology  Clinics  project  and  is  made 
possible  under  a grant  from  the  Mississippi  Re- 
gional Medical  Program. 

The  team  includes  neurologists  and  resident 
physicians  from  the  Medical  Center,  and  a social 
worker,  and  it  is  supplemented  at  each  clinic  by 
State  Board  of  Health  nurses. 

It  conducts  clinics  on  the  third  Monday  and 
Tuesday  of  each  month,  spending  one  full  day 
in  each  of  six  selected  municipalities  over  a 
three-month  period. 

Two  clinics  are  held  in  the  State  Board  of 
Health  county  health  department  facilities  in 
Meridian,  Hattiesburg,  Pascagoula,  Gulfport, 
Cleveland  and  Indianola. 

Dr.  Frank  M.  Wiygul,  Jr.,  director  of  the 
Division  of  General  Health  Services,  State  Board 
of  Health,  estimates  that  at  least  1,000  patients 
will  be  seen  through  this  new  project  over  a one- 
year  period. 

He  estimates  35  patients  can  be  seen  each 
clinic  day,  or  70  patients  a month,  for  a total  of 
840  patients  a year  at  the  clinics,  with  another 
160  referred  from  the  clinics  to  the  medical  cen- 
ter. 

Theoda  Griffith  and  Terry  Beck,  working  with 
Dr.  Wiygul  in  the  General  Health  Services  Di- 
vision in  setting  up  the  clinic  schedules,  say  the 
estimate  may  be  on  the  conservative  side. 

“In  addition  to  the  medical  team,”  says  Dr. 
Wiygul,  “we  have  plans  for  a follow-up  team, 
including  an  electroencephalogram  technician,  a 
physical  therapist  and  a speech  therapist. 

“Patients  with  strokes  and  other  neurological 
conditions  which  need  more  medical  attention 
will  be  referred  to  University  Hospital  for  admis- 
sion either  to  neurological  service  or  to  the 
stroke  center.” 

The  aim  of  the  project,  says  Dr.  Wiygul,  is  to 
provide  neurological  consultation  for  patients  out- 


side of  the  central-Mississippi  area  which  has 
comparatively  easy  access  to  facilities  in  Jack- 
son. 

“We  want  to  provide  improved  diagnostic  ca- 
pability and  over-all  neurological  care  through 
laboratory  procedures  which  are  not  routinely 
available  elsewhere  in  the  state,”  Dr.  Wiygul 
adds. 

“The  project  also  should  develop  referral  re- 
sources for  physicians  in  private  practice,  and  it 
will  develop  community  awareness  of  the  special 
services  needed  by  those  with  neurological  dis- 
eases. 

“We  also  will  provide  neurological  consultant 
services  to  other  health-related  programs  and 
orient  existing  health-resources  agencies  toward 
more  comprehensive  stroke  evaluation  and  care.” 

He  said  there  is  a possibility  of  expanding  the 
project  to  the  state’s  northermost  counties  through 
a related  project  grant  utilizing  the  University 
of  Tennessee  Medical  School  in  Memphis. 

The  project  now  under  way  was  approved  for 
three  years  with  the  first  year’s  grant  approxi- 
mately $60,000. 

Dr.  Wiygul  pointed  out  that  the  current  proj- 
ect is  an  outgrowth  of  an  earlier  epilepsy  project 
which  lasted  five  years  with  which  he  was  associ- 
ated, and  which  was  restricted  to  children. 

Court  Gives  Upjohn 
Right  to  Argue 

The  U.  S.  Court  of  Appeals  in  Cincinnati. 
Ohio,  has  told  The  Upjohn  Company  that  in 
December  the  court  would  hear  oral  argument  on 
legal  action  by  the  company  to  prevent  the  Fed- 
eral Food  and  Drug  Administration  from  en- 
forcing its  order  of  Sept.  19,  which  would  remove 
seven  of  the  company’s  combination  antibiotic 
products  from  the  market. 

The  court  noted  that  the  Food  and  Drug  Ad- 
ministration had  voluntarily  agreed  to  suspend 
action  against  the  products  pending  a decision 
by  the  court. 

At  the  December  hearing  the  court  will  hear 
argument  on  why  the  Sept.  19  order  is  illegal  in 
seeking  to  remove  the  products  from  the  market. 

“The  products  like  Panalba  have  been  used 
widely  and  successfully  for  many  years,”  R.  T. 
Parfet,  Jr.,  president  and  general  manager  of 
Upjohn,  said.  “We  believe  the  FDA  is  in  er- 
ror in  its  attempt  to  remove  them  from  the  mar- 
ket and  that  the  FDA  action  is  unjustified.” 


42 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Rubella  Campaign 
Gets  Good  Results 

State  Board  of  Health  officials  report  a satis- 
factory response  thus  far  to  a long-range  Rubella 
immunization  campaign  concentrating  on  five- 
year-olds  and  six-year-olds. 

“We  don’t  have  enough  vaccine  to  go  into  all 
82  counties  at  once,”  said  Paul  M.  Turner,  Jr., 
state  coordinator  for  the  Vaccination  Assistance 
Program  of  the  State  Board  of  Health. 

He  said  county-wide  campaigns  already  have 
been  carried  out  in  Lamar  and  Perry  counties, 
with  some  70  per  cent  of  the  first-grade  and 
second-grade  children  immunized  in  those  two 
counties. 

He  said  additional  campaigns  are  already 
planned  for  Quitman,  Benton,  Claiborne,  Copiah 
and  Hinds  counties  and  others  will  be  announc- 
ing from  day-to-day  as  “local  health  departments 
tool  up  to  give  the  immunizations.” 

“As  the  vaccine  becomes  more  readily  avail- 
able,” said  Turner,  “other  health  departments 
will  make  plans  for  clinics”  in  their  local  schools 
and  Head  Start  centers.  He  added: 

“State  Board  of  Health  technicians  will  go 
into  these  counties  at  the  request  of  the  local 
health  departments,  as  each  county  takes  on  the 
responsibility  of  immunizing  their  children.” 

Turner  said  the  State  Board  of  Health  will  soon 
release  single-dose  and  ten-dose  vials  of  Rubella 
vaccine  to  all  82  counties  for  routine  use. 

He  pointed  out  at  that  time  that  the  cam- 
paign is  an  “open-end”  proposition,  without  dead- 
lines, since  reaching  all  five-year-old  and  six- 
year-old  children  in  the  state  will  take  time. 

He  also  noted  that  reaching  this  age  group  is 
only  the  first  phase  of  the  total  plan,  which 
eventually  will  reach  children  up  to  age  1 1 . 

“We’re  talking  about  a ten-year  span  of  age 
categories,”  he  said,  “with  more  children  coming 
on  each  year.  That  means  at  least  500.000  chil- 
dren. We  estimate  that  the  State  Board  of  Health 
would  immunize  half,  and  private  physicians 
half,  so  we’re  talking  about  250,000  children." 

Dr.  Blakey  said  the  program  might  take  three 
years  and  calls  for  a “massive  effort”  concen- 
trated both  in  time  and  in  a sequence  of  priority 
age-groups. 

He  said  Rubella  “is  one  of  the  major  known 
causes  of  congenital  defects,  such  as  heart  disease, 
blindness  and  deafness,”  and  five-year-olds  and 
six-year-olds  are  the  most  susceptible  age  groups. 


Allergy  Academy 
Announces  PG  Course 

The  American  Academy  of  Allergy  has  an- 
nounced the  program  for  a postgraduate  course 
to  be  held  Feb.  14-15,  1970,  in  the  Jung  Hotel, 
New  Orleans,  La. 

Major  topics  to  be  covered  include  pulmonary 
diseases  and  asthma,  developments  in  medicine 
relating  to  allergy,  clinical  immunology,  and  or- 
gan transplantation. 

Featured  speakers  are  Dr.  Gustave  A.  Lau- 
renzi.  St.  Vincent  Hospital  of  Worcester,  Mass.; 
Professor  Jack  Pepys,  Institute  of  Diseases  of 
the  Chest  of  London;  Dr.  Eugene  Robbins,  Uni- 
versity of  Pittsburgh,  Pa.;  Dr.  Charles  R.  Park  of 
Vanderbilt  University;  Drs.  Thomas  C.  Merigan 
and  Keith  B.  Taylor  of  Stanford  University. 

Other  lecturers  include:  Dr.  Fred  Rosen  of 
Harvard;  Ray  D.  Owen,  Ph.D.,  California  Insti- 
tute of  Technology  at  Pasadena;  R.  E.  Billing- 
ham,  D.Sc.,  University  of  Pennsylvania  at  Phila- 
delphia; and  Dr.  David  Hume,  Medical  Col- 
lege of  Virginia  at  Richmond. 

Miss.  Med.  Assistant 
Named  AAMA  Trustee 

Mrs.  Thomas  D.  Pace,  Jr.,  Mississippi’s  first 
certified  medical  assistant,  was  named  trustee  of 
the  American  Association  of  Medical  Assistants 
at  their  13th  annual  convention  in  Honolulu. 

Mrs.  Pace,  who  lives  at  4545  Meadow  Hill 
Drive,  is  administrative  assistant  to  Dr.  Myra 
Tyler  at  the  University  of  Mississippi  Medical 
Center. 

She  also  was  appointed  as  chairman  of  the 
AAMA  junior  college  coordination  committee,  by 
the  AAMA  executive  committee. 

Mrs.  Pace  is  president  of  the  Mississippi  Asso- 
ciation of  Medical  Assistants,  vice  president  of  the 
Jackson  Symphony  League  and  chairman  of  the 
Mississippi  Art  Association. 

Featured  speakers  at  the  Honolulu  convention 
included  AMA  President  Gerald  D.  Dorman  of 
New  York  and  Dr.  Christiaan  N.  Barnard  of 
Johannesburg,  Union  of  South  Africa. 

AAMA's  1970  convention  will  be  held  in  Des 
Moines,  Iowa. 


JANUARY  1970 


4 3 


( 


Medical  Response  to 
Camille  Evaluated 

An  evaluation  of  the  medical  response  to  Hur- 
ricane Camille  is  under  way  following  a disaster- 
evaluation  planning  conference  in  Gulfport. 

Dr.  Henry  C.  Huntley,  Washington,  D.  C., 
chief  of  the  Emergency  Health  Service  division 
of  H.E.W.,  flew  to  the  coast  to  look  at  the  disaster 
area  and  to  attend  the  conference. 

Afterwards,  he  said  he  will  send  interviewers 
from  his  office  within  the  next  week  or  so  to  pre- 
pare a comprehensive  report  on  health  services 
rendered  in  the  wake  of  the  hurricane. 

“This  disaster,”  said  Dr.  Huntley,  “affected 
more  people  to  a greater  extent — in  a concen- 
trated population  area — than  any  other  in  the 
United  States  in  modern  times. 

“I’ve  seen  many  disasters,  but  I’ve  never  seen 
the  destruction  and  the  number  of  people  af- 
fected as  I have  here.  I'm  very  impressed  by  the 
response  of  the  community  and  the  state.” 

Dr.  H.  B.  Cottrell,  state  health  officer,  Missis- 
sippi State  Board  of  Health,  cited  “splendid  co- 
operation between  the  medical  community  and 
the  State  Board  of  Health”  in  coping  with  the 
disaster. 

He  said  follow-up  work  related  to  health  ser- 
vices “will  take  weeks — maybe  months,”  espe- 
cially as  regards  environmental  health — a re- 
sponsibility of  the  State  Board  of  Health’s  Di- 
vision of  Sanitary  Engineering. 

Dr.  Cottrell  pointed  to  the  need  of  continuous, 
long-range  “collaboration  and  joint  planning”  by 
all  health  agencies  and  the  related  organizations 
at  all  levels  involved  in  disaster  work. 

The  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  was 
represented  at  the  high-level  critique  by  Dr.  C.  D. 
Taylor,  chief  of  the  medical  staff  of  Gulf- 
port Memorial  Hospital,  where  the  meeting  was 
held. 

Representing  the  Mississippi  Hospital  Associ- 
ation were  Richard  H.  Malone,  president  of 
Hinds  General  Hospital  in  Jackson  and  presi- 
dent of  the  M.H.A.,  and  Charles  W.  Flynn,  Jack- 
son,  M.H.A.  executive  director. 

Also  in  attendance  were  administrative  person- 
nel of  coast-area  hospitals,  Keesler  Air  Force 
Base  U.S.A.F.  Medical  Center,  the  Veterans 
Administration  Center  at  Biloxi,  and  the  State 
Board  of  Health. 

A report  on  State  Board  of  Health  activities 
from  the  agency’s  Gulf  Coast  Disaster  Head- 


quarters in  the  Harrison  County  Health  De- 
partment in  Gulfport  was  given  by  Dr.  Frank  J. 
Morgan,  Jr.,  assistant  state  health  officer. 

A report  on  liaison  between  the  State  Board 
of  Health  and  the  coast-area  medical  commu- 
nity was  presented  by  Dr.  Edward  C.  Hamilton, 
vice  chief  of  surgery,  Gulfport  Memorial  Hos- 
pital. 

Presiding  at  the  two-hour  meeting  was  Walter 
C.  Hughes,  Atlanta,  program  director,  Division 
of  Emergency  Health  Service,  H.E.W.  Hosting 
the  meeting  was  Charles  Wimberly,  administra- 
tor, Gulfport  Memorial  Hospital. 

Cardiovascular  Specialists 
Schedule  Session 

The  American  College  of  Cardiology,  the  na- 
tional medical  society  for  specialists  and  research 
scientists  in  cardiovascular  diseases,  will  hold  its 
19th  Annual  Scientific  Session  Feb.  25-March  1, 
1970  in  New  Orleans,  La.  All  sessions  will  be 
held  at  The  Rivergate  Center. 

Major  scientific  symposia  will  include  such 
topics  as  surgery  for  complications  of  myocar- 
dial infarctions,  cardiac  valve  substitution  and 
pulmonary  circulation.  A new  feature  at  the 
meeting  this  year  will  be  a core  curriculum  in 
clinical  cardiology  and  a self-assessment  class 
room. 

A special  group  of  panel  discussions,  called 
Controversies  in  Cardiology,  will  feature  discus- 
sions by  authorities  on  opposing  sides  of  current 
issues.  Topics  will  include  prevention  of  athero- 
sclerosis, homografts  vs.  prosthetic  heart  valves, 
alcoholic  heart  disease  and  surgery  for  coronary 
disease. 

Doctors  attending  the  meeting  will  also  have  a 
choice  of  20  evening  Fireside  Conferences,  21 
Luncheon  panels,  Clinical  Conversations  with 
Master  Teachers,  and  a Round  of  Clinics  and 
Demonstrations  being  arranged  with  hospitals  and 
medical  schools  in  the  New  Orleans  area,  ac- 
cording to  B.  L.  Martz,  M.D.,  Indianapolis,  Ind., 
college  president. 

George  E.  Burch,  M.D.  and  Allan  M.  Goldman, 
M.D.,  both  of  New  Orleans,  La.,  are  general 
co-chairmen  of  the  session.  Dr.  Burch  is  past 
president  of  the  college  and  professor  and  chair- 
man of  the  department  of  medicine  at  Tulane 
University  Medical  School.  Dr.  Goldman  is  pro- 
fessor of  clinical  medicine  at  the  medical  school. 


JANUARY  1970 


45 


for  the  problem  drinker 


r 


TABLETS 

high  potency  B-complex  and  C 
for  nutritional  support 


AVAILABLE  ONLY  ON  Rx 
contains  water-soluble  vitamins  only 
b.i.d.  dosage 
good  patient  acceptance 
no  odor,  and  virtually  no  aftertaste 


Each  Berocca  Tablet  contains: 


Thiamine  mononitrate  15  mg 

Riboflavin  15  mg 

Pyridoxine  HCI 5 mg 

Niacinamide 100  mg 

Calcium  pantothenate  20  mg 

Cyanocobalamin  5 meg 

Folic  acid 0.5  mg 

Ascorbic  acid 500  mg 


Usual  dosage  is  one  tablet  b.i.d. 

Indications:  Nutritional  supplementation  in  conditions  in 
which  water-soluble  vitamins  are  required  prophylactically 
or  therapeutically. 

Warning:  Not  intended  for  treatment  of  pernicious  anemia 
or  other  primary  or  secondary  anemias.  Neurologic  involve- 
ment may  develop  or  progress,  despite  temporary  remission 
of  anemia,  in  patients  with  pernicious  anemia  who  receive 
more  than  0.1  mg  of  folic  acid  per  day  and  who  are  in- 
adequately treated  with  vitamin  B]2. 

Dosage:  1 or  2 tablets  daily,  as  indicated  by  clinical  need. 
Available:  In  bottles  of  100. 


Roche 

LABORATORIES 


Division  of  Hoffmann-La  Roche  Inc. 
Nutley,  New  Jersey  07110 


Israeli  Develops 
Artificial  Limb 

An  Israeli  engineer  has  introduced  a unique 
lightweight  artificial  arm  having  six  movements 
which  may  be  operated  by  electric  impulses  de- 
rived from  muscle  contraction. 

Dr.  Dino  Bousso  of  the  Technion-Israel  In- 
stitute of  Technology  (Haifa,  Israel),  described 
the  gas-powered  limb  as  a “marked  advance”  in 
rehabilitation  medicine  at  a press  conference  at 
the  Institute  of  Rehabilitation  Medicine  of  the 
New  York  University  Medical  Center. 

“We  are  at  the  stage  where  we  have  an  arm 
much  lighter  and  versatile  than  anything  avail- 
able, using  electric  control  and  pneumatic  pow- 
er,” Dr.  Bousso  declared. 

“I  welcome  this  opportunity  to  bring  the  arm 
to  the  Institute  of  Rehabilitation  Medicine  for 
further  evaluation. 

“It  is  this  type  of  international  cooperation 
which  furthers  our  field  of  expertise — and  bene- 
fits mankind.” 

Dr.  Bousso,  who  developed  the  13-ounce  arm, 
said  the  limb’s  “weight,  simplicity  and  evenness 
of  motion”  are  among  its  unique  features.  He  is 
at  the  Institute  on  a grant  and  wants  to  evoke  in- 
terest in  the  Technion-Bousso  arm  in  America. 

In  describing  the  arm,  which  is  at  the  labora- 
tory development  stage,  he  said  electric  muscle 
impulses  control  the  gas  flow  which  pneumatical- 
ly powers  its  six  movements — the  only  artificial 
limb  to  perform  in  such  a versatile  manner. 

Here’s  the  way  the  Bousso  arm  works: 

Electrodes,  placed  on  muscles  which  can  be 
voluntarily  tensed,  pick  up  minute  electrical  im- 
pulses generated  in  the  muscles  whenever  the  pa- 
tient’s brain  wills  them  to  contract. 

These  electrical  impulses,  when  amplified,  op- 
erate a pneumatic  solenoid  valve  that  regulates 
gas  flow  into  the  actuators. 

The  limb  is  one-third  the  weight  of  other  ar- 
tificial limbs  enabling  children  to  use  it,  accord- 
ing to  Dr.  Bousso.  It  is  also  structured  so  a 
child  can  recharge  the  gas  container  alone. 

The  arm  is  comprised  of  light  aluminum  al- 
loys and  high-strength  plastic  material — mainly 
nylon. 

Features  of  the  Bousso  limb  include: 

— close  simulation  of  normal  arm  movements 
through  use  of  a special  rotary  actuator. 

— extremely  low  weight  of  the  limb  which  uses 
gas  as  its  energy  source,  and  doubling  of  control 
signals  which  can  be  obtained  per  muscle. 

— simplicity  and  compactness  of  the  electronic 


circuit  which  can  be  fitted  into  the  arm  itself,  and 
ease  in  operating  the  limb. 

Dr.  Bousso’s  research  was  supported  by  a 
$40,000  grant  from  two  private  British  charity 
funds — the  Lady  Hoare  Thalidomide  Appeal  and 
the  Goudie  Trust — designed  to  help  the  nearly 
5,000  European  children  afflicted  by  the  drug 
while  their  mothers  were  pregnant. 

Dr.  Bousso  began  his  research  by  concentrat- 
ing on  developing  a rotary  actuator  which  trans- 
forms energy  directly  into  rotary  motion. 

He  was  able  to  produce  a new  type  rotary 
pouch  actuator  with  high  efficiency,  low  volume 
and  weight,  suited  to  perform  more  movements 
and  carry  higher  loads  than  the  piston  actuators 
used  up  to  now. 

The  result  was  an  artificial  limb  with  six  differ- 
ent movements.  Gripping  elements  of  the  limbs 
are  equipped  with  optical  gauges  which  indicate 
the  amount  of  force  exerted. 

The  limbs  are  harnessed  to  the  body  by  a cor- 
set molded  to  the  contours  of  the  user.  Limb 
components  can  be  extended  as  the  child  grows. 
Working  pressure  of  the  gas  also  can  be  acceler- 
ated to  increase  its  power. 


Dr.  Dino  Bousso  of  the  Technion-Israel  Institute 
of  Technology  (Haifa,  Israel),  displays  unique  gas- 
powered  13  oz.  arm — said  to  be  lightest  ever  con- 
ceived. The  Technion-Bousso  arm,  comprised  of 
aluminum  and  plastic — mainly  nylon,  has  six  move- 
ments, also  a first,  which  Dr.  Bousso  described  as  a 
“marked  advance”  in  rehabilitation  medicine. 


JANUARY  1970 


47 


Doctor,  after  all  we’ve 
been  through  together. . . 


abscess 

acne 

amebiasis 

anthrax 

bacillary  dysentery 
bartonellosis 
bronchitis 
bronchopulmonary 
infection 


brucellosis 
chancroid 
diphtheria 
endocarditis 
genitourinary 
infections 
gonorrhea 
granuloma  inguinale 
listeriosis 
lymphogranuloma 


mixed  bacterial 
infection 
osteomyelitis 
otitis 
pertussis 
pharyngitis 
pneumonia 
psittacosis 
pyelonephritis 


Rocky  Mountain 
spotted  fever 
scarlet  fever 
septicemias 
sinusitis 

soft  tissue  infection 
tonsillitis 
tularemia 
typhus  fever 
urethritis 


. . .don’t  you  think  it’s  time 
we  were  on  a first-name  basis? 


caii  me^AchroV 


55 


Every  pharmacist  knows  ACHRO®  V stands  for  ACHROMYCIN®  V 


Contraindications:  Hypersensitivity  to 
tetracycline. 

Warning:  In  renal  impairment,  since 
liver  toxicity  is  possible,  lower  doses 
are  indicated;  during  prolonged  therapy 
consider  serum  level  determinations. 
Photodynamic  reaction  to  sunlight  may 
occur  in  hypersensitive  persons. 
Photosensitive  individuals  should 
avoid  exposure;  discontinue  treatment 
if  skin  discomfort  occurs. 

Precautions:  Nonsusceptible  organisms 


may  overgrow;  treat  superinfection 
appropriately.  Tetracycline  may  form  a 
stable  calcium  complex  in  bone-forming 
tissue  and  may  cause  dental  staining 
during  tooth  development  (last  half  of 
pregnancy,  neonatal  period,  infancy, 
early  childhood). 

Adverse  Reactions:  Gastrointestinal— 
anorexia,  nausea,  vomiting,  diarrhea, 
stomatitis,  glossitis,  enterocolitis, 
pruritus  ani.  Skin— maculopapular  and 
erythematous  rashes;  exfoliative 


dermatitis;  photosensitivity; 
onycholysis,  nail  discoloration.  Kidney 
-dose-related  rise  in  BUN. 
Hypersensitivity  reactions— urticaria, 
angioneurotic  edema,  anaphylaxis. 
Intracranial— bulging  fontanels  in  young 
infants.  Teeth— yellow-brown  staining; 
enamel  hypoplasia.  Blood— anemia,  thror 
bocytopenic  purpura,  neutropenia,  eosim 
philia.  Liver— cholestasis  at  high  dosage. 
Upon  adverse  reaction,  stop  medication 
and  treat  appropriately. 


AchromyciifV 

Tetracycline 


UAB  Uses 
MIRU  Computer 

A great  deal  of  human  brainpower  went  into 
the  planning  of  the  University  of  Alabama  Med- 
ical Center’s  Myocardial  Infarction  Research  Unit, 
but  when  the  unit  begins  operation  next  month, 
an  electronic  brain  takes  over  some  of  the  actual 
work — a brain  which  can  calculate  the  interac- 
tion of  a vast  number  of  details  and  come  up 
with  a split-second  response. 

The  computer  which  backs  up  the  operation 
of  MIRU  was  installed  at  a cost  of  $309,000  and 
is  programmed  solely  for  the  University  Hospital 
unit,  relieving  paramedical  personnel  of  many 
time-consuming  duties  and  providing  a constant 
flow  of  information  from  patient  to  memory  bank. 

Not  only  will  the  MIRU  computer  monitor 
bodily  functions  and  provide,  with  the  touch  of  a 
button,  almost  any  kind  of  information  re- 
quired by  doctors,  nurses,  or  technicians,  but  it 
will  constantly  increase  its  store  of  information 
about  myocardial  infarction,  enabling  doctors  to 
expand  their  knowledge  of  how  to  combat  the 
disease. 

The  computer  is  not  new — there  are  other 
IBM  1800’s  in  existence.  But  what  is  being  done 
with  it  is  new  and  innovative.  The  computer  is 
designed  to  monitor  several  patients  at  one  time, 
instantly  providing  vital  information  to  those  in 
charge,  whenever  they  need  it. 

Previous  monitoring  systems  have  been  less 
flexible  than  that  used  by  the  UAB  computer. 
There  were  limitations  on  which  types  of  re- 
search programs  could  be  incorporated  without 
interfering  with  the  patient  monitoring  activities. 

The  MIRU  system  is  continuously  collecting 
information  about  the  patients  in  the  unit  to  per- 
mit intensive  supervision,  with  alarms  for  the 
staff  when  significant  changes  occur.  The  collect- 
ed information  is  saved  on  magnetic  tape  to  pro- 
vide the  tremendous  amounts  of  data  needed  for 
later  research  use. 

In  the  past,  the  different  functions  of  monitor- 
ing systems  had  to  be  separately  and  indepen- 
dently constructed.  The  new  UAB  MIRU  system 
retains  common  elements  which  are  always  avail- 
able to  be  called  into  action  when  needed,  pro- 
viding the  flexibility  which  has  previously  been 
sacrificed  in  order  to  gain  high  computer  perform- 
ance. 

The  computer  will  be  programmed  to  make 
life-and-death  decisions  only  when  criteria  for  the 
decisions  can  be  stated  in  quantitative  terms  by 
the  doctor.  It  will  always  operate  under  a phy- 


sician’s control,  whether  he  is  physically  present 
or  not.  The  machine  cannot  replace  a doctor’s 
care,  but  it  will  supplement  and  assist  him  in 
ways  a human  brain  is  neither  rapid  enough  nor 
vast  enough  to  do. 

According  to  MIRU  senior  systems  analyst 
Steven  E.  Wixson,  “The  health  sciences  are  now 
entering  the  age  of  the  computer,  an  age  when 
stopping  a computer’s  operation,  even  for  a mo- 
ment, may  represent  a hazard  to  the  patient.’’ 

The  MIRU  installation  is  designed  to  continue 
functioning  even  when  some  of  the  components 
fail  electronically.  Parts  of  the  system  are  used 
primarily  for  research  by  the  UA  School  of  Medi- 
cine faculty — other  equipment  is  for  research  as 
well  as  for  continuous  monitoring  and  evalua- 
tion of  bodily  functions  in  patients. 

Some  units  of  the  computer  have  duplicate 
parts  which  are  interchangeable,  allowing  the  re- 
search section  to  assume  those  functions  of  the 
monitoring  section  in  case  of  sudden  failure  in 
operation.  Such  duplication  has  been  the  rule 
wherever  the  research  needs  have  justified  ex- 
penditure for  equipment. 

Scientists  anticipate  a day  when  computer-col- 
lected information  will  enable  the  physician  to 
perform  his  duties  in  regulating  patient  care  with 
more  efficiency  and  accuracy  than  is  now  pos- 
sible. 

Answers  to  Cancer  Quiz 

From  Cancer  Facts  and  Figures,  The  Ameri- 
can Cancer  Society: 

1.  (b)  15%.  The  current  figure  is  approximate- 

ly 16%  of  deaths  in  the  U.S.A.  are  can- 
cer deaths. 

2.  (b)  Slightly  over  300,000  annual  deaths. 

3.  (b)  Slightly  over  1 death  every  two  minutes. 

4.  (c)  55%  men/45%  women. 

5.  (c)  Lung  cancer,  1st  approximately  52,000, 

and  (d)  rectal-colon,  2nd  approximately 

44.000. 

6.  (a)  Lung  cancer,  1st  approximately  44,000, 

and  (b)  rectal-colon  2nd,  approximately 

21.000. 

7.  (b)  Breast  cancer,  1st  approximately  27,- 

000  and  (d)  rectal-colon  cancer,  ap- 
proximately 23,000. 

8.  (d)  Skin  cancer. 

9.  (c)  A little  over  3,000. 

10.  (b)  Approximately  21  patients  in  a local 
community  of  5.000  will  be  under  can- 
cer care.  Of  these,  7 will  die.  Of  the  14 
new  cases  diagnosed  during  the  year,  5 
will  be  cured. 


JANUARY  1970 


49 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Gastroenterology  Course 
Planned  for  Internists 

The  American  College  of  Physicians  (ACP) 
will  hold  a five-day  postgraduate  course  on 
“Function  and  Dysfunction  of  Gastrointestinal 
Tract”  Jan.  2-6,  1970  in  Bal  Harbour,  Fla. 

The  course,  being  held  in  cooperation  with 
the  University  of  Miami  School  of  Medicine,  will 
be  held  at  the  Americana  Hotel.  It  is  one  of  25 
postgraduate  courses  the  ACP  is  conducting 
throughout  the  United  States  and  Canada  during 
the  1969-70  academic  year  to  help  specialists  in 
internal  medicine  keep  abreast  of  new  knowledge 
and  techniques  in  the  diagnosis  and  treatment 
of  diseases. 

The  Bal  Harbour  course  will  concentrate  on 
recent  advances  in  gastroenterology  that  relate  to 
normal  and  abnormal  function,  particularly 
in  regard  to  gastrointestinal  secretions  and 
absorptions.  Panel  discussions  will  be  concerned 
with  diagnostic  and  therapeutic  controversies  and 
will  be  held  daily.  Self-assessment  examinations 
will  be  available  for  those  internists  who  wish  to 
take  them. 

Martin  H.  Kaiser,  M.D.,  Miami,  Fla.  professor 
of  medicine  and  physiology  (gastroenterology) 
at  the  University  of  Miami  School  of  Medicine, 
is  course  director.  Co-director  is  Arvey  I.  Rogers, 
M.D.,  Miami,  assistant  professor  of  medicine  at 
the  medical  school  and  chief  of  the  gastroenterol- 
ogy section  at  the  Miami  Veterans  Administra- 
tion Hosptial.  The  faculty  for  the  course  will  be 
drawn  from  the  medical  school,  with  guest  lec- 
turers from  the  Albert  Einstein  School  of  Medi- 
cine, the  Mayo  Clinic,  the  University  of  Illinois, 
Boston  University  and  other  institutions. 

Tri- State  Thoracic 
Society  Meets 

Chest  specialists  from  Mississippi,  Alabama, 
and  Louisiana  will  convene  in  Biloxi  at  the 
Buena  Vista  Hotel  on  Friday  and  Saturday,  Jan. 
10  and  11,  for  the  14th  Annual  Tri-State  Tho- 
racic Society  Consecutive  Case  Conference,  ac- 
cording to  an  announcement  by  Dr.  Wilfred  Cole, 
president,  Mississippi  Thoracic  Society. 

This  special  scientific  meeting  is  co-sponsored 
by  the  thoracic  societies  and  tuberculosis  and 
respiratory  disease  associations  of  Mississippi, 
Alabama,  and  Louisiana. 


Members  of  the  Mississippi  Thoracic  Society 
featured  on  the  program  during  the  two  day  ses- 
sion include  Drs.  H.  Richard  Johnson,  Rush  Net- 
terville,  Charles  Parkman,  Bob  Robertson,  Walter 
Treadwell,  and  Myra  Tyler,  all  of  Jackson.  Dr. 
G.  Boyd  Shaw,  Jackson,  will  serve  as  moderator 
for  one  of  the  three  scientific  sessions. 

Guest  discussants  invited  for  the  two  day  con- 
ference will  be:  Dr.  Vernon  N.  Houk,  Atlanta; 
Dr.  Robert  R.  Shaw,  Dallas;  and  Dr.  Louis 
Raider,  Mobile. 

Other  program  participants  include:  Dr.  Thom- 
as H.  Allen,  Birmingham;  Dr.  Jack  Green,  Mo- 
bile; Dr.  Robert  L.  Dillenkoffer,  New  Orleans; 
and  Dr.  Dean  B.  Ellithorpe,  New  Orleans. 

Topics  for  discussion  include  segmental  resec- 
tions, pulmonary  angiograms,  chest  trauma,  and 
middle  lobe  syndrome. 

Further  information  and  advance  reservations 
can  be  made  by  contacting  Mississippi  Thoracic 
Society,  P.  O.  Box  9865,  Northside  Station, 
Jackson,  Miss.  39206. 

UMC  Announces 
New  Appointments 

Seven  new  appointments  went  into  effect  at 
the  University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 
in  December.  Two  pathologists  at  the  Jackson 
Veteran’s  Administration  Hospital  have  received 
faculty  appointments  as  assistant  professors  of 
pathology.  Dr.  Lloyd  L.  Barta  and  Dr.  Ezatollah 
Foroughi. 

Dr.  Barta,  who  received  his  M.D.  degree  from 
the  University  of  Nebraska  School  of  Medicine, 
was  an  intern  at  McCook  Memorial  Hospital  and 
a resident  at  New  Orleans  Charity  Hospital.  He 
is  acting  chief  of  laboratory  service  at  the  V.A. 
Hospital. 

Dr.  Foroughi,  holding  an  M.D.  degree  from 
Teheran  University  Medical  School  in  Iran,  served 
his  internship  at  Mercy-Timken-Mercy  Hospital 
and  residencies  at  Kansas  University  Medical 
Center,  St.  Luke’s  Hospital  and  New  England 
Deaconess  Hospital. 

Instructors  joining  the  faculty  are  Miss  Vicki 
G.  Hendershot,  instructor  in  surgery  (otolaryn- 
gology); Dr.  Krishna  Potnis,  instructor  in  ob- 
stetrics-gynecology; and  Edward  Eugene  Thomp- 
son, clinical  instructor  in  surgery  (otolaryngol- 
ogy). 

Miss  Constance  Juzwiak  and  Miss  Carol  June 
Smith  are  both  new  associates  in  obstetrics- 
gynecology,  in  connection  with  the  nurse-mid- 
wifery program. 


5 0 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Con- 

ven- 

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others  will  praise  it.  Specify 
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The  MW-l’s  simplicity 
of  operation  and  ease 
of  electrode  application 
have  contributed  much 
to  the  popularity  of  mi- 
crowave diathermy.  Mi- 
crowave radiations  can  be  reflected,  focused 
and  directed.  Treatment  intensities  may  be 
preset. 

Write  us  for  descriptive  literature  and  com- 
plete price  information. 


KAY  SURGICAL  INC. 

663  North  State  St.  • Jackson,  Miss. 


Index  to  Advertisers 


Arch  Laboratories 


51  William  S.  Merrell  Company 


44 


Breon  Laboratories 10A,  10B,  10C,  10D  National  Drug  Company  second  cover,  36A,  36B 

Burroughs-Wellcome  24A  New  Orleans  Graduate  Assembly 11 


Campbell  Soup  Company 20A 

Geigy  Pharmaceuticals  24B,  24C,  24D 

Glenbrook  Laboratories  8 

Highland  Hospital  10 

Hillcrest  Hospital  29 

Hynson,  Westcott  and  Dunning  3 

Kay  Surgical  51 

Lederle  Laboratories  4,  31,  48 

Eli  Lilly  front  cover,  14 


Parke  Davis  40C,  40D 

Poythress  40B 

Robins  Company  20D,  33 

Roche  Laboratories  12,  46,  fourth  cover 

Sandoz  40A 

G.  D.  Searle  Company 20B,  20C 

Stuart  Company  34 

Wyeth  Laboratories  6,  7 

Thomas  Yates  and  Company third  cover 


California's  1970  senate  race  is  shaping  up  with  all  sorts  of 
health  care  policy  overtones.  State  GOP  is  said  to  be  easing  out 
conservative  Sen.  George  Murphy  who  has  throat  tumor  and  can't  cai 
paign  effectively.  Favored  to  run  is  HEW  Secretary  Robert  Finch 
instead,  and  Democrats  will  probably  nominate  popular  president  oj 
San  Francisco  State  College,  Dr . S . I . Hayakawa , who,  if  elected, 
would  be  third  Japanese- American  in  U.S.  Senate. 


National  Medical  Association,  predominately  black  professional 
society,  says  that  only  6,000  or  3 per  cent  of  nation's  M.D. 's  are 
Negro  and  that  two  medical  schools,  Howard  and  Meharry,  have  gradt 
ated  83  per  cent  of  them.  More  blacks  are  in  private  practice  ths 
whites  (73  vs.  65  per  cent),  and  black  physicians  have  higher  per- 
centage of  GP's.  Three  per  cent  of  Mississippi's  M.D. 's  are  black 


Alabama's  Medicaid  program,  beginning  Jan.  1,  will  pay  physicians 
their  usual  and  customary  fees,  while  Mississippi's  are  held  to 
50th  to  60th  percentiles.  Alabama  program  consists  of  insurance 
policies  for  physicians'  services  administered  by  Equitable  Life. 
Blue  Cross  is  fiscal  intermediary  for  hospital  services,  and  a ban 
will  handle  drug  program  administration. 


The  much-shaken  Food  and  Drug  Administration  has  its  third  commis- 
sioner  in  18  months.  Dr.  tiharles  6.  Edwards,  former  high  AMA  staf 
executive,  is  new  commissioner,  succeeding  far.  Herbert  L.  Ley.  Jr. 
who  lasted  a year  and  a half  after  replacing  the  controversial 
Dr.  James  Goddard.  FDA  has  been  shoved  down  to  low  level  in  HEW 
Hierarchy  by  Secretary  Finch  who  is  chief  shaker-upper. 


Nobel  laureate  Dr.  Linus  Pauling  commended  oranges  as  a therapeuti 
specific  to  the  2nd  International  Congress  of  Social  Psychiatry.  ] 
said  that  vitamin  C gives  increased  vigor,  protection  against  viru 
and  helps  healing  wounds,  in  addition  to  being  a probable  specific 
in  schizophrenia.  He  reported  low  levels  of  ascorbic  acid  in 
schizophrenics  where  investigators  discovered  only  one- third  as 
much  as  is  found  in  individuals  of  normal  mental  health. 


Volume  XI 
Number  2 

February  1970 


• EDITOR 

William  M.  Dabney,  M.D. 

• ASSOCIATE  EDITORS 
George  H.  Martin,  M.D. 
Thomas  W.  Wesson,  M.D. 

• MANAGING  EDITOR 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 

• EDITORIAL  CONSULTANT 
Betty  M.  Sadler 

• EDITORIAL  ASSISTANT 
Nola  Gibson 

• PUBLICATIONS  COMMITTEE 
Lawrence  W.  Long,  M.D. 

Chairman 

Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr.,  M.D. 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
and  the  editors 

• THE  ASSOCIATION 
James  L.  Royals,  M.D. 

President 

Paul  B.  Brumby,  M.D. 

President-elect 
Walter  H.  Simmons,  M.D. 

Secretary-T  reasurer 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
Speaker 

John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Vice  Speaker 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 
H.  C.  Harrell 
Executive  Assistant 


The  Journal  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  is  owned  and  pub- 
lished by  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association,  founded  1856.  Editorial,  ex- 
ecutive, and  business  offices,  735  Riverside 
Drive,  Jackson,  Mississippi  39216;  office 
of  publication,  1201-5  Bluff  Street,  Fulton, 
Missouri  65251.  Subscription  rate,  $7.50 
per  annum;  $1  per  copy,  as  available.  Ad- 
vertising rates  furnished  on  request. 
Second-class  postage  paid  at  the  post  office 
at  Fulton,  Missouri. 


CONTENTS 


ORIGINAL  papers 


Prevention  of  Maternal 
Rh  Sensitization;  Anti-Rh 

Immune  Globulin  53  William  B.  Wilson,  M.D. 


Direct-Current 
Cardioversion  With 
Diazepam  as  Sedative 

Agent  57  William  H.  Rosenblatt, 
M.D.,  and  Dexter  C. 
Nettles,  M.D. 

SPECIAL  ARTICLES 


Guidelines  to  Increase 
Efficiency  of  the  Hospital 

Emergency  Department  61  John  T.  Milam,  M.D. 


Radiologic  Seminar  XCII: 

Subclavian  Steal  Syndrome  66  T.  S.  McCay,  M.D. 


EDITORIALS 


Medicredit:  Delivery  System 
in  AMA’s  Image 

Additives:  HEW,  FDA, 
MSG,  LD50 

Data  Show  Appendectomy 
Is  Safe 

The  Agony  and  the 
Ecstasy  of  Taxes 

Work  and  Play  OTV 
Can  Be  Dangerous 


69  Done  With  Taxes 
71  Tenuous  Conclusions 

71  Figures  in  Our  Favor 

72  Watch  the  Small  Print 

73  Snowmobile  Menace 


THIS  MONTH 

The  President  Speaking  68  Best  Part  of  the  Job 

Medical  Organization  79  Formal  Opening  of  New 

Headquarters  Addition 


Copyright  1970,  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


for  the  debilitated 
geriatric  patient 


TABLETS 

high  potency  B-complex  and  C 
for  nutritional  support 


AVAILABLE  ONLY  ON  Rx 
contains  water-soluble  vitamins  only 
b.i.d.  dosage 
good  patient  acceptance 
no  odor,  and  virtually  no  aftertaste 


Each  Berocca  Tablet  contains: 


Thiamine  mononitrate  15  mg 

Riboflavin  15  mg 

Pyridoxine  HCI 5 mg 

Niacinamide 100  mg 

Calcium  pantothenate  20  mg 

Cyanocobalamin  5 meg 

Folic  acid 0.5  mg 

Ascorbic  acid 500  mg 


Usual  dosage  is  one  tablet  b.i.d. 

Indications:  Nutritional  supplementation  in  conditions  in 
which  water-soluble  vitamins  are  required  prophylactically 
or  therapeutically. 

Warning:  Not  intended  for  treatment  of  pernicious  anemia 
or  other  primary  or  secondary  anemias.  Neurologic  involve- 
ment may  develop  or  progress,  despite  temporary  remission 
of  anemia,  in  patients  with  pernicious  anemia  who  receive 
more  than  0.1  mg  of  folic  acid  per  day  and  who  are  in- 
adequately treated  with  vitamin  Bi2- 

Dosage:  1 or  2 tablets  daily,  as  indicated  by  clinical  need. 
Available:  In  bottles  of  100. 


Roche 

LABORATORIES 


Division  of  Hoffmann-La  Roche  Inc. 
Nutley.  New  Jersey  07110 


MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 


7 


AMA  Names  Private 
Practice  Committee 

Dr.  W.  B.  Hildebrand  of  Menasha,  Wis.,  has 
been  elected  chairman  of  the  American  Medical 
Association’s  Committee  on  Private  Practice  dur- 
ing its  organizational  meeting  at  Chicago. 

The  committee,  a component  of  AMA’s  Coun- 
cil on  Medical  Service,  was  created  by  the  House 
of  Delegates  at  its  recent  clinical  convention  in 
Denver. 

A former  president  of  the  American  Academy 
of  General  Practice,  Dr.  Hildebrand  has  been 
a member  of  the  Council  since  1968.  He  is  also 
an  AMA  Commissioner  to  the  joint  Commis- 
sion on  the  Accreditation  of  Hospitals.  From 
1960-64  Dr.  Hildebrand  served  as  a member  of 
AMA’s  Commission  on  the  Cost  of  Medical  Care. 

Vice-chairman  of  the  new  Committee  is  Dr. 
Robert  E.  Tschantz,  of  Canton,  Ohio. 

Other  members  are:  Drs.  C.  Willard  Camalier, 


Jr.,  Washington,  D.  C.;  Burns  A.  Dobbins,  Fort 
Lauderdale,  Fla.;  Frank  H.  Green,  Rushville, 
Ind.;  Warren  A.  Lapp,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.;  Clinton 
S.  McGill.  Portland,  Ore. 

Also,  Drs.  John  G.  Morrison,  San  Leandro, 
Calif.;  Tom  E.  Nesbitt,  Nashville,  Tenn.;  Andrew 
L.  Thomas,  Chicago;  George  W.  Wood,  III, 
Brewer,  Maine. 

The  committee  was  the  final  outgrowth  of  a 
planning  and  development  report,  and  the  initial 
recommendation  was  for  a Council  on  Private 
Practice.  The  House  of  Delegates,  however,  de- 
clined to  create  a new  council  and  accorded  the 
group  committee  status. 

Historically,  the  role  of  the  Council  on  Medical 
Service  has  been  closely  related  to  the  private 
practice  of  medicine,  and  the  delegates  placed 
the  committee  under  this  parent  body. 

It  is  expected  that  the  new  committee  will  re- 
port to  the  House  of  Delegates  through  the  Coun- 
cil on  Medical  Service  at  the  Chicago  annual  con- 
vention next  June. 


LAKELAND  NURSING  CENTER 


“MISSISSIPPI'S  NEWEST” 


A 105  BED  EXTENDED  CARE  FACILITY,  MEDICARE  APPROVED,  EQUIPPED  FOR  REHABILI- 
TATION OF  THE  SICK  WITH  PHYSICAL  THERAPY,  INHALATION  THERAPY,  SPEECH  THER- 
APY AND  OCCUPATIONAL  THERAPY.  OPEN  STAFF.  FULL  TIME  MEDICAL  DIRECTOR  AND 
EMERGENCY  MEDICAL  CALL  COVERAGE. 

For  Admission  Call: 

WILLIAM  F.  KLIESCH,  M.D. 

MEDICAL  DIRECTOR  AND  ADMINISTRATOR 
3680  LAKELAND  LANE 
JACKSON,  MISSISSIPPI 
DIAL  982-5505 


8 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  FEBRUARY  1970 


in  cardiac  edema 


gets  the  water  out 


spares  the  potassium 


Before  prescribing,  see  complete  prescribing  in- 
formation in  SK&F  literature  or  PDR. 

Contraindications:  Pre-existing  elevated 

serum  potassium.  Hypersensitivity  to  either  com- 
ponent. Continued  use  in  progressive  renal  or 
hepatic  dysfunction  or  developing  hyperkalemia. 

Warnings:  Do  not  use  dietary  potassium  sup- 

plements or  potassium  salts  unless  hypokalemia 
develops  or  dietary  potassium  intake  is  mark- 
edly impaired.  Enteric-coated  potassium  salts 
may  cause  small  bowel  stenosis  with  or  without 
ulceration.  Hyperkalemia  (>5.4  mEq/L)  has  been 
reported,  in  4%  of  patients  under  60  years,  in 
12%  of  patients  over  60  years,  and  in  less  than  8% 
of  patients  overall.  Rarely,  cases  have  been  as- 
sociated with  cardiac  irregularities.  Accordingly, 
check  serum  potassium  and  BUN  during  therapy, 
particularly  in  patients  with  suspected  or  con- 
firmed renal  or  hepatic  insufficiency  (e.g.,  cer- 
tain elderly  or  diabetics).  If  hyperkalemia  de- 
velops, substitute  a thiazide  alone.  If  spironolac- 
tone is  used  concomitantly  with  ‘Dyazide’,  check 
serum  potassium  frequently — their  combined  use 
can  cause  potassium  retention  and  sometimes 
hyperkalemia.  Two  deaths  have  been  reported 
in  patients  on  such  combined  therapy  (in  one, 
recommended  dosage  was  exceeded;  in  the  other, 
serum  electrolytes  were  not  properly  monitored). 
Observe  regularly  for  possible  blood  dyscrasias, 
liver  damage  or  other  idiosyncratic  reactions. 
Blood  dyscrasias  have  been  reported  in  patients 
receiving  Dyrenium  (triamterene,  sk&f).  Rarely, 
leukopenia,  thrombocytopenia,  agranulocytosis, 
and  aplastic  anemia  have  been  reported  with  the 
thiazides.  Watch  for  signs  of  impending  coma  in 
acutely  ill  cirrhotics.  Thiazides  are  reported  to 


cross  the  placental  barrier  and  appear  in  breast 
milk;  thus  adverse  reactions  which  have  occurred 
in  adults  may  occur  in  the  fetus  or  newborn  infant. 
Rarely,  thrombocytopenia  or  pancreatitis  has  de- 
veloped in  newborn  infants  whose  mothers  had 
received  thiazides  during  pregnancy.  When  used 
during  pregnancy  or  in  women  who  might  bear 
children,  weigh  potential  benefits  against  possible 
hazards  to  fetus. 

Precautions:  Do  periodic  serum  electrolyte  de- 
terminations. Do  periodic  blood  studies  in  cir- 
rhotics with  splenomegaly.  Antihypertensive  ef- 
fects may  be  enhanced  in  postsympathectomy  pa- 
tients. The  following  may  occur:  hyperuricemia 
and  gout,  reversible  nitrogen  retention,  decreasing 
alkali  reserve  with  possible  metabolic  acidosis, 
hyperglycemia  and  glycosuria  (diabetic  insulin 
requirements  may  be  altered),  digitalis  intoxica- 
tion (in  hypokalemia).  Use  cautiously  in  surgical 
patients.  Adjust  dose  of  antihypertensive  agents 
given  concomitantly. 

Adverse  Reactions:  Muscle  cramps,  weak- 
ness, dizziness,  headache,  dry  mouth;  anaphy- 
laxis; rash,  urticaria,  photosensitivity,  purpura, 
other  dermatological  conditions;  nausea  and  vom- 
iting (may  indicate  electrolyte  imbalance),  diar- 
rhea, constipation,  other  gastrointestinal  distur- 
bances. Rarely,  necrotizing  vasculitis,  altered  car- 
bohydrate metabolism,  hyperbilirubinemia,  par- 
esthesias, icterus,  pancreatitis,  and  xanthopsia 
have  occurred  with  thiazides  alone. 

Supplied:  Bottles  of  100  capsules. 

SK 

&F 

Smith  Kline  & French  Laboratories 


February  1970 


)ar  Doctor: 

i 11  to  permit  physicians  to  organize  professional  corporations  for 
' x benefits  has  been  introduced  in  1970  session  of  the  Legislature, 
onsored  by  state  medical  association,  measure  is  House  Bill  48  by 
p.  Fred  Lotterhos  of  Hinds.  Parallel  measure  has  been  intro- 
ced  by  Rep.  George  Rogers  of  Warren  to  include  attorneys. 

Bid  by  Treasury  Department  to  hobble  professional  cor- 
porations in  Tax  Reform  Act  of  1969  was  beaten  by  AMA. 

So  both  Congress  and  courts  have  recognized  validity 
of  professional  corporations.  Physicians  favoring  bill 
should  talk  it  up  to  legislators. 

arp  increase  in  Medicare  Part  1-B  premium  to  $3.30  from  $4  is 
fective  July  1,  nearly  doubling  original  figure  of  $3  in  I96I3. 
t mentioned,  however,  in  howls  over  physicians’  fees  is  that 
ly  26  cents  of  increase  is  earmarked  for  future  rises  in  medi- 

I care  charges.  HEW  Secretary  Finch  blames  big  increase  on 
rmer  HEW  boss  Wilbur  Cohen's  failing  to  up  price  two  years  ago. 

Propraetors  are  working  overtime  in  Jackson  and  Washington  to 
ke  cultism  legal  in  Mississippi  and  profitable  under  Medicare. 

II  to  license  chiropractors  may  be  introduced  at  any  time  in 
gislature.  In  Congress,  87  representatives  from  30  states  are 
-sponsoring  bills  to  pay  for  cult  services  under  Medicare,  but 

Mississippi  Congressmen  are  among  them. 

.surance  companies  and  Blue  plans  have  year  of  grace  before  having 
1 make  reports  to  Internal  Revenue  Service  of  payments  to  M.D. 's. 

IS  backed  down  and  revised  beginning  date  to  Jan.  1,  1971,  after 
dch  carriers  and  Blues  must  report  payments  of  $600  or  more  in 
iy  year  to  physicians.  Rule  has  long  been  in  effect  for  CHAMPUS, 
idicare,  and  Medicaid. 

> smoking  is  the  word  in  every  hospital  and  medical  facility  of 
S.  Air  Force,  both  for  patients  and  medical  personnel.  Air 
Lrgeon  General,  with  full  backing  of  Pentagon,  prohibits  patients' 
loking  during  hospitalization  and  bans  sale  of  all  tobacco  pro- 
mts in  vending  machines  and  hospital  base  exchanges. 


Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 


10 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  FEBRUARY  1970 


Today’s  Health  Explores 
Sensitivity  Training 

“Sensitivity  Training:  Fad,  Fraud  or  New  Fron- 
tier” is  the  title  of  a major  article  in  the  Jan., 
1970  issue  of  Today’s  Health  magazine,  the  AMA 
publication  edited  primarily  for  non-professional 
readers. 

However,  sensitivity  training  is  so  new  and 
experimental  even  physicians  are  often  unfamiliar 
with  its  concepts,  techniques  and  goals;  yet  an 
increasing  number  of  patients  are  asking  for  pro- 
fessional evaluation. 

This  article,  by  Ted  J.  Rakstis,  supplies  many 
of  the  answers  for  physicians  to  questions  they 
may  be  asked — before  they  are  asked. 

Sensitivity  training  comes  with  many  other 
names:  encounter  groups,  personal  growth  labs, 
T-groups  (“T”  for  training),  awareness  experi- 
ence confrontation  groups,  training  laboratories, 
organizational  development  and,  collectively,  the 
human  potential  movement.  Whatever  the  groups 
are  called,  the  phenomenon  is  attracting  hundreds 
of  thousands  of  Americans  of  all  ages  to  programs 
run  by  persons  who  may  be  either  skilled  pro- 
fessionals or  rank  amateurs. 


The  tangle  of  sensitivity  training  nomenclature  | 
suggests  that  not  even  the  experts  can  clearly  de-  II 
line  it,  the  author  maintains.  It  incorporates  ele-  M 
ments  of  psychiatry,  sociology,  philosophy,  educa- 
tion, religion  and  community  organization.  Its 
practitioners  number  people  from  these  and  other  ¥ 
fields;  but  depending  upon  his  professional  back- 
ground and  personal  bias,  each  person  who  con- 
ducts a sensitivity  group  has  a different  focus. 

Most  sensitivity  sessions  share  several  com-  f 
mon  attributes,  however.  The  programs  are  de- 
signed to  place  people  in  a group  situation. 
Through  a mixture  of  physical  contact  games  ;s 
and  no-holds-barred  discussions  about  each  oth-  ; 
er’s  strengths  and  failures,  each  group  member 
hopefully  feels  less  constricted.  He  will  become 
more  open,  readily  able  to  understand  himself 
and  others. 

The  Today’s  Health  article  analyzes  the  claims 
of  both  proponents  and  opponents,  as  well  as  the 
questions  of  the  skeptics. 

The  author  points  out  the  sensitivity  training 
boom  has  come  so  quickly  and  assumes  so  many 
forms  that  most  of  the  experts  have  been  caught 
off  guard.  Neither  the  American  Psychological 
Association  nor  the  American  Psychiatric  Asso- 
ciation has  an  official  position. 


xJjiff  Q/iest 

HOSPITAL 

(Formerly  Hill  Crest  Sanitarium) 


7000  5TH  AVENUE  SOUTH 
Box  2896,  Woodlawn  Station 
Birmingham,  Alabama  35212 

Phone:  205-836-7201 


A patient  centered 
independent  hospital  for 
intensive  treatment  of 
nervous  disorders  . . . 

Hill  Crest  Hospital  was  estab- 
lished in  1925  as  Hill  Crest 
Sanitarium  to  provide  private 
psychiatric  treatment  of  ner- 
vous or  mental  disorders.  Indi- 
vidual patient  care  has  been 
the  theme  during  its  44  years 
of  service. 

Both  male  and  female  pa- 


tients are  accepted  and  depart- 
mentalized care  is  provided  ac- 
cording to  sex  and  the  degree 
of  illness. 


In  addition  to  the  psychiatric 
staff,  consultants  are  available 
in  all  medical  specialities. 


MEDICAL  DIRECTOR: 

James  A.  Becton,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 

CLINICAL  DIRECTORS: 

James  K.  Ward,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 
Hardin  M.  Ritchey,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 


HILL  CREST  is  a member  of: 

AMERICAN  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
. . . NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  PRI- 
VATE PSYCHIATRIC  HOSPITALS  . . . 
ALABAMA  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
BIRMINGHAM  REGIONAL  HOSPITAL 
COUNCIL. 

Hill  Crest  is  fully  accredited  by  the  Joint 
Commission  on  Accreditation  of  Hospitals 
and  is  also  approved  lor  Medicare  pa- 
tients. 


SfcfiM  Cues  t 

HOSPITAL 

BIRMINGHAM,  ALABAMA 


* 

\ 


i 


-stees  Accredit  Jackson  - Eighteen  schools  of  nursing  in  Mis- 
j Nursing  Schools  sissippi  have  been  accredited  for  1970  by  the 

Board  of  Trustees  of  Institutions  of  Higher 
-rning.  Program  includes  three  hospital  diploma  schools,  four 
: calaureate  sources,  and  11  associate  degree  programs.  UMC, 
iversity  of  Southern  Mississippi,  Mississippi  College,  and  Wil- 
_m  Carey  College  offer  B.3.  in  nursing. 


, . Abortion  Law  Washington  - The  District  of  Columbia  abortion 
[Held  Invalid  statute  was  held  invalid  in  federal  court  to 

the  extent  that  it  prohibits  procedure  unless 
cess  ary  for  preservation  of  the  mother's  life  or  health."  The 
:.rt  ruled,  however,  that  abortion  is  unlawful  unless  performed 
,a  competent  medical  practitioner.  Basis  of  edict  is  denial  of 
|i  process  and  right  of  privacy  in  "removal  of  unwanted  child.  " 

[licaid  Will  Pay  Memphis  - Mayor  Henry  Loeb  says  that  Missis- 
Memphis  Care  sippi  will  pay  Memphis  hospitals  from  Medicaid 

funds  for  care  of  its  indigents  admitted  there, 
"eement  was  reached  recently  after  Memphis  mayor  threatened  to 
)se  hospitals  to  Mississippi  welfare  patients  unless  state  paid 
"e  than  $12.50  per  day  under  old  program.  Loeb  claims  that  per 
5m  costs  in  Memphis  institutions  are  $65. 


iiatrists  Nixed  Youngstown,  0.  - An  appellate  court  sustained 

Ohio  Hospitals  an  Ohio  hospital  in  denying  staff  privileges 

to  podiatrists.  Suit  was  filed  by  applicant 
ter  refusal  of  membership  and  his  request  for  surgical  privi- 
g;es.  Hospital  claimed  to  have  acted  on  basis  of  statutory 
nitations  on  podiatrists'  practice  privileges.  Although  not  on 
ssissippi  hospital  staffs,  podiatrists  perform  major  surgery 
offices. 


PA  Backs  Eight  Washington  - The  Aircraft  Owners  and  Pilots 
or  Drink  Rule  Association,  a 150,000-member  group  repre- 

senting private  aviation,  has  recommended 
option  of  federal  regulation  prohibiting  anyone  from  flying  an 
rplane  within  eight  hours  of  consuming  alcoholic  beverages  or 
king  drugs  which  would  impair  faculties.  While  airlines  have 
ag  had  a 24-hour  nondrinking  rule , there  is  none  for  private 
lots.  Some  accidents  have  been  attributed  to  alcohol. 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  FEBRUARY  1970 


1 4 

Lilly  Develops 
Topical  Steroid 

Uniform  topical  steroidal  medication  of  the 
skin  is  available  for  the  first  time  in  a transparent 
plastic  occlusive  tape  introduced  by  Eli  Lilly 
and  Company.  The  new  drug  formulation — Cor- 
dran®  Tape  (flurandrenolone  tape,  Lilly) — is 
practically  invisible  when  in  place  and  can  be 
masked  by  applying  makeup  over  it. 

Because  flurandrenolone  is  evenly  distributed  in 
the  tape’s  adhesive,  the  same  dose  is  applied  to 
every  square  centimeter  of  skin  treated. 

Cordran  Tape  is  indicated  in  the  treatment  of 
the  following  conditions:  atopic  dermatitis,  con- 
tact dermatitis,  eczema  of  hands  and  feet,  lichen 
planus,  lichen  simplex  chronicus,  neurodermatitis, 
nummular  eczema,  psoriasis,  seborrheic  derma- 
titis, and  stasis  dermatitis.  It  is  not  satisfactory 
therapy  for  alopecia  areata. 

Investigators  who  evaluated  the  effectiveness  of 
Cordran  Tape  in  more  than  2,200  clinical  tests 
reported  the  response  was  “good”  to  “excellent” 
in  nearly  70  per  cent  of  the  cases. 

Impervious  to  moisture,  the  plastic  tape  en- 


hances diffusion  of  medication  into  the  skin  and 
allows  the  steroid  to  remain  effective  for  extended 
periods.  The  medication  will  not  rub  off,  wash 
off,  or  be  absorbed  by  the  clothing  as  is  the  case 
with  unprotected  creams  and  ointments. 

Cordran  Tape  also  helps  to  protect  the  skin 
from  scratching,  rubbing,  drying  out,  and  irrita- 
tion from  handling  chemicals. 

The  tape  is  made  of  a thin  matte-finish  poly- 
ethylene film  which  is  slightly  elastic,  highly 
flexible,  and  acts  as  a mechanical  splint  to  fis- 
sured skin.  The  medicated  adhesive  is  a syn- 
thetic copolymer  of  acrylate  ester  and  acrylic  acid, 
which  is  free  of  substances  of  plant  origin.  The 
adhesive  surface  is  covered  with  a protective  pa- 
per liner  to  permit  handling  and  trimming  before 
application. 

As  is  true  of  all  corticosteroids,  the  applica- 
tion of  Cordran  Tape  is  contraindicated  in  chick- 
enpox  and  vaccinia  and  in  patients  with  a history 
of  hypersensitivity  to  any  of  the  product’s  com- 
ponents. Cordran  Tape  is  not  recommended  for 
use  on  lesions  exuding  serum  or  in  intertriginous 
areas,  because  such  lesions  favor  bacterial  growth. 

Its  use  should  be  reserved  for  those  cases  of 
dermatoses  in  which  its  special  features  outweigh 
a possibly  higher  incidence  of  adverse  reactions. 


—The  lowest  priced  tetracycline— nystatin  combination  available— 


MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 


Some  degree  of  reaction,  usually  minor,  was  ob- 
served in  18  per  cent  of  cases  studied  in  the 
clinical  trials.  Most  common  side-effects  were 
burning  and  irritation,  8.3  per  cent;  folliculitis, 
3.8  per  cent;  and  sensitivity  reaction,  1.5  per  cent. 
Maceration  of  the  skin,  miliaria,  and  drying  oc- 
curred rarely.  In  addition,  the  tape  may  cause 
purpura  and  stripping  of  the  epidermis.  If  irrita- 
tion develops,  the  product  should  be  discontinued 
and  appropriate  therapy  instituted. 

In  pregnant  patients  use  of  topical  steroid 
products  (including  Cordran  Tape)  should  be 
avoided  since  their  safety  in  such  use  has  not 
been  absolutely  established. 

Before  applying  Cordran  Tape,  the  skin  should 
be  gently  cleaned  and  dried.  Scales,  crusts,  dried 
exudates,  and  any  previously  used  ointments  or 
creams  should  be  removed.  After  the  protective 
liner  is  peeled  off,  the  tape  is  applied  while  the 
skin  is  under  gentle  tension  and  then  is  smoothed 
down  by  stroking  with  moderate  pressure  to  pro- 
duce tight  adhesion. 

In  most  cases,  the  tape  should  be  replaced  after 
12  hours,  unless  the  physician  directs  otherwise. 
When  necessary,  the  tape  may  be  used  at  night- 
time only  and  removed  during  the  day. 

In  the  clinical  trials,  60  per  cent  of  the  pa- 


1  5 

tients  received  sufficient  treatment  from  one  roll 
of  tape,  while  the  requirements  of  85  per  cent 
were  met  by  two  rolls  per  patient. 

Cordran  Tape  is  supplied  in  rolls  which  are 
7.5  cm.  (3  inches)  wide  and  200  cm.  (80  inches) 
long.  Each  square  centimeter  contains  4 meg.  of 
flurandrenolone. 

Ninth  Oncology 
Conference  Scheduled 

The  Ninth  National  Conference  on  Therapies 
for  Advanced  Cancers  will  be  held  Aug.  20-22 
(Thurs.-Sat.),  1970,  at  the  University  of  Wiscon- 
sin Postgraduate  Center  in  Madison. 

The  Division  of  Clinical  Oncology,  University 
of  Wisconsin,  is  sponsoring  the  conference.  The 
chairman  is  Dr.  Fred  J.  Ansfield,  Professor  of 
Clinical  Oncology. 

Additional  information  may  be  obtained  by 
writing  the  program  coordinator:  R.  J.  Samp, 
M.D.,  University  Hospitals,  Madison,  Wisconsin 
53706. 


HIGHLAND  HOSPITAL 

Asheville,  North  Carolina 

FOUNDED  1904 

A DIVISION  OF  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  PSYCHIATRY  OF  DUKE  UNIVERSITY 

Accredited  by  the  Joint  Commission  on  Accreditation  and  Certified  for  Medicare 

Complete  facilities  for  evaluation  and  intensive  treatment  of  psychiatric  patients,  including  individual  psycho- 
therapy, group  therapy,  psychodrama,  electro-convulsive  therapy,  Indoklon  convulsive  therapy,  drugs,  social  ser- 
vice work  with  families,  family  therapy  and  an  extensive  and  well  organized  activities  program,  including  oc- 
cupational therapy,  art  therapy,  music  therapy,  athletic  activities  and  games,  recreational  activities  and  outings.  The 
treatment  program  of  each  patient  is  carefully  supervised  in  order  that  the  therapeutic  needs  of  each  patient  may 
be  realized. 

High  school  facilities  for  a limited  number  of  appropriate  patients  are  now  available  on  grounds.  The  School 
Program  is  fully  integrated  into  the  hospital  treatment  program  and  is  accredited  through  the  Asheville  School 
System. 

Complete  modern  facilities  with  85  acres  of  landscaped  and  wooded  grounds  in  the  City  of  Asheville. 

Brochures  and  information  on  financial  arrangements  available 
Contact:  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Harkins,  ACSW,  Coordinator  of  Admissions 

or 

Charles  W.  Neville,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Assistant  Professor  of  Psychiatry  and  Medical  Director 
Area  Code  704-254-3201 


This  “case  history”  runs  to  some  10,000  pages 


This  is  a typical  "case  history”  of  one  new  drug  -or, 
rather,  a proposed  new  drug  — assembled  for  submis- 
sion to  the  U.S.  Federal  Food  and  Drug  Administration. 
These  volumes  are  the  result  of  several  years’  work  by 
thousands  of  professional  and  skilled  personnel  in 
just  one  pharmaceutical  company's  research  labora- 
tories, and  by  hundreds  of  physicians  in  medical 
schools,  hospitals,  and  private  practice.  They  cover 
every  aspect  of  experience  with  this  proposed  new 
agent  from  chemical  laboratory  to  clinic,  from  mouse 
to  man.  Each  volume  could  conceivably  represent 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  of  financial  invest- 


ment, countless  hours  of  human  effort.  This  veritable 
mountain  of  data  stands  behind  every  new  agent 
offered  to  you  by  pharmaceutical  manufacturers  — a 
reassuring  testimonial  to  the  efficacy,  safety  and 
purity  of  the  drugs  you  will  prescribe  today  to  lower 
the  cost  of  disease  to  your  patients. 

Pharmaceutical 
Manufacturers  Association 

Pharmaceutical 
Advertising  Council 

1155  Fifteenth  St.,  N.  W.,  Washington,  D.C.  20005 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

February  1970,  Vol.  XI,  No.  2 


Prevention  of  Maternal  Rh  Sensitization: 

Anti-Rh  Immune  Globulin 

WILLIAM  B.  WILSON,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


Thirty  years  ago,  Dr.  Philip  Levine,  a pupil  of 
Dr.  Karl  Landsteiner,  became  interested  in  a case 
of  an  unusual  transfusion  reaction.  This  had  oc- 
curred in  a woman  of  blood  group  O,  who  had 
received  group  O blood.  This  was,  of  course, 
thought  to  be  compatible.  Such  a reaction  was 
uncommon,  but  by  no  means  rare.  This  woman 
had  recently  been  delivered  of  a stillborn  infant, 
and  because  of  postpartum  hemorrhage,  had 
been  transfused  with  her  husband’s  blood.  Dr. 
Levine  demonstrated  an  abnormal  antibody  in 
the  serum  of  this  woman.  He  surmised  that  she 
might  have  become  sensitized  to  an  unknown 
blood  factor  in  the  red  cells  of  her  child,  which 
had  been  inherited  by  the  baby  from  the  father, 
but  which  was  foreign  to  the  mother.  He  thought 
that  the  antibody  which  he  demonstrated  in  the 
mother’s  serum  was  probably  an  antibody  to 
this  factor. 

In  the  next  two  years,  he  recognized  that  these 
hitherto  unexplainable,  “intragroup”  hemolytic 
transfusion  reactions  often  occurred  in  women 
who  had  given  birth  to  infants  with  the  syndrome 
known  as  erythroblastosis  fetalis.  He  postulated 


From  the  Department  of  Pathology,  Mississippi  Baptist 
Hospital. 

Read  before  the  Section  on  Obstetrics  and  Gynecology, 
101st  Annual  Session,  Mississippi  State  Medical  As- 
sociation, Biloxi,  May  12-15,  1969. 


that  these  infants’  red  cells  contained  an  antigen 
which  entered  the  mother’s  circulation  and  stimu- 
lated the  formation  of  maternal  antibody,  which, 
in  turn,  crossed  the  placenta  into  the  fetal  circu- 
lation and  destroyed  the  fetal  red  cells,  produc- 
ing the  syndrome.  The  responsible  antigen  was 
found  to  be  identical  with  the  blood  group,  new- 
ly discovered  by  Landsteiner  and  Wiener,  which 
they  had  named  the  Rhesus  or  Rh  blood  group. 


In  the  early  1960s  several  investigators 
working  independently  of  each  other  began 
research  on  the  hypothesis  that  passive  im- 
munization of  Rh-negative  women  immedi- 
ately after  delivery  of  Rh-positive  infants 
could  prevent  maternal  Rh  sensitization.  The 
history  of  study  on  this  subject  is  traced,  and 
current  use  of  the  anti-Rh  immune  globulin 
is  discussed  in  detail. 


For  50  years,  it  has  been  recognized  that  the 
administration  of  antibody  concomitantly  with 
antigen  would  prevent  the  antigen  from  stimu- 
lating antibody  production  in  the  recipient.  This 
dates  back  to  the  work  of  Smith,1  who  showed, 
in  1909,  that  simultaneous  administration  of 
diphtheria  toxin  and  antitoxin  prevented  the  de- 

53 


FEBRUARY  1970 


ANTI-Rh  GLOBULIN  / Wilson 

velopment  of  active  host  immunity  to  diphtheria. 
Since  that  time,  this  observation  has  been  amply 
confirmed  with  many  different  antigens,  and  is 
a cardinal  immunologic  principle.  In  1960,  Finn- 
proposed  that  this  principle  be  utilized  in  pre- 
vention of  maternal  Rh  sensitization,  by  admin- 
istration of  anti-Rh  antibody  to  Rh-negative 
mothers  following  delivery  of  Rh-positive  in- 
fants. It  was  strongly  suspected  that  an  Rh-neg- 
ative mother  usually  became  sensitized  to  her 
Rh-positive  infant  at  the  time  of  delivery,  by 
means  of  a leakage  of  fetal  blood  into  the  ma- 
ternal circulation  at  the  time  of  placental  separa- 
tion. Therefore,  if  administration  of  anti-Rh  anti- 
body were  to  succeed  in  preventing  maternal 
sensitization,  it  would  have  the  best  opportunity 
of  doing  so,  if  given  at  the  time  of  delivery. 

Hamilton,3  in  1962,  was  the  first  to  try  this 
idea.  The  results  were  indeed  impressive.  He  in- 
jected intravenously  a high-titer  antiserum  into 
more  than  500  Rh-negative  women  postpartum, 
and,  of  74  who  had  subsequent  Rh-positive  preg- 
nancies, none  showed  Rh  sensitization. 

INITIAL  EFFORTS 

Meanwhile,  Finn  and  Clarke,4  in  Liverpool, 
had  begun  work  on  development  of  a suitable 
antibody  preparation,  which  they  tested  first  in 
male  volunteers,  and  then  clinically,  by  injecting 
it  into  Rh-negative  women  immediately  after  de- 
livery of  Rh-positive  infants.  At  about  the  same 
time.  Pollack,  Gorman,  and  Freda,5  working  in- 
dependently at  Columbia  University,  initiated  an 
almost  identical  project  based  on  the  same  hy- 
pothesis; namely,  that  passive  immunization  of 
Rh-negative  women  immediately  after  delivery 
of  Rh-positive  infants  could  prevent  maternal 
Rh  sensitization.  In  1966  and  1967,  extensive, 
well-controlled,  field  trials  were  carried  out  in 
several  medical  centers  in  West  Germany,  Swe- 
den, Great  Britain,  Canada,  and  America,  and 
it  was  shown  that  practically  every  woman  given 
the  anti-Rh  antibody  within  72  hours  after  de- 
livery of  an  Rh-positive  infant  was  protected 
against  development  of  Rh  sensitization.4 

In  the  combined  data  of  these  worldwide 
trials,4  of  1,886  women  injected  with  anti-Rh  an- 
tibody following  their  first  delivery,  only  four 
subsequently  showed  anti-Rh  antibodies,  repre- 
senting a failure  rate  of  only  0.2  per  cent.  Of 
2,006  women  left  uninjected,  149,  or  7 per  cent, 
developed  demonstrable  antibodies  within  a 
few  months  postpartum.  However,  these  re- 


sults were  not  considered  the  final  answer,  be- 
cause of  the  possibility  that  some  of  the  sup- 
posedly protected  women  had  actually  received 
a primary  sensitization  by  their  first  pregnancy, 
which  was  nevertheless  undetectable  by  in  vitro 
antibody  titration,  and  which  might  become  ap- 
parent only  after  the  stimulus  of  a second  Rh- 
positive  pregnancy.  Fortunately,  these  fears  were 
not  substantiated,  because,  of  245  women  who 
had  been  given  antibody  injections  following  each 
of  two  Rh-positive  pregnancies,  only  one,  or  0.4 
per  cent,  became  demonstrably  immunized  after 
the  second  pregnancy,  while  of  325  women  who 
were  not  injected,  41,  or  13  per  cent,  were  dem- 
onstrably immunized  following  their  second  preg- 
nancy. 

IMMUNOLOGIC  MECHANISM 

By  what  immunologic  mechanism  does  the 
administration  of  anti-Rh  antibody  following  de- 
livery prevent  maternal  Rh  sensitization?  The 
exact  mechanism  is  not  known.  Mollison0  has 
suggested  that  passively  administered  antibody 
combines  with  the  antigen  and  prevents  it  from 
combining  with  receptors  of  the  same  specificity 
on  antibody-forming  host  cells.  It  has  also  been 
shown  that  if  Rh-positive  cells  are  coated  with 
anti-Rh  antibody  before  injection  into  Rh-nega- 
tive male  volunteers,  the  formation  of  immune 
Rh  antibody  is  prevented.4  Siskind7  has  found 
that  passive  antibody  specifically  suppresses  an 
immune  response,  by  binding  to  the  antigenic 
determinants  on  the  antigen  molecule  and  com- 
petes with  antibody-forming  host  cells  for  avail- 
able antigen.  Pollack  et  al8  found  that  passively 
administered  antibody  competed  with  the  immu- 
nologically  competent  cells  for  antigen  (or  RNA- 
antigen  complex);  or  possibly  prevented  prelim- 
inary “processing”  of  antigen  by  host  macro- 
phages. Clarke4  suggested  that  the  passively  ad- 
ministered antibody  acted  as  a negative  feed- 
back against  production  of  additional  antibody 
by  the  host,  and  therefore,  if  exogenous  antibody 
is  administered  immediately  after  antigen,  the 
process  of  antibody  formation  by  the  host  never 
begins. 

Why  is  Rh  antibody  given  only  post  partum, 
and  not  at  some  time  during  pregnancy  when 
maternal  sensitization  might  be  expected  to  oc- 
cur? The  statistical  data  shows  that  almost  all  ma- 
ternal Rh  sensitization  occurs  as  a result  of  trans- 
placental hemorrhage  of  fetal  blood  into  the  ma- 
ternal circulation  at  the  time  of  placental  separa- 
tion, although  fetal  erythrocytes  are  demonstra- 
ble in  the  maternal  blood  stream  in  gradually  in- 


54 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


creasing  numbers  from  six  weeks’  gestation  until 
delivery.9  In  spite  of  the  presence  of  fetal  eryth- 
rocytes in  the  maternal  blood  stream  during  most 
of  the  pregnancy,  only  0.1  per  cent  of  Rh-nega- 
tive  primiparas  developed  Rh  sensitization  be- 
fore term,  according  to  Pollack,  Gorman,  and 
Freda.3  (However,  Woodrow  and  Donohoe10 
found  that  7 of  760,  or  0.9  per  cent,  of  their  pa- 
tients developed  Rh  antibodies  during  their  first 
pregnancy.)  Apparently,  the  pregnant  mother 
has  increased  tolerance,  poorly  understood  at 
present,  for  the  allogeneic  tissue  of  her  infant 
during  pregnancy,  but  this  is  rapidly  lost  post- 
partum. 

Regardless  of  whether  or  not  Rh  antibodies 
are  demonstrable  in  vitro  in  the  months  follow- 
ing the  first  pregnancy,  this  pregnancy  usually 
serves  as  the  primary  immunization  of  the  moth- 
er against  Rh  antigen,  and  subsequent  pregnan- 
cies result  in  an  accelerated,  secondary-type  anti- 
body response.11  Since  it  is  much  easier  to  sup- 
press the  development  of  a primary  sensitization 
than  a secondary  sensitization  by  the  passive  ad- 
ministration of  antibody,  it  is  obviously  of  great 
importance  that  antibody  be  given  following  the 
first  Rh-incompatible  pregnancy.  If  an  Rh-nega- 
tive  woman  does  not  become  sensitized  by  her 
first  pregnancy,  this  does  not  mean  she  is  less 
likely  to  become  sensitized  by  her  second,  but 
rather  her  risk  is  the  same  as  that  of  a randomly 
selected  primipara.3 

PROTECTIVE  EFFECT 

The  protective  effect  of  ABO-incompatibility 
between  mother  and  fetus  against  maternal  Rh 
sensitization  is,  of  course,  a well-documented, 
but  incompletely  understood,  phenomenon,  first 
noted  many  years  ago  by  Levine.  Although  ABO- 
incompatible  fetal  cells  could  be  ‘‘destroyed"  by 
the  naturally  occurring  maternal  anti-A  or  anti-B 
substances,  this  would  not  necessarily  render 
them  non-antigenic.4  Clarke4  suggested  that  the 
Rh  antigen  of  the  fetal  cells  is  acting  only  as  a 
primary  antigenic  stimulus,  while  ABO  antigen 
of  the  fetal  cells  may  be  acting  as  a secondary 
stimulus  to  the  mother,  and  therefore  the  ABO 
antigens  may  produce  an  accelerated  immune  re- 
sponse, while  the  Rh  antigens  are  unable  to  stim- 
ulate antibodies  because  of  competitive  inhibi- 
tion. Competition  between  simultaneously  admin- 
istered antigens  is,  of  course,  a well-recognized 
immunologic  phenomenon. 

ABO-incompatibility  between  mother  and  fe- 
tus reduces  the  likelihood  of  maternal  Rh  sensiti- 
zation by  90  per  cent,  but,  by  no  means,  is  a 


guarantee  against  sensitization.3  In  the  initial 
field  trials  testing  the  effectiveness  of  Rh  anti- 
body in  preventing  maternal  Rh  sensitization, 
only  Rh-negative  mothers  who  were  compatible 
with  their  Rh-positive  infants  in  the  ABO  system 
were  utilized.  This  was  done  because  these  wom- 
en represented  the  high  risk  group,  and  data  on 
the  efficacy  of  the  treatment  could  be  more  easily 
obtained  in  this  group  of  women,  who  had  no 
complicating  partial  protection  by  ABO  incom- 
patibility. This  design  of  these  studies  was  not 
meant  to  imply  that  the  investigators  considered 
the  ABO-incompatible  mothers  to  have  no  risk  of 
Rh  sensitization.3 

KLEIHAUER  TEST 

There  has  been  considerable  interest  in  at- 
tempts to  utilize  the  Kleihauer  test  as  a criterion 
of  whether  or  not  to  give  Rh  antibody  to  a moth- 
er. This  test  demonstrates  fetal  red  cells  on  the 
maternal  blood  smear  by  staining  the  smear  for 
fetal  hemoglobin,  and  permits  accurate  quantita- 
tion of  the  size  of  a transplacental  hemorrhage.3 
While  the  likelihood  of  sensitization  to  Rh  factor 
bears  some  correlation  to  the  number  of  fetal 
cells  on  the  maternal  blood  smear  postpartum 
(and  therefore  to  the  size  of  the  transplacental, 
feto-maternal  hemorrhage),  the  absence  of  dem- 
onstrable fetal  cells  in  the  maternal  blood  by  no 
means  offers  assurance  that  a small,  but  poten- 
tially sensitizing,  hemorrhage  has  not  occurred. 
Different  series  have  shown  that  from  15  to  50 
per  cent  of  women  who  subsequently  become 
Rh  sensitized  had  negative  Kleihauer  tests  for 
fetal  red  cells  postpartum.4-  3-  10  It  has  been 
suggested  that  women  with  a positive  Kleihauer 
test  postpartum  may  require  larger  doses  of  anti- 
body than  those  with  negative  tests,4-  10  although 
this  is  probably  best  avoided  because  of  the  pos- 
sibility of  a paradoxical  enhancement  of  the  im- 
mune response.3 

RARE  EXCEPTIONS 

What  is  the  explanation  for  those  rare  cases  in 
which  anti-Rh  antibody  was  administered  post- 
partum in  standard  doses,  but  in  which  maternal 
sensitization  nonetheless  occurred?  One  possible 
explanation  is  that  a previous,  sensitizing  preg- 
nancy had  occurred,  ending  in  abortion,  unrecog- 
nized by  the  mother  and  unreported  to  the  in- 
vestigators.4 Other  possible  explanations  include 
unrecognized,  very  large  transplacental  hemor- 
rhages, or  previous,  unknown,  Rh-positive  blood 
transfusion.4  Some  of  the  women  had  received 


5 5 


FEBRUARY  1970 


ANTI-Rh  GLOBULIN  / Wilson 

measles  immune  globulin  during  pregnancy, 
which  probably  was  contaminated  with  Rh  anti- 
gen.-’ Probably  most  failures  are  the  result  of 
large  transplacental  hemorrhages,  for  which  the 
dose  of  antibody  was  inadequate.  The  standard 
dose  in  America  is  now  0.3  mg.  of  anti-Rh  im- 
munoglobulin G,5  which  is  sufficient  for  a hemor- 
rhage up  to  10  ml. — a very  large  hemorrhage. 

Certain  obstetrical  factors  have  been  shown  to 
increase  the  likelihood  of  Rh  sensitization,  and 
these  are  toxemia  of  pregnancy,  cesarean  sec- 
tion, breech  delivery,  and  an  interval  of  less  than 
one  year  between  the  first  and  second  preg- 
nancies.12 Manual  separation  of  the  placenta, 
versions,  assisted  vaginal  delivery,  and  amnio- 
centesis are  also  thought  to  predispose  to  trans- 
placental hemorrhage  and  result  in  an  increased 
likelihood  of  maternal  Rh  sensitization. 

EXTENT  OF  USE 

A pertinent  question  regarding  the  use  of  Rh 
antibody  is  whether  to  give  it  to  all  Rh-negative 
women  who  have  an  abortion.  The  exact  likeli- 
hood of  maternal  Rh  sensitization  following  an 
abortion  or  miscarriage  has  not  been  accurately 
determined  statistically  to  date.5  In  a fairly  small 
series,  Matthews,  quoted  by  Clarke,4  found  that  7 
of  155  (4.8  per  cent)  of  women  having  spon- 
taneous abortion  followed  by  curettage,  had 
demonstrable  fetal  cells  in  their  peripheral  blood 
postpartum.  Therapeutic  abortion,  which,  of 
course,  usually  occurs  later  in  pregnancy  than 
spontaneous  abortion,  either  by  the  vaginal  or 
abdominal  routes,  resulted  in  much  higher  in- 
cidence of  demonstrable  fetal  cells  in  the  ma- 
ternal blood;  namely,  about  25  per  cent,  with  5 
per  cent  of  these  showing  large  numbers  of  fetal 
red  cells.  There  is  consensus  among  all  the  work- 
ers in  this  field4-  5-  10-  11  that  all  Rh-negative 
women,  especially  primiparas,  who  have  an  abor- 
tion, miscarriage,  or  ectopic  pregnancy,  should 
be  given  anti-Rh  antibody.  The  only  exceptions 
would  be  if  the  fetus  is  large  enough  for  an  Rh 
typing,  and  is  shown  to  be  Rh  negative;  or  if  the 
mother  is  already  demonstrably  sensitized,  with 
Rh  antibodies  in  her  serum;  or  if  it  is  known 
with  certainty  that  the  biologic  father  is  Rh-nega- 
tive. 


It  is  evident  that  the  proper  use  of  anti-Rh 
immune  globulin  depends  upon  discovering,  be- 
fore 72  hours  postpartum,  which  women  are  Rh- 
negative.  In  others  words,  adequate  case-find- 
ing, within  the  specified  time  limit,  is  essential  to 
the  effective  use  of  this  product.  Therefore,  it  is 
advocated  that  all  women  admitted  for  obstetrical 
purposes  to  the  hospital  should  have  an  Rh  type 
and  ABO  grouping  routinely  done  on  admission.18 
This  should  be  done  by  the  saline-tube  method, 
since  the  simpler  slide  method  may  give  a false 
positive  in  pregnant  women.  Although  many  pa- 
tients have  had  an  Rh  type  done  by  their  physi- 
cian before  delivery,  a routine  test  on  admis- 
sion is  considered  desirable,  to  make  sure  no 
Rh-negative  patients  are  missed,  and  also  to  de- 
tect possible  errors  in  previous  Rh  typing.  Such 
an  error  could  mislead  the  physician  into  recom- 
mending anti-Rh  immune  globulin  when  it  is  not 
needed,  as  in  a D"  mother  mistyped  as  Rh-nega- 
tive; or  into  failing  to  give  anti-Rh  immune  globu- 
lin when  it  is  needed,  possibly  making  the  physi- 
cian and  hospital  liable,  if  Rh  sensitization  should 
develop  in  a subsequent  pregnancy.  *** 

North  State  and  Carlisle  Streets  (39201) 


REFERENCES 

1.  Smith,  T.:  Active  Immunity  Produced  by  So-called 
Balanced  or  Neutral  Mixtures  of  Diphtheria  Toxin 
and  Antitoxin,  J.  Exper.  Med.  11:241-56,  1909. 

2.  Finn,  R.:  Erythroblastosis,  Lancet  1:526,  1960. 

3.  Hamilton,  E.  G.:  Prevention  of  Rh  Isoimmuniza- 
tion by  Injection  of  Anti-D  Antibody,  Obstet.  Gynec. 
30:812,  1967. 

4.  Clarke,  C.  A.:  Prevention  of  Rhesus  Iso-immuniza- 
tion, Lancet  2:1-7,  1968. 

5.  Pollack,  W.;  Gorman,  J.  G.;  and  Freda,  V.  J.:  Pre- 
vention of  Rh  Hemolytic  Disease,  Prog.  Hemat.  6: 
121-47,  1969. 

6.  Mollison,  P.  L.:  Blood  Transfusion  in  Clinical  Med- 
icine. ed.  4,  Philadelphia,  F.  A.  Davis  Company, 

1967. 

7.  Siskind.  G.  W.:  The  Role  of  Circulating  Antibody 
in  the  Control  of  Antibody  Synthesis,  Transfusion 
8:127-33,  1968. 

8.  Pollack,  W.,  et  al:  Antibody-Mediated  Immune  Sup- 
pression to  the  Rh  Factor,  Transfusion  8:134-45, 

1968. 

9.  Clayton,  E.  M.;  Feldhaus,  W.;  and  Phythyon,  J.  M.: 
Transplacental  Passage  of  Erythrocytes  During 
Pregnancy,  Obst.  & Gynec.  28:194,  1966. 

10.  Woodrow,  J.  C.;  and  Donohoe,  W.  T.  A.:  Rh-Im- 
munization  by  Pregnancy:  Results  of  a Survey  and 
Their  Relevance  to  Prophylactic  Therapy,  Brit. 
M.  J.  4:139-44,  1968. 

11.  Editorial,  Suppressing  Rh-Immunization,  Brit.  M.  J. 
4:135-6,  1968. 

12.  Knox,  E.  G.:  Obstetric  Determinants  of  Rh  Sen- 
sitization, Lancet  1:433,  1968. 

13.  Wilson,  W.  B.:  Letter  to  the  Editor,  J.M.S.M.A.  9: 
486-8,  1968. 


56 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Direct- Current  Cardioversion 
With  Diazepam  as  Sedative  Agent 

WILLIAM  H.  ROSENBLATT,  M.D.,  and 
DEXTER  C.  NETTLES,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


The  reversion  of  tachyarrhythmias  to  regular 
sinus  rhythm  by  a synchronous  direct-current  con- 
verter originally  described  by  Lown1  in  1962 
and  subsequently  by  others2-4  has  now  become  a 
widely  accepted  procedure.  Until  recently  most 
clinicians  performing  cardioversion  used  a nar- 
cotic analgesic  such  as  meperidine  in  conjunction 
with  a barbiturate,2  or  general  anesthesia,3  or 
short-acting  barbiturates  that  induced  light  sleep.4 
However,  these  agents  require  the  presence  of  an 
anesthesiologist.  In  addition,  barbiturates  and 
narcotics  frequently  mask  subtle  signs  and  symp- 
toms of  cardiac  irregularities  that  may  occur  after 
conversion2  and  have  other  drawbacks  and  con- 
traindications as  well. 

Over  the  past  two  years  we  have  effected  car- 
dioversion in  20  patients  by  using  a single  in- 
travenous injection  of  diazepam  (without  ancil- 
lary anesthetic  measures)  for  producing  transient 
sedation  and  amnesia. 

All  patients  were  hospitalized.  One  subject  had 
thyrotoxicosis,  12  had  arteriosclerotic  heart  dis- 
ease, and  7 had  rheumatic  heart  disease  (with 
mitral  insufficiency  in  3 and  mitral  stenosis  in  4 
patients).  The  patients  were  in  chronic  atrial 
fibrillation  except  for  2 who  had,  respectively, 
ventricular  tachycardia  or  atrial  flutter. 

In  subjects  undergoing  elective  cardioversion, 
digitalis  was  discontinued  7 to  10  days  previous- 
ly, and  premedication  with  quinidine  sulfate,  200 
mg.  every  6 hours,  was  started  24  hours  prior  to 
the  procedure.  This  preparation  was  of  necessity 
omitted  in  1 patient  (Case  19)  who  required 
emergency  cardioversion. 


From  the  Department  of  Medicine,  Mississippi  Baptist 
Hospital. 


The  procedure  was  performed  in  the  emergen- 
cy room  the  morning  following  admission  to  the 
hospital.  A preconversion  electrocardiogram  was 
recorded  on  a standard  ECG  machine  connected 
by  cable  to  the  direct-current  electrical  converter. 
A follow-up  record  of  the  ECG  was  obtained 
during  the  actual  conversion  and  immediately 
following  application  of  the  countershock. 


A 20-case  series  is  presented  in  which  a 
single  intravenous  injection  of  diazepam 
used  as  sedative  agent  during  direct-current 
countershock  in  20  patients  was  well  toler- 
ated. Methods  and  materials  are  discussed, 
and  results  are  tabulated. 


Vital  signs  including  the  rate  and  amplitude  of 
respiration,  pulse  rate  and  blood  pressure  were 
recorded  prior  to  and  immediately  following  re- 
version and  every  15  minutes  until  full  conscious- 
ness returned. 

Undiluted  diazepam  (5  mg  ml)  was  adminis- 
tered slowly  intravenously  at  a rate  of  5 mg.  per 
minute  until  slurring  of  speech  was  observed. 
The  direct-current  countershock  was  delivered 
immediately  thereafter  by  the  technic  described 
by  Lown1  using  an  American  Optical  Cardio- 
verter and  anterior  chest  paddle  electrodes. 

The  etiology  of  heart  disease,  age  and  sex  of 
the  patient,  dosage  of  diazepam,  energy  of  last 
electrical  shock,  and  existence  of  complications 
are  listed  for  each  patient  in  Table  1. 

All  but  3 subjects  reverted  to  regular  sinus 
rhythm  following  application  of  direct-current 
countershock.  The  initial  shock  administered  was 


FEBRUARY  1970 


5 7 


CARDIOVERSION  / Rosenblatt  et  al 

150  watt-sec  delivered  in  0.0025  sec.  If  repeated 
shocks  were  required,  each  was  increased  by  50 
watt-sec  to  a maximum  of  400  watt-sec.  The 
number  of  discharges  required  for  reversion 
varied  from  1 in  10  patients  to  2 to  5 in  8 sub- 
jects, and  1 person  received  1 1 immediately  suc- 
cessive shocks  before  reversion  to  normal  sinus 
rhythm  occurred.  Three  patients  with  arterio- 
sclerotic heart  disease  and  atrial  fibrillation  failed 
to  revert  after  3 and  5 shocks,  respectively  (Table 
1). 

The  usual  range  of  dosage  for  diazepam  was 
10  to  20  mg.;  1 person  received  less  than  10  mg. 

TABLE  1 

ATRIAL  FIBRILLATION  (N=18),  ATRIAL  FLUTTER 
(N=l)  OR  VENTRICULAR  TACHYCARDIA  (N=l) 
TREATED  BY  DIRECT-CURRENT  COUNTER- 
SHOCK WITH  INTRAVENOUS  DIAZEPAM 
AS  SEDATIVE  AGENT 


• o' 
a,  < 

Age 

Sex 

Etiology 
of  Heart 
Disease 

Sr 

q £ 

Number  of 
Shocks 

Last  Shock 
( Watt-sec ) 

Reversion 
to  Normal 
Sinus  Rhythm 

1 

60M 

ASHD 

20 

2 

200 

T 

2 

58M 

ASHD 

10 

1 

100 

+ 

3 

69F 

RHD 

20 

1 

100 

+ 

4 

69F 

RHD 

25 

11 

100 

+ 

5 

39F 

RHD 

20 

2 

200 

+ 

6 

39F 

RHD 

15 

2 

200 

+ 

7 

68F 

RHD 

10 

1 

200 

+ 

8 

68F 

ASHD 

20 

5 

400 

- 

9 

60M 

ASHD 

20 

2 

200 

+ 

10 

60M 

ASHD 

20 

1 

100 

+ 

11 

58F 

RHD 

10 

1 

100 

+ 

12 

61F 

ASHD 

20 

3 

300 

- 

13 

72F 

ASHD 

7 

1 

100 

+ 

14 

59F 

ASHD 

12 

1 

100 

+ 

15 

64M 

ASHD 

30 

3 

300 

-f 

16 

65  F 

RHD 

10 

1 

150 

+ 

17 

52M 

ASHD 

12 

1 

150 

18 

56M 

ASHD 

16 

1 

150 

+ 

19* 

59M 

Thyrotox 

20 

2 

200 

+ 

20* 

6 IF 

ASHD 

10 

12 

400 

- 

* For  description  of  complications  following  counter- 
shock ( see  text).  ASHD  = Arteriosclerotic  heart  disease. 
RHD  = Rheumatic  heart  disease. 


and  2 more  than  20  mg.  (25  and  30  mg.  respec- 
tively). All  patients,  including  those  who  were 
noticeably  apprehensive  on  arrival  at  the  emer- 
gency room,  were  calm  and  tranquil  following 
injection  of  diazepam.  Within  one  to  three  min- 
utes they  became  drowsy  or  fell  into  light  sleep 


lasting  30  to  45  minutes  during  which  they  could 
be  easily  aroused  when  spoken  to.  When  ques- 
tioned immediately  on  awakening  or  24  hours 
later,  the  patients  usually  had  no  recall  of  the 
cardioversion.  Two  subjects  (receiving  multiple 
shocks)  complained  of  severe  chest  pain  at  the 
time  of  the  delivery  of  the  shock,  but  only  1 of 
these  could  later  accurately  recall  the  procedure. 

NO  ABNORMALITIES 

Neither  the  rate  (8  to  12  per  minute)  or  the 
depth  of  respiration  was  altered  by  diazepam, 
and  no  hypotension  or  abnormal  cardiac  rhythm 
attributable  to  diazepam  was  observed. 

Serious  immediate  complications  of  cardiover- 
sion in  2 patients  were  due  to  excessive  digitalis. 
A 59-year-old  man  (Case  19)  with  thyrotoxicosis 
was  found  dead  in  his  hospital  bed  the  morning 
following  cardioversion.  He  had  been  receiving 
large  doses  of  digoxin  which  could  not  be  safely 
discontinued.  He  had  reverted  to  normal  sinus 
rhythm  following  the  second  countershock,  but  a 
few  minutes  later  bigeminal  rhythm  developed 
and  persisted  for  several  hours.  A 61-year-old  fe- 
male (Case  20)  with  arteriosclerotic  heart  disease 
and  atrial  fibrillation  had  also  been  receiving  very 
large  doses  of  digitalis.  She  reverted  to  sinus 
rhythm  following  12  successive  countershocks, 
but  about  30  minutes  later  bidirectional  ventricu- 
lar tachycardia  developed  and  lasted  24  hours, 
and  she  relapsed  into  atrial  fibrillation. 

None  of  the  other  major  complications  de- 
scribed infrequently  following  cardioversion,  such 
as  prolonged  cardiac  asystole  or  systemic  or  pul- 
monary embolism,  was  observed. 

USE  OF  SEDATIVES 

Although  some  clinicians  elect  to  perform  car- 
dioversion without  anesthesia,5  most  advocate 
the  use  of  sedation  as  the  discomfort  in  the  con- 
scious patient  is  generally  unpredictable  and  may 
be  great,  varying  directly  with  the  magnitude  of 
the  electrical  discharge.  In  addition,  multiple  or 
high  energy  shocks  make  the  patient  apprehen- 
sive and  are  particularly  uncomfortable.  The  sen- 
sation is  that  of  a sudden  jolt  or  transient  pres- 
sure across  the  chest,  which  has  been  described 
by  patients  as  “feeling  like  someone  struck  me 
in  the  chest  with  a baseball  bat,”  or  “a  sensation 
like  a horse  kicked  me  in  the  chest.” 

Diazepam  (Valium®),  a benzodiazepine  de- 
rivative related  to  chlordiazepoxiae  (Figure  1), 
has  been  used  extensively  to  reduce  anxiety  and 
tension  in  a wide  variety  of  clinical  situations.6 
The  drug  also  has  central  muscle  relaxant  and 


58 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


STRUCTURAL  FORMULA  OF  DIAZEPAM 


® 

VALIUM  (DIAZEPAM) 

7- CHLORO -I-METHYL-5-PHENYL- 
3 H - 1 , 4 - BENZODIAZEPIN-2  (IH)-ONE 

Figure  1 


anticonvulsant  properties  and  is  employed  for  the 
relief  of  muscle  spasms  in  musculoskeletal  dis- 
orders,7 cerebral  palsy,8  and  tetanus,9  and  for 
control  of  convulsive  seizures.10  When  used  as 
premedication  in  surgical  and  endoscopic  proce- 
dures, diazepam  has  been  reported  to  produce  a 
calm,  relaxed  state  in  which  the  patient  tends  to 
be  unconcerned  with,  and  later  has  little  or  no  re- 
call of,  the  operative  experience.10- 11  In  thera- 
peutic dosage  diazepam  appears  to  have  lesser 
propensity  to  depress  circulation  or  respiration 
than  barbiturates  or  narcotics.9-12  Circulation 
and  respiratory  responses  were  not  altered  sig- 
nificantly by  diazepam  in  healthy  subjects.13-15 

In  the  present  study,  diazepam  produced  tran- 
sient but  adequate  sedation  and  amnesia,  thus 
confirming  previous  reports  of  its  particular  use- 
fulness as  adjunctive  medication  in  patients  un- 
dergoing cardioversion.16-20  No  clinically  signifi- 
cant hemodynamic  or  respiratory  changes  were 
observed  in  these  studies,16-19  and  cardiac  out- 
put was  not  reduced.20 

Unlike  barbiturates  or  narcotics,  diazepam  re- 
lieved anxiety  without  producing  oversedation. 
The  period  of  light  sleep,  from  which  patients 
could  be  easily  aroused,  in  our  cases  ranged 


from  30  to  45  minutes,  which  is  somewhat  longer 
than  that  reported  by  Winters  et  al18  and  by 
Lown20  but  shorter  than  that  observed  in  some 
instances  by  Kahler  et  al.17 

Except  for  1 of  2 patients  who  experienced 
severe  pain  following  a relatively  high  discharge 
of  energy,  the  patients  had  no  recall  of  the  car- 
dioversion on  awakening  nor  24  hours  later. 

We  noted  no  significant  effects  related  to 
diazepam  on  cardiorespiratory  parameters  or  au- 
tonomic functions. 

ATRIAL  DISORDERS 

From  our  data  and  the  data  reported  by  oth- 
ers, it  appears  that  in  about  85  per  cent  of  all 
patients  atrial  fibrillation  and  atrial  flutter  can  be 
safely  and  effectively  reverted  to  regular  sinus 
rhythm  by  application  of  direct-current  counter- 
shock. Digitalis-induced  rhythm  disorders  are  im- 
pervious to  cardioversion.  Conduction  distur- 
bances or  atrial,  nodal,  or  ventricular  ectopic  beats 
due  to  digitalis  toxicity  have  been  described  not 
uncommonly  following  the  reversion  of  atrial 
fibrillation  and  the  restoration  of  normal  sinus 
rhythm.1-  2 Apparently  the  amount  of  digitalis 
necessary  to  control  the  ventricular  rate  during 


FEBRUARY  1970 


59 


CARDIOVERSION  / Rosenblatt  et  al 

atrial  fibrillation  may  cause  toxic  effects  during 
normal  sinus  rhythm.2  In  most  instances  these 
disturbances  disappear  if  digitalis  is  withheld 
prior  to  reversion.  However,  as  in  the  two  epi- 
sodes of  complications  due  to  excessive  digitalis 
observed  in  our  series,  this  may  not  be  practica- 
ble in  some  instances. 

SUMMARY 

A single  intravenous  injection  of  diazepam 
used  as  sedative  agent  during  direct-current 
countershock  in  20  patients  was  well  tolerated. 
The  drug  simplified  the  procedure  from  the 
standpoint  of  obviating  the  use  of  general  anes- 
thesia, or  barbiturates  and  narcotics.  Generally  10 
to  20  mg.  diazepam  sufficed  for  rapid,  transient 
sedation  and  amnesia.  The  onset  of  drowsiness  or 
light  sleep  occurred  in  one  to  three  minutes  after 
the  injection;  the  patients  became  fully  respon- 
sive in  30  to  45  minutes  and  usually  had  no  re- 
call of  the  countershock.  In  this  dosage  diazepam 
had  little  or  no  effect  on  respiration  or  circula- 
tion. Reversion  by  the  procedure  described  is  far 
safer  than  drug  or  medical  cardioversion  and  can 
be  readily  mastered  by  the  general  practitioner. 

★★★ 

1151  North  State  St.  (39201) 

REFERENCES 

1.  Lown,  B.;  Amarasingham,  R.;  and  Neuman,  J.: 
New  Method  for  Terminating  Cardiac  Arrhythmias, 
J.A.M.A.  182:548  (Nov.  3)  1962. 

2.  Paulk,  E.  A..  Jr.;  and  Hurst,  J.  W. : Clinical  Prob- 
lems of  Cardioversion.  Am.  Heart  J.  70:248  (Aug.) 
1965. 

3.  Morris,  J.  J.,  Jr.;  Kong,  Y.;  North,  W.  C.;  and  Mc- 
Intosh, H.  D.:  Experience  with  “Cardioversion”  of 
Atrial  Fibrillation  and  Flutter,  Am.  J.  Cardiol.  14:94 
(July)  1964. 

4.  Shephard,  D.  A.  E.;  and  Vandam,  L.  D.:  Anesthesia 
for  Cardioversion,  Am.  J.  Cardiol.  15:55  (Jan.) 
1965. 


5.  Stock,  R.  J.:  Cardioversion  without  Anesthesia, 

New  England  J.  Med.  269:534  (Sept.  5)  1963. 

6.  Svenson,  S.  E.;  and  Gordon,  L.  E. : Diazepam.  A 
Progress  Report,  Current  Therapy  Res.  7:367  (June) 

1965. 

7.  Peirson,  E.  W.;  Fowlks,  E.  W.;  and  King,  P.  S.: 
Long-Term  Follow-up  on  the  Use  of  Diazepam  in 
Treatment  of  Spasticity,  Am.  J.  Phys.  Med.  47:143, 
1968. 

8.  Engle,  H.  A.:  The  Effect  of  Diazepam  (Valium)  in 

Children  with  Cerebral  Palsy:  A Double-Blind 

Study,  Develop.  Med.  Child.  Neurol.  8:661  (Dec.) 

1966. 

9.  Lockwood,  W.  R.;  and  Allison,  F.,  Jr.:  Injectable 
Diazepam:  A New  Drug  for  the  Treatment  of 
Tetanus,  J.M.S.M.A.  8:66  (Feb.)  1967. 

10.  Bailey,  D.  W.;  and  Fenichel,  G.  M.:  The  Treatment 
of  Prolonged  Seizure  Activity  with  Intravenous 
Diazepam,  J.  Pediat.  73:923  (Dec.)  1968. 

11.  Tornetta,  F.  J.:  Diazepam  as  Preanesthetic  Medica- 
tion: A Double-Blind  Study,  Anesth.  Analg.  44:449 
(July-Aug.)  1965. 

12.  Ticktin,  H.  E.;  and  Trujillo,  N.  P.:  Further  Experi- 
ence with  Diazepam  for  Pre-endoscopic  Medication, 
Gastroint.  Endosc.  15:91  (Nov.)  1968. 

13.  Steen,  S.  N.;  Weitzner,  S.  W.;  Amaha,  K.;  and 
Martinez,  L.  R.:  The  Effect  of  Diazepam  on  the 
Respiratory  Response  to  Carbon  Dioxide,  Canad. 
Anaesth.  Soc.  J.  13:374  (July)  1966. 

14.  Sadove,  M.  S.;  Balagot,  R.  C.;  and  McGrath,  J.  M.: 
Effects  of  Chlordiazepoxide  and  Diazepam  on  the 
Influence  of  Meperidine  on  the  Respiratory  Re- 
sponse to  Carbon  Dioxide,  J.  New  Drugs  5:121, 
( March-April)  1965. 

15.  Katz,  J.;  Finestone,  S.  C.;  and  Pappas,  M.  T.:  Cir- 
culatory Response  to  Tilting  after  Intravenous  Di- 
azepam in  Volunteers,  Anesth.  Analg.  46:243 
(March-April)  1967. 

16.  Nutter,  D.  O.;  and  Massumi,  R.  A.:  Diazepam  in 
Cardioversion,  New  England  J.  Med.  273:650  (Sept. 
16)  1965. 

17.  Kahler,  R.  L.;  Burrow,  G.  N.;  and  Felig,  P.:  Diaze- 
pam-Induced Amnesia  for  Cardioversion,  J.A.M.A. 
200:997  (June  12)  1967. 

18.  Winters,  W.  L.,  Jr.;  McDonough,  M.  T.;  Hafer,  J.; 
and  Dietz,  R.:  Diazepam.  A Useful  Hypnotic  Drug 
for  Direct-Current  Cardioversion,  J.A.M.A.  204: 
926  (June  3)  1968. 

19.  Muenster,  J.  J.;  Rosenberg,  M.  S.;  Carleton,  R.  A.; 
and  Graettinger,  J.  S.:  Comparison  Between  Diaze- 
pam and  Sodium  Thiopental  during  DC  Counter- 
shock, J.A.M.A.  199:758  (March  6)  1967. 

20.  Lown,  B.:  Cardioversion,  J.  Oklahoma  M.A.  62:285 
(July)  1969. 


60 


JOURNAL  MS M A 


Guidelines  to  Increase  Efficiency 
Of  the  Hospital  Emergency  Department 


JOHN  T.  MILAM,  M.D. 
Cleveland,  Mississippi 


A rather  marked  change  in  medical  practice 
has  taken  place  gradually  since  World  War  II. 
The  use  of  the  hospital  for  inpatients  as  well  as 
emergency  patients  has  rapidly  increased  during 
this  interim.  Housecalls  have  been  frowned  upon 
and  gradually  have  become  fewer.  Physicians  dis- 
like coming  to  their  offices  except  for  regular 
hours,  and  they  have  become  more  unavailable 
at  night,  holidays,  and  weekends.  Often  when 
they  have  been  called,  they  have  referred  their 
patient  to  the  hospital  emergency  department  be- 
cause some  doctor  would  be  present  and  could 
take  care  of  the  situation.  Therefore,  because  the 
patients’  problems  are  no  longer  limited  to  pri- 
marily charity  and  injury  cases,  the  accident 
room  gradually  has  emerged  into  the  emergency 
room  and  is  now  considered  in  the  form  of  an 
emergency  department.  This  department  is  where 
not  only  emergency  and  charity  patients  are 
treated,  but  also  cases  of  colds,  headaches,  fever, 
pain  and  anxiety  states  are  treated  in  lieu  of  going 
to  the  doctor’s  office. 

The  emergency  department  as  it  exists  today 
within  hospitals  has  become  in  many  instances 
an  acute  problem.  Multiple  and  complex  diffi- 
culties regarding  this  service  would  include  the 
legal  implications,  medical  education  of  the  house 
staff,  public  relations,  physician  staffing  and  the 
assurance  of  rendering  quality  medical  care. 
These  problems  have  become  acute  due  to  the 
fact  that  the  use  of  the  emergency  room  has  be- 
come an  area  of  greatly  increased  activity  by  the 
public.  Once  primarily  used  for  the  treatment  of 
minor  type  emergencies  such  as  lacerations  and 

Read  before  the  92nd  semi-annual  meeting,  the  Delta 

Medical  Society,  Indianola,  October  8,  1969. 


simple  fractures  and  also  for  the  use  of  the  char- 
itable patient,  now  the  emergency  service  is 
viewed  by  the  community  as  a place  to  get  gen- 
eral medical  attention  promptly,  regardless  of 
what  is  needed. 

During  the  past  decade  the  American  popula- 
tion has  expanded  at  an  annual  rate  of  \Vi  to  2 


Since  World  War  11  the  old  “ accident 
room ” of  the  hospital  has  developed  into  a 
community  medical  center  for  all  types  of 
care.  The  resulting  increased  use  puts  pres- 
sure on  both  the  personnel  and  the  space  of 
today's  hospitals.  The  author  discusses  the 
problems  presented  by  the  emergency  room's 
new  role  and  suggests  some  solutions. 


per  cent.  During  this  same  period  visits  to  the 
emergency  departments  have  increased  at  a rate 
of  approximately  6 per  cent  per  year.  To  handle 
efficiently  this  rapidly  increasing  number  of  pa- 
tients, hospitals  must  first  accept  the  existence  of 
this  dramatic  change  that  has  and  will  continue  to 
have  profound  impact  upon  health  care  through- 
out the  country.  The  American  College  of  Sur- 
geons after  several  years  of  study  published  in 
1963  an  excellent  comprehensive  article  on 
“Standards  for  Emergency  Departments  in  Hos- 
pitals.” One  part  of  the  article  states  in  effect  that 
it  should  be  the  policy  and  function  of  the  general 
hospital  to  make  adequate  appraisal  and  to  ren- 
der necessary  initial  care  to  anyone  who  presents 
himself  at  the  emergency  area.  Every  person 
within  the  health  care  field — physician,  hospital 
administrator,  or  health  economist — must  be- 


FEBRUARY  1970 


61 


HOSPITAL  EFFICIENCY  / Milam 

come  vitally  concerned  with  the  rapidly  increas- 
ing number  of  emergency  department  visits  by 
patients.  Failure  to  properly  handle  this  problem 
will  have  a most  unfortunate  and  negative  im- 
pact on  community  relations  with  the  hospitals. 

There  are  three  primary  causes  for  the  in- 
creased use  of  emergency  departments.  One  is  that 
the  hospital  has  become  a center  for  casual  medi- 
cal care.  Private  medicine  appears  to  be  develop- 
ing into  a system  of  formal  appointment  and  re- 
ferral type  of  medical  practice.  The  more  infor- 
mal nonappointment  casual  type  of  practice 
which  is  ever  increasing  has  been  relinquished 
to  the  institutions.  Therefore,  the  hospital  emer- 
gency department  has  become  the  center  for  su- 
permarket medicine  in  many  areas. 

INCREASED  USAGE 

A second  cause  is  the  significant  change  in  the 
total  capacities  of  medicine.  Thirty  years  ago  the 
individual  physician  with  his  symbolic  black  bag 
had  a far  greater  capacity  to  bring  to  the  patient 
all  of  what  was  then  medical  science  than  he  has 
today.  He  was  considered  at  that  time  to  be  an  in- 
dependent self-sufficient  unit.  Today  the  modern 
physician  is  a part  of  a complex  multidisciplined 
team  of  professional,  semi-professional  and  tech- 
nical personnel.  He  may  be  considered  a prism 
through  which  all  the  resources  of  modern  medi- 
cine are  focused  onto  one  individual’s  needs.  The 
entire  structure  is  obviously  useless  without  the 
physician.  Equally,  the  physician  has  greatly  de- 
creased capacity  when  separated  from  this  great 
milieu  of  skills  and  facilities  available  to  him. 
The  center  of  this  complex  health  care  structure 
is,  of  course,  the  hospital.  Here  and  in  this  type 
of  assignment  the  physician  can  offer  his  patient 
a much  greater  and  more  beneficial  range  of 
health  care  than  he  can  under  any  other  cir- 
cumstance. 

A third  cause  of  the  increased  number  of 
emergency  department  visits  is  the  greatly  in- 
creased mobility  of  the  population  as  well  as  the 
increase  in  birth  rate  and  life  span.  Today  with 
good  methods  of  immediate  transportation,  peo- 
ple are  no  longer  more  or  less  home-bound. 
There  usually  is  a car  in  the  garage  or  in  the 
neighbor’s  garage.  As  a result,  a person  with 
even  a relatively  simple  injury  is  brought  to  the 
hospital  emergency  department  which  is  the  one 
place  recognized  by  the  community  as  a health 


care  area  which  is  always  available  and  ready  at 
the  patient’s  beck  and  call. 

Increased  volume  and  use  of  vehicular  traffic 
has,  of  course,  resulted  in  a substantial  increase 
in  the  number  of  accidents,  almost  all  of  which 
are  cared  for  within  the  emergency  rooms. 

POOR  IMAGE 

Frequently  hospitals  may  present  a poor  pub- 
lic image  rather  than  winning  the  supportive  at- 
titude which  is  so  vital  to  the  future  of  the  hos- 
pital. This  poor  image  may  come  about  in  many 
ways  and  due  to  many  acts.  For  instance,  the  pa- 
tient visiting  the  emergency  department  may  have 
to  sit  in  a drafty  corridor  along  with  15  to  20 
other  outpatients  for  a considerable  length  of 
time.  He  may  have  to  be  cared  for  in  facilities  that 
have  long  since  past  their  point  of  greatest  effi- 
ciency. This  naturally  results  in  harassment  to 
the  professional  and  technical  staff,  who  under 
the  best  circumstances  find  it  difficult  to  keep 
pace  with  the  ever  increasing  number  of  pa- 
tients they  are  required  to  serve. 

The  patient  may  tend  to  compare  his  care  in 
the  emergency  department  with  the  inpatient  ser- 
vice which  he  may  have  received  some  previous 
time.  There,  of  course,  is  marked  contrast  in  that 
the  inpatient  service  is  markedly  immaculate, 
well  organized,  and  an  air  of  pleasantness  and 
efficiency  prevails,  whereas  in  the  emergency  de- 
partment the  patient  may  feel  that  he  is  being 
given  the  “run  around.”  He  also  generally  views 
his  condition  as  of  immediate  or  emergency  na- 
ture which  it  may  or  may  not  be.  Any  wait,  how- 
ever short  in  duration,  seems  to  him  to  be  in- 
tolerable. 

UNAVOIDABLE  INSTANCES 

Of  course,  this  waiting  period  is  inevitable 
and  unavoidable  in  many  instances.  The  profes- 
sional and  technical  staff  constantly  must  attempt 
to  sort  out  the  patients  who  require  the  greatest 
attention  and  care  in  the  shortest  time.  The  wait- 
ing individual  has  little  or  no  opportunity  to  un- 
derstand this,  and  too  frequently  a harassed  staff 
working  in  less  than  adequate  facilities  does  not 
present  to  the  patient  the  same  kind  of  calm, 
competent  attitude  that  he  encounters  as  an  in- 
patient on  a nursing  unit. 

All  of  these  factors  create  apprehension,  mis- 
understanding, and  often  a negative  attitude  on 
the  part  of  the  patient  towards  the  institution 
concerned. 


62 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Most  hospitals  in  the  United  States  undertake 
to  furnish  some  type  of  emergency  care  and  ser- 
vice and  in  so  doing  will  thus  assume  a definite 
legal  responsibility.  The  legal  scope  of  the  ser- 
vice is  difficult  to  define  since  there  are  seldom 
any  written  guidelines.  Quality  of  emergency  care 
is  apt  to  be  determined  by  a number  of  factors 
including  primarily  the  customs  and  practices  of 
a community,  the  availability  of  other  care,  and 
the  financial  burden. 

Since  only  a licensed  physician  can  lawfully 
make  a diagnosis  and  since  a diagnosis  must  be 
obtained  in  order  to  determine  whether  medical 
care  can  safely  be  delayed  by  putting  the  patient 
off  until  the  next  day  or  referring  him  to  his  per- 
sonal physician,  the  emergency  care  of  a hospital 
should  be  under  the  direct  supervision  of  a li- 
censed physician.  A licensed  physician  in  charge 
of  the  emergency  service  or  one  available  on 
call  within  a reasonably  short  period  of  time 
should  be  available  for  the  emergency  service  at 
all  times.  Where  a hospital  undertakes  emergency 
care,  the  governing  body  and  the  medical  staff 
have  a joint  responsibility  to  insure  adequate  di- 
rection and  supervision  of  the  emergency  depart- 
ment. 

MEDICAL  DECISIONS 

The  final  decision  as  to  whether  or  not  an 
emergency  exists  must  be  in  conformity  with 
good  medical  practice.  Injuries  may  result  from 
negligent  decisions  regarding  emergency  and  may 
lead  to  possible  liability  to  either  hospital  or  the 
physician  or  both. 

If  care  is  undertaken  by  the  physician  within 
the  hospital  emergency  area,  liabilities  would  be 
little  to  no  different  from  that  which  exists  with 
respect  to  regular  inpatients.  Liability  would  arise 
only  if  injury  to  the  patient  resulted  from  negli- 
gence in  giving  care  or  in  providing  adequate  fa- 
cility for  him.  This,  of  course,  would  be  mea- 
sured by  the  prevailing  standard  of  care  in  the 
community  or  in  similar  communities  under  sim- 
ilar circumstances. 

The  standard  emergency  care  in  the  emergen- 
cy room  is  considered  legally  less  rigorous  than 
that  for  care  of  hospitalized  patients.  This  is 
true  because  consideration  is  given  to  the  cir- 
cumstances under  which  this  care  is  given.  Also, 
the  urgency  present  in  the  emergency  case  and 
the  inability  in  many  cases  for  complete  prepa- 
ration, complete  workup  and  diagnosis  can  well 
explain  and  more  or  less  justify  unfortunate  in- 
cidents which  might  not  be  excusable  in  the  more 
orderly  treatment  of  regular  hospitalized  patients. 

Quality  of  care  in  the  emergency  department 


may  be  measured  by  many  methods.  We  would 
agree  that  good  hospital  facilities — plant  and 
equipment — do  not  assure  high  quality  of  care; 
however,  they  must  be  considered  to  be  of  great 
importance.  Personnel  is  all  important  in  quality 
of  care — education,  experience,  interest,  natural 
ability — but  there  are  other  factors  which  also 
have  a profound  effect.  These  include  availabil- 
ity, administration,  examining  rooms,  equipment, 
personnel,  standing  operating  procedures,  triage, 
over-taxed  facilities,  records,  communications, 
complementary  inpatient  services  and  the  emer- 
gency department  committee. 

VISIBLE  DIRECTIONS 

There  are  many  hospitals  with  no  “emergency” 
or  “hospital"  sign  visible  to  the  public  until  the 
emergency  door  is  reached.  In  this  motor  age,  all 
roads  leading  to  a hospital  should  have  signs 
pointing  to  the  facility  itself  and  to  the  emergency 
service  area.  These  signs  should  not  be  hidden 
from  view  by  natural  or  man-made  objects  and 
should  be  visible  at  night.  In  other  words,  the 
stranger  should  not  have  to  take  time  to  ask  di- 
rections in  order  to  get  to  the  emergency  en- 
trance. 

Sufficient  clerical  help  is  necessary  to  obtain 
and  to  record  the  pertinent  information  pertain- 
ing to  the  patient.  Nurses  should  not  have  to 
spend  time  writing  down  names,  addresses  and 
collecting  money;  this,  of  course,  is  a function  of 
the  business  office. 

The  examining  room  should  provide  adequate 
privacy  for  the  patient.  Each  area  needs  stretchers 
and  wheelchairs.  The  equipment  provided  for  the 
emergency  area  should  be  consistent  with  the 
equipment  which  is  used  in  any  other  part  of  the 
hospital.  All  supplies  should  be  marked  and 
readily  identifiable.  The  x-ray  department  and 
the  lab  should  be  adjacent  to  or  at  least  on  the 
same  floor  as  the  emergency  area. 

PERSONNEL  REQUIREMENTS 

Dependability  and  promptness  of  personnel 
are  of  prime  importance.  Attention  should  be 
given  to  securing  or  having  available  the  correct 
and  necessary  personnel  and  assistants  when 
needed.  Too  often  the  largest  number  of  person- 
nel are  on  duty  on  the  day  shift  while  the  evening 
shift  is  usually  the  busiest. 

Standing  operative  procedures,  both  adminis- 
trative and  professional  should  be  available  in 
every  emergency  department.  An  emergency  de- 


FEBRUARY  1970 


63 


HOSPITAL  EFFICIENCY  / Milam 

partment  committee  should  determine  policy  for 
the  facility,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  medi- 
cal staff. 

In  many  institutions  the  patient  load  is  such 
that  treatment  priorities  must  be  assigned.  Other- 
wise without  triage  over-crowding  and  hasty 
treatment  may  result. 

Over-taxed  facilities  within  the  emergency  area 
must  be  guarded  against  such  as  inpatient  pro- 
cedures, pre-employment  hospital  physical  exam- 
inations, minor  surgery,  re-visits,  dressings.  The 
quality  of  the  emergency  work  suffers  under 
these  conditions.  In  many  instances  where  this 
takes  place  multiple-injury  patients  brought  in  by 
ambulance  have  been  left  on  stretchers  for  a 
time  because  no  examining  tables  were  avail- 
able. 

A definite  system  of  records  review  is  quite 
important  in  the  emergency  department.  This 
type  of  audit  should  be  considered  to  be  as  im- 
portant as  the  inpatient  care  audit  in  order  to 
help  keep  high  quality  controls. 

GOOD  COMMUNICATION 

Good  communication  is  necessary  between 
the  hospital  emergency  department  and  outside 
emergency  services — police,  fire,  ambulance  and 
civil  defense.  Unfortunately,  most  generally  this 
quick  communicative  service  is  rare.  Two-way 
radio  could  give  important  advanced  notification 
to  the  emergency  department  staff  and  should  be 
considered  whenever  possible. 

Complementary  services  such  as  intensive  care 
units  and  coronary  care  areas  are  becoming  com- 
mon within  many  hospitals.  Both  of  these  when 
properly  administered  add  much  to  quality  care. 
Patients  can  be  removed  to  these  units  as  soon 
as  practical  and  relieve  the  emergency  area  of 
this  often  long-continued  type  of  emergency  care. 

The  presence  of  an  emergency  department 
committee  made  up  of  the  chief  of  each  of  the 
major  services,  the  administration  and  the  super- 
vising nurse  of  the  emergency  service  with  the 
function  of  making  policies  assures  in  many  ways 
improved  quality  of  care  within  the  unit.  This 
committee  should  have  regular  interval  meetings 
on  certain  types  of  cases  and  problems  which  ap- 


pear from  time  to  time.  With  good  leadership 
and  free  discussion  the  committee  will  tend  to 
improve  the  care  of  the  emergency  service. 

CONCLUSION 

In  half  a generation  the  old  “accident  room,” 
largely  for  “charity”  and  injured  persons,  has  de- 
veloped into  an  emergency  department,  the 
community  medical  center  for  all  types  of  care, 
in  all  walks  of  life,  in  many  places.  The  public 
looks  to  the  hospital  as  the  community  medical 
center  and  this  means  that  both  administration 
and  medical  staff  have  new  responsibilities  in 
making  certain  that  competent  care  with  suitable 
supplies  is  furnished.  Almost  every  institution  is 
finding  that  the  area  occupied  by  its  emergency 
service  must  be  enlarged  to  cope  with  its  in- 
creasing use. 

All  of  the  above  considerations  will  make 
quality  care  easier  within  the  emergency  area 
department.  No  one  of  these  will  result  in  quality 
care,  but  when  present  collectively  within  the 
emergency  department  it  is  evident  that  the  ad- 
ministrative and  physician  staff  is  interested  and 
good  quality  care  will  most  likely  be  the  end  re- 
sult. *** 

Cleveland  Clinic  Building  (38732) 

REFERENCES 

1.  Berjen,  Richard  P.:  Legal  Aspects  of  Emergency 
Departments,  Emergency  Departments,  American 
Medical  Association,  pp.  109-113,  1966. 

2.  Kennedy,  Robert  H. : Quality  of  Care  in  Emergency 
Departments,  Emergency  Departments,  American 
Medical  Association,  pp.  1 17-120,  1966. 

3.  Bulletin  of  Joint  Commission  on  Accreditation  of 
Elospitals,  Bulletin  # 37  (December)  1964. 

4.  Kennedy,  Robert  H.:  Guidelines  for  an  Effective 
Emergency  Department,  Hospitals  37:101-116  (June 
16)  1963. 

5.  Seifert,  Vernon  D.:  and  Johnstone,  J.  Stanley:  Meet- 
ing the  Emergency  Department  Crisis,  Hospitals  40: 
55-59  (Nov.  1 ) 1966. 

6.  Shortliffe,  Ernest  C.:  Emergency  Departments,  Hos- 
pitals 36:48-50  (Nov.  1)  1962. 

7.  Johnson,  Charles  F.:  Three  Physicians  Provide  Con- 
tinuous Emergency  Coverage,  Hospitals  42:93-94 
(June  1)  1968. 

8.  Emergency  Room  Errors:  A Menace  to  Most  At- 
tendings,  Medical  Economics,  pp.  112-125  (Aug. 
18)  1969. 

9.  Hospital  Emergency  Service,  U.  S.  Department  of 
Health,  Education  and  Welfare,  1963. 

10.  Facts  and  Trends  on  Hospital  Outpatient  Services, 
U.  S.  Department  of  Health,  Education  and  Wel- 
fare, 1964. 


64 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


1 


MEETINGS 


I I 

NATIONAL  AND  REGIONAL 

American  Medical  Association,  Annual  Conven- 
tion. June  21-25,  1970,  Chicago,  Clinical  Con- 
vention, Nov.  29-Dec.  2,  1970,  Boston.  Ernest 
B.  Howard.  Executive  Vice  President.  535  N. 
Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111.  60610. 

Southern  Medical  Association,  64th  Annual 
Meeting,  Nov.  16-19,  1970,  Dallas.  Mr.  Rob- 
ert F.  Butts,  Executive  Director,  2601  High- 
land Ave.,  Birmingham,  Ala.  35205. 

STATE  AND  LOCAL 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association,  102nd  An- 
nual Session,  May  11-14,  1970,  Biloxi.  Mr. 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy,  Executive  Secretary,  735 
Riverside  Drive,  Jackson  39216. 

Amite-Wilkinson  Counties  Medical  Society,  Third 
Monday  March,  June,  September,  December. 
James  S.  Poole,  Centreville,  Secretary. 

Central  Medical  Society,  First  Tuesday,  January, 
March,  May,  September,  November,  6:30  p.m., 
Primos  Northgate  Restaurant,  Jackson.  Robert 
P.  Henderson.  Suite  B-6,  Medical  Arts  Build- 
ing. Jackson,  Secretary. 

Claiborne  County  Medical  Society,  1st  Tuesday 
each  month,  6:00  p.m.,  Claiborne  County 
Hospital,  Port  Gibson.  D.  M.  Segrest,  Port  Gib- 
son, Secretary. 

Clarksdale  and  Six  Counties  Medical  Society, 
Third  Wednesday  April  and  First  Wednesday 
November,  2:00  p.m.,  Clarksdale.  Walter  T. 
Taylor,  P.O.  Box  1237,  Clarksdale,  Secretary. 

Coast  Counties  Medical  Society,  First  Wednesday, 
January,  March.  May,  September  and  Novem- 
ber. C.  Hal  Cleveland,  P.O.  Box  1018.  Gulf- 
port. Secretary. 

Delta  Medical  Society,  Second  Wednesday  April 
and  October.  Howard  A.  Nelson,  308  Fulton 
St.,  Greenwood,  Secretary. 


DeSoto  County  Medical  Society,  Third  Thursday, 
February  and  August,  1:00  p.m.,  Kenny’s  Res- 
taurant, Hernando,  Malcolm  D.  Baxter,  Jr., 
Baxter  Clinic,  Hernando,  Secretary. 

East  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  First  Tuesday 
February,  April,  June,  August,  October,  and 
December.  Reginald  P.  White,  East  Mississip- 
pi State  Hospital.  Meridian,  Secretary. 

Adams  County  Medical  Society,  First  Tues- 
day, February,  April,  June,  August,  October, 
and  December,  Eola  Hotel  Roof,  Natchez. 
Walter  T.  Colbert,  Jefferson  Davis  Memorial 
Hospital,  Natchez,  Secretary. 

North  Central  District  Medical  Society,  Third 
Wednesday  March,  June,  September,  and  De- 
cember. James  E.  Booth.  Eupora,  Secretary. 

Northeast  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second 
Tuesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. S.  Jay  McDuffie,  Nettleton,  Secretary. 

North  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  First  Thurs- 
day, April  and  October,  Cherie  Friedman, 
1004  Jackson  Ave.,  Oxford,  Secretary. 

Pearl  River  County  Medical  Society,  Second  Mon- 
day, March,  June,  September,  and  December. 
J.  M.  Howell,  139  Kirkwood  St.,  Picayune, 
Secretary. 

Prairie  Medical  Society,  Second  Tuesday,  March, 
June,  September,  and  December.  A.  Robert 
Dill.  1001  Main  Street,  Columbus,  Secretary. 

Singing  River  Medical  Society,  Third  Monday 
January,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. Donald  E.  Dore,  Singing  River  Hospital, 
Pascagoula,  Secretary. 

South  Central  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second 
Tuesday  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. Julian  T.  Janes,  Jr.,  304  Clark,  McComb, 
Secretary. 

South  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  Thurs- 
day March,  June,  September,  and  December. 
W.  B.  White.  Medical  Arts  Bldg.,  Laurel,  Sec- 
retary. 

West  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  Tuesday 
January,  April,  July,  and  October,  7:00  p.m., 
Old  Southern  Tea  Room,  Vicksburg.  Martin 
E.  Hinman.  the  Street  Clinic,  Vicksburg,  Sec- 
retary. 


FEBRUARY  1970 


65 


Radiologic  Seminar  XCII: 
Subclavian  Steal  Syndrome 


T.  S.  McCAY,  M.D. 
Jackson,  Mississippi 


The  “subclavian  steal”  syndrome  was  first 
reported  by  Cantorini  in  the  Italian  literature  in 
1960.  In  1961  Reivich  and  his  co-workers  wrote 
about  this  condition  in  the  American  literature. 
Basically,  the  disease  is  the  result  of  stenosis 
or  occlusion  of  a subclavian  artery  proximal  to 
origin  of  the  vertebral  artery  with  reversal  of 
blood  flow  in  the  ipsilateral  vertebral  artery.  On 
the  right  side,  occlusion  of  the  innominate  ar- 
tery may  produce  the  same  condition.  Lesions  of 
the  left  subclavian  artery  are,  however,  more 
common  than  these  of  the  right  subclavian  and 
innominate  combined.  Following  development 
of  stenosis  or  occlusion  of  these  arteries,  a major 
portion  of  the  collateral  blood  supply  to  the  af- 
fected subclavian  artery  may  then  come  about 
by  a siphoning  effect  from  the  basilar  arterial 
circulation  by  way  of  the  vertebral  artery,  which 
may  lead  to  a variety  of  central  nervous  sys- 
tem ischemic  symptoms. 

It  should  be  mentioned  that  not  all  patients 
with  occlusive  disease  of  the  proximal  subclavian 
arteries  develop  “steal”  symptoms.  While  the 
principal  source  of  collateral  circulation  in  these 
patients  is  vertebrovertebral,  other  pathways  in- 
cluding external  carotid-vertebral,  external  carot- 
id-thyrocervical. external  carotid-costocervical, 
inferior  thyroid  and  internal  thoracic  may  pro- 
vide sufficient  blood  supply  around  the  occlusion 


Sponsored  by  the  Mississippi  Radiological  Society. 

From  the  Department  of  Radiology,  St.  Dominic-Jack- 
son  Memorial  Hospital. 


to  reduce  the  drain  from  intracranial  arterial 
blood  supply.  Furthermore,  the  extent  of  cen- 
tral nervous  system  symptoms  will  obviously 
depend  upon  the  anatomical  arrangement  of 
the  intracranial  circulation,  and  presence  or  ab- 
sence of  intracranial  atherosclerotic  disease. 

Symptomatology  in  patients  with  stenosis  or 
occlusion  of  the  proximal  subclavian  artery  may 
then  be  related  to  the  central  nervous  system,  or 
may  be  that  of  peripheral  arterial  insufficiency 
in  the  involved  extremity,  or  may  be  a combina- 
tion of  both.  In  a report  of  fourteen  cases  by 
Bryant  and  Spencer  in  1966,  seven  cases  had 
ischemic  symptoms  of  the  upper  extremity  only, 
three  had  vertebral-basilar  insufficiency  only,  and 
four  had  combined  symptoms.  Heidrich  and 
Bayer  state:  (1)  45  per  cent  have  cerebral  symp- 
toms only;  (2)  40  per  cent  have  cerebral  and 
arm  symptoms;  (3)  10  per  cent  have  arm  symp- 
toms only;  (4)  6 per  cent  have  no  symptoms. 

Central  nervous  system  symptoms  in  order  of 
decreasing  frequency  are:  (1)  dizziness;  (2) 

headache;  (3)  visual  deficits;  (4)  syncope;  (5) 
paresis  of  one  or  more  extremities;  (6)  ataxia; 
(7)  aphasia;  (8)  facial  paralysis;  (9)  insomnia. 
Symptoms  resulting  from  peripheral  ischemia  are, 
in  order  of  decreasing  frequency:  (1)  paresthes- 
ias; (2)  weakness;  (3)  coldness;  (4)  fatigue  dur- 
ing activity;  (5)  rest  pain;  (6)  paleness  or 
cyanosis;  (7)  pain  during  activity.  The  most 
commonly  encountered  physical  finding  is  a 
significantly  lowered  blood  pressure  in  the  in- 


66 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Figure  1.  Film  obtained  IV2  seconds  after  begin- 
ning of  injection  of  contrast  media.  Note  occluded 
stump  of  left  subclavian  artery  ( open  arrow),  nor- 
mally opacified  right  vertebral  artery  ( closed  arrow), 
and  lack  of  opacification  of  left  vertebral  artery. 

volved  extremity  when  the  disease  is  unilateral. 
Symptoms  are  frequently  progressive  over  a pe- 
riod of  months  to  years. 

Arteriography  is  the  radiographic  procedure  em- 
ployed to  demonstrate  the  stenosed  or  occluded 
vessels,  and  serial  films  obtained  following  intra- 
arterial injection  of  contrast  media  will  show 
retrograde  opacification  of  the  involved  vertebral 
artery  when  a “steal”  is  present.  Generally,  a 
retrograde  aortic  arch  study  is  the  most  suitable 
approach  for  evaluation  of  these  cases. 

The  presented  films  are  from  an  aortic  arch 
study  done  on  a patient  with  subclavian  steal 
symptoms.  Following  pressure  injection  of  con- 
trast media  into  the  aortic  arch  serial  films  were 
obtained  at  the  rate  of  two  per  second.  The 
initial  films  demonstrated  occlusion  of  the  left 
proximal  subclavian  artery,  a normal  left  carotid 
artery,  and  normal  right  brachiocephalic  arteries. 
Subsequent  films  showed  retrograde  opacification 
of  the  left  vertebral  artery  with  delayed  filling  of 
the  left  distal  subclavian  artery. 

In  conclusion,  it  should  be  stated  that  since 


Figure  2.  Film  obtained  4 seconds  after  start  of 
injection  of  contrast  media.  Note  delayed  retrograde 
filling  of  left  vertebral  artery  (closed  arrow)  and  de- 
layed filling  of  left  distal  subclavian  artery  ( open 
arrow). 

most  patients  with  the  subclavian  steal  syndrome 
are  potentially  curable  by  appropriate  recon- 
structive vascular  surgery,  correct  and  early  diag- 
nosis is  extremely  important. 

969  Lakeland  Drive  (39216) 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

1.  Reivich.  M.,  Holling,  H.  E.,  Roberts,  B.,  and  Toole, 
J.  F.:  Reversal  of  Blood  Flow  Through  Vertebral 
Artery  and  Its  Effect  on  Cerebral  Circulation,  New 
England  J.  Med.  265:878-885,  1961. 

2.  Bryant,  Lester  R.,  and  Spencer,  Frank  C.:  Occlusive 
Disease  of  Subclavian  Artery,  J.A.M.A.  196:123-128. 

1966. 

3.  Steinberg,  Israel,  and  Halpern,  Mordecai:  Roentgen 
Manifestations  of  the  Subclavian  Steal  Syndrome,  Am. 
J.  Roentgenol.  & Rad.  Therapy  90:528-531,  1963. 

4.  Fischer,  Martin  J.,  and  Mattey,  William  E.:  The  Sub- 
clavian Steal  Syndrome,  Am.  J.  Roentgenol.  & Rad. 
Therapy  90:532-534,  1963. 

5.  Ashby,  Robert  N.;  Karras,  B.  G.,  and  Cannon,  A.  H.: 
Clinical  and  Roentgenographic  Aspects  of  the  Sub- 
clavian Steal  Syndrome,  Am.  J.  Roentgenol.  & Rad. 
Therapy  90:535-545,  1963. 

6.  Heidrich,  H.,  and  Bayer,  O.:  Symptomatology  of  the 
Subclavian  Steal  Syndrome.  Angiology  20:406-413, 
1969. 


FEBRUARY  1970 


67 


The  President  Speaking 


‘Best  Part  of  the  Job’ 


JAMES  L.  ROYALS,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


One  of  the  pleasures  that  the  president  of  the  state  medical  as- 
sociation enjoys  during  his  term  of  office  is  visiting  the  com- 
ponent societies  within  the  state.  This  has  been  a particularly  re- 
warding experience.  It  presents  the  opportunity  to  renew  old 
friendships,  and  visiting  and  talking  with  physicians  in  their  own 
communities  brings  a deeper  understanding  of  their  problems. 
Many  of  our  physicians,  especially  those  in  the  smaller  rural  com- 
munities, face  a tremendous  demand  for  their  services.  It  is  in 
these  areas  that  the  shortage  of  physicians  is  most  acute. 

It  seems  only  a short  time  ago  that  the  four-year  medical  school 
at  the  University  of  Mississippi  graduated  its  first  class.  Yet  it 
has  been  highly  effective  in  supplying  well-trained  physicians  to 
our  state.  This  is  apparent  everywhere  one  goes,  and  it  is  with 
pride  that  I observe  these  hundreds  of  young  physicians  meeting 
with  excellence  their  responsibilities  to  society  and  rapidly  becom- 
ing the  leaders  of  medicine  in  Mississippi. 

Mississippi  has  many  problems,  most  of  which  cannot  be  solved 
immediately;  but,  with  continued  effort  on  the  part  of  multiple 
hundreds  of  dedicated  people,  these  problems  will  be  met,  and 
excellent  medical  care  will  be  brought  to  all  of  our  people.  *** 


68 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


JOURNAL  OF  THE 
MISSISSIPPI  STATE 
MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

VOLUME  XI.  NUMBER  2 
February  1970 


Medicredit:  Delivery 
System  in  AMA's  Image 


I 

With  all  its  wealth,  the  United  States  “has 
financial  limits  as  to  what  it  can  undertake.” 
These  are  the  words  of  the  American  Medical 
Association  spoken  to  the  Congress  in  propound- 
ing its  health  care  plan  for  the  nation,  suggest- 
ing that  we  will  do  well  to  maintain  a realistic 
perspective  about  the  bottomless  pit  of  spending 
tax  funds. 

AMA  has  laid  Medicredit  on  the  table,  call- 
ing it  “universal  in  scope,  voluntary  in  nature, 
and  realistic  in  terms  of  total  program  costs.” 
The  concept  is  tax-related,  bearing  some  resem- 
blance to  the  idea  of  a negative  income  tax. 

Medicredit  would  abolish  Medicaid,  but  Medi- 
care for  those  over  65  would  remain  and,  indeed, 
be  crocheted  into  the  new  plan.  The  indigent 
would  have  the  same  coverage  as  the  well- 
heeled  who  participated.  In  a nutshell,  Medi- 
credit would  give  the  option  of  recovering  part 
or  all  of  the  cost  of  comprehensive  voluntary 
health  insurance.  The  amount  recoverable  would 
relate  to  total  tax  liability. 

Under  the  plan,  you  couldn't  tell  a pauper  from 
a millionaire  unless  you  saw  the  tax  returns,  and 


in  theory,  each  would  receive  the  same  high  qual- 
ity of  services,  according  to  AMA  spokesmen. 
Like  Shakespeare's  quality  of  mercy.  Medicredit 
is  not  strained. 

II 

The  AMA  income  tax  credit  plan  deals  with 
tax  liability,  the  amount  owed  in  taxes,  not  in  de- 
ductions, such  as  may  now  be  claimed  for  health 
care  expenditures.  So  allowable  amounts  for  ap- 
plication to  the  purchase  of  health  insurance  or 
prepayment  coverage  comes  off  the  tax-due  total 
on  a dollar-for-dollar  basis. 

The  basic  concept  recognizes  that  the  popula- 
tion of  the  United  States  may  be  divided  into 
three  well-defined  categories  with  respect  to 
health  insurance  purchasing  power: 

— Those  with  essentially  no  capacity  to  pay, 

— Those  with  a capacity  to  pay  a portion  of 
the  cost,  and 

— Those  with  a reasonably  full  capacity  to  pay. 

For  the  first  group  which  would  include  bene- 
ficiaries presently  under  Medicaid,  the  plan 
would  provide  the  comprehensive  coverage  with- 
out expense  or  contribution  on  their  part.  For 
individuals  or  families  with  a total  tax  liability  of 


FEBRUARY  1970 


69 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 


IV 


$300  or  less  for  any  year,  the  program  would  be 
theirs  for  the  asking. 

A taxpayer  with  a liability  of  $500,  an  inter- 
mediate range,  would  receive  70  per  cent  of  the 
cost  of  his  coverage,  and  so  on  up  a graduated 
scale  of  diminishing  government  support  to  the 
individual  with  more  than  $1,300  owed  to  Uncle 
Sam.  He  would  get  the  minimum  credit  of  10  per 
cent. 

The  IRS  would  fulfill  a more  humane  role 
than  that  in  which  it  is  ordinarily  cast  by  issuing 
certificates  which  would  be  honored  against 
health  insurance  or  prepayment  coverage  costs, 
in  cases  where  the  taxpayer  asks  for  one.  The 
more  affluent  would  simply  furnish  evidence  of 
the  insurance  purchase  and  take  the  difference 
off  the  check  submitted  with  the  return. 

Ill 

To  assure  uniformity  in  comprehensive  cover- 
age, each  carrier  would  be  registered  with  an  ap- 
propriate agency  of  the  state.  The  contents  of  the 
insurance  package,  the  range  of  benefits,  would 
have  to  pass  muster  before  the  state  agency  and 
would  include  three  parts: 

— Part  I would  furnish  a minimum  of  60  days 
of  inpatient  hospital  services,  paid  in  full  after 
an  initial  deductible  of  $50.  Emergency  room 
and  outpatient  services  would  be  paid  at  a rate 
of  80  per  cent  through  the  first  $500. 

— Part  II  would  furnish  medical  services 
wherever  and  whenever  needed,  payable  at  80 
per  cent  through  the  first  $500. 

— Part  III,  a supplemental  and  optional  por- 
tion, would  provide  prescription  drugs  with  a 
$50  annual  deductible,  additional  days  of  hospital 
care  with  a 20  per  cent  co-pay  clause,  cost  of  blood 
in  excess  of  three  pints,  and  other  personal 
health  services  on  written  orders  of  a physician, 
also  under  a 20  per  cent  patient  co-pay  require- 
ment. 

Under  the  proposed  plan,  a carrier  is  defined 
as  a voluntary  association,  corporation,  partner- 
ship, or  other  nongovernmental  organization 
which  offers  a health  benefits  insurance  plan.  The 
entire  program  would  be  supervised  by  an  11- 
member  Health  Insurance  Advisory  Board  made 
up  of  the  Secretary  of  HEW,  the  Commissioner  of 
IRS,  and  nine  public  members.  This  body  would 
set  standards  for  quality,  establish  guides  for 
state  insurance  departments  in  registering  carriers, 
and  work  out  utilization  review  minimums. 


Among  the  widely  varying  ideas  advanced  by 
equally  varying  colors  of  philosophy,  all  who 
would  remake  the  care  delivery  system  in  their 
own  image  seem  to  agree  on  the  utter  necessity 
for  the  insurance  mechanism.  Without  the  in- 
surance companies,  the  Blue  plans,  and  state 
medical  associations,  almost  no  public  care  pro- 
gram could  or  would  be  successful.  AMA  says 
that  Medicare  would  “have  been  an  administra- 
tive shambles”  without  the  carriers  and  Blues. 

This  clearly  implies,  as  the  AMA  asserts,  that 
there  must  be  a strengthening  and  further  in- 
volvement of  the  private  sector  in  all  care  pro- 
grams. Medicredit  as  introduced  by  AMA  is  a 
basic  concept  which  envisions  further  refine- 
ments, extensions,  improvement,  and  innova- 
tions, but  not  on  a crash  basis. 

The  socioeconomic  side  of  health  care  has 
been  nearly  ripped  to  shreds  by  radical  replace- 
ment, rapid  innovation,  and  sudden  shift  of  fi- 
nancial responsibility  during  the  past  two  decades. 
AMA  says  that  Medicredit  would  halt  this  sense- 
less rush  to  confusion  by  providing  a basis  for 
orderly,  logical  development.  “The  shortcomings 
of  our  system,  whatever  they  may  be,”  AMA 


"Eight  million  and  one  . . . eight  million  and  two 
. . . eight  million  and  . . 


70 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


declares,  “stem  from  the  rapid  relatively  uncon- 
trolled growth  of  medical  technology,  the  stag- 
gering increase  in  demand,  and  the  American 
compulsion  to  experiment,  innovate,  and  im- 
provise in  an  atmosphere  of  freedom  of  enter- 
prise and  competition  in  the  marketplace.” 

Not  everybody  will  agree  that  Medicredit  is 
the  answer  or  even  the  appropriate  direction. 
But  most  understand  that  one  way  or  another, 
the  decade  of  the  70’s  may  well  witness  a national 
health  program.  To  this  extent,  it  is  pertinent 
that  medical  organization  is  in  the  forefront  with 
a credible  proposal,  however  presently  imper- 
fect. 

Within  the  decade,  every  level  of  medical 
organization  will  address  itself  to  the  crucial 
issue  of  the  shape  and  form  of  the  delivery  sys- 
tem as  they  must.  Or  it  will  be  remade  in  some- 
body else’s  image. — R.B.K. 

Additives:  HEW, 
FDA,  MSG,  LD50 

Total  immunity  from  the  hazards  of  our  en- 
vironment would  be  most  desirable,  but  it  is  an 
unattainable  ideal.  This  to  say  that  there  simply 
cannot  be  fatality-free  transportation,  accident- 
free  homes,  or  absolutely  harmless  effects  of 
what  we  eat  and  drink.  But  fervent  pursuit  of 
this  goal  is  implicit  in  the  recent  findings  and 
edicts  of  the  FDA  and  HEW. 

Within  the  past  few  months,  we  have  had  the 
flaps  over  cyclamates,  monosodium  glutamate, 
and  most  recently,  paprika  in  meat.  Now,  this  is 
the  job  of  FDA,  and  time  was  at  the  turn  of  the 
century  when  our  foods  and  potables  were  some- 
thing less  than  99.44  per  cent  pure. 

But  questions  are  being  raised  by  reputable 
scientists  as  to  methodology  employed  in  reach- 
ing some  of  the  conclusions  as  to  the  dangers  of 
food  additives.  So  great  has  the  gap  become  that 
FDA  has  been  shaken  up  from  top  to  bottom, 
and  it  is  no  secret  that  the  recently  removed 
commissioner.  Dr.  Herbert  Ley,  disagreed  with 
his  superiors  in  HEW  over  the  monosodium 
glutamate  issue. 

A few  have  even  gone  so  far  as  to  say  that 
experimental  doses  of  additives  in  laboratory 
animals,  say  in  the  case  of  the  cyclamates  which 
were  the  equivalent  of  an  adult’s  drinking  700 
cyclamate-sweetened  soft  drinks  in  one  day,  real- 
ly doesn’t  prove  the  point. 

In  the  instance  of  MSG,  the  acute  oral  LD-o 


in  rats  was  13.3  to  19.9  g/Kg,  admittedly  a good 
bit  more  than  we  use  in  the  clam  chowder. 
Other  toxicity  tests  in  lab  animals  for  MSG  con- 
sisted of  injections. 

Any  scientist  can  assert  that  we  know  little 
enough  about  how  our  food,  drink,  drugs,  and 
water  affect  us.  Yet,  the  whole  of  mankind  is 
doing  pretty  well  in  expanded  numbers  and 
longevity.  The  search  for  truth  in  this  critical 
area  must  be  no  less  objective  and  rational  than 
the  search  for  truth  elsewhere.  Above  all,  there 
must  be  no  political  capital  made  from  a tenuous 
or  even  improbable  conclusion. 

It  seems  only  logical  to  foster  diversified  re- 
search and  scientific  colloquy  on  the  additives, 
because  if  these  work  for  nuclear  physics,  the 
same  techniques  will  also  work  for  flavor  en- 
hancers in  our  hamburgers.  And  it  is  an  unneces- 
sary postscript  to  observe  that  legally  sold  and 
taxed  tobacco  is  a little  more  toxic  than  a few 
grams  of  artificial  sweetener.  Don’t  we  really 
need  to  realign  these  perspectives? — R.B.K. 

Data  Show 
Appendectomy  Is  Safe 

Nobody  argues  that  appendicitis  isn’t  a serious 
surgical  condition,  but  removal  of  the  offending, 
diseased  tissue  has  become  a pretty  safe  procedure. 
Actuaries  of  the  Metropolitan  Life  Insurance 
Co.  have  reported  detailed  studies  of  appendi- 
citis made  for  the  decade  1956-66  and  a special 
study  for  1967.  Results  are  impressive. 

The  mortality  rate  for  appendicitis  in  1967  was 
0.8  per  100,000  which  is  figuratively  about  as 
safe  as  taking  aspirin.  In  that  year,  there  were 
1,500  deaths  resulting  from  the  condition,  but  a 
majority  of  the  fatalities  occurred  after  the  onset 
of  peritonitis  or  perforation.  In  fact,  the  greater 
the  age,  the  higher  the  mortality,  bringing  into 
the  picture  what  every  physician  knows:  The 
greater  frequency  of  complications  resulting  from 
chronic  cardiovascular,  respiratory,  and  diges- 
tive system  disorders. 

Female  patients  undergoing  appendectomy  en- 
joy a lower  mortality  rate  and  shorter  hospital 
stays  than  male  patients,  but  women  have  a 
higher  incidence  of  surgery.  The  rate  is  1.9  per 
1,000  females  against  1.5  per  1,000  males.  On  a 
basis  of  deaths  per  100,000  cases,  the  female 
mortality  rate  was  0.6,  while  the  rate  for  males 
hit  1.0,  still  a most  favorable  figure. 


7 1 


FEBRUARY  1970 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

A study  of  hospitals  in  Virginia  during  1 956- 
60  showed  that  19  deaths  from  appendicitis  oc- 
curred, and  all  but  one  were  in  the  group  where 
perforation  had  occurred  prior  to  admission. 

Nine  out  of  10  patients  admitted  for  appendi- 
citis undergo  surgery,  the  study  says,  and  the 
mean  hospital  stay  was  6.5  days.  This  breaks  out 
to  means  of  7.2  days  for  males  and  5.8  days  for 
females.  Incidence  of  the  condition  is  almost 
twice  as  high  among  the  age  group  17-24  and 
lowest  in  the  45-64  bracket.  Incidence  drops 
down  to  an  almost  insignificant  0.4  per  100,000 
for  women  over  age  45.  Average  duration  of 
illness,  combining  time  in  the  hospital  and  con- 
valescence, was  34.0  days  for  males  and  37.9 
days  for  females.  The  youngsters  under  age  24 
were  ill  for  only  a little  over  three  weeks. 

The  progressively  better  experience  reflected 
in  the  study  underscores  concomitant  advances 
in  surgical  technique  and  anesthesia,  the  growing 
effectiveness  of  antibiotics,  and  better  hospital 
care. — R.B.K. 

The  Agony  and  the 
Ecstasy  of  Taxes 

The  Tax  Reform  and  Relief  Act  of  1969  af- 
fects physicians,  their  practice  organization,  and 
medical  societies  in  many  ways.  In  a touch  and 
go  situation,  President  Nixon  figuratively  held 
his  nose  and  signed  the  act  into  law,  realizing  as 
any  astute  politician  would  that  he  didn’t  have  the 
votes  in  Congress  to  sustain  his  veto. 

The  AMA-supported  Fannin  Amendment 
knocked  out  the  provision  that  no  individual 
could  realize  more  benefit  under  a professional 
corporation  than  he  could  under  Keogh  which, 
in  reality,  extends  the  tenuous  life  of  professional 
corporations  for  a year.  But  professional  corpo- 
rations organized  under  Subchapter  S of  the 
Internal  Revenue  Code  (which  are  taxed  in  a 
manner  similar  to  partnerships)  are  bound  to 
limits  of  Keogh  or  $2,500  per  year  per  partici- 
pant. This  limitation  applies  to  tax  years  begin- 
ning in  1970. 

Retirement  benefits  under  Social  Security  are 
increased  15  per  cent  without  change  in  the  tax 
rate.  The  latter  is  rhetorical,  however,  since  the 
existing  escalation  timetable  was  built  into  the 
law  in  1965.  In  brief,  taxation  was  already 
there  for  the  so-called  increase. 


If  you  own  an  oil  well,  there’s  bad  news,  what 
with  the  mineral  depletion  allowance  reduced  to 
22  per  cent  from  the  historic  27.5  per  cent 
level.  Availability  of  the  25  per  cent  capital 
gains  advantage  has  been  drastically  reduced, 
but  you'll  still  have  to  hang  onto  eligible  assets 
for  six  months  before  selling  to  avoid  taxation 
as  regular  income. 

By  1973,  personal  exemptions  will  get  a $750 
credit  over  the  present  $600,  and  for  the  Texas 
rich,  you  can  now  give  charity  up  to  50  per 
cent  of  adjusted  gross  income.  The  surcharge  is 
slashed  by  half  to  5 per  cent  and  will  be  wiped 
out  altogether  with  fiscal  1971. 

Mandatory  reporting  of  payments  to  physi- 
cians of  $600  or  more  annually  by  health  insur- 
ance carriers  and  Blue  Shield  was  deleted,  but 
IRS  has  issued  regulations  requiring  such  re- 
porting. Generally,  insurance  companies  and  the 
Blue  plans  have  ignored  this  requirement  which 
has  actually  been  a regulation  under  the  Internal 
Revenue  Code  since  1954. 

Unrelated  income  of  tax-exempt  organizations 
will  be  taxed,  meaning  that  AMA  and  all  state 
medical  associations  will  pay  federal  taxes  on 
medical  journal  advertising.  This  will  clobber 


"I’m  putting  you  on  this  vegetable  diet  because 
‘ man  cannot  live  by  bread  alone.’  ” 


72 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


AMA  which  already  has  $4  million  in  “back 
taxes”  pending. 

The  tax  bill  is  a sort  of  garbled  step  toward 
equity,  but  by  no  means  does  it  achieve  it.  The 
net  result  is  a tax  revenue  loss.  In  the  meanwhile, 
every  individual  and  corporate  tax  situation  must 
be  carefully  re-examined,  because  if  the  big 
print  gives  it  to  you.  there  may  be  some  fine 
print  to  take  it  away. — R.B.K. 

Work  and  Play  OTV 
Can  Be  Dangerous 

We  Southerners  sometimes  get  the  feeling  that 
everything  which  can  happen  to  us  eventually 
does,  but  there  is  one  growing  problem — medical, 
legal,  and  economic — which  we  will  not  likely 
face:  The  menace  of  the  snowmobile,  most  pop- 
ular of  the  new  generation  of  overland  terrain 
vehicles. 

The  OTV  is  just  about  the  newest  transporta- 
tion form  on  the  American  scene.  It  is  part  of 
the  family  of  dune  buggies,  swamp  buggies,  and 
the  all-purpose  OTV  we  are  beginning  to  see  in 
the  South,  the  pint-sized  rowboat  with  six  over- 
size, low-pressure  tires.  The  snowmobile  is  a 
small,  heavy  affair,  usually  seating  two  persons 
in  tandem,  with  skis  forward  and  a chain  track 
at  the  rear  for  driving  power.  It  is  about  as 
close  to  a motorcycle  as  you  can  get  with  snow. 

The  snowmobile  has  become  extremely  popu- 
lar for  work  and  play  in  a short  time.  There 
are  100.000  of  the  powerful,  fast  bugs  in  Michi- 
gan. and  estimates  are  that  some  600,000  have 
been  purchased  in  the  northeast  and  Canadian 
border  states.  About  25  companies  make  them, 
and  they  say  that  the  boom  is  just  beginning. 
Sales  to  date  have  been  made  mainly  in  small 
towns  and  rural  areas. 

The  American  Mutual  Insurance  Alliance  re- 
ports that  the  go-anywhere-in-snow  capability  of 
the  noisy  bugs  harasses  farmers  besides  break- 
ing down  fences.  Snowmobile  looters  have  ran- 
sacked closed  resort  cabins,  and  northern  rail- 
roads complain  of  the  fast  vehicles  using  space 
between  rails  with  expected  resulting  fatal  col- 
lisions with  trains. 

U.  S.  Customs  officials  say  that  snowmobiling 
Canadians  ignore  official  entry  points  as  they 
zip  across  the  border  to  bars  and  restaurants  on 
the  American  side.  Conservationists  are  con- 
cerned about  snowmobile  pursuit  of  game  which 
is  dooming  the  preserves. 

But  toll  of  human  life  is  the  big  problem.  The 


most  frequent  fatal  accident  is  crashing  through 
thin  ice  with  drowning.  Second  most  fatal  mis- 
hap is  striking  fixed  objects.  Alcohol-charged 
snowmobilers  are  as  much  of  a menace  off  the 
road  as  the  drunk  driver  is  on  the  highways, 
taking  into  consideration  the  variation  in  traffic 
density  for  the  two  types  of  transportation. 

Insurance  claims  from  snowmobile  accidents 
are  resulting  in  higher  premiums  for  nearly  all 
casualty  coverage  where  the  bugs  abound.  There 
is  a challenge  for  safety  and  common  sense  in 
the  picture,  because  the  vehicle  has  great  poten- 
tial for  work  and  recreation.  But  take  comfort: 
You  will  not  be  rammed  by  a reckless  snow- 
mobile driver  as  you  go  home  tonight  in  the 
sunny  South. — R.B.K. 


Februcuy  11,  1970 

SEMINAR  ON  LOW  BACK  PAIN 

University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 
February  11,  1970.  beginning  at  8:30  a.m. 

Sponsored  by  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine  Postgraduate  Education 
Committee,  the  Department  of  Medicine  and 
the  Department  of  Surgery,  Division  of  Or- 
thopedics, with  the  support  of  the  Voca- 
tional Rehabilitation  Services  Administra- 
tion. U.  S.  Department  of  Health,  Educa- 
tion and  Welfare 

Participants: 

Stewart  Agras,  M.D.,  professor  of  psychiatry  and 
chairman  of  the  department,  The  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 
Hanes  H.  Brindley,  M.D.,  Temple,  Texas 
Robert  Currier,  M.D..  professor  of  medicine,  The 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 
James  D.  Hardy,  M.D.,  professor  of  surgery  and 
chairman  of  the  department,  The  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 
Bernard  S.  Patrick,  M.D.,  associate  professor  of 
neurosurgery.  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine 

Joseph  N.  Schaeffer.  M.D.,  professor  of  physical 
medicine  and  rehabilitation  and  chairman  of 
the  department,  Wayne  State  University  School 
of  Medicine,  and  director.  Rehabilitation  Insti- 
tute, Detroit,  Michigan 


73 


FEBRUARY  1970 


POSTGRADUATE  / Continued 

Henry  A.  Thiede,  M.D.,  professor  of  obstetrics 
and  gynecology  and  chairman  of  the  depart- 
ment, The  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine 

W.  Lamar  Weems,  M.D.,  associate  professor  of 
surgery  and  chief,  division  of  urology,  The 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 

Wednesday  Morning 

Anatomy  of  the  Low  Back 
Dr.  Brindley 

As  the  Gynecologist  Sees  It 
Dr.  Thiede 

The  View  of  the  Urologist 
Dr.  Weems 

The  General  Surgeon’s  Concern 
Dr.  Hardy 

The  Neurosurgeon’s  Approach 
Dr.  Patrick 

Wednesday  Afternoon 

Physical  Examination  and  Orthopedic 
Management 
Dr.  Currier 

From  the  Psychiatric  Standpoint 
Dr.  Agras 

Conservative  Management  of  Low  Back 
Pain 

Dr.  Schaeffer 
General  Discussion 
March  2-6,  1970 

NEPHROLOGY  INTENSIVE  COURSE 

University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 

March  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  1970,  beginning  at  8 a.m. 

Sponsored  by  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  with  the  support  of  the 
Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Program 

Participant: 

John  D.  Bower,  M.D.,  assistant  professor  of  medi- 
cine, The  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine,  and  director,  artificial  kidney  unit, 
The  University  of  Mississippi  Medical  Center 

This  one-week  intensive  course,  the  sixth 
in  the  1969-70  series,  is  a clinically-oriented 
course  emphasizing  the  reversible  and  treat- 
able forms  of  kidney  disease.  The  manage- 


ment of  acute  kidney  failure  will  be  presented 
in  depth.  The  management  of  pyelonephritis, 
fluid  and  electrolyte  problems,  and  acid  base 
balance  will  also  be  covered  and  the  partici- 
pants will  become  familiar  with  hemodialysis 
in  clinical  radiology.  Registration  is  limited  to 
five  state  physicians  from  the  class  of  20  en- 
rolled in  the  Mississippi  Postgraduate  Institute 
in  the  Medical  Sciences. 

CIRCUIT  COURSES 
Southern  Circuit 

Hattiesburg — February  5 — Session  2 
Forrest  General  Hospital,  6:30  p.m. 
Laurel — March  12— -Session  3 

Laurel  Country  Club,  6:30  p.m. 
Gulfport — February  4 — Session  2 

Gulfport  Memorial  Hospital,  6:30  p.m. 
Biloxi — March  4 — Session  3 

Bay-Waveland  Yacht  Club,  6:30  p.m. 
Session  2 — Diagnosis  and  Management  of 
Malignant  Skin  Lesions 
Dermatologic  Approach,  Dr.  James  G. 
Thompson 

Surgical  Approach,  Dr.  James  H.  Hendrix 
Session  3 — Current  Approach  to  Tetanus 
Prophylaxis  and  Treatment,  Dr.  Ray- 
mond Martin 

Diagnosis  and  Management  of  Hyper- 
thyroidism, Dr.  J.  Manning  Hudson 

Eastern  Circuit 

Columbus — February  24 — Session  2 

Lowndes  General  Hospital,  6:30  p.m. 
Session  2 — Respiratory  Failure:  Current 

Methods  of  Management,  Dr.  Boyd 
Shaw 

Surgical  Management  of  Emphysema,  Dr. 
William  Fain 

Meridian — March  3 — Session  1 

Northwood  Country  Club,  6:30  p.m. 
Session  1 — Carcinoma  of  the  Cervix 

Radiologic  Approach,  Dr.  Bernard  Hick- 
man 

Surgical  Approach,  Dr.  Richard  Boronow 

Southwestern  Circuit 

Natchez — February  17 — Session  2 

Jefferson  Davis  Memorial  Hospital, 

6:30  p.m. 

Session  2 — Hyperthyroidism 

Medical  Management,  Dr.  Herbert  Lang- 
ford 

Surgical  Management,  Dr.  Harvey  Johns- 
ton 


74 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


FUTURE  CALENDAR 
February  4,  1970 

Circuit  Course,  Biloxi 
February  5 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 
February  9-13 

Radiology  Intensive  Course 
February  11 

Seminar  on  Back  Pain 
February  17 

Circuit  Course,  Natchez 
February  24 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 
March  2-6 

Renal  Disease  Intensive  Course 
March  4 

Circuit  Course,  Biloxi 
March  6 

Renal  Disease  Seminar 
March  12 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 
March  16-20 

Cardiology  Intensive  Course 

Stroke  Intensive  Course 

April  1-3 

Cardiovascular  Seminar 
April  7 

Circuit  Course,  McComb 
April  16 

Mississippi  Thoracic  Society 
April  21 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 
May  11-14 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


Spencer  Barnes  of  Columbus  has  been  elected 
vice  president  of  the  Columbus-Lowndes  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  and  Industrial  Foundation. 

Jim  Barnett  and  J.  P.  Crawford  and  their 
wives  of  Brookhaven  recently  returned  from  the 
MSMA-sponsored  tour  to  the  Island  of  Majorca 
off  Spain. 

James  E.  Booth  of  Eupora  has  been  elected 
president  of  the  Clarke  Memorial  College  Alumni 
Association.  Dr.  Booth  is  also  a trustee  of  this 
Baptist  institution. 

D.  L.  Clippinger  of  Hazlehurst  has  been  ele- 
vated to  the  presidency  of  the  Hazlehurst  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce.  The  ceremony  took  place  at 
the  organization’s  Christmas  banquet. 

J.  P.  Culpepper,  Jr.,  of  Hattiesburg  has  been 
named  chairman  of  the  committee  on  education 
of  the  Forrest  County  Arthritis  Chapter. 

Melvin  Ehrich  of  Clarksdale  and  Durward 
Blakey  of  Jackson  were  participants  in  “Stop 
Measles  Sunday”  in  Coahoma  County.  The  two 
physicians  immunized  2,948  children  against 
red  measles. 

Ben  P.  Folk,  Blanche  Lockard  and  Robert 
Ireland,  all  of  Jackson,  were  on  the  program  of 
the  Tenth  Annual  Institute  of  Pastoral  Care  of 
the  111  at  the  Mississippi  Baptist  Hospital  in 
Jackson  in  mid-January. 

Harry  C.  Frye,  Jr.;  Warren  A.  Hiatt;  and 
Henry  L.  Lewis,  III  of  Magnolia  announce  the 
removal  of  their  offices  from  Beacham  Hospital 
to  the  Magnolia  Clinic  on  Magnolia  Street. 

Wendell  N.  Gilbert,  a native  of  Wayne  Coun- 
ty, opened  offices  for  the  general  practice  of 
medicine  in  Taylorsville  in  January.  Dr.  Gilbert 
recently  graduated  from  the  University  of  Mis- 
sissippi School  of  Medicine  at  Jackson  and  in- 
terned at  St.  Elizabeth  Medical  Center  in  Dayton, 
Ohio. 

George  Green  was  recently  honored  by  the 
Benoit  and  Scott  communities  for  his  services 
to  them  over  the  past  22  years.  The  Benoit 
Lions  Club  served  as  host  of  the  ceremonies 
during  which  the  honoree  and  his  wife  were 


FEBRUARY  1970 


75 


PERSONALS  / Continued 

presented  a matched  set  of  luggage  and  a check 
for  a vacation  trip. 

Jerry  Kaplan  has  been  appointed  to  the  staff 
of  the  Marshall  County  Hospital  in  Holly  Springs. 
The  surgeon  holds  membership  on  the  medical 
staffs  of  Baptist,  Methodist,  and  St.  Joseph  Hos- 
pitals in  Memphis. 

Andy  E.  Kirk  of  Starkville  is  locating  his  of- 
fices temporarily  at  Felix  Long  Hospital.  Dr. 
Kirk  was  formerly  in  practice  with  LeRoy 
Howell. 

Stanley  C.  Russell  of  Jackson  was  recently 
appointed  Acting  Chief,  Psychiatry  Service,  at 
the  Jackson  VA  Center. 

Richard  C.  Schmidt  of  Biloxi  has  associated 
with  the  Schmidt  Clinic  at  137  Lameuse  Street 
for  the  practice  of  pediatrics.  Dr.  Schmidt,  a 
graduate  of  Tulane  Medical  School,  is  the  son  of 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Harry  J.  Schmidt,  Sr. 

Frank  K.  Tatum  of  Tupelo  has  announced  his 
retirement  from  the  practice  of  medicine  on  the 
advice  of  his  physician.  Dr.  Tatum  has  been  serv- 
ing as  Director  of  the  Lee-Itawamba  County 
Health  Departments  and  has  long  been  active  in 
his  state  association.  Most  recently  he  was  elected 
Secretary  of  the  Preventive  Medicine  Section  of 
MSMA  at  the  101st  annual  session  in  May  of 
1969.  He  has  also  announced  his  resignation 
from  this  position. 

Elbert  A.  White,  III,  of  Corinth  has  not  moved 
to  Booneville  but  has  established  hospital  priv- 
ileges there  at  the  Northeast  Mississippi  Hospital. 

William  L.  Wood,  Jr.,  of  Tupelo  demonstrated 
the  techniques  of  external  heart  and  mouth  to 
mouth  resuscitation  at  a recent  District  14  Heart 
Association  meeting  in  Corinth. 


Green,  James  Clifton,  Tupelo.  M.D.,  Tu- 
lane University  School  of  Medicine,  New 
Orleans,  La.,  1934;  postgraduate  study,  New  Post- 
Graduate  Hospital,  1938;  died  Dec.  3,  1969, 
age  59. 

McDougal,  Luther  Love,  Jr.,  Tupelo. 
M.D.,  Vanderbilt  University  School  of  Med- 
cine,  Nashville,  Tenn.,  1933;  interned  Vanderbilt 
Hospital,  Nashville,  one  year;  postgraduate  work, 


Williard  Parker,  1934;  Babies  Hospital,  1934; 
R.  I.  Hospital,  1935-1937;  Providence  Lying-In 
Hospital,  1937;  died  Dec.  12,  1969,  age  60. 

Suttle,  Thomas  Cleveland,  Louisville.  M.D., 
Memphis  Hospital  Medical  College,  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  1911;  interned  Matty  Hersee  Hospital, 
Meridian,  three  months;  residency,  Chicago 
EENT  Hospital,  Chicago,  111.,  seven  months; 
died  Dec.  18,  1969,  age  84. 


The  following  physician  has  been  elected  to 
membership  by  his  component  medical  society  in 
the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  and 
the  American  Medical  Association. 

Chavez,  Carlos  Manuel,  Jackson.  Born  Lima, 
Peru,  Dec.  25,  1932;  M.D.,  San  Fernando  Faculty 
of  Medicine,  Lima,  Peru,  1956;  interned  Hospital 
Regional  de  Tacna,  Lima,  Peru,  one  year;  vascular 
surgery  residency,  Massachusetts  General  Hos- 
pital, Boston,  1960-61;  cardiovascular  surgery 
residency,  Methodist  Hospital,  Houston,  Texas, 
1961-62;  cardiovascular  surgery  fellowship.  Uni- 
versity Medical  Center,  Jackson,  Miss.,  1963-64; 
general  surgery  senior  resident,  University  Medical 
Center,  Jackson,  Miss.,  1964-65;  Hektoen  Medal 
(AMA)  awardee;  assistant  professor  of  surgery, 
UMC;  elected  Sept.  2,  1969  by  Central  Medical 
Society. 


Sirs:  It  was  my  pleasure  and  good  fortune  to 
have  the  privilege  of  attending  a seminar  con- 
cerning rubella  at  Mississippi  State  University 
recently. 

Dr.  Louis  Z.  Cooper’s  presentation  was  the 
most  practical  and  understandable  lecture  it  has 
been  my  privilege  to  hear.  In  Mississippi  we 
spend  thousands  of  dollars  to  care  for  individ- 
uals who  have  preventable  defects  but  a negli- 
gible amount  to  determine  the  susceptibles  and 
protect  them,  thereby  protecting  their  offspring 
from  these  preventable  causes — rubella  being  one 
of  the  most  serious. 

H.  C.  Ricks,  M.D.,  Member 
Miss.  State  Board  of  Health 
Jackson,  Miss.  39205 


76 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Book  Reviews 

Introduction  to  Medical  Science.  By  Clara 
Gene  Young  and  James  D.  Barger,  M.D.  275 
pages  with  illustration  and  appendix.  St.  Louis: 
The  C.  V.  Mosbv  Company,  1969.  $7.95. 

The  present  use  and  the  advocated  greater 
utilization  of  paramedical  personnel  in  the  care 
of  the  sick  and  injured  has  prompted  the  authors, 
one  a medical  writer  and  the  other  a practicing 
pathologist,  to  write  a volume  to  fill  in  the  gaps 
in  knowledge  about  the  causes  of  diseases  and 
their  effects  on  individual  organs  and  the  body 
as  a whole. 

The  first  chapter  is  devoted  to  an  introduc- 
tion which  along  with  the  preface  not  only  ex- 
plains the  reason  for  the  book,  but  also  relates  in- 
struction on  the  use  of  the  volume  and  what  to 
look  for  in  one’s  search  for  knowledge  about  dis- 
eases. 

The  style  of  preparation  is  designed  so  that 
the  reader  can  be  a self  teacher.  Chapters  two 
through  fifteen  are  written  to  include  a step-by- 
step  method  of  self  examination.  These  chapters 
are  devoted  to  basic  concepts  of  disease  causa- 
tive factors.  This,  in  fact,  emphasizes  the  title  of 
of  the  book,  Introduction  to  Medical  Science. 

In  order  to  understand  diseases  the  authors 
take  the  reader  or  student  through  the  answers 
to  the  following  questions:  Is  it  an  inflammation, 
allergy,  trauma,  tumor,  congenital  defect,  me- 
chanical obstruction,  circulatory  disturbance,  met- 
abolic or  nutritional  disorder,  or  the  result  of  in- 
fection? 

In  each  of  the  chapters  referred  to  above 
the  format  includes  representative  diseases  un- 
der each  heading.  However,  in  the  make-up  of 
the  remaining  chapters  the  style  is  changed  and 
the  content  is  restricted  to  the  selected  diseases 
of  the  various  anatomical  and  physiological  sys- 
tems. Needless  to  say,  it  would  take  a many 
volumed  encyclopedia  to  catalogue  and  describe 
all  the  diseases  with  which  a medical  assistant 
might  have  to  deal  during  her  days  of  service  to 
the  doctor  and  his  patients. 

The  appendix  is  divided  into  two  parts:  A. 


the  responses  to  the  step-by-step  exercises;  and 
B,  a cataloguing  of  infectious  diseases. 

My  overall  evaluation  of  the  book  is  that  it  is 
well  written,  portions  of  which  would  be  benefi- 
cial to  medical  secretaries,  and  the  entire  vol- 
ume to  nurse  medical  assistants.  It  is  apparent 
from  its  contents  that  individuals  who  have  some 
knowledge  of  anatomy  and  physiology  would 
receive  the  most  benefit  from  their  use  and  study 
of  the  text.  It  should  be  useful  in  courses  de- 
signed to  train  medical  assistants. 

Richard  G.  Burman,  M.D. 

Physiology  of  the  Gastrointestinal  Tract.  By 
E.  Clinton  Texter,  Jr.,  et  al.  262  pages  with  106 
illustrations.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mosby  Com- 
pany, 1988.  $10.75. 

This  easily  readable  small  book  is  well  edited 
and  attempts  to  delineate  the  areas  of  physiologic 
knowledge  most  relevant  to  medical  practice.  The 
author  covers  the  subject  under  four  major  head- 
ings: splanchnic  circulation,  motor  mechanism, 
secretion,  and  absorption.  Most  of  the  material 
is  presented  and  discussed  in  a clear  manner. 
There  are,  however,  rather  confusing  sections 
for  a book  directed  to  medical  students  as  its 
author  claims. 

The  chapter  on  gastrointestinal  motility  is  well 
covered  and  up-to-date,  but  too  much  emphasis 
is  given  to  some  aspects.  For  example,  the  sec- 
tion of  “electrical  phenomena  at  the  level  of  the 
cell  membrane”  is  very  difficult  to  understand 
without  previous  knowledge  of  physics  and  mathe- 
matics. Some  other  aspects  very  relevant  to  gas- 
trointestinal physiology  are  practically  neglected, 
such  as  liver  physiology;  perhaps  because  it  is  a 
very  large  subject  to  be  considered  in  a small  book 
such  as  this. 

Although  there  are  some  negative  aspects  in 
this  book,  the  overall  evaluation  is  positive.  It  is 
a useful  addition  to  the  few  already  in  existence 
covering  the  difficult  problems  in  gastrointestinal 
physiology.  The  references  are  good  and  up-to- 
date. 

Lidio  O.  Mora,  M.D. 


FEBRUARY  1970 


77 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Baptist  Hospital 
Elects  1970  Officers 

Dr.  Noel  C.  Womack,  Jr.,  has  been  elected 
president  of  the  Medical  Staff  of  Mississippi  Bap- 
tist Hospital  of  Jackson  for  the  calendar  year 
1970.  He  succeeds  Dr.  James  M.  Packer. 

President-elect  for  1970  is  Dr.  Albert  L. 
Meena,  who  served  as  vice  president  of  the  staff 
in  1969. 

The  new  vice  president  is  Dr.  Robert  P.  Hen- 
derson, who  served  in  1969  as  a member  of  both 
the  Isotope  Committee  and  the  Utilization  Re- 
view Committee. 

Secretary  of  the  Medical  Staff  for  1970  is  Dr. 
H.  C.  Ethridge,  a member  of  the  Tissue  Com- 
mittee, who  succeeds  Dr.  William  S.  Cook. 

MSBH  Warns  About 
Animal  Bites,  Rabies 

Certain  important  points  regarding  bites  by 
non-domestic  animals  should  be  reviewed.  Each 
animal  bite  situation  must  be  evaluated  individ- 
ually regarding  the  need  for  antirabies  treatment. 

Any  wild  carnivore  (such  as  the  skunk, 
weasel,  fox,  coyote,  raccoon,  bobcat,  or  badger) 
and  certain  other  species,  such  as  the  bat,  may 
harbor  rabies.  The  danger  of  keeping  wild  carni- 
vores as  pets  should  be  emphasized;  particularly 
young  animals  since  they  are  susceptible  to  rabies 
and  could  have  acquired  it  from  the  mother  who 
died  of  the  disease.  Bites  by  these  species  must 
be  considered  a rabies  exposure  until  proven 
otherwise.  Clinical  signs  of  rabies  in  some  spe- 
cies of  wild  animals,  such  as  bats,  may  not  be  re- 
liable and,  therefore,  instead  of  being  held  for 
observation,  the  animal  should  be  killed  at  once 
and  the  brain  examined,  using  the  fluorescent 
rabies  antibody  (FRA)  test.  On  the  other  hand, 
bites  of  rodents,  including  gophers,  squirrels, 
chipmunks,  rats,  mice,  hamsters,  and  guinea 
pigs  rarely,  if  ever,  call  for  specific  rabies  prophy- 
laxis. Unwarranted  treatment  must  be  avoided 
just  as  stringently  as  indicated  treatment  should 
be  given. 

Immediate  and  thorough  cleansing  of  bite 
wounds  is  the  most  important  preventive  mea- 
sure. Following  this,  combined  treatment  with 


rabies  vaccine  and  anti-rabies  hyperimmune 
serum  is  recommended  as  soon  as  possible  for 
(1)  All  exposures  classified  as  severe  (head, 
neck,  face  or  finger  bites:  puncture  wounds;  mul- 
tiple bites);  (2)  All  Bites  by  rabid  wild  ani- 
mals (combined  treatment  even  for  mild  ex- 
posures by  domestic  carnivores  may  also  be  used, 
and  is  recommended  by  some  authorities);  (3) 
All  Bites  by  wild  carnivores  and  bats  suspected 
(unprovoked  attack,  abnormal  behavior)  of  be- 
ing rabid  pending  results  of  laboratory  tests.  If 
the  FRA  test  is  negative,  vaccine  treatment  should 
then  be  discontinued.  When  indicated,  the  anti- 
rabies hyperimmune  serum  should  be  used  re- 
gardless of  the  interval  between  exposure  and 
initiation  of  treatment.  It  should  not  be  assumed 
that  it  is  “too  late”  to  administer  serum. 

Pfizer  Comments  on 
FDA  Recall 

The  FDA  has  announced  its  decision  to  order 
recalled  from  the  market  oxytetracycline  capsules, 
produced  by  eight  manufacturers,  because  of 
FDA’s  determination  that  those  products  are  of 
questionable  value  medically. 

While  Pfizer  initially  provided  to  FDA  the  re- 
sults of  its  blood  level  studies  on  a number  of 
oxytetracycline  products,  and  made  its  expertise 
on  this  important  drug  available  to  FDA,  in  the 
end  it  was  FDA's  task  to  conduct  its  own  studies 
and  to  decide  what  action  to  take  in  this  highly 
complicated  area. 

This  is  another  scientifically  documented  in- 
stance which  demonstrates  emphatically  that 
drugs  of  the  same  generic  name  are  not  neces- 
sarily equivalent  therapeutically. 

The  antibiotic  oxytetracycline  was  discovered 
by  Pfizer  in  1949,  and  over  the  years  has  been 
manufactured  and  distributed  throughout  the 
world  under  the  trade  name  “Terramycin.”  Since 
the  expiration  of  the  Pfizer  patent  in  1967,  oxy- 
tetracycline capsules  have  been  manufactured 
and  distributed  in  the  United  States  by  a num- 
ber of  other  companies  under  the  generic  name, 
oxytetracycline,  or  other  brand  names. 

Pfizer’s  oxytetracycline  capsules,  marketed  un- 
der the  brand  name  “Terramycin,”  are  not  af- 
fected by  the  FDA  action,  and  remain  on  the 
market.  Indeed,  Pfizer’s  Terramycin  capsules  have 
been  designated  by  FDA  as  the  standard  for 
blood  levels  that  must  be  met  in  order  for  oxy- 
tetracycline products  to  be  considered  as  satis- 
factory for  certification  by  FDA. 


78 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Formal  Opening  of  New  Headquarters 
Addition  Set  by  Trustees  for  Feb.  25 


Formal  opening  of  the  new  addition  to  the  as- 
sociation’s Central  Office  Headquarters  Building 
has  been  slated  for  Feb.  25,  according  to  Drs. 
James  L.  Royals  of  Jackson,  president,  and  Mai 
S.  Riddell,  Jr.,  of  Winona,  chairman  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees.  The  MSMA  leaders  said  that  open 
house  for  members  and  guests  is  scheduled 
from  5 until  7 that  evening. 

Dr.  Riddell,  who  also  served  as  chairman  of 
the  Building  Committee,  said  that  all  Trustees 
will  be  present  for  the  occasion.  Other  Build- 
ing Committee  members  are  Drs.  J.  T.  Davis 
of  Corinth  and  William  O.  Barnett  of  Jackson. 

“The  addition  fulfills  a need  first  recognized 
by  the  House  of  Delegates  in  1967,"  Dr.  Royals 
said.  “Growth  of  association  activities  and  ser- 


Final  touches  are  added  on  the  interior  of  the 
headquarters  building  addition  as  painters,  left,  finish 
office  entrance.  Right  is  stairwell  to  rear  entrance 
opening  on  new  and  expanded  parking  area.  Lower 


vices  to  our  members  and  the  public  was  far  be- 
yond our  expectations  in  the  decade  of  the  1960’s, 
and  the  addition  will  help  us  fulfill  this  vital  mis- 
sion. 

“Beyond  this,”  Dr.  Royals  added,  “the  build- 
ing has  been  a fortunate  and  valuable  invest- 
ment for  the  association,  appreciating  in  value 
during  the  14  years  we  have  occupied  it.” 

The  construction  project  was  reaffirmed  by 
the  House  of  Delegates  for  a second  time  in 
1968.  and  last  year,  design  was  completed  and 
bids  invited  just  before  the  101st  Annual  Ses- 
sion. The  House  approved  the  project  and  fi- 
nancing in  1969,  urging  that  the  new  and  needed 
space  be  provided  as  soon  as  feasible. 

Also  provided  with  the  addition  is  vastly  ex- 


level  has  service  facilities  and  mail  room.  Open  door 
in  right  photo  shows  part  of  new  membership  de- 
partment office. 


FEBRUARY  1970 


79 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

panded  off-street  parking,  almost  triple  the  orig- 
inal area,  Drs.  Royals  and  Riddell  said.  The 
existing  building  has  been  repainted  and  re- 
paired where  necessary  concomitantly  with  the 
new  construction. 

W.  R.  Bob  Henry,  A. I. A.,  of  Jackson  is  the 
architect,  and  Priester  Construction  Co.,  also 
of  Jackson,  was  the  general  contractor. 

The  project  was  begun  in  late  spring  of  1969  and 
completed  in  January  1970  on  schedule.  Basic 
construction  cost  was  $100,693  under  the  gen- 
eral contract. 

Drs.  Royals  and  Riddell  said  that  the  an- 
nouncement constituted  “a  warm  and  cordial  in- 
vitation to  members  of  the  association,  their 
ladies,  and  Auxiliary  members  for  the  Feb.  18 
opening  and  open  house.”  Invitations  are  being 
sent  to  nonmedical  friends  of  the  association,  in- 
cluding state  and  community  leadership. 

The  officials  said  that  brief  ribbon-cutting  cere- 
monies will  be  conducted  at  5 o’clock  in  the  after- 
noon on  Feb.  25  after  which  members  and  guests 
may  tour  and  inspect  the  addition  and  existing 
building.  The  open  house  will  continue  until  7 
o’clock  in  the  evening. 

Drs.  Royals  and  Riddell  said  that  the  Woman’s 
Auxiliary  will  be  furnished  a permanent  office 
in  the  expanded  headquarters  building.  The  de- 
cision was  made  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  in 
December,  they  added. 

Mrs.  Louise  C.  Lehmann  of  Natchez,  state 
Auxiliary  president,  recently  inspecting  the  new 
office  said  that  “this  is  the  first  time  in  our  history 
that  we  have  had  a headquarters  office  of  our 
own.”  She  expressed  satisfaction  over  the  decision 
of  the  Board. 

Progress  on  the  project  has  been  reported  to 
the  membership  monthly  in  the  Journal.  Addi- 
tionally, the  Building  Committee  and  Board  of 
Trustees  have  closely  monitored  each  phase  of 
the  construction. 

IRS  Sends  Card 
Explaining  New  1040 

Each  of  the  18  million  taxpayers  in  the  United 
States  who  filed  the  now  discontinued  card  1040 A 
form  last  year  will  receive  a post  card  explaining 
the  change  to  the  new  consolidated  1040  form. 
Mr.  J.  G.  Martin,  Jr.,  District  Director  of  In- 
ternal Revenue  for  Mississippi,  said  that  the 
post  card  should  have  already  been  received  by 


the  167,000  Mississippi  taxpayers  who  filed 
1040A’s  last  year. 

In  general  the  post  card  states  that  this  year 
all  taxpayers  will  receive  a larger,  more  complete 
tax  package  which  includes  the  one-page  basic 
1040  and  additonal  pages  or  schedules,  which 
may  or  may  not  be  used,  according  to  the  tax- 
payer’s needs. 

Past  1040A  users  will  find  that  except  for  a 
few  lines,  the  new  1040  asks  for  the  same  in- 
formation as  the  old  card  form  and  that  they  will 
probably  not  need  to  fill  out  more  than  one 
sheet  to  make  out  their  returns  if  the  standard 
deduction  is  claimed. 

In  the  past,  taxpayers  who  used  the  1040 A 
could  not  take  advantage  of  certain  tax  credits 
or  exclusions  and  could  not  itemize  their  deduc- 
tions. A principal  reason  for  making  the  change 
to  the  new  form  is  to  enable  taxpayers  to  take 
full  advantage  of  the  tax  benefits  the  law  pro- 
vides. 

State  Board  of 
Health  Commended 

The  State  Board  of  Health  and  its  employees 
in  the  state  health  department  and  the  county 
health  departments  have  been  cited  by  the  United 
States  Public  Health  Service  for  “their  remark- 
able devotion  to  duty  throughout  the  health 
emergency  created  by  Hurricane  Camille,  Au- 
gust 1969.” 

The  commendation  came  last  week  when  a 
certificate  was  presented  to  State  Health  Officer 
Hugh  B.  Cottrell  in  a special  ceremony  at  the 
State  Board  of  Health  Building  in  Jackson. 

Dr.  Henry  C.  Huntley,  Director  of  the  Division 
of  Emergency  Health  Services,  U.  S.  Public  Health 
Service,  brought  the  certificate  of  appreciation 
from  Washington,  D.  C. 

Lt.  Gov.  Charles  Sullivan  made  the  presenta- 
tion. Presiding  was  Dr.  Frank  J.  Morgan,  Jr., 
Assistant  State  Health  Officer. 

Describing  as  “incomprehensible”  the  magni- 
tude of  the  disaster  wrought  by  Camille,  Lt. 
Gov.  Sullivan  told  public  health  personnel: 

“We  were  confronted  with  what  could  have  be- 
come a very  critical  health  situation.  . . . And 
then  you  responded.  You  made  the  place  safe. 
You  provided  an  environment  in  which  we  could 
work.  There  is  no  way  we  could  estimate  the 
value  of  the  contribution  you  made.” 

While  the  work  after  Hurricane  Camille  was 
“one  significant  occasion,”  said  Lt.  Gov.  Sullivan, 


80 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


“it's  not  really  so  different,  because  you've  demon- 
strated your  dedication  over  the  years.” 

In  response.  Dr.  Cottrell  said  the  measure  of  the 
effectiveness  of  the  work  of  the  public  health 
workers  was  the  fact  that  no  major  epidemic  was 
spawned  in  the  wake  of  the  hurricane. 

The  state  health  officer  said  a total  of  235 
nurses,  sanitarians,  engineers,  doctors,  technicians 
and  other  key  personnel  from  the  state  health  de- 
partment and  the  county  health  departments 
throughout  the  state  moved  into  the  stricken  area 
while  many  others  contributed  to  the  emergency 
effort  in  a supportive  role. 

Dr.  Cottrell  also  expressed  appreciation  for  the 
support  the  United  States  Public  Health  Service 
gave  to  the  State  Board  of  Health  during  the 
emergency  operation — -in  both  personnel  and  ma- 
terial. 

Dr.  Huntley,  commenting  on  the  cooperation 
between  USPHS  and  the  State  Board  of  Health, 
said  it  was  “one  of  the  best  examples  of  federal- 
state  cooperation  I’m  aware  of.” 

Drug  Dependence 
Published  By  NIMH 

A new  publication  has  been  inaugurated  by 
the  National  Institute  of  Mental  Health  to  facili- 
tate the  dissemination  and  exchange  of  informa- 
tion in  the  field  of  drug  dependence. 

The  new  quarterly  journal.  Drug  Dependence, 
is  prepared  jointly  by  the  Institute’s  Division  of 
Narcotic  Addiction  and  Drug  Abuse  and  its  Na- 
tional Clearinghouse  for  Mental  Health  Informa- 
tion to  answer  a recognized  need  for  a profession- 
al publication  in  this  area.  The  journal  will 
serve  scientists  of  many  disciplines,  legislators, 
lawyers,  teachers,  students,  and  others. 

Drug  Dependence  will  present  abstracts,  origi- 
nal articles  by  professionals  in  the  field,  and  an 
occasional  reprint  to  give  an  historical  perspec- 
tive to  the  problem  of  drug  abuse. 

Individuals  or  institutions  involved  or  inter- 
ested in  the  field  of  drug  addiction  or  related 
areas  may  be  placed  on  the  mailing  list  for  Drug 
Dependence  by  writing  to  the  National  Clearing- 
house for  Mental  Health  Information,  National 
Institute  of  Mental  Health,  5454  Wisconsin  Ave- 
nue, Chevy  Chase,  Maryland  20015. 

Copies  of  Drug  Dependence  can  be  purchased 
for  50  cents  each  from  the  Superintendent  of 
Documents,  U.  S.  Government  Printing  Office, 
Washington,  D.  C.  20402. 


Intensive  Care  Unit 
Opens  at  Alabama 

The  very  fact  that  the  staff  in  the  Medical 
Intensive  Care  Unit  is  always  working  under 
crisis  conditions  makes  it  an  appealing  place  to 
work  for  many  dedicated  registered  nurses. 

“You  have  to  be  devoted  to  working  with  the 
extremely  ill  patient,  or  you  just  won’t  be  able 
to  keep  up  the  pace,”  explained  Miss  Peggy 
Duke,  head  nurse  for  MICU. 

The  opening  last  month  of  the  UAB  Medical 
Center’s  new  Medical  Intensive  Care  Unit 
(MICU)  for  seriously  ill  patients  emphasizes 
Alabama’s  need  for  more  RN’s  who  have  spe- 
cialized training. 

“Nurses  in  units  such  as  this  learn  to  function 
in  a way  which  is  different  from  the  traditional 
role  of  nursing,”  said  unit  director  Dr.  Durwood 
Bradley,  who  is  also  chief  of  staff  for  University 
of  Alabama  Hospitals  and  Clinics. 

“Nurses  here  must  learn  to  act  independently 
in  crisis  situations,  and  many  times  they  have 
to  make  effective  judgments  quickly,”  he  said. 

The  state’s  newest  hospital  suite  for  intensive 
patient  care  is  an  eight-bed  section  of  Univer- 
sity Hospital's  15th  floor. 

In  this  concentrated  area,  highly  skilled  per- 
sonnel utilize  medicine's  latest  equipment  for  the 
handling  of  acute  medical  emergency  develop- 
ments. 

Patients  are  selected  for  care  in  the  unit  on 
the  basis  of  need.  Once  they  pass  the  critical 
period  of  illness,  they  are  moved  into  other 
areas  of  the  hospital  to  make  room  for  more 
seriously  ill  patients. 

The  unit  opened  soon  after  the  adjacent  Myo- 
cardial Infarction  Research  Unit  began  to  accept 
patients  with  heart  attacks.  The  two  facilities 
share  some  common  equipment  and  personnel, 
but  the  nursing  staffs  operate  separately. 

At  least  one  resident  physician  is  assigned  to 
the  MICU  at  all  times. 

Patients  brought  to  MICU  are  acutely  ill,  and 
cases  range  from  emphysema  and  respiratory  fail- 
ure to  shock  and  internal  bleeding. 

Emphasizing  the  country’s  general  need  for 
personnel  trained  in  the  techniques  of  intensive 
care,  Dr.  Bradley  noted,  “An  intensive  care  unit 
is  totally  dependent  upon  the  quality  of  its  nurs- 
ing care.  That  makes  it  imperative  that  we 
continue  our  active  involvement  in  the  training 
of  highly  qualified  nurse  specialists.” 


8 1 


FEBRUARY  1970 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

John  Sanders  Gets 
Yugoslavian  Fellowship 

John  R.  Sanders,  of  Jackson  and  Greenwood,  a 
third  year  medical  student  at  the  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  has  been  awarded 
one  of  14  AAMC/PHS  International  Fellowships 
by  the  Health  Services  and  Mental  Health  Ad- 
ministration of  the  U.  S.  Public  Health  Service. 

Sanders,  whose  wife  Cindy  is  MSMA  Member- 
ship Director,  will  be  based  in  Belgrade,  Yugo- 
slavia, Feb.  9-April  18,  1970. 

The  award  is  made  “to  provide  Fellows  with 
training  in  medical  care  techniques  and  health 
service  organization  unique  to  Yugoslavia,  and 
thereby  improve  their  knowledge  of  and  famil- 
iarity with  various  problems  of  medical  diagnosis 
and  treatment,  and  with  specific  problems  re- 
lating to  public  health,  medical  care,  and  the 
structure  of  medicine  in  Yugoslavia.” 

During  the  ten  week  fellowship,  the  American 
students  will  be  under  the  direction  of  Professor 
Dr.  Jovan  Cekic  of  the  Institute  of  Public  Health. 
Republic  of  Serbia;  and  the  Faculty  of  Medicine, 
University  of  Belgrade. 


MSMA  President  James  L.  Royals  congratulates 
medical  student  John  Sanders  on  receiving  an 
AAMC/PHS  fellowship  to  Yugoslavia. 


The  fellowship  grant  includes  round-trip  jet 
fare  and  a stipend  adequate  to  cover  room, 
board,  and  minor  expenses  while  in  Yugoslavia. 


Orientation  and  briefing  for  the  medical  students 
will  be  held  in  Washington,  D.  C.  on  Feb.  5. 

The  students  will  be  exposed  to  the  people  in 
their  homes,  villages  and  towns.  It  will  not  be  a 
standard  clinical  clerkship  in  a large  hospital, 
but  actual  interaction  with  the  people  of  Yugo- 
slavia, commented  Russell  C.  Mills,  Ph.D.,  pro- 
gram director. 

For  each  two  U.  S.  medical  students,  there 
will  be  a Yugoslavian  medical  student,  who 
has  completed  his  fifth  and  last  year  of  the  medi- 
cal curriculum,  to  act  as  interpreter  and  col- 
laborator in  contacts  with  patients. 

Yugoslavia  lies  on  the  northwestern  portion  of 
the  Balkan  peninsula  and  is  bordered  by  Italy, 
Austria,  Hungary,  Romania,  Bulgaria,  Albania, 
and  Greece.  Part  of  the  country  is  a fertile  plain 
and  the  rest  is  mountainous. 

The  coastal  areas  have  hot  dry  summers  and 
mild  rainy  winters  while  inland  there  is  a mod- 
erate continental  climate.  Belgrade  lies  on  ap- 
proximately the  same  parallel  as  Boston. 

Unlike  the  U.  S.  where  doctors  are  in  great 
demand,  hundreds  of  Yugoslavian  medical  gradu- 
ates each  year  are  unable  to  find  jobs. 

Sanders,  currently  president  of  the  junior  class 
at  UMC,  is  the  first  Mississippi  student  to  take 
part  in  the  Yugoslavian  program  although  other 
UMC  students  have  participated  in  AAMC  fel- 
lowships to  Israel  and  Thailand. 

Florida  Offers 
Hypertension  Course 

The  departments  of  pediatrics,  medicine,  pathol- 
ogy, surgery,  physiology,  ophthalmology,  and 
radiology  of  the  University  of  Florida  College  of 
Medicine  will  hold  a seminar  on  hypertension 
Feb.  27-28. 

This  symposium  is  an  attempt  to  present  a 
comprehensive  review  of  the  most  significant 
new  knowledge  in  the  area  of  hypertension 
which  affects  nearly  17  million  Americans.  Spe- 
cial emphasis  will  be  given  to  early  diagnosis, 
treatment  and  the  long  term  care  of  the  hyper- 
tensive patient. 

Dr.  Irvine  H.  Page  and  Dr.  Wadi  N.  Suki  will 
participate  as  guest  faculty.  Other  speakers  will 
be  University  of  Florida  faculty  members. 

Tuition  for  the  course  is  $50.00.  Inquiries 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Division  of  Postgradu- 
ate Education,  J.  Hillis  Miller  Health  Center, 
Box  758,  Gainesville,  Florida  32601. 


82 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Hasn’t 
he  skipper 
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incitement 
or  one  day? 


,iunson, 
ssages  in 
t ■section 
Christ- 
hich  is 
of  the 
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at  Vir- 
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et, 
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4 n lUon  Yacht  Runs  Aground 

Owner  Breaks  Arm  W he  ^ ^ The  ^ 

Schuyler,  Oct.  31.  ^Juredarm  had  to  isUtoated 

CovesviUe  incurved  * rock  damage  to  the  >a 


icbf 


hr  the  patient  who  has  been 
rough  an  accident,  the  worry 
id  anxiety  following  the 
ishap  may  actually  heighten 
e perception  of  pain.  This  is 
hy  there’s  a classic  Va  grain 
idative  dose  of  phenobarbital 
Phenaphen  with  Codeine— 

• take  the  nervous  "edge”  off, 
d the  rest  of  the  formula  can 
Dntrol  the  pain  more  effectively. 

3S!vfSy,/l'H'DO  BINS 


Phenaphen'  with  Codeine 

Phenaphen  with  Codeine  Nos.  2,  3,  or  4 contains:  Phenobarbital  {Va  g r.) , 1 6.2 
mg.  (warning:  may  be  habit  forming);  Aspirin  (21/2  gr.),  162.0  mg.;  Phenacetin 
(3  gr.),  194.0  mg.;  Hyoscyamine  sulfate,  0.031  mg.;  Codeine  Phosphate,  Va 
gr.  (No.  2),  Vz  gr.  (No.  3),  or  1 gr.  (No.  4)  (warning:  may  be  habit  forming). 

The  compound  analgesic  that  calms  instead  of  caffeinates 

Indications:  Phenaphen  with  Codeine  provides  relief  in  severer  grades  of 
pain,  on  low  codeine  dosage,  with  minimal  possibility  of  side  effects.  Its  use 
frequently  makes  unnecessary  the  use  of  addicting  narcotics.  Contraindica- 
tions: Hypersensitivity  to  any  of  the  components.  Precautions:  As  with  all 
phenacetin-containing  products  excessive  or  prolonged  use  should  be 
avoided.  Side  effects:  Side  effects  are  uncommon,  although  nausea,  con- 
stipation and  drowsiness  may  occur.  Dosage:  Phenaphen  No.  2 and  No.  3 — 
1 or  2 capsules  every  3 to  4 hours  as  needed;  Phenaphen  No.  4 — 1 capsule 
every  3 to  4 hours  as  needed.  For  further  details  see  product  literature. 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Medicare  Increases 
Hospital  Deductibles 

‘The  overall  cost  of  living  keeps  going  up,  and 
hospital  costs  are  no  exceptions,”  said  J.  G.  Artz, 
District  Manager  of  the  Columbus,  Miss.  Social 
Security  Office. 

Because  of  the  increase  in  the  cost  of  the  aver- 
age hospital  stay,  social  security  Medicare  bene- 
ficiaries will  have  an  increase  in  their  hospital 
deductibles. 

Beginning  Jan.  1,  1970,  the  social  security 
beneficiary  will  pay  the  first  $52.00  of  their  hos- 
pital costs  rather  than  $44.00  as  in  the  past.  In 
the  event  the  beneficiary  stays  more  than  60 
days,  then  his  share  of  the  costs  will  be  $13.00 
per  day  for  all  days  over  60  days  up  to  90 
days.  Before  Jan.  1,  1970,  this  was  $11.00 
per  day. 

Artz  also  said  that  Medicare  beneficiaries  will 
have  to  pay  an  increase  in  the  extended  care 
facility  deductible.  If  the  beneficiary  is  in  the 
extended  care  unit  more  than  20  days,  the  new 
rate  will  be  $6.50  for  the  21st  through  the  100th 
day.  Before  Jan.  1 , this  was  $5.50. 

Medical  Textbook  on 
Cardiology  Published 

A new  edition  of  “The  Heart,”  a medical 
textbook  with  nearly  1,700  pages  and  more  than 
1 ,000  illustrations,  has  been  published  under 
the  editorship  of  Drs.  J.  Willis  Hurst  and  R.  Bruce 
Logue  of  the  Emory  University  School  of  Medi- 
cine. 

The  book  is  described  as  “a  complete  treatise 
of  medical  knowledge  of  the  heart  and  blood 
vessels  designed  to  bridge  the  gap  between  basic 
science  and  clinical  practice.  It  was  written  to 
help  physicians  as  they  care  for  patients.” 

Published  by  McGraw-Hill  Book  Co.,  New 
York,  the  book  has  103  chapters. 

Dr.  Hurst  is  professor  and  chairman  of  the 
department  of  medicine,  Emory  University  School 
of  Medicine,  and  Dr.  Logue  is  a professor  of 
medicine.  The  two  physicians — widely  known 
heart  specialists — wrote  much  of  the  book  in  ad- 
dition to  serving  as  senior  editors. 

The  first  edition  of  the  book  appeared  in 
1966  and  represented  five  years  of  work.  The 


new  (second)  edition  is  larger  by  more  than 
400  pages  than  the  previous  book  and  is  one  of 
the  most  heavily  illustrated  books  in  existence. 

The  new  edition  was  written  with  the  editorial 
assistance  of  Dr.  Robert  C.  Schlant,  professor  of 
medicine;  Dr.  Nanette  K.  Wenger,  associate  pro- 
fessor of  medicine,  and  Mrs.  Ruth  Strange,  all  of 
the  department  of  medicine,  Emory  Univer- 
sity School  of  Medicine. 

Eighty-four  American  and  British  physicians 
contributed  articles  to  the  book.  Nineteen  of 
these  contributors  were  from  the  Emory  medical 
school  in  the  specialties  of  internal  medicine,  pedi- 
atrics, radiology,  and  surgery. 

Dr.  Arthur  P.  Richardson,  dean  of  the  Emory 
University  School  of  Medicine,  said  of  the  new 
book: 

“When  the  first  edition  appeared  four  years 
ago,  it  attracted  national  and  international  at- 
tention, and  today  this  new  and  enlarged  edition 
is  perhaps  destined  to  become  the  leading  treatise 
on  cardiovascular  diseases.” 

The  new  book  will  be  available  in  either  one 
or  two  volumes. 


Ole  Miss 
Grows  Marijuana 


Dr.  Norman  J.  Doorenbos  (second  from  left), 
chairman  of  the  department  of  pharmacognosy  at 
the  University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Pharmacy, 
holds  a section  of  locally  grown  marijuana  which 
will  he  used  in  research  aimed  at  answering  questions 
arising  from  use  of  the  drug.  The  Ole  Miss  drug 
garden  was  opened  to  tours  this  week  and  among 
visitors  were  Dr.  Carl  Sloan  of  Philadelphia  (left), 
Dr.  Cherie  Friedman  of  Oxford  and  Dr.  Charles  W . 
Hartman  (right),  dean  of  the  School  of  Pharmacy  at 
Ole  Miss. 


84 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Dr.  L.W.  Long 
Receives  ICS  Award 

Dr.  Lawrence  W.  Long,  Jackson  surgeon,  was 
recently  presented  a bronze  placque  by  the  In- 
ternational College  of  Surgeons.  Dr.  Harold  O. 
Hallstrand  of  Miami,  incoming  president  of  the 
U.  S.  section,  made  the  presentation  at  the 
banquet  for  installation  of  officers  of  the  U.  S. 
section  in  Chicago. 

The  placque’s  inscription  reads  “By  unani- 
mous acclamation  at  our  1969  meeting  we  ex- 
tend to  you  our  sincere  appreciation  for  your  years 
of  devoted  and  untiring  service  to  the  General 
Surgical  Group  of  the  International  College  of 
Surgeons.”  It  is  signed  by  Dr.  Lowell  R.  Smith, 
chairman.  General  Surgical  Group. 

Others  present  at  the  presentation  ceremony 
were  Dr.  Philip  Thorek  of  Chicago,  ICS  vice 
president,  and  Dr.  Mike  O’Herron,  outgoing  pres- 
ident of  the  U.  S.  section,  ICS. 

Dr.  Long  is  currently  serving  as  treasurer  of 
the  college  and  is  chairman  of  the  publications 
committee  of  his  state  medical  association. 


Dr.  Harold  Hallstrand,  at  right,  incoming  presi- 
dent of  the  U.  S.  section,  ICS,  presents  a bronze 
placque  of  appreciation  to  Dr.  Lawrence  W.  Long  at 
the  college’s  installation  ceremonies  in  Chicago. 

Miss,  and  La.  Internists 
Plan  Scientific  Meet 

Specialists  in  internal  medicine  in  Mississippi 
and  Louisiana  will  hold  a scientific  meeting 
Feb.  20-21,  1970  at  the  Broadwater  Beach 
Hotel,  Biloxi,  Miss.  The  meeting  is  sponsored  by 
the  American  College  of  Physicians  (ACP). 


The  meeting  is  a regional  scientific-educational 
meeting  of  the  College  and  is  aimed  at  helping 
internists  practicing  in  these  states  keep  informed 
of  new  developments  in  the  basic  and  clinical 
sciences  that  affect  their  practices.  A total  of 
39  are  being  held  during  the  1969-1970  aca- 
demic year  for  the  College’s  15,000  members. 
The  College  has  been  holding  them  annually 
since  1930. 

The  meeting  is  under  the  general  direction  of 
Dr.  Wesley  W.  Lake,  Sr.,  Pass  Christian,  Miss., 
ACP  Governor  for  Mississippi,  assisted  by  Dr. 
A.  Seldon  Mann,  New  Orleans,  La.,  ACP  Gov- 
ernor for  Louisiana.  Dr.  Lake  is  Assistant  Clinical 
Professor  of  Medicine  at  Tulane  University 
School  of  Medicine  and  Dr.  Mann  is  Professor 
of  Clinical  Medicine  at  Tulane. 

Mound  Park  Hospital 
Schedules  Courses 

The  Mound  Park  Hospital  Foundation,  with 
the  joint  sponsorship  of  the  Department  of  Medi- 
cal Education  of  the  Bayfront  Medical  Center, 
the  University  of  Florida  College  of  Medicine, 
Pinellas  County  Medical  Society,  and  the  Florida 
Academy  of  General  Practice,  has  announced 
two  postgraduate  courses  in  early  spring. 

On  April  16-18,  “The  Pulse  of  Laboratory 
Medicine”  is  scheduled.  This  symposium  has  been 
approved  for  18  hours  of  credit  by  the  American 
Academy  of  General  Practice.  Fee  is  $100.00. 

A symposium  on  “Pediatric  and  Adolescent 
Psychiatry”  will  be  held  May  21-23.  This  course 
has  been  approved  for  18  accredited  hours  by  the 
AAGP.  Fee  is  $50.00. 

These  courses  will  be  completely  comprehen- 
sive and  designed  to  more  fully  orient  practition- 
ers in  the  various  fields  of  medicine  and  surgery 
to  the  problems  of  patient  care.  The  Founda- 
tion reserves  the  right  to  limit  registration. 

All  classes,  meetings,  and  clinical  conferences 
will  be  held  at  the  Tides  Hotel  and  Bath  Club, 
Redington  Beach  (St.  Petersburg),  Fla.,  and 
though  informal,  will  be  consistent  with  the  high- 
est standards  of  teaching  practice. 

The  teaching  faculties  will  be  composed  of 
selected  guest  lecturers  and  qualified  staff  mem- 
bers. 


FEBRUARY  1970 


85 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Mississippi's  Children 
Graduate  From  U.T. 

Judy  Wheat  Wood  and  Chad  Wood,  daugh- 
ter-in-law  and  son  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  William 
Martin  Wood  of  Gulfport,  simultaneously  re- 
ceived their  M.D.  degrees  in  the  December 
graduation  exercises  at  the  University  of  Ten- 
nessee. 

Dr.  Judy  Wood,  formerly  of  Shelbyville,  Tenn., 
is  a B.A.  Cum  Laude  graduate  of  Transylvania 
of  Kentucky.  Dr.  Chad  Wood  of  Gulfport  is  a 
B.A.  Cum  Laude  graduate  of  the  University  of 
Mississippi. 

The  husband  and  wife  team  are  both  mem- 
bers of  Alpha  Omega  Alpha,  the  honorary  medi- 
cal society.  Judy  served  as  secretary-treasurer 
of  the  graduating  class.  Chad  received  the  “Out- 
standing Student”  award  presented  by  the  U.T. 
department  of  psychiatry. 

Both  new  physicians  have  six  month  fellow- 
ships at  U.T.  while  awaiting  internship  confirma- 
tions via  the  matching  program  in  March. 

Dr.  Chad’s  father  graduated  in  the  Decem- 
ber class  at  U.T.  23  years  ago  and  held  the  po- 
sition of  secretary-treasurer  of  the  class. 

Redbook  Publishes 
New  Mother’s  Guide 

Redbook  Magazine  has  recently  published  a 
handbook  for  new  mothers  to  be  used  as  a help- 
ful guide  during  the  first  year  of  a baby’s  life. 

“Redbook’s  Young  Mother”  is  an  attractively 
done  paperback  booklet  containing  advice  and 
information  on  various  phases  of  the  maternal 
life.  Such  articles  as  baby’s  food,  bathing  the 
baby,  the  new  mother’s  health,  and  helping 
baby  learn  to  talk  are  included  and  even  a few 
quick  recipes  for  busy  mothers  are  listed. 

Articles  are  written  by  authorities  in  the  vari- 
ous fields,  including  a dentist  and  several  physi- 
cians. 

A reference  guide  to  baby’s  health  is  found 
at  the  back  of  the  booklet  and  gives  information 
on  first  aid,  common  ailments  of  infancy,  im- 
munization schedules  and  accident  prevention. 

The  booklet  is  available  for  $.75  from  Read- 
ers’ Service  Bureau,  P.  O.  Box  461,  Old  Chelsea 
Station,  New  York,  N.  Y.  10011. 


1970  Directory 
Has  Been  Mailed 

The  1970  Mississippi  Directory  of  Physicians 
has  been  distributed  to  every  member  of  the 
association.  The  mailing  was  completed  during 
the  first  week  of  January,  the  announcement 
said. 

The  new  publication  is  a 96-page  reference 
source  of  medical  licentiates  in  the  state.  It  also 
lists  career  federal  medical  officers  of  the  Veter- 
ans Administration  and  U.  S.  Public  Health 
Services  as  well  as  residents  and  interns  in  AMA- 
accredited  training  institutions. 

Two  divisions  respectively  list  every  physi- 
cian alphabetically  and  by  county.  The  gen- 
eral alphabetical  division  contains  addresses 
and  ZIP  codes.  Membership  and  practice  ac- 
tivity status  is  keyed  for  each  physician  listed, 
the  announcement  continued. 

The  association  also  publishes  a Monthly  Di- 
rectory Supplement  listing  all  changes  of  address 
and  status,  new  physicians,  removals,  and  deaths. 
The  Directory  is  provided  as  a service  to  mem- 
bers and  sold  for  $5  per  copy  postpaid  to  oth- 
ers. The  Supplement  is  available  only  on  sub- 
scription for  $6  per  year. 

Blood  Bank  Association 
Holds  Annual  Meeting 

The  12th  annual  meeting  of  the  South  Cen- 
tral Association  of  Blood  Banks  will  be  held 
in  Houston  on  March  12-14,  1970,  at  the  Rice 
Hotel.  Any  member  of  the  medical  professions, 
administrative  or  technical  personnel,  and  oth- 
ers interested  in  blood  banking  are  invited  to 
register. 

On  Thursday  morning,  March  12,  an  Admin- 
istrative Workshop  will  be  presented.  Dr.  E.  Rich- 
ard Halden,  Jr.,  Medical  Director,  Carter  Blood 
Center,  Fort  Worth,  will  preside. 

On  Thursday  afternoon,  March  12,  the  SCABB 
Committee  on  Technical  Workshop  will  present 
a seminar  which  will  feature  a panel  of  distin- 
guished experts.  Case  histories  will  be  presented 
by  the  seminar  moderator  and  a seminar  manual 
will  be  provided. 

Among  the  outstanding  speakers  who  will  par- 
ticipate in  the  program  are  William  Pollock. 
Ph.D.,  of  Ortho  Research  Foundation,  Raritan, 
New  Jersey;  Dr.  Carlos  Ehrich  of  the  New  York 
Blood  Center;  and  Peter  Issett  of  Spectra  Bi- 
ologicals,  New  York  City. 


86 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


\chrocidiri  Tablets  and  Syrup 

"etracycline  HC1— Antihistamine— Analgesic  Compound 

ach  tablet  contains:  ACHROMYCIN®  Tetracycline  HC1  125  mg.;  Phenacetin  120  mg.;  Caffeine  30  mg.;  Salicylamide  150  mg.;  Chlorothen  Citrate  25  mg. 


lCHROCIDIN  Tetracycline  HC1— Antihistamine— Analgesic  Compound  Tablets  and  Syrup  are  recommended  for  the  treatment 
f tetracycline-sensitive  bacterial  infection  which  may  complicate  vasomotor  rhinitis,  sinusitis  and  other  allergic  diseases  of  the 
ipper  respiratory  tract,  and  for  the  concomitant  symptomatic  relief  of  headache  and  nasal  congestion.  For  children  and  elderly 
atients  you  may  prefer  caffeine-free  ACHROCIDIN  Syrup.  Each  5 cc  contains:  ACHROMYCIN  Tetracycline  equivalent  to 
"etracycline  HC1  125  mg.;  Phenacetin  120  mg.;  Salicylamide  150  mg.;  Ascorbic  Acid  (C)  25  mg.;  Pyrilamine  Maleate  15  mg. 


'ontraindications:  Hypersensitivity  to  any 
omponent. 

Varning:  In  renal  impairment,  since  liver  tox- 
:ity  is  possible,  lower  doses  are  indicated;  dur- 
ag  prolonged  therapy  consider  serum  level 
eterminations.  Photodynamic  reaction  to  sun- 
ight  may  occur  in  hypersensitive  persons, 
'hotosensitive  individuals  should  avoid  expo- 
ure;  discontinue  treatment  if  skin  discomfort 
ccurs. 

’recautions:  Drowsiness,  anorexia,  slight  gas- 
iic  distress  can  occur.  In  excessive  drowsi- 
ess,  consider  longer  dosage  intervals.  Persons 


on  full  dosage  should  not  operate  vehicles. 
Nonsusceptible  organisms  may  overgrow;  treat 
superinfection  appropriately.  Treat  beta- 
hemolytic  streptococcal  infections  at  least  10 
days  to  help  prevent  rheumatic  fever  or  acute 
glomerulonephritis.  Tetracycline  may  form  a 
stable  calcium  complex  in  bone-forming  tissue 
and  may  cause  dental  staining  during  tooth 
development  (last  half  of  pregnancy,  neonatal 
period,  infancy,  early  childhood). 

Adverse  Reactions:  Gastrointestinal— anorexia, 
nausea,  vomiting,  diarrhea,  stomatitis,  glossi- 
tis, enterocolitis,  pruritus  ani.  Skin— maculo- 


papular  and  erythematous  rashes;  exfoliative 
dermatitis;  photosensitivity;  onycholysis,  nail 
discoloration.  Kidney— dose-related  rise  in 
BUN.  Hypersensitivity  reactions— urticaria, 
angioneurotic  edema,  anaphylaxis.  Intracranial 
—bulging  fontanels  in  young  infants.  Teeth— 
yellow-brown  staining;  enamel  hypoplasia. 
Blood— anemia,  thrombocytopenic  purpura, 
neutropenia,  eosinophilia.  Liver— cholestasis  at 
high  dosage. 

Upon  adverse  reaction,  stop  medication  and 
treat  appropriately. 


LEDERLE  LABORATORIES,  A Division  of  American  Cyanamid  Company,  Pearl  River,  New  York  10965 


535-9 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

MSBH  Reports  on 
Family  Planning  Project 

“Acceptance  of  the  services  of  the  Family 
Planning  Project  has  been  rewarding  to  all  the 
workers  in  the  clinics,”  said  Dr.  William  E.  Rieck- 
en,  director  of  a State  Board  of  Health  compre- 
hensive family  planning  project  in  Hinds,  Rankin, 
and  Madison  counties  that  got  underway  the 
middle  of  June. 

Financed  by  a grant  of  $66,000  from  the  Chil- 
dren's Bureau,  the  project  purposes  to  expand 
the  family  planning  program  in  the  county  health 
departments.  The  grant  covers  the  remainder  of 
this  calendar  year.  An  application  has  been 
made  for  an  18-month  extension  which  would 
add  Warren  County. 

“Cooperation  among  the  three  county  health 
departments,  the  University  of  Mississippi  Medi- 
cal Center,  the  Community  Services  Association 
(OEO),  and  our  project  has  been  excellent,” 
said  Dr.  Riecken. 

Medical  services  for  the  clinics,  currently  set 
up  at  11  different  sites,  are  provided  by  eight 
residents  in  the  UMC  department  of  obstetrics 
and  gynecology  and  Dr.  Helen  Barnes,  through 
contact  with  the  University  Medical  Center.  Dr. 
Barnes  became  medical  director  of  the  project 
Oct.  13.  With  her  appointment,  the  project  staff 
became  complete. 

The  supervisory  nurse,  who  joined  the  proj- 
ect in  June,  is  Mrs.  Patricia  A.  Atkinson.  A 
graduate  of  the  Tennessee  Baptist  Memorial 
School  of  Nursing,  she  has  had  five  years  of  ex- 
perience as  a public  health  nurse  in  Bolivar 
and  Hinds  counties  and  recently  obtained  a Bach- 
elor of  Science  degree  in  nursing  from  the  Uni- 
versity of  Mississippi  School  of  Nursing. 

Rounding  out  the  project  staff  are  two  clerks 
and  two  health  aides.  In  addition  to  assisting  in 
the  clinics,  the  aides  make  home  visits  to  follow- 
up patients  and  contact  clubs  and  neighborhood 
groups  to  spread  information  about  the  family 
planning  program.  Plans  are  to  add  an  additional 
nurse,  clerk,  and  health  aide  to  the  staff  during 
the  new  budget  period. 

As  soon  as  the  Community  Services  Associ- 
ation initiates  family  planning  services  in  the  city 
of  Jackson,  the  MSBH  project  will  concentrate 
efforts  chiefly  on  the  county  areas. 

In  order  to  better  coordinate  patient  services 
among  the  local  programs  concerned  with  family 


planning.  Dr.  Riecken  said  the  MSBH  project 
proposes  to  set  up  and  maintain  a Central  Fam- 
ily Planning  Register  for  Hinds  County. 

“A  single  family  planning  record  is  being  de- 
veloped which  will  have  copies  to  be  sent  to 
each  cooperating  program  so  that  a patient  can 
be  seen  in  any  of  the  clinics  at  any  time  and  a 
record  of  her  services  will  be  available,”  said 
Dr.  Riecken. 

As  of  Nov.  1,  a total  of  730  patients  had  been 
admitted  to  the  project,  110  of  which  had  never 
been  in  a family  planning  program.  Approxi- 
mately one  third  of  the  family  planning  recip- 
ients of  the  health  department  programs  had 
changed  over  to  the  project  program.  After  in- 
stituting family  planning  practices  at  postpartum 
clinics,  the  Hinds-Rankin  Maternity  and  Infant 
Care  Project  refers  patients  to  the  FP  Project  for 
follow-up  services. 

New  Orleans  Graduate 
Medical  Assembly  Meets 

The  thirty-third  annual  meeting  of  The  New 
Orleans  Graduate  Medical  Assembly  will  be  held 
March  2,  3,  4,  5,  1970,  headquarters  at  The 
Roosevelt  Hotel. 

Nineteen  outstanding  guest  speakers  will  par- 
ticipate and  their  presentations  will  be  of  interest 
to  both  specialists  and  general  practitioners.  The 
program  will  include  fifty  informative  discussions 
on  many  topics  of  current  medical  interest,  in  ad- 
dition to  a clinicopathologic  conference,  symposia, 
medical  motion  pictures,  round-table  luncheons, 
and  technical  exhibits.  This  program  is  accept- 
able for  twenty-two  (22)  prescribed  hours  and 
nine  (9)  elective  hours  by  the  American  Academy 
of  General  Practice. 

An  interesting  and  enjoyable  program  of  en- 
tertainment for  visiting  ladies  has  also  been 
planned. 

Of  special  interest  will  be  a one-day  pre-As- 
sembly  symposium  scheduled  for  Sunday,  March 
1 on  “The  Price  of  Medical  Progress”  presented 
by  noted  authorities.  This  symposium  is  accept- 
able for  six  (6)  prescribed  hours  by  the  Ameri- 
can Academy  of  General  Practice.  This  session 
will  be  strictly  limited  to  physicians  and  their 
wives. 

For  further  information,  contact  Secretary, 
Room  1538,  1430  Tulane  Avenue,  New  Orleans, 
Louisiana  701 12. 


88 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


before  and  after  surgery 


Berocca 

TABLETS 

high  potency  B-complex  and  C 
for  nutritional  support 

AVAILABLE  ONLY  ON  Rx 
contains  water-soluble  vitamins  only 
b.i.d.  dosage 
good  patient  acceptance 
no  odor,  and  virtually  no  aftertaste 


Each  Berocca  Tablet  contains: 


Thiamine  mononitrate  15  mg 

Riboflavin  15  mg 

Pyridoxine  HCI 5 mg 

Niacinamide 100  mg 

Calcium  pantothenate  20  mg 

Cyanocobalamin  5 meg 

Folic  acid 0.5  mg 

Ascorbic  acid 500  mg 


Usual  dosage  is  one  tablet  b.i.d. 

Indications:  Nutritional  supplementation  in  conditions  in 
which  water-soluble  vitamins  are  required  prophylactically 
or  therapeutically. 

Warning:  Not  intended  for  treatment  of  pernicious  anemia 
or  other  primary  or  secondary  anemias.  Neurologic  involve- 
ment may  develop  or  progress,  despite  temporary  remission 
of  anemia,  in  patients  with  pernicious  anemia  who  receive 
more  than  0.1  mg  of  folic  acid  per  day  and  who  are  in- 
adequately treated  with  vitamin  B12. 

Dosage:  1 or  2 tablets  daily,  as  indicated  by  clinical  need. 
Available:  In  bottles  of  100. 


Roche 

LABORATORIES 


Division  of  Hoffmann-La  Roche  Inc. 
Nutley.  New  Jersey  07110 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Business  Consulting 
Becomes  Profession 

Business  consulting  for  doctors — specialist  firms 
concentrating  on  professional  practice  and  fi- 
nancial management — is  rapidly  becoming  a pro- 
fession in  the  precise  sense  of  the  term.  General 
business  consultants  have  been  on  the  scene 
since  the  early  1900’s.  Professional  business  con- 
sulting is  newer,  having  become  an  identifiable 
profession  in  the  1920’s  and  1930’s,  and  having 
grown  rapidly  since  World  War  II. 

The  field  is  becoming  a mature  profession  in 
four  ways. 

First,  it  is  a recognized  specialty.  It  is  not  gen- 
eral business  consulting,  where  services  are  of- 
fered to  all  types  of  businesses.  Neither  is  it 
vertically  specialized,  as  are  the  law  and  account- 
ing, in  which  a specific  service  is  offered  to  all 
comers.  Instead,  professional  business  consul- 
tants offer  a variety  of  expertise  (from  account- 
ing to  office  operations  to  tax  know-how  to  in- 
vestment planning)  to  a specialized  group.  They 
know  the  business  of  managing  medical  and  den- 
tal practices. 

Second,  it  has  developed  its  own  body  of  liter- 
ature and  knowledge.  This  knowledge  ranges 
from  internal  office  procedures  to  setting  up 
group  practices.  Much  of  it  has  been  developed 
through  the  group’s  national  organization,  the 
Society  of  Professional  Business  Consultants 
(SPBC). 

Third,  it  has  its  own  code  of  ethics,  again  de- 
veloped through  SPBC.  This  code  specifies  the 
training  and  experience  needed,  requires  that 
qualified  consultants  work  at  their  profession  full- 
time, and  prohibits  their  acceptance  of  commis- 
sions from  suppliers.  They  are  truly  professional 
advisors. 

Fourth,  the  profession  has  its  own  national  so- 
ciety, SPBC,  which  establishes  and  enforces  stan- 
dards of  conduct,  encourages  the  development 
of  a literature  medical-dental  economics,  enables 
members  to  exchange  information  and  ideas  on 
a professional  basis. 

To  get  more  information  and  obtain  a roster 
of  qualified  consultants  in  your  own  area,  write 
the  Society  of  Professional  Business  Consultants, 
221  North  LaSalle  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois  60601. 


Yale  Medical  School 
Gets  $2  Million  Grant 

The  Commonwealth  Fund  has  announced  a 
grant  of  $2  million  to  Yale  University  School  of 
Medicine  for  a new  and  far-reaching  attack  on 
the  effects  of  accidental  injury — now  the  lead- 
ing cause  of  death  in  this  country  in  the  first  half 
of  the  normal  life  span. 

The  grant  will  enable  Yale’s  Department  of 
Surgery,  headed  by  Dr.  Jack  W.  Cole,  to  launch 
a comprehensive  program  to  improve  and  re- 
form prevailing  patterns  and  practices  for  the 
handling  of  trauma  victims. 

The  grant  will  also  aid  the  construction  of  a 
major  new  facility — the  Laboratory  for  Surgery 
and  Obstetrics  and  Gynecology — to  provide  a 
permanent  base  for  the  trauma  program  and 
house  the  Department  of  Surgery.  The  Fund  al- 
located the  grant  equally  between  the  start-up 
costs  of  the  trauma  program  and  the  related  new 
facility. 

In  a statement  announcing  the  grant,  Quigg 
Newton,  President  of  the  Fund,  said: 

“The  magnitude  of  accidental  injury  as  a na- 
tional health  problem  is  underscored  in  a Na- 
tional Academy  of  Sciences  study  which  re- 
vealed that  in  1965  accidents  killed  107,000 
people  in  the  United  States,  temporarily  dis- 
abled ten  million,  and  permanently  impaired 
400,000.  Most  of  those  killed  or  maimed  were 
under  thirty-seven  years  of  age.  Thus,  aside 
from  the  personal  tragedy  involved,  there  was  a 
large  and  irreparable  loss  to  society  in  produc- 
tive human  talent. 

“Although  the  toll  of  accidental  injury  con- 
tinues to  rise,  the  problem  of  the  accident  vic- 
tim has  not  yet  been  approached  in  a compre- 
hensive way — that  is,  from  the  total  spectrum  of 
coordinated  actions,  communications  systems,  and 
medical  knowledge,  techniques,  and  training  re- 
quired in  the  care  of  the  patient  from  the  in- 
stant of  his  accident  through  his  treatment  and 
rehabilitation. 

“The  essential  purpose  of  the  Yale  trauma 
program  is  to  pioneer  in  demonstrating  an  ap- 
proach of  this  kind.  Attainment  of  this  objective 
would  place  Yale  in  the  forefront  of  the  attack 
on  a grievously  neglected  national  health  prob- 
lem. Moreover,  it  would  exemplify  the  poten- 
tial of  university  medical  centers  to  participate 
with  community  institutions  and  agencies  in  the 
the  task  of  forging  effective  and  efficient  systems 
of  health  care. 


90 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Because  the  Yale  trauma  program  is  concen- 
trating on  the  urgent  need  for  action  to  improve 
the  chances  for  the  survival  and  rehabilitation 
of  accident  victims,  work  on  accident  prevention, 
while  recognized  as  vital,  is  not  being  empha- 
sized at  this  time.  Even  so,  as  designed  by  Dr. 
Cole,  the  program  will  be  an  exceptionally  com- 
prehensive effort. 

The  two  other  main  components  of  the  Yale 
trauma  program  are:  (1)  social  science  studies 
of  injury  and  its  consequences — for  example, 
the  role  and  effectiveness  of  social  agencies  in 
dealing  with  accident  victims  and  their  families; 
and  (2)  evaluation  of  the  adequacy  of  the 
legal  system  in  handling  accident  cases,  particu- 
larly with  respect  to  medical  evidence. 

These  several  efforts  will  be  carried  out  by  a 
strong  inter-disciplinary  team  of  twenty-one  spe- 
cialists in  surgery,  medicine,  biochemistry,  pa- 
thology, sociology,  law,  and  such  other  areas  as 
transportation  and  communications  systems.  The 
team  will  be  under  a program  director,  who  will 
be  aided  by  a two-man  administrative  staff. 

More  than  half  the  three-year  financing  re- 
quired for  these  faculty  and  staff  positions,  for 
secretarial  support,  and  for  space  renovation  and 
other  needs  will  be  provided  by  the  $1  million  al- 
located by  the  Commonwealth  Fund  for  the 
start-up  costs  of  the  trauma  program. 

The  $1  million  of  the  Fund’s  grant  allocated 
for  the  construction  of  the  new  building  which 
will  house  the  trauma  program  and  the  Depart- 
ment of  Surgery  becomes  payable  as  soon  as 
this  part  of  the  grant,  combined  with  funds  from 
other  sources,  will  enable  construction  to  proceed. 

Booster  Heart 
Systems  Unveiled 

Four  different  and  completely  implantable  cir- 
culatory assist  (“booster  heart”)  systems,  and 
calves  in  which  2 of  the  systems  have  been  im- 
planted, have  been  unveiled  by  the  National 
Heart  Institute’s  Artificial  Heart  Program  (AHP). 
This  is  the  first  time  that  the  various  electronic, 
hydraulic,  and  thermal  components  of  the  sys- 
tems have  been  brought  together  as  complete 
functioning  systems,  although  the  subsystems  had 
been  tested  individually  in  previously  reported 
“bench”  and  animal  trials. 

The  occasion  of  the  unveiling  was  the  presen- 
tation of  the  concurrent  developmental  efforts 
to  an  advisory  group  of  6 eminent  physicians  and 


engineers  at  the  Washingtonian  Motel  and  the 
Gaithersburg  facility  of  Melpar,  Inc.,  Gaithers- 
burg, Md.  Members  of  the  ad  hoc  advisory  group 
are  authorities  in  the  particular  areas  of  scientific 
and  technological  expertise  required  to  develop 
the  currently  reported  systems. 

In  welcoming  the  advisory  committee,  Dr. 
Theodore  Cooper,  director  of  the  National  Heart 
Institute,  stated,  “The  successful  combination  of 
components  and  their  implantation  in  animals  pro- 
vides not  only  a unique  opportunity  to  assess 
where  we  should  go  from  here  in  this  (circula- 
tory assistance)  aspect  of  the  AHP,  but  will  also 
supply  scientific  keys  of  great  value  to  our  un- 
derstanding of  problems  involved  in  developing 
systems  for  total  heart  replacement.” 

Dr.  Frank  Hastings,  chief  of  the  AHP,  asked 
the  advisors  to  submit  their  individual  recom- 
mendations at  a later  date  as  to  what  foreseeable 
problems  must  be  overcome  to  realize  the  full 
potential  of  circulatory  assistance.  Dr.  Hastings 
also  asked  the  advisory  group  to  consider,  in 
view  of  the  usual  progressive  nature  of  heart 
failure,  whether  greater  emphasis  should  be 
placed  at  this  time  on  the  development  of  sys- 
tems to  replace  the  heart  totally  rather  than  to 
permanently  assist  the  living  heart. 

Dr.  Hastings  emphasized  that  the  systems  be- 
ing presented  are  by  no  means  ready  for  clinical 
trials  in  patients.  He  said  that  no  special  attempts 
were  made  to  build  long-term  reliability  into  the 
components  or  in  their  miniaturization  beyond 
that  necessary  for  insertion  into  the  200-pound 
calves  (which  have  approximately  the  same  cir- 
culatory requirements  and  heart  size  as  adult  hu- 
mans). Indeed,  in  an  ensuing  film  depicting  the 
systems  and  their  implantation,  some  of  the  com- 
ponents appeared  about  the  size  and  shape  of 
bricks.  Yet  they  were  inserted  easily  by  the  sur- 
geons into  various  recesses  of  the  calf  abdominal 
cavity.  The  total  weight  of  each  system  is  about 
5 Vi  pounds.  Furthermore,  the  implanted  systems 
have  been  functioning  effectively  for  up  to  6 
weeks. 

Dr.  Hastings  said  the  systems  were  designed 
only  to  identify  problem  areas  pertaining  to  the 
compatibility  of  various  components  with  each 
other  and  with  the  body.  Nevertheless,  he  said, 
the  attainment  is  a leap  forward  toward  eventual 
clinical  use.  It  is  also  a splendid  example  of  co- 
ordination of  the  eight  contracting  firms  that  de- 
signed, tested,  assembled,  and  implanted  the  4 
systems  via  the  unique  (for  the  biomedical  sci- 
ences) systems-development  approach  employed 
by  the  AHP. 


FEBRUARY  1970 


91 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Dr.  Egeberg  Calls  for 
Public,  Private  Aid 

The  responsibilities  for  the  health  care  of  the 
American  people  in  the  1970s  must  be  shared 
by  the  private  and  public  sectors  and  neither  sec- 
tor can  go  it  alone,  according  to  the  nation’s  sen- 
ior medical  officer. 

“We  must  develop  shared  or  cooperative  ar- 
rangements that  will  best  meet  our  national  goal 
of  high-quality  health  care  for  every  American  at 
reasonable  cost,”  Dr.  Roger  O.  Egeberg,  Assist- 
ant Secretary  for  Health  and  Scientific  Affairs, 
Department  of  Health,  Education,  and  Welfare, 
said  in  an  address  at  the  annual  luncheon  of  the 
Health  Insurance  Association  of  America 
(HIAA). 

The  aim  of  the  national  administration  is  to 
try  to  get  a “fuller  interaction”  between  private 
and  public  interests  so  as  to  solve  problems  af- 
fecting the  population  generally,  the  speaker  em- 
phasized. 

“The  dialog  between  the  leaders  of  private 
and  public  health  insurance  has  come  a very 
long  way  in  two  decades,”  he  continued. 

“In  many  private  sessions,  at  conferences  like 
this  one  and  at  others  sponsored  by  public  agen- 
cies, I observed  a growing  desire  to  be  mutually 
helpful.  This  is  a good  sign;  anyone  engaged  in 
the  health  care  business  these  days  can  use  all 
the  help  he  can  get.” 

Dr.  Egeberg  listed  a number  of  factors  which 
he  said  have  brought  on  and  aggravated  the 
nation’s  medical  care  crisis,  including  the  lag  in 
construction  of  out-of-hospital  facilities,  a chronic 
shortage  of  professional  and  allied  health  work- 
ers, the  escalation  in  hospital  costs,  and  a rise  in 
doctors’  fees.  He  also  enumerated  the  demands  on 
health  services  brought  on  by  the  Medicare  and 
Medicaid  programs;  “inefficient  management”  of 
public  programs,  contributing  to  health  cost  in- 
creases; and  private  plans  and  public  programs 
that  take  “expensive  care”  of  advanced  defects 
and  diseases  while  neglecting  preventive  care. 

He  said  that  the  HEW  is  asking  Congress  to 
provide  more  flexibility  in  health  care  facility 
legislation  so  as  to  shift  the  emphasis  from  hos- 
pital construction  to  “balanced  community  sys- 
tems of  interrelated  health  facilities.  ...” 

Redirecting  construction  funds,  Dr.  Egeberg 
pointed  out,  reinforces  a broader  effort  directed 
toward  state  and  area-wide  comprehensive  health 
planning  and  health  services  development. 


“The  Health  Insurance  Association  of  Amer- 
ica,” he  said,  “is  to  be  commended  for  vigorously 
supporting  comprehensive  health  planning.  The 
fact  that  over  200  insurance  company  representa- 
tives are  involved  in  the  planning  process  is  good 
news  back  home.” 

The  other  major  resource,  besides  facilities, 
that  must  be  increased  is  health  manpower,  the 
HEW  official  continued.  His  department  is  not 
only  emphasizing  physician  education  and  opera- 
tional support  to  medical  and  dental  schools  but 
is  aiming  an  increasing  number  of  programs  to- 
ward the  education  of  subprofessionals,  he 
said. 

“It  is  too  soon  to  predict  whether  we  will  lick 
the  health  manpower  shortage  during  the  1970s, 
but  we  certainly  mean  to  reverse  the  unfavor- 
able trends  of  the  1960s,”  he  said. 

The  Medicare  program,  according  to  Dr.  Ege- 
berg, “has  no  serious  structural,  administrative, 
or  management  problems,  and  it  performs  to  the 
satisfaction  of  most  beneficiaries  and  providers, 
but  there  is  lots  of  room  for  improvement  in  the 
performance  of  the  system.” 

There  are,  he  said,  defects  in  the  conception 
and  organization  of  the  Medicaid  program.  He 
added  that  soon  after  his  appointment  at  HEW 
he  joined  with  Secretary  Robert  Finch  in  an- 
nouncing a series  of  administrative  actions  to  al- 
leviate “some  of  the  more  obvious  problems.” 

He  then  summed  up  what  he  termed  the  three 
main  responsibilities  for  the  health  care  of  the 
American  people  in  the  1970s.  These,  he  said, 
are:  Provision  of  the  required  quantity  and  vari- 
ety of  health  care  facilities  and  health  manpow- 
er; improvement  and  expansion  of  the  mecha- 
nisms of  paying  for  health  care;  and  the  respon- 
sibility to  make  certain  that  the  health  money  of 
the  people  is  spent  wisely. 


Arteriosclerosis  Studied 
at  AHA  Meeting 

The  results  of  a survey  of  research  objectives 
in  arteriosclerosis  were  reported  by  National 
Heart  Institute  scientists,  Dr.  Gardner  C.  McMil- 
lan and  Mr.  Alan  Hough,  at  the  American  Heart 
Association  annual  meeting  in  Dallas. 

Of  a sample  1,930  grants  geared  to  the  study 
of  arteriosclerosis  (AS),  the  general  breakdown 
is  as  follows:  90  per  cent  of  the  grants  comprised 
basic  and  applied  research  while  10  per  cent  cen- 
tered on  development.  Approximately  85  per  cent 
of  the  grants  were  oriented  to  AS  causation  and 
prevention,  5 per  cent  to  diagnosis,  and  10  per 
cent  to  therapy. 


92 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


The  study  revealed  similar  patterns  of  research 
among  various  agencies,  both  governmental  and 
private,  in  the  United  States  and  Canada.  One- 
third  of  the  1,930  grants  pertained  to  lipid  (fat) 
metabolism  and  one-sixth  to  studies  on  the  clot- 
ting mechanisms  of  the  blood  and  how  they  con- 
tribute to  arteriosclerotic  disease. 

Approximately  20  per  cent  of  the  research  ef- 
forts included  such  categories  as  multiple  theories 
of  causation,  epidemiology,  psychosocial  studies, 
and  genetics.  Investigations  into  blood  vessel  me- 
tabolism accounted  for  6 per  cent  while  5 per  cent 
of  the  grants  involved  vascular  injury  and  repair 
concepts.  Only  a fraction  of  1 per  cent  were  con- 
cerned with  plaque  hemorrhage  or  regression  of 
arteriosclerosis. 

The  material  for  the  study  was  drawn  at  ran- 
dom from  AS  investigations  supported  by  govern- 
mental and  private  agencies  in  the  United  States 
and  Canada  during  1966  and  1967.  Objectives 
of  the  sample  were  determined  from  full  research 
proposals,  abstracts,  key  words,  or  project  title 
analysis. 

Dr.  McMillan  commented,  “It  is  clear  that  in- 
vestigators interested  in  arteriosclerosis  think  as 
a group  that  it  is  most  useful  to  study  lipids  and 
blood  clotting  mechanisms.  Whether  the  relative 
inactivity  of  some  of  the  other  areas  of  study — 
for  example,  regression  studies — represents  an 
appropriate  balance  and  correlation  of  research 
aims  is  an  interesting  matter  for  the  scientific 
community  to  debate.” 

Arteriosclerosis  is  the  general  scientific  name 
for  a number  of  diseases  of  the  arteries,  includ- 
ing hardening  of  the  arteries. 

Atherosclerosis  is  the  most  common  form  of 
arteriosclerosis,  and  it  affects  primarily  the  larger 
arteries  of  the  body.  It  is  a condition  in  which  the 
inner  layer  of  the  artery  wall  is  thickened  and 
irregular,  and  in  which  there  are  deposits  of  fatty 
substances  on  the  interior  of  the  artery. 

The  exact  way  an  artery  “hardens”  is  one  of 
the  major  unsolved  problems  of  medical  science, 
and  the  subject  of  hundreds  of  research  studies. 
For  some  reason  still  not  clearly  understood,  fat- 
like substances  build  up  on  the  inside  walls  of  the 
arteries.  Gradually  they  accumulate  and  form 
thick  deposits  called  “plaques.”  These  deposits 
both  roughen  the  artery’s  normally  smooth  inner 
lining  and  narrow  the  channel  for  blood  flow, 
making  it  more  difficult  for  enough  blood  to  get 
through.  Making  matters  worse,  the  artery  also 
loses  elasticity  with  age  and  loses  its  flexibility. 

Every  artery  throughout  the  body  is  subject  to 
hardening,  but  the  most  often  and  most  seriously 
affected  vessels  are  the  largest  arteries,  such  as 
the  aorta;  the  coronary  arteries;  and  the  arteries 


that  feed  the  brain  and  kidneys.  Arteries  may 
harden  in  one  part  of  the  body  more  rapidly 
than  in  other  areas. 

It  is  believed  that  some,  but  probably  not  all, 
of  the  fatty  substances  that  build  up  on  the  ar- 
tery wall  come  from  the  blood  fats.  People  with 
high  concentrations  of  fat  in  their  blood  develop 
hardening  of  the  arteries  earlier  and  are  more 
likely  to  suffer  serious  consequences  in  later 
years. 

Just  what  starts  the  process  of  hardening  of 
the  arteries  is  not  known. 

More  than  half  of  all  deaths  from  the  various 
kinds  of  heart  disease  are  the  consequence  of 
hardening  of  the  arteries.  It  is  the  culprit  behind 
several  of  the  most  familiar  afflictions  of  the 
cardiovascular  system. 

Insurance  Executives 
Combat  Rising  Costs 

A group  of  prominent  insurance  executives 
have  called  on  health  insurance  companies  to 
shift  the  emphasis  of  their  policies  and  programs 
in  an  effort  to  help  combat  rising  medical  costs 
and  to  help  make  high-quality  care  available  to 
all  persons. 

The  executives  made  their  remarks  as  part  of 
a panel  presentation  to  the  Individual  Insurance 
Forum  conducted  by  the  Health  Insurance  Asso- 
ciation of  America  at  the  Sheraton  Boston  Ho- 
tel. Members  of  the  panel  were  Daniel  W.  Pet- 
tengill,  vice  president,  Aetna  Life  & Casualty; 
William  C.  White,  Jr.,  vice  president,  Prudential; 
and  Howard  Ennes,  second  vice  president,  Equi- 
table Life  Assurance  Society. 

The  health  care  system  today  is  in  a condition 
of  crisis,  the  panel  said,  and  one  that  is  worsen- 
ing. The  panel  members  said  the  condition  has 
been  brought  about  by  a conjunction  of  many 
forces,  including  shortages  of  manpower  and  fa- 
cilities, rapidly  rising  costs,  21st  century  medical 
technology  that  is  “shackled”  to  19th  century  or- 
ganizational patterns,  and  to  the  existence  of  a 
“two-class”  system  of  health  care  which  often  re- 
sults in  inferior  care,  or  no  care,  for  the  “poor 
and  the  near  poor”  in  the  inner  cities  and  rural 
areas. 

The  system  of  the  future,  they  said,  must  “shift 
the  focus  of  concern  from  the  extraordinary  to  the 
ordinary,  emphasizing  the  prevention  of  disease, 
health  maintenance  and  education,  early  diagnosis 
and  treatment.” 


FEBRUARY  1970 


93 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

The  panel  urged  insurers  to  play  a more  ac- 
tive role  in  health  planning  to  improve  the  avail- 
ability of  health  services  and  facilities. 

Insurers  can  make  a significant  contribution, 
the  executives  said,  by  helping  to  put  emphasis 
on  the  use  of  less  costly  forms  of  care. 

“We  have  to  reverse  the  order  of  priority  from 
in-patient  to  out-patient  care,”  the  panel  stated. 
“The  future  should  see  not  only  more  emphasis 
on  ambulatory  care,  but  new  methods  of  orga- 
nizing this  type  of  care.” 

The  group  noted  that  this  approach  would  re- 
quire the  creation  of  community  ambulatory  care 
centers  as  part  of  systems  to  provide  “outreach” 
services  where  people  actually  are  as  “points  of 
entry”  into  the  health  care  system. 

“Perhaps  a quarter  of  the  surgery  now  per- 
formed in  hospitals  could  be  handled  in  these 
centers,  as  well  as  much  diagnostic  testing,”  the 
panel  said. 

A variety  of  other  types  of  service  facilities 
should  be  integrated  with  the  ambulatory  care 
centers,  the  group  said,  including  such  facilities 
as  convalescent  care  and  rehabilitative  units, 
home  care  services  and  custodial  facilities. 

Insurers  could  help  by  expanding  their  cover- 
ages to  meet  the  costs  of  such  facilities,  they 
said,  adding: 

“An  immediate  need  is  to  make  health  insur- 
ance readily  available  to  cover  the  cost  of  care  in 
these  alternative  facilities  and  services.  Prefer- 
ably this  should  be  on  a basis  which  encourages 
their  use  in  place  of  hospitals  wherever  appropri- 
ate. 

“Our  companies  should  review  their  current 
programs  and  make  certain  that  benefits  are  ade- 
quate in  relation  to  the  need  for  protection,  and 
comprehensive  with  regard  to  health  care  ser- 
vices.” 

The  group  also  called  on  doctors  and  hos- 
pitals to  adopt  cost-saving  techniques  such  as 
out-of-hospital  diagnostic  tests  aimed  at  cutting 
down  on  the  number  of  days  a patient  must 
spend  in  the  hospital,  full  hospital  operation  on 
a seven-day-a-week  basis,  central  purchasing  of 
services  and  goods,  such  as  laundry  and  food, 
and  the  acceptance  by  physicians  of  stepped-up 
development  of  paramedical  personnel. 

The  latter  development,  the  group  noted,  will 
not  only  help  alleviate  the  shortages  in  the  medi- 
cal care  field,  but  will  also  offer  “hundreds  of 
thousands  of  opportunities  for  people  to  find  so- 
cially productive  and  individually  satisfying  job 
opportunities.” 


Bill  Proposed  to 
End  Inheritance  Tax 

The  Greeks  did  have  a word  for  it — the  word 
was  Harpyiai,  which  translates  to  snatchers. 

The  Greek  word,  subsequently  Anglicized  to 
Harpies  is  apparently  in  the  opinion  of  many 
Americans  synonymous  with  the  inheritance  tax 
collector. 

Congressman  Robert  Price  of  Texas,  author  of 
a bill  to  drive  the  Harpies  away,  is  now  seeking 
support  of  fellow  Congressmen  to  end  with  what 
has  been  a major  cause  of  mergers,  as  well  as 
the  liquidation  of  the  family-held  farm. 

His  bill  is  practically  identical  in  context  with 
one  introduced  by  Senator  Robert  Dole  of  Kan- 
sas which  was  submitted  to  a nationwide  vote  by 
the  National  Federation  of  Independent  Business 
with  an  83  per  cent  majority  supporting  the  bill. 

Under  present  inheritance,  or  death  tax  laws, 
when  the  principal  owner  of  a family,  or  closely- 
held,  business  approaches  the  end  of  his  life  span, 
a crisis  results.  Knowing  on  his  death  the  business 
will  be  forced  to  pay  an  inheritance  tax  far  in  ex- 
cess of  any  existing  cash  position,  and  often  not 
even  in  line  with  its  earning  record,  the  usual  pro- 
cedure is  to  seek  a merger  to  avoid  liquidation. 

The  family  head  of  a family-owned  farming 
operation  faces  the  same  situation,  inasmuch  as 
today’s  inflated  land  and  property  values  are  not 
at  all  in  line  with  the  profitability  of  the  enter- 
prise, whether  it  be  an  independent  business  firm, 
or  a farming  operation. 

The  bills  by  Congressman  Price  and  Senator 
Dole  would  permit  the  value  of  an  estate  for  in- 
heritance tax  purposes  to  be  set,  at  the  option  of 
the  executor,  either  on  the  basis  of  the  deceased’s 
costs,  or  on  the  basis  of  the  profit  of  the  enterprise 
as  revealed  by  income  tax  returns. 

Congressman  Price  cites  the  hypothetical  ex- 
ample of  a family-owned  cattle  ranch  that  under 
the  present  system  of  appraising  at  today’s  in- 
flated values  would  be  assessed  at  $300,000  leav- 
ing the  inheriting  son  liable  for  $1 10,500  in  taxes, 
according  to  his  computations. 

Using  this  hypothetical  example,  to  further  il- 
lustrate, the  Texas  legislator  says  the  actual  profit 
being  realized  is  only  $7,500.  Thus,  using  a rea- 
sonable factor  for  determining  value,  the  estate 
should  only  be  valued  at  $105,000  which  would 
result  in  a death  tax  liability  of  $22,500. 

On  top  of  the  Federal  death  tax,  most  states 
also  assess  a similar  tax,  but  usually  the  states  will 
follow  the  Federal  pattern. 


94 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


MPAC 

AMPAC 

give  you  IMPACT,  doctor! 


But  make  it  a mutual  impact,  doctor,  because  your  PAC 
needs  you  and  you  need  your  PAC.  Both  AMPAC  and 
each  of  the  50  state  PAC’s  are  voluntary,  nonprofit,  un- 
incorporated, autonomous  groups  whose  members  are 
physicians,  their  wives,  and  others  in  allied  professions. 
Every  group  is  bipartisan,  bound  by  no  party  label.  The 
voting  record,  platform,  and  program  of  a candidate — 
not  his  party — is  what  the  PAC  considers. 

The  basic  purpose  is  twofold:  To  educate  in  political 
affairs  and  to  provide  a means  through  which  the  physi- 
cian-citizen can  effectively  make  his  voice  heard  in  the  po- 
litical arena.  MPAC  is  medically  oriented  and  medically 
directed  by  a 10  member  board  consisting  of  nine  physi- 
cians and  a Woman’s  Auxiliary  representative. 

With  the  elections  behind,  MPAC  is  looking  ahead  to 
1970  when  there  will  be  a job  to  do.  Make  your  voice 
count  by  sending  your  dues  today,  $10  for  MPAC  and 
$10  for  AMPAC.  Better  send  dues  for  your  wife,  too- 


MISSISSIPPI  MEDICAL 
POLITICAL  ACTION 
COMMITTEE 


FEBRUARY  1970 


95 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Operation  of  the  inheritance  tax  has  and  con- 
tinues to  create  many  problems  which  are  prob- 
ably more  middle-class  in  nature  than  those  of 
the  very  wealthy  who  have  learned  to  use  founda- 
tions and  other  loopholes  to  escape  the  full  weight 
of  the  tax  laws. 

Many  claim  that  because  in  many  states  ap- 
praisers are  paid  a percentage  of  the  value  of  the 
estate,  as  well  as  probate  fees  being  based  on  this 
formula,  there  is  an  effort  to  pad  the  value  of  the 
estate.  A respondent  to  the  Federation  survey  in 
California,  a widow  with  a motel,  recently 
charged  that  deliberate  padding  of  her  husband’s 
estate  not  only  stripped  her  of  all  cash,  but  ne- 
cessitated borrowing  money  at  high  interest  rates 
to  keep  the  motel  from  being  liquidated. 

Probably  because  people  only  die  once,  legis- 
lators who  have  in  the  past  sought  to  correct  the 
death  tax  situation  have  experienced  difficulty  in 
obtaining  mass  support. 

When  he  ran  in  the  California  primary  for  the 
United  States  Senate,  Pierre  Salinger,  former 
White  House  press  secretary  attacked  the  Cali- 
fornia system  of  handing  out  appointments  as  in- 
heritance tax  appraisers  branding  it  as  a particu- 
larly vicious  example  of  awarding  profitable  po- 
litical patronage  plums. 

Under  the  Reagan  administration  an  attempt 
was  made  to  change  the  system,  but  failed  to  get 
legislative  approval.  This  failure  was  registered 
after  the  present  State  Controller  Hugh  Flournoy 
requested  all  estate  appraisers  voluntarily  take  an 
examination  to  determine  their  fitness  for  the  po- 
sition. A substantial  number  refused  to  take  the 
test,  and  of  those  who  did,  about  half  did  poorly. 

The  present  inheritance  tax  laws  were  enacted 
in  the  motion-laden  depression  years  when  men 
were  selling  apples  in  the  streets  at  a time  when  a 
few  heirs  and  heiresses  came  into  their  inherit- 
ances which  they  proceeded  to  flaunt  with  world- 
wide publicity.  Thus,  the  legislation  was  to  pre- 
vent this  from  happening  in  the  future. 

But  the  result  has  been  that  the  extremely 
wealthy  have  developed  means  of  escaping  the 
full  impact  of  the  law  while  the  closely-held  busi- 
ness and  the  family  farm,  the  backbone  of  the 
middle-class,  bears  the  brunt. 

Perhaps  the  comparison  between  this  situation 
and  Greek  mythology  is  even  more  pertinent.  In 
early  ancient  mythology  Harpies  were  considered 
somewhat  semi-beneficial  but  in  the  later  era  of 
the  Argonautic  sagas  Harpies  had  degenerated  in- 
to foul  and  loathsome  creatures.  The  inheritance 
tax  appears  to  have  followed  the  same  course. 


Whether  or  not  Congressman  Price  and  Sena- 
tor Dole  will  be  able  to  emulate  Calais  and  Zetes 
who  drove  off  the  Harpies,  remains  to  be  seen. 
Not  only  must  they  secure  support  from  fellow 
legislators,  say  Federation  researchers,  but  they 
must  also  educate  the  less  knowledgeable  that  the 
inheritance  taxes  are  no  longer  a “soak  the  rich” 
device,  but  a powerful  destructive  force  of  the 
middle-class  backbone. 

I 

Artificial  Placentation 
System  Developed 

New  and  clinically  promising  information 
about  the  profound  circulatory  changes  that  oc- 
cur soon  after  birth — changes  that  enable  the 
essentially  aquatic  fetus  to  adapt  to  a terrestial, 
air-breathing  mode  of  existence — was  recently 
reported  by  scientists  of  the  National  Institutes 
of  Health  to  the  American  Heart  Association 
annual  meeting  in  Dallas,  Texas. 

The  studies  were  conducted  by  Drs.  Warren 
M.  Zapol,  Theodor  Kolobow,  and  Gerald  G. 
Vurek,  Ph.D.,  of  the  National  Heart  Institute’s 
Laboratory  of  Technical  Development,  John  L. 
Doppman,  Clinical  Center  Diagnostic  Radiology 
Department,  and  Joseph  E.  Pierce,  D.V.M.,  NHI 
Laboratory  of  Kidney  and  Electrolyte  Metabolism. 

Their  x-ray  motion  picture  studies  of  blood 
flow  patterns  in  isolated  non-breathing  fetal 
lambs  supported  by  an  “artificial  placenta”  show 
that  the  fetal  circulatory  pattern  can  be  changed 
to  the  adult  type  of  circulation  in  a matter  of  min- 
utes— and  reversed  just  as  quickly  even  after 
several  hours — by  manipulating  the  levels  of 
oxygen  in  the  blood. 

In  these  studies,  premature  and  term  fetal 
lambs  were  removed  from  ewes  by  caesarian  sec- 
tion and  maintained  in  a physiologically  stable 
state  for  hours  by  the  artificial  placentation  sys- 
tem developed  by  the  NHI  scientists.  Several  of 
the  animals  were  delivered  (“born”)  after  pro- 
longed periods  on  the  artificial  placenta  with  long 
term  survival. 

A key  component  of  the  artificial  placenta- 
tion system  is  an  artificial  lung,  the  spiral  coil 
membrane  blood  oxygenator,  that  provided  total 
respiratory  support  for  the  lambs  via  their  blood. 
The  unique  design  features  of  this  lung  permit 
gentle,  efficient,  and  prolonged  oxygenation  of 
the  blood  with  precise  regulation  of  blood  oxy- 
gen levels  and  blood  flow. 

The  system  also  includes  a temperature-con- 
trolled fluid  bath  (“artificial  womb”)  in  which 


96 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


the  fetus  is  submerged;  specially  designed  can- 
nulas for  joining  umbilical  vessels  to  the  blood 
tubes  of  the  system;  and  a modified  roller  pump 
to  “milk”  blood  forward  gently  through  the  sys- 
tem and  back  to  the  lamb.  (See  attached  back- 
ground statement  for  more  detailed  descriptions 
of  system  components.) 

With  this  system  and  the  injection  of  radi- 
opaque dye  for  the  visualization  of  fetal  circula- 
tion, the  NIH  scientists  first  confirmed  a num- 
ber of  earlier  studies  that  had  been  performed 
on  exteriorized  sheep  fetuses  (deteriorating  for 
lack  of  a physiologically  stable  support  system). 
These  earlier  studies  had  shown  that  very  little 
blood  flows  through  the  lungs  during  fetal  life, 
but  that  most  of  the  blood  traveling  toward  the 
lungs  is  instead  diverted  back  into  the  general 
body  circulation  by  a blood  vessel — the  ductus 
arteriosus — connecting  the  pulmonary  artery  to 
the  aorta. 

The  previous  studies  had  also  indicated  that 
constriction  and  closure  of  the  ductus  soon  after 
birth  was  triggered  by  greatly  elevated  levels  of 
blood  oxygen,  and  that  complete  functional  closure 
required  about  half  an  hour. 

The  currently  reported  studies  provided  the 
first  “non-invasive”  proof  that  higher  physiologic 
levels  of  blood  oxygen,  at  constant  bloodflow, 
close  the  ductus  arteriosus.  Moreover,  the  NIH 
experiments  revealed  that  this  conversion  of  the 
fetal  to  an  adult  form  of  circulation  allowing  in- 
creased bloodflow  through  the  lungs  occurs  with- 
in 5 minutes  of  the  raising  of  blood  oxygen  con- 
tent instead  of  the  previously  reported  half  hour. 
It  is  complete  by  20  minutes.  Furthermore,  the 
process  is  reversible — the  closed  ductus  can  be 
dilated  and  then  closed  again  by  manipulating 
blood  oxygen  tension,  even  after  being  closed 
for  6 hours.  Finally,  the  scientists  observed  that 
induced  respiratory  acidosis  alone  (an  increase  in 
blood  acidity — carbonic  acid — caused  by  insuffi- 
cient exhalation  of  carbon  dioxide)  cannot  dilate 
the  ductus  in  the  absence  of  a sufficiently  high 
level  of  blood  oxygen.  Metabolic  acidosis  also 
does  not  delay,  disturb  or  vary  this  constricting 
response. 

These  findings — heretofore  unavailable  x-ray 
documentation  of  circulatory  phenomena  in  the 
as  yet  “unborn”  fetal  lamb — provide  additional 
evidence  for  the  use  of  the  blood  oxygenator  to 
support  newborn  human  infants  during  such  cri- 
ses as  respiratory  distress  syndrome  due  to  hya- 
line membrane  disease.  In  such  situations,  the 
oxygenator  would  not  only  provide  respiratory 
support  until  lung  lesions  cleared  up  spontaneous- 
ly or  in  response  to  medication,  but  would  also 
effect  closure  of  the  ductus  and  thus  increase 


bloodflow  through  the  lungs  to  actively  promote 
gas  exchange  in  the  lung.  (Hyaline  membrane 
disease  kills  approximately  25,000  newborn  in- 
fants each  year  in  the  U.  S.) 

The  blood  oxygenator  may  also  prove  useful 
in  the  management  of  newborn  infants  afflicted 
with  congenital  (inborn)  heart  defects. 

Heart  Attack  Will 
Be  Studied  at  UAB 

Heart  attack  kills  500,000-600,000  Americans 
per  year.  New  and  more  sophisticated  methods 
of  treating  this  killer  disease  still  have  not  sig- 
nificantly altered  the  appalling  death  toll  from 
heart  attack  when  it  is  accompanied  by  shock  or 
congestive  failure.  In  a major  clinical  research 
effort,  a system  of  Myocardial  Infarction  Re- 
search Units  has  been  set  up  in  a small  number  of 
university  medical  centers  by  the  National  Heart 
Institute,  National  Institutes  of  Health.  In  these 
centers,  scientists  from  many  disciplines  are  fo- 
cusing their  skills  on  patients  with  “heart  at- 
tacks” which  are  usually  associated  with  myo- 
cardial infarction — the  damaging  or  death  of  an 
area  of  the  heart  muscle  resulting  from  a reduc- 
tion in  the  blood  supply  reaching  that  area. 

The  largest  and  most  extensively  equipped  of 
these  Myocardial  Infaction  Research  Units  is  lo- 
cated at  the  Medical  Center  of  the  University  of 
Alabama  in  Birmingham.  This  new  facility,  as  a 
part  of  University  Hospital,  will  become  opera- 
tional next  month.  The  impressive  UAB  unit, 
sponsored  by  the  National  Heart  Institute  and 
funded  in  part  by  the  (Alabama)  Vocational 
Rehabilitation  Service,  private  philanthropy  and 
the  University  of  Alabama  in  Birmingham,  is 
supported  by  a prestigious  interdisciplinary  team 
of  physicians,  surgeons,  scientists,  computer  en- 
gineers and  technicians.  The  unit  houses  a vast 
array  of  instruments  and  special  equipment  de- 
signed to  help  diagnose  the  extent  of  heart  dam- 
age, to  follow  the  development  of  complications 
and  to  improve  treatment  in  ways  “hitherto  not 
possible.” 

According  to  Dr.  T.  Joseph  Reeves,  MIRU 
Director,  the  unit  is  divided  into  four  sections. 
The  Clinical  Section  deals  directly  with  patient 
care;  the  Computer  Section,  staffed  by  biomathe- 
maticians and  computer  specialists,  is  concerned 
with  new  applications  of  computer  sciences  to 
intensive  patient  monitoring,  information  retriev- 
al and,  eventually,  direct  patient  care;  the  Pa- 


FEBRUARY  1970 


97 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

thology  Section  is  responsible  for  study  of  the 
anatomy  of  blood  vessel  and  heart  muscle  dis- 
eases; and  the  Bioengineering  Section  will  work 
toward  the  development  of  different  and  im- 
proved methods  of  instrumentation  to  assist  the 
heart  through  the  critical  period  when  life  and 
death  hang  in  the  balance. 

Dr.  Reeves  explained  that  physicians  in  the 
unit  are  interested  in  identifying  heart  abnor- 
malities more  quickly  than  has  been  possible  in 
the  past.  Many  deaths,  he  pointed  out,  occur 
before  the  victim  ever  reaches  the  hospital;  a 
great  many  more  occur  suddenly,  even  after  ad- 
mission. If  symptoms  and  complications  are  read- 
ily identified,  proper  treatment  can  be  started 
immediately. 

Members  of  the  MIRU  staff  also  are  particu- 
larly concerned  with  the  problem  of  the  compli- 
cated myocardial  infarction.  Recent  advances  in 
electrocardiographic  monitoring  have  greatly  re- 
duced the  hazard  of  death  from  electrical  insta- 
bility of  the  heart  which,  if  not  promptly  treated, 
may  lead  to  total  disorganization  of  the  heart 
beat.  However,  relatively  little  progress  has  been 
achieved  in  the  treatment  of  those  patients  in 
whom  a major  injury  to  the  heart  muscle  pre- 
vents the  heart  from  functioning  adequately  as  a 
pump.  When  this  occurs,  “congestive  heart  fail- 
ure” or  cardiogenic  shock  develops.  Under  these 
circumstances,  even  in  the  most  modern  clinical 
coronary  care  units,  the  mortality  rate  remains 
extremely  high.  One  of  the  major  objectives  of  the 
new  unit  is  to  materially  reduce  death  from  this 
cause. 

One  of  the  major  facets  of  the  MIRU  program 
at  the  UAB  is  the  use  of  circulatory  assist  de- 
vices. Ready  for  application  to  patients  is  the 
Bramson  Membrane  Lung  (artificial  heart-lung 
machine).  The  physician-scientists  in  the  new 
unit  believe  that  if  the  severely  damaged  heart 
can  “rest”  for  a number  of  hours  it  will  have  a 
better  chance  of  recovering  its  strength.  During 
this  time,  the  membrane  oxygenator  will  supply 
the  vital  organs  of  the  body  with  the  required 
blood.  A special  room  of  the  unit  is  designed  for 
this  circulatory  assist  program. 

In  dealing  with  heart  attack  victims,  physicians 
have  been  meeting  crises  as  they  occur  and,  as  a 
result,  data  accumulation  has  suffered.  An  impor- 
tant aspect  of  the  program  will  be  data  accumu- 
lation through  use  of  a uniquely  programmed 
IBM  1800  computer  which  simultaneously  mon- 


itors and  records  all  important  bodily  functions 
of  patients  in  the  four  MIRU  beds.  The  com- 
pany-programmed system  has  been  altered  by  a 
support  group  of  highly  skilled  specialists  so  that 
it  will  perform  numerous  functions  never  before 
programmed  for  conventional  computer  opera- 
tions. The  MIRU  computer  team  edited  and  ex- 
panded the  master  programming  system  to  “cus- 
tom-fit” the  job.  One  improvement  is  the  reten- 
tion of  certain  basic  program  modules  needed  for 
a number  of  “tasks.”  This  retention  capability 
eliminates  the  need  for  external  information  stor- 
age and  time  consuming  re-entry  of  instructions 
which  are  needed  on  a continuing  basis. 

The  University’s  computer  authority,  Dr.  Jo- 
siah  Macy,  Jr.,  said  that  this  system  gives  re- 
searchers the  computer  flexibility  they  need  with- 
out sacrificing  high  performance  in  simultaneous 
data-collection  and  monitoring  of  patients. 

“In  addition  to  standard  monitoring  proce- 
dures, information  retention  and  staff-alerting 
functions,  we  hope  to  use  the  computer  for  pa- 
tient care  procedures  as  soon  as  feasible,”  Dr. 
Macy  said.  Some  similar  patient  care  functions 
are  already  in  everyday  use  at  the  UAB  Univer- 
sity Hospital  for  postoperative  open  heart  surgery 
patients. 

Other  equipment  will  permit  x-ray  and  fluoro- 
scopic examination  of  the  heart  without  moving 
the  patient.  Specially  built  beds  swing  smoothly 
into  the  required  position,  leaving  behind  the 
image-distorting  portion  of  the  bed  frame. 

The  program  also  will  include  new  instrumen- 
tation for  cardiovascular  diagnosis  of  critically 
ill  patients.  Included  are  such  devices  as  radar 
and  sonar  probes,  which  are  used  to  measure 
heart  size  and  cardiac  chamber  motion,  as  well 
as  the  conventional  electrocardiogram,  phono- 
cardiogram  and  other  more  routine  procedures. 

Central  Medical 
Elects  New  Officers 

Central  Medical  Society’s  new  slate  of  officers 
recently  took  office.  President  for  1970  is  Dr. 
William  O.  Barnett  of  Jackson.  Dr.  T.  E.  Wilson 
III  is  the  new  vice  president  and  Dr.  William 
Pontius  is  president  elect. 

Dr.  Robert  P.  Henderson  was  elected  secretary 
of  the  society.  Outgoing  president  is  Dr.  Frank 
Bower. 


98 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


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pace  with  your  own  knowledge  of  new  drugs, 
medicines  and  technics? 

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Index  to  Advertisers 


AMPAC,  MPAC 95 

Arch  Laboratories 99 

Breon  Laboratories  14A,  14B,  14C,  14D 

Burroughs-Wellcome  80A 

Campbell  Soup  Company  68A 

Geigy  SOB,  80C 

Highland  Hospital  15 

Hillcrest  Hospital  10 

Hoechst  Pharmaceuticals 17 

Hynson,  Westcott  and  Dunning  3 

Kay  Surgical  99 


Lakeland  Nursing  Center  7 

Lederle  Laboratories  4,  12,  14,  87 

Eli  Lilly  and  Company  front  cover,  18 

National  Drug  Company  second  cover,  84A,  84B 

Parke  Davis  and  Company  92C,  92D 

Pharmaceutical  Manufacturers  Association  16 

Wm.  P.  Poythress 92A 

A.  H.  Robins  Company  10A,  10B,  11,  68D,  83,  92B 
Roche  Laboratories  6,  89,  fourth  cover 

Sando/. SOD 

G.  D.  Searle  68B,  68C 

Smith.  Kline  and  French  8 

Thomas  Yates  and  Company third  cover 


FEBRUARY  1970 


99 


Department  of  Health,  Education,  and  Welfare , a bureaucrat* s 
bureaucracy,  may  be  broken  up  by  Nixon  administration.  Word  is 
that  Secretary  Finch  is  finding  it  impossible  to  manage  sprawl- 
ing agency  with  107,000  employees,  255  separate  programs,  and  an 
annual  budget  of  $60  billion.  AMA  has  long  advocated  a separate 
cabinet  level  Department  of  Health  and  may  get  it  yet. 


American  Hospital  Association  forecasts  a stronger  and  bigger  role 
for  hospitals  in  delivery  of  medical  care  in  the  1970 *s.  AHA  says 
that  the  "hospital  administrator  must  increasingly  assume  the  role 
of  chief  executive  officer,"  recognizing  that  he  has  a community 
responsibility.  Prediction  also  says  that  physicians  will  be 
"assaulted  with  greater  demands  to  pay  attention  to  the  social  and 
economic  problems  of  medical  care." 


Los  Angeles  veterinarians  have  organized  a program  of  small  animal 
care  for  pets  of  welfare  recipients,  calling  it  Vet-aid.  Idea  is 
that  610,000  Angelinos  on  welfare  can*t  afford  vet  fees  and  pets 
suffer  as  a result.  Animal  Health  Foundation  of  California  will 
administer  program  which  is  starting  up  with  $200,000  obtained  from 
public  contributions. 


Brandeis  University  reports  in  a nationwide  study  of  child  abuse 
that  90  per  cent  of  incidents  occur  in  the  child* s home.  Mothers 
abuse  children  more  frequently  than  fathers,  and  most  incidents 
involved  beatings.  Half  the  children  and  two- thirds  of  the  abusive 
parents  showed  deviation  in  behavioral  characteristics.  Only  17  pe 
cent  of  child  abusers  were  convicted  by  courts. 


Louisiana  State  University  will  construct  a $10.6  million  school 
of  veterinary  medicine  on  the  Baton  Rouge  campus  on  a 44  acre  site 
in  the  shadow  of  Tiger  Stadium.  Federal  funds  will  be  provided  by 
HEW  grant  under  Health  Manpower  Act.  Construction  is  scheduled  to 
begin  next  June  and  school  is  to  be  opened  in  1973.  At  present, 
only  school  of  veterinary  medicine  in  Alabama— Louisiana— Mississippi 
area  is  at  Auburn  University. 


/olume  XI 
Number  3 
March  1970 


• EDITOR 

William  M.  Dabney,  M.D. 

. ASSOCIATE  EDITORS 
George  H.  Martin,  M.D. 
Thomas  W.  Wesson,  M.D. 

MANAGING  EDITOR 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 

EDITORIAL  CONSULTANT 
Betty  M.  Sadler 

EDITORIAL  ASSISTANT 
Nola  Gibson 

PUBLICATIONS  COMMITTEE 
Lawrence  W.  Long,  M.D. 
Chairman 

Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr.,  M.D. 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
and  the  editors 

THE  ASSOCIATION 
James  L.  Royals,  M.D. 

President 

Paul  B.  Brumby,  M.D. 

President-elect 
Walter  H.  Simmons,  M.D. 

Secretary-Treasurer 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
Speaker 

John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Vice  Speaker 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 
H.  C.  Harrell 

Executive  Assistant 


fhe  Journal  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  is  owned  and  pub- 
ished  by  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association,  founded  1856.  Editorial,  ex- 
icutive,  and  business  offices,  735  Riverside 
Drive,  Jackson,  Mississippi  39216;  office 
>f  publication,  1201-5  Bluff  Street,  Fulton. 
Missouri  65251.  Subscription  rate,  $7.50 
>er  annum;  $1  per  copy,  as  available.  Ad- 
rertising  rates  furnished  on  request, 
iecond-class  postage  paid  at  the  post  office 
it  Fulton,  Missouri. 


CONTENTS 


original  papers 

Emergency  Surgery  for 
Acute  Myocardial 

Infarction  101  Hilary  H.  Timmis,  M.D. ; 

David  Davis,  M.D.; 
Patrick  H.  Lehan,  M.D.; 
and  James  D.  Hardy,  M.D. 

Idiopathic  Hypertrophic 

Subaortic  Stenosis  106  Karl  W.  Hatten,  M.D. 

SPECIAL  ARTICLES 

Changing  Methods  and 

Changeless  Principles  1 10  William  K.  Keller,  M.D. 

Radiologic  Seminar 
XCIII:  Inferior 

Vena  Cavography  1 14  Ottis  G.  Ball,  M.D. 


EDITORIALS 

Invasion  of  Privacy: 


New  Angle  on  Smoking 

A Punitive  Bill  Aimed 
at  Physicians 

Restraining  Devices  Help 
Mother  Make  Sure 

The  Inside  Story  on 
AMA  Membership 

The  Old  Admonition: 
Watch  Those  Narcotics 


117  ASH  and  CRASH 

1 1 8 Malpractice  Threat 

1 1 9 Keep  the  Tykes  Alive 

119  Facts  Explain  Figures 

120  Do's  and  Don'ts 


THIS  MONTH 

The  President  Speaking  1 16  ‘Or  Lose  by  Default' 
Medical  Organization  129  102nd  Annual  Session 


Copyright  1970,  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


6 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  MARCH  1970 


D.  C.  Medical  Society 
Discourages  Smoking 

The  Medical  Society  of  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia, in  mid-January,  launched  a new  offensive 
against  smoking.  It  called  for  a ban  on  smoking 
in  public  schools,  an  end  to  cigarette  sales  in  hos- 
pitals, and  for  separate  hospital  facilities  for  pa- 
tients sensitive  to  cigarette  smoke. 

The  Society  also  asked  that  physicians  place 
“No  Smoking”  signs  in  their  offices,  that  the  gov- 
ernment stop  using  tax  dollars  to  promote  the 
U.  S.  tobacco  industry,  and  that  the  Federal 
Aviation  Administration  and  Congress  approve 
petitions  and  bills  for  either  separate  smoking 
compartments  or  smoking  bans  aboard  commer- 
cial airliners. 

Joining  the  Society  were  60  public  and  private 
organizations  comprising  the  D.  C.  Interagency 
Council  on  Smoking.  In  addition  to  all-out  edu- 
cational promotions,  physicians  and  ministers 
staffed  four  five-day  withdrawal  clinics,  sponsored 
by  the  Seventh-Day  Adventist  Church. 


Voluntary  Health 
Conference  Slated 

The  third  national  voluntary  Health  Confer- 
ence will  be  held  at  the  Statler-Hilton  Hotel  in 
Washington,  D.  C.,  May  7-8,  1970.  Sponsored  by 
the  AMA’s  Board  of  Trustees  and  Council  on 
Voluntary  Health  Agencies,  the  meeting  will  em- 
phasize “Health  Team  Relationships:  Profession- 
al Associations,  Governmental  Agencies,  Volun- 
tary Organizations.” 

National  leaders  will  explore  the  roles,  respon- 
sibilities and  relationships  among  professional  as- 
sociations, governmental  agencies  and  voluntary 
organizations  in  the  provision  of  health  care, 
broadly  interpreted  to  include  research,  health 
education  and  health  services. 

Information  on  registration  and  reservations 
may  be  obtained  from  Dr.  D.  A.  Dukelow,  Con- 
ference Coordinator,  Department  of  Health  Edu- 
cation, AMA,  535  North  Dearborn  Street,  Chi- 
cago, 111.  60610. 


cFkM?  (Vs  t 

HOSPITAL 

(Formerly  Hill  Crest  Sanitarium) 


7 000  5TH  AVENUE  SOUTH 
Box  2896,  Wood  lawn  Station 
Birmingham,  Alabama  35212 
Phone:  205-836-7201 


A patient  centered 
independent  hospital  for 
intensive  treatment  of 
nervous  disorders  . . . 

Hill  Crest  Hospital  was  estab- 
lished in  1925  as  Hill  Crest 
Sanitarium  to  provide  private 
psychiatric  treatment  of  ner- 
vous or  mental  disorders.  Indi- 
vidual patient  care  has  been 
the  theme  during  its  44  years 
of  service. 

Both  male  and  female  pa- 


tients are  accepted  and  depart- 
mentalized care  is  provided  ac- 
cording to  sex  and  the  degree 
of  illness. 


In  addition  to  the  psychiatric 
staff,  consultants  are  available 
in  all  medical  specialities. 


MEDICAL  DIRECTOR: 

James  A.  Becton,  M.D.„  F.A.P.A. 

CLINICAL  DIRECTORS: 

James  K.  Ward,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 
Hardin  M.  Ritchey,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 


HILL  CREST  is  a member  of: 

AMERICAN  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
. . . NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  PRI- 
VATE PSYCHIATRIC  HOSPITALS  . . . 
ALABAMA  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
BIRMINGHAM  REGIONAL  HOSPITAL 
COUNCIL; 

Hill  Crest  is  fully  accredited  by  the  Joint 
Commission  on  Accreditation  of  Hospitals 
and  is  also  approved  for  Medicare  pa- 
tients. 


SWt®  C/test 

HOSPITAL 

BIRMINGHAM,  ALABAMA 


March  1970 


or  Doctor t 

;sh  an  estimated  six  weeks  to  go,  the  Regular  Session  of  the  Legis- 
“sure  is  considering  antimedicine  and  anti-M.D.  bills.  Biggest 
”iger  to  public  health  is  Senate  Bill  1905,  proposal  to  license 
propraetors  and  to  put  badge  of  legality  and  respectability  on 
,iLt.  Bill  is  sponsored  by  Sens.  Robertson,  Yancy,  Perdue,  and 
kson  and  has  been  referred  to  Senate  Public  Health  Committee. 


In  the  House.  HB  407  would  make  a shambles  of  judicial 
safeguards  in  medical  malpractice  cases.  Bill  would 
permit  jury  awards  without  corroborative  medical  testi- 
mony, sending  premiums  for  professional  liability  in- 
surance sky  high  or  drive  it  from  state  market. 


.;fant  mortality  showed  a decrease  in  Mississippi  during  third  quar- 
rr  of  1969  over  same  three  months  a year  previously.  State  Board 
v Health  reports  infant  deaths  down  to  337  from  39^,  a decrease  of 
..  per  cent.  In  the  same  period,  live  birth  rate  went  up  5.4  per 
Mt,  up  6.8  per  cent  for  whites  and  4 per  cent  for  nonwhites. 

liy  news  media  sources  are  saying  that  it's  no  longer  a question  of 
r f , only  "when  and  what , ,l  on  national  compulsory  health  Insurance . 
rans  are  in  offing  from  Reuther,  Javitts,  Rockefeller,  and  Kennedy. 
l A.* s Medicredit  is  voluntary,  however.  But  Nixon  administration 
t pears  to  oppose  all,  saying  that  nation  does  not  have  health  man- 
iwer  to  staff  program  and  that  Mwe  can't  even  handle  Medicaid.” 

igrican  College  of  Surgeons  has  outlined  policy  for  procedures  in- 
^lving  human  experimentation.  Physicians  and  institutions  must  be 
lalified,  procedures  explained,  potential  benefits  must  outweigh 
sks,  and  surveillance  guaranteed.  College  Regents  also  prescribed 
irefully  controlled  public  release  of  clinical  results  with  appro- 
bate restraints. 

yen  of  nine  multi-county  regions  in  Mississippi  now  have  mental 
alth  centers  or  are  preparing  to  go  operational  soonl  Centers 
ready  open  include  Tupelo,  first  in  state,  and  Oxford.  Units  for 
.ckson  and  Greenville  are  under  construction,  and  plans  are  ad- 
nced  in  Meridian,  Clarksdale,  and  Gulfport.  Program  is  largely 
derally  funded  with  grants  totaling  $3.7  million. 


Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  MARCH  1970 


1 0 

IRS  Requires 
Identification  Number 

The  Internal  Revenue  Service  has  ruled  that 
Section  604  (a)  of  the  Internal  Revenue  Code  re- 
quires all  insurance  carriers  to  file  form  1099 
with  respect  to  medical  expense  benefit  payment 
in  excess  of  $600  in  any  year  made  under  Group 
Health  Insurance  policies  directly  (that  is  as- 
signed to  the  physician). 

The  information  necessary  for  the  various  car- 
riers of  group  health  insurance  to  make  their  re- 
port to  IRS  requires  that  they  know  the  Tax- 
payer Identification  Number  of  the  physician 
(Social  Security  Number  of  the  individual  physi- 
cian or  Employer  Identification  Number  as  ap- 
propriate). 

Beginning  January  1,  1970,  the  carriers  can- 
not issue  a draft  directly  to  a physician  unless  it 
has  the  appropriate  Taxpayer  Identification  Num- 
ber. All  physicians  should  inform  their  billing 
clerks  to  include  the  appropriate  information  on 
any  claim  forms  where  an  assignment  is  involved 
to  prevent  delay  in  processing  the  claim. 


AMA  Hosts  Meet 
of  Medical  Executives 

The  AMA  hosted  a unique  meeting  in  Chicago 
Jan.  28-29  to  strengthen  communications  and  li- 
aison between  its  components  and  related  pro- 
fessional organizations.  Invited  to  the  Confer- 
ence for  Senior  Medical  Executives  were  249  ex- 
ecutives of  state  and  county  medical  associations 
and  of  32  medical  specialty  societies. 

The  two-day  session  was  designed  to  encour- 
age the  free  exchange  of  information  between 
the  AMA  administrative  staff  and  the  registrants 
on  medical  programs  and  problems,  and  to  pro- 
mote a greater  utilization  of  AMA  services. 

Each  of  the  AMA  division  directors  presented 
a summary  of  activities  performed  by  his  staff, 
and  additional  reports  were  made  by  members 
of  the  Office  of  the  Executive  Vice  President. 

Dr.  Ernest  B.  Howard,  AMA  executive  vice 
president,  opened  the  Conference.  After  the  in- 
dividual presentations,  the  registrants  participat- 
ed in  eight  different  discussion  groups  which  fo-  \ 
cused  on  specific  programs,  services,  and  needs 
in  which  both  the  AMA  and  the  invited  organi- 
zations can  participate  to  their  mutual  benefit. 


—The  lowest  priced  tetracycline— nystatin  combination  available— 


bract  Surgeon  Washington  - Taking  a cue  from  the  way  things 

doming  Back  were  done  a century  ago,  the  Gates  Commission, 

studying  health  needs  of  the  military  and  their 
sndents,  has  recommended  that  civilian  physicians  be  employed  to 
re  domestic  military  installations,  thereby  easing  off  Doctor 
ft.  Commission  also  recommends  expanding  CHAMPUS  to  cover  all 
Lth  services  for  active  duty  dependents  and  retirees. 


Lth  Insurance,  New  York  - Private  health  insurance  and  prepay- 

33  Grow  in  * 69  ment  plans  grew  to  record  highs  in  1969,  accord- 

ing to  the  Health  Insurance  Institute,  More  than 
out  of  204  million  Americans  own  some  form  of  health  care  cover- 
, Companies  and  plans  paid  out  $13.5  billion  last  year  with  $8 
Lion  going  to  hospitals,  $4  billion  to  physicians  and  other  prac- 
Loners,  and  remainder  for  miscellaneous  benefits. 


Dility  Hike  Montgomery  - The  Medical  Society  of  the  State  of 

i in  Alabama  Alabama  says  that  their  members  will  pay  up  to 

$1,000  each  for  professional  liability  insurance 
srage  in  1970.  State  has  37  suits  now  pending  totaling  $7.9  mil- 
l in  plaintiffs*  claims.  Rate  increase  amounts  to  25  per  cent  for 
sral  practitioners  up  to  75  per  cent  for  anesthesiologists , sur- 
is,  and  those  in  ob-gyn.  Upward  trend  is  national  in  scope. 


May  Warn  Pill  Washington  - In  an  unprecedented  move,  PDA  may 
Lents  Directly  send  warnings  on  oral  contraceptives  directly  to 

women  rather  than  through  usual  channel  of  M,D. *s. 
1 is  that  message  would  be  simple,  direct,  and  nontechnical.  But 
broversy  is  likely  to  break  out  if  a federal  agency  invades  time 
)red  physician-patient  relationship.  Some  see  move  as  undermining 
Lent  confidence  in  physicians.  Before  such  action  could  be  taken 
putting  messages  in  packages,  PDA  must  publish  intentions. 


Seeks  Bigger  Chicago  - American  Medical  Association  says  that 
Lth  Care  Plans  0E0  will  try  to  expand  poverty  health  care  pro- 
grams by  direct  aid  to  hospital  outpatient  de- 
bments.  Idea  is  to  intensify  care  in  ghetto.  Pattern  under  Re- 
Licans  is  same  as  when  LBJ  was  in:  Although  the  Congress  has  cut 

general  budget  for  three  successive  years,  agency's  health  care 
jram  has  always  been  expanded. 


■%. 1 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

March  1970,  Vol.  XI,  No.  3 


Emergency  Surgery 
For  Acute  Myocardial  Infarction 

HILARY  H.  TIMMIS,  M.D.;  DAVID  DAVIS,  M.D.; 
PATRICK  H.  LEHAN,  M.D.;  and  JAMES  D.  HARDY,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


The  role  of  surgery  in  the  palliation  of  coro- 
nary atherosclerosis  is  an  accepted  clinical  mo- 
dality, and  the  recent  literature  documents  the 
usefulness  of  many  operative  procedures.1’  2>  3>  4 
Initially,  the  challenge  of  atherosclerotic  myo- 
cardiopathy  was  met  by  surgical  techniques  not 
requiring  cardiopulmonary  bypass  to  repair  le- 
sions such  as  ventricular  aneurysm.  Open  heart 
surgery  is  now  commonly  used  for  the  correction 
of  this  and  other  sequelae  of  myocardial  infarc- 
tion. Furthermore,  operative  procedures  aimed  at 
preventing  myocardial  infarction  and  relieving 
symptomatic  myocardial  ischemia  are  also  per- 
formed in  many  centers.  These  operations  con- 
sist of  indirect  methods  to  increase  myocardial 
blood  flow,  mainly  by  internal  mammary  artery 
implantation  and,  less  frequently,  direct  repair  of 
locally  occluded  coronary  vessels  by  endarterecto- 
my and  grafting  techniques.  Generalized  coro- 
nary atherosclerosis  resulting  in  progressive  cardi- 
ac dysfunction  and  imminent  death,  has  been 
managed  successfully  by  cardiac  replacement  and 
is  the  most  common  indication  for  heart  trans- 
plantation. 

From  the  Departments  of  Surgery  and  Medicine,  Uni- 
versity of  Mississippi  Medical  Center. 


Until  recently,  the  surgical  armamentarium 
had  nothing  to  offer  the  patient  in  cardiogenic 
shock  due  to  myocardial  infarction  and  the  fail- 
ure of  medical  measures  invariably  resulted  in 


Until  recently,  the  surgical  armamentari- 
um had  nothing  to  offer  the  patient  in  car- 
diogenic shock  due  to  myocardial  infarction, 
and  the  failure  of  medical  measures  invari- 
ably resulted  in  death.  Two  years  ago 
Mobin-Uddin  and  Heimbecker  independent- 
ly reported  results  of  a radical  surgical  con- 
cept used  in  these  cases.  In  this  paper  the 
authors  report  the  case  of  a middle-aged 
male  who  underwent  surgery  following  pe- 
ripheral vascular  collapse  from  acute  rup- 
ture of  the  ventricular  septum  after  myo- 
cardial infarction. 


death.  However,  in  1947,  Murray  reported  a sig- 
nificant improvement  of  survival  rate  in  dogs  af- 
ter acute  occlusion  of  the  anterior  descending 
coronary  artery  when  the  infarcted  muscle  was 


MARCH  1970 


101 


EMERGENCY  SURGERY  / Timmis  et  al 

immediately  excised."’  Twenty  years  later,  this 
radical  surgical  concept  was  corroborated  inde- 
pendently by  Mobin-Uddin  and  Heimbecker,  and 
the  latter  further  described  the  successful  clinical 
application  of  the  procedure.6,  7 

The  following  report  details  our  experience 
with  a middle-aged  male  who  appeared  to  be  a 
candidate  for  this  unusual  procedure. 

CASE  REPORT 

J.W.,  a 48-year-old  veteran,  was  transferred  to 
the  University  Medical  Center  for  emergency 
evaluation  and  treatment  following  the  sudden 
onset  of  a harsh  precordial  murmur  and  periph- 
eral vascular  collapse  while  convalescing  from  a 
recent  acute  coronary  occlusion.  During  cardiac 
catheterization,  the  intravenous  administration  of 
a vasopressor  was  necessary  to  maintain  an  ar- 
terial pressure  above  90  mm.  Hg.  His  heart  was 
extremely  irritable  at  this  time,  and  recurrent 
episodes  of  ventricular  tachycardia  and  one  of 
fibrillation  were  reversed  by  direct  current  shocks. 
A left  ventricular  angiocardiogram  revealed  a 
large  left  to  right  shunt  at  the  ventricular  level, 
and  there  was  very  slow  clearing  of  contrast  ma- 
terial from  the  left  ventricle.  It  was  evident  that 
cardiac  function  was  critically  reduced  by  the  de- 
velopment of  an  intracardiac  shunt  in  addition  to 
the  obvious  muscle  dysfunction  manifested  by  a 
hypokinetic  left  ventricular  muscle.  With  these 
findings,  repair  of  at  least  the  interventricular 
septal  defect  was  recognized  as  the  only  possible 
recourse  to  survival. 


(a) 

(b) 

Before 

After 

mm. Fig 

mm.Hg 

Right  atrium 

30 

10 

Pulmonary  artery  

60/40 

25/10 

Aorta  

50/30 

130/80 

Figure  7.  Intraoperative  pressure  measurements. 


Type  specific  blood  in  adequate  quantity  was 
rapidly  prepared,  and  with  all  in  readiness,  the 
operation  was  begun.  Initially,  the  right  external 
iliac  artery  was  exposed  under  local  anesthesia 
for  arterial  input  from  the  heart-lung  machine,  in 
the  event  of  cardiac  arrest  during  anesthetic  in- 
duction. General  anesthesia  was  then  carefully 
induced  with  no  untoward  change  of  his  vital 
signs.  The  chest  was  entered  through  a median 
incision  and  the  sternum  split  in  the  midline  to 


expose  the  entire  anterior  surface  of  the  heart.  On 
inspection,  the  heart  appeared  grossly  enlarged 
and  both  atrial  walls  were  markedly  tense  due  to 
biventricular  failure.  Preparations  were  rapidly 
made  to  begin  cardiopulmonary  bypass,  particu- 
larly since  he  was  requiring  increasing  levels  of 
norepinephrine  to  maintain  a pressure  above  70 
mm.  Hg. 

When  his  circulatory  load  was  taken  over  in 
part  by  the  action  of  the  heart-lung  machine,  the 
chamber  pressures  which  were  markedly  altered 
(Figure  1)  rapidly  returned  to  normal  levels.  Af- 
ter complete  cardiopulmonary  bypass  was  insti- 
tuted, the  heart  was  examined  more  carefully. 
Fine  adhesions  were  noted  between  the  antero- 
lateral surface  of  the  left  ventricle  and  the  parie- 
tal pericardium.  These  were  easily  lysed,  expos- 
ing a discolored,  inffammed  segment  of  myocar- 
dium which  moved  paradoxically.  The  right  ven- 
tricle was  then  entered  through  a 5 cm.  incision 
which  avoided  major  coronary  branches.  A 2 cm. 
ventricular  septal  defect  was  noted  almost  adja- 
cent to  the  apex,  behind  some  heavy  trabecula- 
tions  which  were  divided.  The  edges  of  the  defect 
were  yellow  in  color,  irregular  and  very  thin  for  a 
distance  of  about  1 cm.  The  decision  was  made 
at  this  point  to  repair  both  the  damaged  left  ven- 
tricle as  well  as  the  ventricular  septum,  to  give 
him  the  best  possible  chance  for  survival.  The 
non-contractile  segment  of  the  left  ventricle  was 
excised,  leaving  a circular  defect  about  5 cm.  in 
diameter,  the  cut  edges  of  which  were  mottled 
and  ecchymotic  (Figure  2). 

REPAIR  COMPLETION 

Repair  was  accomplished  with  deep,  interrupt- 
ed mattress  sutures  of  Dacron  backed  with  Teflon 
felt  to  prevent  their  tearing  through  the  soft  myo- 
cardium (Figure  3).  The  septal  defect  was  closed, 
in  turn,  with  a large  Teflon  felt  patch  which  was 
anchored  with  mattress  sutures  of  Dacron  backed 
on  both  sides  of  the  septum  with  Teflon  pledgets 
(Figure  4).  At  the  completion  of  the  repair, 
no  arterial  blood  was  noted  in  the  right  ven- 
tricle. The  right  ventriculotomy  was  then  closed 
and  air  evacuated  from  the  heart  after  which  car- 
diopulmonary bypass  was  gradually  discontinued. 
The  heart  accepted  the  circulatory  load  remark- 
ably well  and  continued  to  contract  vigorously 
when  all  support  was  discontinued.  Chamber 
pressures  were  measured  again  and  are  shown  in 
Figure  1.  Pulmonary  artery  and  right  atrial  sam- 
ples were  collected  for  oxygen  analysis  and 
were  found  to  be  equal,  indicating  complete  re- 
pair of  the  intracardiac  shunt. 

Reaction  from  anesthesia  was  uneventful  and 


102 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Figure  2.  Following  exploration  of  the  ventricular 
septum  through  a right  ventriculotomy,  a 5 cm.  seg- 
ment of  akinetic,  discolored  left  ventricular  myo- 
cardium was  excised  from  the  apex. 


/ 

/ 


Figure  3.  The  left  ventricular  defect  was  closed 
with  Dacron  mattress  sutures  backed  with  Teflon 
felt  strips. 


during  the  first  24  hours,  assisted  ventilation  was 
used  to  give  maximal  oxygenation.  He  initially 
exhibited  a low  cardiac  output  picture  charac- 
terized by  peripheral  vasoconstriction  and  oli- 
guria, although  his  arterial  pressure  remained  at 
a satisfactory  level.  However,  he  responded  well 
to  the  temporary  additional  support  supplied  by 
an  infusion  of  isoproterenol  and  throughout  the 
remainder  of  his  initial  hospitalization,  exhibited 
no  further  evidence  of  reduced  cardiac  function. 
On  the  second  postoperative  day,  ventricular  ir- 
ritability became  evident  by  the  appearance  of 
frequent  premature  ventricular  contractions  and 
episodes  of  ventricular  tachycardia.  Isoproterenol 
was  discontinued,  digitalis  was  withheld  and  a 
continuous  infusion  of  xylocaine  hydrochloride 
was  begun. 

Potassium  supplements  were  also  given  to  keep 
the  serum  potassium  above  5.0  mEq/1.  Despite 
a progressive  increase  of  xylocaine  administra- 
tion to  a maximum  level  of  4 mg  min,  intermit- 
tent ventricular  arrhythmias  persisted.  For  the 
most  part,  satisfactory  cardiac  output  was  main- 
tained during  these  periods;  however,  on  occa- 
sion, direct  current  shock  was  necessary  to  ob- 
tain a more  suitable  rate  and  arterial  pressure. 
Increments  of  procaine  amide,  250  mg.,  were 
added  to  his  program  along  with  Dilantin,  which 


was  used  primarily  for  mild  convulsive  activity. 
On  the  eighth  postoperative  day,  evidence  of  ven- 
tricular irritability  began  to  recede  and  his  myo- 
cardial depressants  were  gradually  reduced  and 
finally  stopped. 

VASCULAR  CATASTROPHE 

By  the  15th  postoperative  day,  he  was  ambula- 
tory and  his  wounds  were  healing  in  an  uncom- 
plicated manner.  At  this  time,  he  was  transferred 
to  his  referring  hospital  for  continued  convales- 
cence and  care.  Two  days  later,  following  the  on- 
set of  severe  chest  pain  and  diaphoresis,  arterial 
pressure  fell  from  160  to  80  mm.  Hg.  and  he  be- 
came severely  oliguric.  A vascular  catastrophe 
was  suspected,  particularly  pulmonary  emboliza- 
tion or  recurrent  mvocardial  infarction,  and  most 
of  the  evidence  pointed  to  the  latter.  He  was 
moved  immediately  to  the  intensive  care  area  of 
the  University  Medical  Center  where  ventilatory 
and  circulatory  support  were  continued. 

Since  cardiac  output  was  inadequate  for  satis- 
factory cerebral  and  renal  perfusion,  he  became 
severely  obtunded  and  his  blood  urea  nitrogen 
began  to  rise  rapidly.  Cardiac  action  was  im- 
proved somewhat  by  isoproterenol  infusion  and 
further  augmented  with  intravenous  Glucagon. 
Peritoneal  dialysis  was  instituted  to  remove  ex- 


MARCH  1970 


103 


EMERGENCY  SURGERY  / Timmis  et  al 

cess  body  water  and  to  improve  the  ionic  en- 
vironment of  his  heart.  He  began  to  improve 
steadily  with  these  adjuncts  which  were  then 
gradually  withdrawn  and  finally  discontinued  on 
the  ninth  hospital  day.  The  remainder  of  his  con- 
valescence was  uneventful  and  he  gained  strength 
steadily.  Long-term  anticoagulation  was  institut- 
ed because  of  his  history  of  recurrent  myocardial 
infarction  as  well  as  for  the  treatment  of  lower 
extremity  thrombophlebitis.  At  the  time  of  his 
hospital  discharge,  he  was  taking  Coumadin,  digi- 
talis, and  a low  cholesterol  diet. 

Prosthetic  valve  replacement  for  mitral  regur- 
gitation following  papillary  muscle  infarction, 
ventricular  aneurysmectomy,  and  cardiac  re- 
placement have  all  been  performed  at  the  Uni- 
versity Medical  Center  for  acute  and  chronic  se- 
quelae of  coronary  atherosclerosis.  In  most  in- 


stances, a methodical  evaluation  by  cardiac  cath- 
eterization and  angiocardiography  is  absolutely 
essential  to  define  the  specific  mechanical  abnor- 
mality, the  magnitude  of  residual  myocardial  re- 
serve and  the  status  of  the  coronary  arterial  tree. 

DISCUSSION 

When  peripheral  vascular  collapse  intervenes, 
as  in  this  patient,  the  primary  aim  of  study  is  to 
pinpoint  the  intracardiac  abnormality  so  that  the 
feasibility  of  effective  emergency  surgery  can  be 
determined.  A large  left  to  right  shunt  was  dem- 
onstrated here,  which  could  be  repaired  in  a rel- 
atively straight  forward  manner.  However,  in  ret- 
rospect, we  believe  that  survival  depended  to  a 
greater  extent  on  excision  of  necrotic  myocar- 
dium, which  not  only  failed  to  contribute  to  over- 
all left  ventricular  function,  but  actually  critical- 
ly reduced  it.  This  information  was  provided  by 
an  angiocardiogram,  which  demonstrated  the 


Repair  of 
Right  Ventriculotomy 


Left  Ventricle 


Teflon  Patch 


Teflon  Pledgets 


Figure  4.  The  ventricular  septal  defect  was  re- 
paired with  an  over-size  patch  anchored  with  mattress 
sutures  of  Dacron  backed  on  both  sides  of  the  septum 
with  Teflon  pledgets.  Since  there  was  no  anterior 


rim,  the  sutures  in  this  area  were  passed  through  the 
anterior  wall  of  the  right  ventricular  apex  and  tied 
down  over  Teflon  felt.  The  right  ventriculotomy  was 
then  closed. 


104 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


akinetic  left  ventricular  segment  as  well  as  very 
delayed  emptying  of  this  chamber. 

Preliminary  exposure  of  the  iliac  artery  for  ar- 
terial input  from  the  pump  is  used  in  instances 
where  limited  cardiac  reserve  or  cardiac  irrita- 
bility are  a major  impediment  to  safe  anesthetic 
induction.  Since  arterial  pressure  began  to  decline 
further  from  the  moment  the  chest  was  opened 
until  partial  support  was  given  by  the  heart-lung 
machine,  it  was  distinctly  advantageous  to  have 
this  period  as  short  as  possible. 

Identification  of  the  extent  of  myocardial  in- 
farction was  based  mainly  on  an  evaluation  of 
myocardial  contractility  rather  than  on  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  epicardial  surface.  In  order  to  re- 
sect the  damaged  muscle,  it  was  necessary  to 
transect  some  major  diagonal  tributaries.  How- 
ever, the  coronary  arterial  branches  did  not  bleed 
and  all  aspects  of  the  cut  edge  of  the  left  ven- 
tricular opening  exhibited  ecchymoses. 

Repair  of  both  the  left  and  right  ventricu- 
lotomies was  greatly  facilitated  by  the  use  of 
mattress  sutures  backed  with  cloth  (Teflon  felt). 
This  maneuver  is  helpful  for  reliable  approxima- 
tion of  all  friable  tissues  with  or  without  inflam- 
matory edema.  Repair  of  the  septal  defect  posed 
a special  problem  in  that  the  edges  were  necrotic, 
and  no  tissue  was  present  where  the  septum  nor- 
mally is  continuous  with  the  apical  myocardium. 
Consequently,  about  half  of  the  mattress  sutures 
anchoring  the  septal  patch  were  passed  through 
the  apex  and  tied  over  Teflon  pledgets. 

Following  cessation  of  cardiopulmonary  bypass 
for  the  repair  of  any  cardiac  abnormality,  the 
manner  in  which  the  heart  resumes  the  circula- 
tory load  is  usually  a reliable  yardstick  of  both 
early  and  long-term  cardiac  function.  In  this  in- 
stance, restoration  of  cardiac  function  was  re- 
markably good  immediately  and  proved  to  be 
sufficient  to  carry  the  patient  through  innumer- 
able episodes  of  tachyarrhythmias  as  well  as  an- 
other bout  of  peripheral  vascular  collapse,  prob- 
ably due  to  recurrent  myocardial  infarction. 

Intravenous  isoproterenol  was  administered  at 
two  points  in  his  hospital  course  to  provide  the 
improvement  of  cardiac  contractility  and  output 
which  were  essential  for  ultimate  recovery.  In 
most  areas,  this  drug  has  replaced  the  routine  in- 
fusion of  norepinephrine  to  produce  a strong 
ionotropic  effect  without  undesirable  stimulation 
of  alpha  receptors,  notably  extensive  vasocon- 
striction. Tachycardia  is  seldom  severe  and  the 
reduction  of  peripheral  vascular  resistance  en- 
hances cardiac  output  further.  Another  extra- 
ordinary feature  of  this  case  consisted  of  the  de- 
gree of  pharmacologic  depression  which  was  nec- 
essary to  suppress  irritable  ventricular  foci. 


Xylccaine  was  chosen  because  of  its  titratability 
and  relative  lack  of  toxicity.  In  our  experience  it 
is  seldom  necessary  to  use  more  than  2 mg/min 
for  postoperative  ventricular  arrhythmias  and 
usually  half  this  dose  suffices.  This  patient  con- 
tinued to  exhibit  signs  of  irritability  with  4 mg/ 
min  at  which  level  mild  convulsive  activity  due  to 
xylocaine  appeared.  Here  the  myocardial  de- 
pressant effect  of  Dilantin  may  have  supplied  the 
additional  suppression  which  was  necessary  for  a 
safe  recovery. 

Needless  to  say,  persistent  first  hand  observa- 
tion and  care  by  a trained  and  devoted  resident 
and  nursing  staff  was  essential  to  initiate  and 
monitor  the  various  therapeutic  measures  which 
underwrote  his  survival. 

SUMMARY 

A middle-aged  male  in  peripheral  vascular 
collapse  from  acute  rupture  of  the  ventricular 
septum  following  myocardial  infarction  under- 
went emergency  cardiac  catheterization  and  open 
heart  surgery.  In  addition  to  correction  of  a ven- 
tricular septal  defect,  infarcted  left  ventricular 
myocardium  was  excised  and  the  ventricle  re- 
paired. Restoration  of  left  ventricular  function 
was  gratifying,  although  his  postoperative  course 
was  complicated  by  ventricular  irritability  and  re- 
current infarction.  He  subsequently  recovered 
and  was  discharged.  Some  aspects  of  the  opera- 
tive procedure  and  postoperative  management 
are  reviewed.  *** 

2500  North  State  St.  (39216) 
Aided  by  U.S.P.H.S.  Grant  No.  HE-06163. 

REFERENCES 

1.  Rossi,  N.  P.;  Flege,  J.  B.;  and  Ehrenhaft,  J.  L.:  Sur- 
gically Treatable  Complications  of  Myocardial  In- 
farction, Surgery  65:118,  1969. 

2.  Favaloro,  R.  G.;  Effler,  D.  B.;  Groves,  L.  K.;  West- 
cott,  R.  N.;  Suarez,  E.;  and  Lozada,  J.:  Ventricular 
Aneurysm — Clinical  Experience.  Ann.  Thor.  Surg. 
6:227,  1968. 

3.  Spencer,  F.  C.;  Reppert,  E.  H.;  and  Stertzer,  S.  H.: 
Surgical  Treatment  of  Mitral  Insufficiency  Secondary 
to  Coronary  Artery  Disease,  A.M.A.  Arch.  Surg.  95: 
853,  1967. 

4.  Sheldon,  W.  C.;  Sones,  F.  M.;  Shirey,  E.  K.;  Fergus- 
son,  D.  I.  G.;  Favaloro,  R.;  and  Effler,  D.  B.:  Re- 
constructive Coronary  Artery  Surgery:  Postoperative 
Assessment,  Circulation  39:1-61,  1969. 

5.  Murray,  G. : The  Pathophysiology  of  the  Cause  of 
Death  from  Coronary  Thrombosis,  Ann.  Surg.  126: 
523,  1947. 

6.  Mobin-Uddin,  K. : Surgical  Treatment  of  Myocardial 
Infarction.  Presented  at  16th  Annual  Session  of  The 
American  College  of  Cardiology,  Washington,  D.  C., 
Feb.  17,  1967. 

7.  Heimbecker,  R.  O.;  Chen,  C.;  Hamilton,  N.;  and 
Murray,  D.  W.  G. : Surgery  for  Massive  Myocardial 
Infarction,  An  Experimental  Study  of  Emergency  In- 
farctectomy,  Surgery  61:51,  1967. 


MARCH  1970 


105 


Idiopathic  Hypertrophic 


Subaortic  Stenosis 


KARL  W.  HATTEN,  M.D. 
Vicksburg,  Mississippi 


The  concept  of  obstruction  of  the  aortic  out- 
flow tract  has  developed  rapidly  since  the  defini- 
tive report  by  Brock1  in  1957.  Other  cases  had 
been  reported  prior  to  1957;  however.  Brock  ini- 
tiated the  concept  of  dynamic  obstruction.  Pre- 
viously, patients  with  idiopathic  hypertrophic  sub- 
aortic stenosis  were  diagnosed  as  having  either 
valvular  heart  disease  or  coronary  atherosclerosis 
depending  on  which  symptoms  and  physical  find- 
ings were  most  prominent.  The  delay  in  describ- 
ing IHSS  was  in  part  due  to  the  paucity  of  ana- 
tomical findings  at  surgery  or  at  postmortem.  The 
present  case  concerns  a patient  whose  initial  di- 
agnosis was  valvular  heart  disease  and  who  later 
developed  symptoms  of  arteriosclerotic  heart  dis- 
ease. 

This  40-year-old  white  man  was  first  noted  to 
have  a heart  murmur  at  the  Naval  Academy  in 
1950.  He  was  not  allowed  to  finish  his  training 
there  but  was  given  a commission  in  the  Con- 
struction Battalion  and  finished  his  service  time 
without  difficulty.  At  the  time  of  discharge  he  was 
told  the  murmur  was  still  present.  In  1965  be- 
cause of  the  increase  in  intensity  of  the  murmur, 
the  patient  underwent  cardiac  catheterization  at 
the  University  Hospital  in  Jackson.  At  this  time  a 
cineangiogram  of  the  left  ventricle  was  done  and 
did  not  show  mitral  regurgitation.  On  measuring 
the  pressures  no  gradient  was  noted  between  the 
left  ventricle  and  the  subaortic  area.  However,  it 
is  noted  that  the  pressures  were  somewhat  erratic 
and  could  not  be  explained  at  that  time.  There 
was  no  evidence  of  septal  defects. 

Read  before  the  General  Session  on  Medicine,  101st 

Annual  Session,  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association, 

Biloxi,  May  14,  1969. 


Following  this  the  patient  had  a rather  insidi- 
ous onset  of  shortness  of  breath  on  exertion  and 
then  began  to  develop  chest  pain.  These  pains 
were  over  the  precordial  area  and  usually  came 


Prior  to  1957,  patients  with  idiopathic 
hypertrophic  subaortic  stenosis  were  diag- 
nosed as  having  either  valvular  heart  disease 
or  coronary  atherosclerosis.  A case  is  pre- 
sented of  a patient  with  IHSS  whose  initial 
diagnosis  was  valvular  heart  disease  and  who 
later  developed  symptoms  of  arteriosclerotic 
heart  disease.  The  author  discusses  diagnosis 
and  treatment  of  the  syndrome. 


on  after  exertion,  especially  if  he  had  just  eaten. 
The  pains  would  last  some  two  to  three  minutes, 
would  be  dull,  aching  in  nature,  but  would  not 
radiate  into  his  arm  or  neck.  They  also  seemed 
to  occur  more  frequently  in  the  afternoon  or 
when  he  was  fatigued. 

Blood  pressure  in  the  left  arm  was  110/75. 
The  pulse  was  brisk  and  full.  The  neck  veins 
were  flat.  Examination  of  the  heart  revealed  that 
the  PMI  was  1 cm.  lateral  to  the  mid-clavicular 
line  in  the  5th  intercostal  space.  A thrill  was  not 
present.  There  was  no  evidence  of  a double 
apical  impulse.  Auscultation  revealed  a grade 
four  over  six,  harsh,  diamond-shaped,  systolic 
murmur.  It  was  heard  best  along  the  left  sternal 
border  but  did  radiate  into  the  aortic  and  pul- 
monic areas.  It  did  not  radiate  into  the  axilla, 
neck,  or  into  the  subscapular  areas. 


106 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


In  May  1967,  because  of  the  chest  pain,  the 
patient  had  an  electrocardiogram  and  double 
Master’s  two-step  test  performed,  and  the  double 
Master’s  two-step  test  was  interpreted  as  being 
positive.  He  was  begun  on  isosorbide  dinitrate 
(Isordil)  and  nitroglycerin.  On  these  medications 
the  patient  noticed  no  improvement  in  the  symp- 
toms. In  October  1968,  the  patient  was  seen  at 
the  Veterans  Administration  Hospital.  It  was  rec- 
ommended that  he  have  a repeat  of  the  cardiac 
catheterization.  This  was  performed  at  the  Uni- 
versity Medical  Center.  At  that  time  the  cardiac 
catheterization  revealed  that  there  was  a 60  mm. 
mercury  gradient  between  the  left  ventricle  and 
its  outflow  tract.  The  cineangiographic  studies 
showed  mitral  regurgitation  and  an  area  of  nar- 
rowing in  the  left  ventricular  outflow  tract.  With 
these  findings  it  was  the  impression  that  the  pa- 
tient had  idiopathic  hypertrophic  muscular  sub- 
aortic stenosis. 

He  was  treated  with  propranolol  in  increasing 
dosages.  His  exercise  tolerance  improved,  and 
there  was  a decrease  in  the  number  of  episodes 
of  chest  pain.  The  propranolol  dosage  was  in- 
creased to  30  mg.  four  times  a day.  However,  on 
this  dosage  his  heart  rate  slowed  to  45  at  rest. 
He  felt  somewhat  uncomfortable  and  had  a 
vague  feeling  of  shortness  of  breath.  The  dosage 
was  reduced  and  his  heart  rate  increased  to  60  to 
65  per  minute  and  the  symptoms  disappeared. 

IHSS  STATISTICS 

Idiopathic  hypertrophic  subaortic  stenosis  has 
been  reported  in  the  newborn  and  the  elderly. 
The  murmur  is  discovered  in  the  asymptomatic 
patient  at  the  average  age  of  15  years.  The  av- 
erage age  of  onset  of  symptoms,  using  the  New 
York  Heart  Association  Classification,  is  27  years 
for  functional  class  II  and  35  years  for  combined 
classes  III-IV.  In  nearly  all  studies  there  is  a pre- 
dominance of  males.2 

The  most  common  presenting  symptoms  are 
dyspnea,  angina  pectoris,  lightheadedness,  and 
syncope.  Palpitations  on  assuming  the  recumbent 
position  is  a worrisome  symptom  for  some  pa- 
tients.3 Several  genealogies  of  familial  muscular 
subaortic  stenosis  have  been  compiled.4’ 5 In 
these  families  an  unusual  number  of  sudden  un- 
explained deaths  have  occurred  in  seemingly 
healthy  young  people.  The  mode  of  inheritance  is 
thought  to  be  Mendelian  dominant. 

The  physical  examination  reveals  no  distinc- 
tive features  such  as  seen  in  supravalvular  aortic 
stenosis.6  Patients  with  hypertension  and  outflow 
obstruction  are  thought  to  represent  a different 
disease  complex  and  are  excluded  from  the  IHSS 


group.  The  pulse  in  IHSS  rises  rapidly  in  early 
systole  but  is  not  as  bounding  as  in  aortic  in- 
sufficiency. The  apex  of  the  heart  is  frequently 
lateral  to  the  mid-clavicular  line.  In  addition  to 
the  ventricular  impulse  a palpable  atrial  gallop 
may  be  present  and  is  called  a double  apical  im- 
pulse. Forty-two  per  cent  of  the  patients  in  one 
study  had  an  apical  systolic  thrill.  A systolic  ejec- 
tion type  of  murmur  in  the  second  and  third  left 
intercostal  spaces  is  the  most  consistent  finding. 
This  murmur  rarely  radiates  into  the  aortic  or 
neck  region  with  any  degree  of  intensity.  A dia- 
stolic murmur  may  be  present  but  is  infrequent 
and  a distinct  systolic  ejection  click  is  not  found 
in  IHSS. 

CARDIOMEGALY  SEEN 

Radiological  and  electrocardiographic  studies 
reported  in  the  literature  show  that  in  70  per  cent 
of  the  patients,  routine  chest  roentgenograms  re- 
vealed cardiomegaly.  The  electrocardiogram  of 
patients  with  IHSS  exhibited  a sinus  rhythm  and 
atrial  fibrillation  was  rare.  Abnormal  P waves 
were  present  in  50  per  cent  of  the  patients  with 
sinus  rhythm.  Although  a few  cases  of  Wolff- 
Parkinson-White  syndrome  have  been  reported, 
most  patients  had  normal  P-R  intervals.2  Left  bun- 
dle block  frequently  occurs  after  surgery,  but  in 
the  preoperative  state  the  QRS  duration  is  usually 
normal."  Braunwald2  found  Q wave  abnormali- 
ties in  56  per  cent  of  123  patients.  Some  observ- 
ers believe  that  the  hypertrophied  septum  is  the 
reason  for  this  change  and  have  attempted  to  lo- 
calize the  area  of  greatest  enlargement  by  this 
electrocardiographic  pattern.  As  would  be  ex- 
pected, 70  per  cent  of  the  patients  in  this  same 
study  had  electrocardiographic  findings  of  left 
ventricular  hypertrophy. 

CHARACTERISTIC  PATTERNS 

Although  some  of  the  cases  of  IHSS  have  ele- 
vated pulmonary  artery  pressures,  the  most  spe- 
cific finding  is  the  gradient  between  the  left  ven- 
tricle and  the  subaortic  area.  The  catheter-with- 
drawal tracings  in  IHSS  have  a characteristic 
pattern.  As  the  recording  point  passes  distal  to 
the  muscular  obstruction  in  the  ventricle  the  dia- 
stolic pressure  remains  fixed,  but  the  systolic  pres- 
sure decreases.  On  withdrawing  the  catheter  into 
the  aorta,  the  systolic  pressure  remains  constant, 
and  the  diastolic  pressure  becomes  elevated.28  Iso- 
proterenol has  been  used  to  demonstrate  a ven- 
tricular gradient  in  suspected  cases  that  could  not 
be  proven  in  the  conventional  manner.9  It  was  al- 
so found  that  methosamine,  a sympathomimetic 


MARCH  1970 


107 


SUBAORTIC  STENOSIS  / Hatten 

amine,  given  intravenously,  abolished  the  ven- 
tricular gradient.  The  arterial  pressure  pulse  in 
muscular  subaortic  stenosis  has  a characteristic 
configuration.  The  peak  arterial  pressure  is 
reached  in  less  than  one-tenth  of  a second  from 
the  beginning  of  isotonic  contraction  and  falls 
sharply  in  mid-systole  just  as  the  left  ventricle  is 
reaching  its  peak  pressure,  only  to  rise  to  a sec- 
ond peak  as  the  left  ventricle  prolongs  its  con- 
traction.8 The  first  peak  in  the  tracing  is  called  a 
“percussion”  wave,  and  the  second  wave  is  re- 
ferred to  as  the  “tidal”  wave.10 

Criley  has  observed  several  patients  in  whom  a 
significant  left  ventricular  gradient  was  present, 
but  in  whom,  outflow  tract  obstruction  was  not 
seen  by  left  ventricular  cineangiocardiography. 
The  cardiac  muscle  in  these  patients  is  abnormal- 
ly thick  and  the  left  ventricle  empties  more  rap- 
idly than  normal;  therefore,  a “hypertrophic  hy- 
perkinetic cardiomyopathy”  is  present.11  To  com- 
plicate matters  even  further,  the  gradient  can 
vary  from  day  to  day  and  even  be  affected  by 
body  position.  Braunwald  demonstrated  an  in- 
crease in  the  subaortic  gradient  by  tilting  the  pa- 
tient head  up,  45  degrees.  The  gradient  was  re- 
duced by  lowering  the  patient,  head  down,  20 
degrees,  or  elevating  the  legs.13 

VENTRICULAR  GRADIENT 

Angiocardiograms  alone  cannot  be  used  to 
make  the  diagnosis  of  IHSS  without  previous 
knowledge  of  the  presence  of  a ventricular  gradi- 
ent. The  thickened  left  wall  of  the  ventricle  en- 
croaches upon  the  inferior  portion  of  the  outflow 
tract,  giving  it  the  shape  of  a cone  with  its  base  at 
the  aortic  valve.  The  cone  is  sharp  in  appearance 
during  systole  and  truncated  during  diastole.  The 
cavity  of  the  left  ventricle  has  been  observed  to 
be  narrowed  by  the  increased  muscle  mass  but 
there  is  little  or  no  longitudinal  contraction.12 

Successful  surgical  treatment  of  IHSS  has  been 
reported  by  closed  transventricular  instrumental 
dilatation,  open  simple  ventriculomyotomy,14  and 
excision  of  obstructing  muscle  mass  through  the 
left  atrium15  or  left  ventricle.16  Morrow  reported 
10  cases  treated  surgically  with  one  postoperative 
death.17  In  six  patients  a ventricular  gradient  was 
absent  at  rest  and  on  exercise,  but  the  gradient 
could  be  demonstrated  by  infusion  of  isoprotere- 
nol. Surgical  complications  which  have  been  en- 
countered are  as  follows:  left  bundle-branch 
block,  heart  failure,  sudden  death,  mitral  insuf- 
ficiency, uncontrollable  bleeding,  complete  heart 


block,  aortic  incompetence,  ventricular  fibrilla- 
tion, and  ventricular  aneurysms.18 

HEMODYNAMIC  DISORDER 


The  classical  medical  armamentarium  of  digi- 
talis and  nitroglycerin  serve  only  to  intensify  the 
hemodynamic  disorder  of  IHSS.  Braunwald10  dem- 
onstrated that  in  patients  with  IHSS  the  left  ven- 
tricular end-diastolic  pressure  and  mean  left 
atrial  pressure  rose  significantly  following  ouabain 
administration;  that  cardiac  output  either  fell  or 
remained  unchanged  and  the  systolic  pressure 
gradient  between  the  left  ventricle  and  the  brachi- 
al artery  rose.  Propranolol  (Inderal),  a Beta- 
adrenergic  blocking  agent  has  been  useful  in 
treating  IHSS.  Long-term  oral  propranolol  thera- 
py has  been  of  significant  symptomatic  benefit  in 
patients  with  latent  and  labile  outflow  obstruc- 
tion and  is  considered  the  treatment  of  choice  in 
these  groups.  In  the  more  severe  forms  of  IHSS, 
propranolol  may  produce  an  increase  in  symp- 
toms.20 


COMMENT 


Since  the  murmur,  in  the  patient  presented, 
was  known  to  exist  prior  to  the  onset  of  symp- 
toms of  angina  pectoris,  the  diagnosis  of  papillary 
muscle  dysfunction  would  be  unlikely.21  Other 
disease  processes  with  similar  findings  such  as 
valvular  aortic  stenosis,  mitral  regurgitation,  ven- 
tricular septal  defect  and  functional  murmurs 
have  to  be  excluded  by  cardiac  catheterization. 

The  history  and  physical  findings  in  IHSS  are 
characteristic  but  not  diagnostic.  There  is  still 
justifiable  controversy  as  to  the  cause  of  the  pres- 
sure gradient  in  the  left  ventricle  in  certain  cases, 
especially  if  the  obstruction  cannot  be  demon- 
strated by  angiographic  studies.  The  therapeutic 
modalities,  both  surgical  and  medical,  are  at  best 
only  moderately  successful. 

SUMMARY 


A patient  with  IHSS  who  gave  a history  of  a 
murmur  for  17  years  and  symptoms  of  angina 
pectoris  for  two  years  is  presented.  A positive 
double  Master’s  two-step  was  obtained  and 
seemed  to  support  a diagnosis  of  arteriosclerotic 
heart  disease  with  angina  pectoris.  The  initial 
catheterization  did  not  demonstrate  the  defect. 
However,  it  was  apparent  on  second  study.  *** 

1600  Monroe  St.  (39180) 


REFERENCES 

1.  Brock,  R.  C.:  Functional  Obstruction  of  the  Left 
Ventricle,  Guy’s  Hospital,  Rep.  106:221,  1957. 

2.  Frank,  S.;  and  Braunwald,  E.:  Idiopathic  Hypertro- 
phic Subaortic  Stenosis:  Clinical  Analysis  of  126 


108 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Patients  with  Emphasis  on  the  Natural  History, 
Circulation  37:759,  1968. 

3.  Wigle,  E.  D.;  Heimbecher,  R.  D.;  and  Gunton, 
R.  W.:  Idiopathic  Ventricular  Septal  Hypertrophy 
Causing  Muscular  Subaortic  Stenosis,  Circulation 
26:325,  1962. 

4.  Horlich,  L.;  Pethovick,  W.  J.;  and  Bolton,  C.  F.: 
Am.  J.  Cardiol.  17:441,  1966. 

5.  Brent,  L.  B.;  et  al:  Familial  Muscular  Subaortic 
Stenosis,  Circulation  21:167,  1960. 

6.  Kupic,  E.  A.;  and  Abrams,  H.  L.:  Supravalvular 
Aortic  Stenosis,  Am.  J.  Roentgenol.  98:822,  1966. 

7.  Kelly,  D.  T.:  Results  of  Surgery  and  Hemodynamic 
Observations  in  Muscular  Subaortic  Stenosis,  J. 
Thoracic  and  Cardiovascular  Surg.  51:353,  1969. 

8.  Hancock.  E.  W. : Differentiation  of  Valvular,  Sub- 
valvular, and  Supravalvular  Aortic  Stenosis,  Guy’s 
Hosp.,  Rep.  110:1-30,  1961. 

9.  Braumwald,  E.;  and  Ebert,  P.  A.:  Hemodynamic 
Alterations  in  Idiopathic  Hypertrophic  Subaortic 
Stenosis  Induced  by  Sympathomimetic  Drug,  Am.  J. 
Cardiol.  10:4-89,  1962. 

10.  Brachfeld,  N.;  and  Gorlin,  K.:  Subaortic  Stenosis; 
Revised  Concept  of  Disease,  Medicine  38:415,  1959. 

11.  Criley,  I.  M.;  et  al:  Pressure  Gradients  Without 
Obstruction,  Circulation  32:881,  1965. 

12.  Braunwald,  E.;  et  al:  Hypertrophic  Subaortic  Ste- 
nosis-Broadened Concept,  Circulation  26:161,  1962. 

13.  Mason,  D.  T.;  Braunwald,  E.;  and  Ross,  J.:  Effects 
of  Changes  in  Body  Position  on  the  Severity  of 
Obstruction  to  Left  Ventricular  Outflow  in  Idio- 


pathic Hypertrophic  Subaortic  Stenosis,  Circulation 
33:374,  1966. 

14.  Morrow,  A.  G.;  and  Brochenbrough,  E.  C.:  Sur- 
gical Treatment  of  Idiopathic  Hypertrophic  Sub- 
aortic Stenosis:  Technic  and  Hemodynamic  Results 
of  Subaortic  Ventriculomyotomy,  Ann.  Surg.  154: 
181,  1961. 

15.  Dobell,  A.  R.  C.;  and  Scott,  H.  J.:  Hypertrophic 
Subaortic  Stenosis:  Evaluation  of  Surgical  Technic, 
I.  Thoracic  and  Cardiovascular  Surg.  47:26,  1964. 

16.  Kirhlin,  J.  W.;  and  Ellis,  F.  H.:  Surgical  Relief  of 
Diffuse  Subvalvular  Aortic  Stenosis,  Circulation  24: 
739,  1961. 

17.  Morrow,  A.  G.;  Coslas,  T.  L.;  and  Braunwald,  E.: 
Idiopathic  Hypertrophic  Subaortic  Stenosis:  Opera- 
tive Treatment  and  Results  of  Pre-  and  Postopera- 
tive Hemodynamic  Evaluation,  Circulation  30, 
Supp.  No.  4:120,  1964. 

18.  Manchester,  G.  H.:  Muscular  Subaortic  Stenosis, 
New  England  J.  Med.  269:300,  1963. 

19.  Braunwald,  E.;  Brockenbrough,  E.;  and  Frye,  R.: 
Studies  on  Digitalis:  Comparison  of  the  Effects  of 
Ouabain  on  Left  Ventricular  Dynamics  in  Valvular 
Aortic  Stenosis  and  Hypertrophic  Subaortic  Steno- 
sis, J.  Am.  Heart  Assn.  Circulation  25:166,  1962. 

20.  Flam,  M.  D.;  Harrison,  D.  C.;  and  Hancock,  E.  W. : 
Muscular  Subaortic  Stenosis:  Prevention  of  Outflow 
Obstruction  with  Propranolol,  Circulation  38:846, 
1968. 

21.  Phillips,  J.  H.;  Bench,  G.  E.;  and  De  Pasquale, 
N.  P.:  The  Syndrome  of  Papillary  Muscle  Dysfunc- 
tion: Clinical  Recognition,  Ann.  Int.  Med.  59:508, 
1963. 


GROSS  AND  MICROSCOPIC 

There  are  some  very  small  towns  in  Mississippi.  In  one  such 
community,  a favorite  pastime  on  Saturday  night  is  to  go  to  the 
local  motel  and  see  who  rented  the  room.  In  fact,  this  community 
is  so  small  that  it  has  only  one  yellow  page  in  the  telephone  di- 
rectory. 


MARCH  1970 


109 


Changing  Methods 
And  Changeless  Principles 

WILLIAM  K.  KELLER,  M.D. 

Louisville,  Kentucky 


A workable  quote  concerning  history  says,  in 
effect,  that  those  who  refuse  to  read  or  attempt  to 
understand  history,  are  doomed  to  relive  it.  The 
Greeks,  at  the  time  of  the  Republic,  have  a great 
counterpoint  in  segments  of  America  today.  They 
believed  that  troublemakers,  dissidents,  and  oth- 
er nonconformists  should  simply  be  annihilated. 
They  were  rarely  interested  in  segregation  or  in- 
tegration, only  permanent  removal  of  the  insur- 
gents and  even  of  some  of  the  too  radical  think- 
ers. Socrates  wrote  of  the  group  of  young  people 
who  had  no  apparent  goal  in  life,  were  dissolute 
in  mind  and  body,  and  had  no  respect  for  “the 
establishment,”  their  elders,  and,  rather  especial- 
ly, their  own  parents. 

When  Rome  was  at  the  peak  of  its  power  in 
the  then  known  world,  it  was  certainly  as  afflu- 
ent as  American  society  is  now.  Some  believe  it 
was  the  most  affluent  civilization  ever,  but  they 
had  their  have-nots.  As  the  easy  life  came  to 
more  and  more  people,  the  incentive  to  work,  to 
be  responsible  for  one’s  self,  or  to  care  for  anyone 
else,  decreased  in  proportion.  Eventually,  people 
being  what  they  are,  the  division  between  the 
haves  and  the  have-nots  became  greater,  and 
those  who  had  more  got  more  and  those  who  had 
less  got  less.  This  readily  led  to  a greater  dissatis- 
faction among  the  have-nots,  who  began  to  de- 
mand a greater  share  of  the  affluence  and  less  re- 
sponsibility for  the  acquiring  of  worldly  goods. 
One  group  even  demanded,  and  got,  back  pay- 
ment for  past  injustices.  Eventually,  to  capsule 
significantly,  the  have-nots  developed  a leader- 
ship which  did  indeed  obtain  for  them  a greater 
and  greater  share  of  what  was  around  and  things 

From  the  Department  of  Psychiatry,  University  of 

Louisville  School  of  Medicine. 

Read  before  the  Mississippi  Psychiatric  Society,  Jack- 

son,  Nov.  22,  1969. 

1 10 


changed  radically.  In  short,  Rome  fell.  There  are 
parallels  aplenty,  but  modern  leadership  must  do 
its  homework  in  history  to  find  short  cuts  to  to- 
day’s seemingly  new  and  overwhelming  prob- 
lems. 


“ Methods  change;  principles  never  do,” 
said  the  Rev.  William  Slider.  The  author 
elaborates  on  this  axiom,  concluding  that 
while  medical  techniques  may  change,  the 
principles  set  down  by  Hippocrates  remain 
the  same.  He  advises  physicians  to  stand 
firm  by  these  ideals  while  advancing  the  sci- 
ence and  art  of  medicine  as  far  as  humanly 
possible. 


In  the  magazine  section  of  the  Louisville  Cour- 
ier Journal  and  Times,  June  15,  1969,  there  was 
an  article  entitled  “All  Right,  Youth,  Make  Some- 
thing of  It,”  written  by  John  Ed  Pearce,  a father 
of  five,  who  lived  through  the  depression  and  the 
world’s  worst  war.  With  his  permission,  I will 
quote  from  it,  for  I feel  he  has  stated  the  case  so 
very  well : 

“I  have  heard  and  read  a great  deal  lately 
from  you  young  people  about  your  disillu- 
sionment with  your  world,  your  society,  my 
generation.  You  complain  that  you  have 
been  dumped  into  a society  of  war,  poverty, 
injustice,  and  prejudice.  We  have  been  so 
materialistic,  you  say,  that  we  have  forgot- 
ten the  real  values  of  life — love,  fairness, 
peace,  and  brotherhood.  As  a result  of  our 
greed  and  timid  conformity  we  have  missed 
life,  and  in  the  process  have  left  you  a mess 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


that  can  only  be  righted  by  destroying  it  and 
building  better  on  the  rubble. 

“I  don’t  see  it  quite  that  way.  I offer  no 
apologies  for  my  generation.  I am  proud  of 
it,  and  of  what  we  have  built  on  the  foun- 
dation left  us.  I hope  you  will  do  as  well. 
You  will  if  you  will  leaven  your  zeal  with  a 
little  humor,  your  egotism  with  a little  his- 
tory, and  ask  why  your  insistence  on  uni- 
versal love  seems  so  often  to  express  itself  in 
hate  for  those  who  differ  with  you. 

“We  have  given  you  a basically  sound 
world;  imperfect,  full  of  flaws  springing  from 
human  imperfections,  but  strong,  dynamic 
and  exciting. 

“It  is  strange  that  yours  should  be  the 
most  favored  generation  in  history  and  yet 
the  most  self-pitying. 

“You  speak  of  poverty,  but  you  have 
never  been  really  hungry. 

“You  are  angered — and  you  should  be — 
about  unemployment,  poor  job  opportunities 
for  Negroes,  economic  injustices,  dishonesty 
in  government,  the  Vietnam  war. 

“The  failings  of  the  past  do  not  justify 
those  of  today,  of  course.  But  a realistic 
comparison  reveals  a continuing  progress 
that  is  not  a symptom  of  a sick  society. 

“Because  of  our  so-called  materialistic 
greed,  you  are  the  biggest,  tallest,  healthiest, 
brightest,  handsomest  generation  to  inhabit 
this  land,  and  perhaps  the  world.  You  are 
going  to  live  longer,  suffer  sickness  less  of- 
ten, work  fewer  hours,  learn  more,  see  more 
of  the  world’s  grandeur  and  have  more 
choice  of  your  life’s  undertaking  than  any 
generation  before. 

“Please  try  to  evaluate  the  progress  made 
in  the  last  20  years  in  all  these  areas  and  to 
see  how  decently  we  fell  into  the  unwanted 
Vietnam  war.  We  do  worry  about  you  be- 
cause you  seem  more  intent  upon  destroying 
the  system  than  in  correcting  it.  Your  in- 
terest in  violence  resembles  the  storm  troop- 
er more  than  the  reformer.  Are  the  ideals  of 
liberty  and  justice  for  all  less  inspiring  be- 
cause we,  being  human,  fall  short  of  them? 
We  think  not,  but  it  is  in  the  field  of  social 
relationships  that  we,  like  all  before  us,  have 
fallen  shortest  of  the  goal.  We  have  devel- 
oped weapons  that  can  end  all  life  (nuclear 
power  can  be  made  to  serve  man  as  well  as 
destroy  him)  and  the  questing  mind  cannot 
be  asked  to  draw  back  from  knowledge  be- 
cause it  may  prove  dangerous. 

“We  have  not  found  an  alternative  to 
war.  Perhaps  you  can  perfect  the  social 

MARCH  1970  Cl 


mechanism  so  that  all  men  may,  without 
the  threat  of  force,  pursue  their  course,  in 
which  we  will  no  longer  need  laws  or  police 
to  enforce  them,  or  armies  to  prevent  men 
of  one  belief  from  trespassing  against  others, 
though  the  violence  with  which  you  protest 
violence  justifies  little  hope  that  you  will. 

“It  is  good  to  know  what  went  on  before 
so  that  you  can  better  decide  where  you 
want  to  go.  The  apple  does  not  fall  very  far 
from  the  tree  and  the  traits  you  have  in- 
herited are  those  on  which  you  must  depend 
as  you  build  your  world.” 

GLIMMER  OF  HOPE 

All  is  not  lost,  however.  The  following  is  an 
excerpt  from  a letter  written  by  a young  college 
drop-out  from  his  duty  station  aboard  an  air- 
craft carrier  off  Vietnam: 

“Dear  Mother  and  Dad: 

“.  . . While  I am  slowly  growing  older 
chronologically  and  physically,  I am  moving 
by  leaps  and  bounds  emotionally.  The  Navy 
has  forced  or  drawn  from  me  and  brought  to 
the  surface  something  which  has  always 
been  a part  of  me,  but  unfortunately  never 
utilized  constructively.  I am  speaking  of  my 
inheritance.  I sincerely  believe  I am  con- 
stantly developing  many  traits  and  habits 
which  are  personal  assets  and  essentials  to 
any  young  person  set  on  success  in  a chal- 
lenging business  world  and  our  fast  chang- 
ing social  environment. 

“I  thank  everyone  in  our  family  for  the 
examples  they  set,  and  now  it  is  my  turn  to 
outline  some  goals  for  myself  to  prove  that 
your  love  and  guidance  have  been  wise  in- 
vestments. 

“With  much  love, 

“Bill” 

SQUARE  ASTRONAUTS 

One  wonders  if  there  is  any  significance  in  the 
fact  that  the  first  American  in  space  and  the  first 
man  to  set  foot  on  the  moon  were  both  real 
squares — complete  with  conformity,  happy  mar- 
riage, family  formation,  education,  religion,  and 
haircuts — who,  in  their  youth,  had  even  been 
Eagle  Scouts! 

The  world  is  bigger,  there  are  more  people, 
there  is  outer  space,  and  the  atomic  bomb,  but 
the  problems  and  the  principles  involved  remain 
the  same. 

The  University  of  Louisville  School  of  Medi- 
cine still  requires  the  recitation  of  the  Hippo- 


111 


CHANGING  METHODS  / Keller 

cratic  Oath  upon  graduation.  It  has  been  modi- 
fied a tiny  bit,  but,  in  essence,  it  is  the  same  oath 
which  has  been  in  use  for  more  than  2,500  years. 
Its  survival  is  due  to  the  fact  that  the  principles 
which  it  contains  remain  the  same  today  as  they 
were  25  centuries  ago.  In  Greece,  when  Hip- 
pocrates and  his  colleagues  formulated  this  oath, 
there  were  no  instant  communication,  satellites, 
television,  or  automobiles  and  super-highways, 
but  they  managed,  in  an  infinitely  smaller  area, 
to  pass  the  word,  to  differ,  to  kill,  and  to  get 
themselves  killed.  There  were  changes,  a grow- 
ing commercial  effort,  a changing  social  picture, 
and  confused  political  ideologies.  There  were  ri- 
valries among  the  Greeks  which  resulted  in  street 
fighting  wars  between  sections.  The  armies  of 
Persia  were  not  as  far  away  as  Vietnam;  they 
were  poised  on  the  very  perimeter  of  the  Greek 
states.  All  these  things  were  going  on  when  the 
Oath  was  formulated.  As  the  Rev.  William  Slider 
said,  “Methods  change;  principles  never  do.” 

HIPPOCRATES’  PRINCIPLES 

Hippocrates  made  many  astute  observations, 
and  many  are  just  as  valid  today  as  they  were 
when  he  first  set  them  down.  Some  of  his  con- 
clusions were  and  are  correct,  most  are  not. 
Some  suggested  causes  of  disease  and  remedies 
are  hopelessly  erroneous,  but  the  principles  at- 
tendant upon  patient  care  are  the  same.  Hip- 
pocrates would  hardly  believe  a recounting  of  a 
heart  transplant  and  probably  would  question  the 
sanity  of  a colleague  who  described  an  artificial 
kidney,  but  it  is  quite  certain  he  would  be  very 
involved  and  interested  in  the  ethics  surrounding 
such  procedures.  The  society  in  which  we  prac- 
tice, the  terms  we  use,  the  information  available, 
the  advanced  equipment — all  these  have  changed 
since  the  day  of  the  Greek  physician,  but  the 
ideals,  the  principles  which  created  the  society  in 
which  medicine  has  come  to  its  greatest  achieve- 
ment, the  fundamentals  of  the  system  which 
brought  about  the  technical  skills  and  the  hu- 
manitarian drives  which  have  made  medicine 
what  it  is  today — these  are  unchanged.  In  an  era 
which  is  crying  to  overturn  everything,  in  an  age 
which  is  sneering  at  all  that  has  gone  before,  it  is 
well  to  remember  that  what  is  true  of  medicine  is 
true  of  all  else. 

ONLY  METHODS  CHANGE 

New  ways  of  doing  things  and  new  solutions 
for  problems  may  be  found  but  these  are  all  es- 


sentially technical  or  mechanical.  Physicians  must 
not  be  caught  up  by  the  transient  voices  which 
point  to  the  discoveries  and  the  technical  ad- 
vancements in  the  medical  profession  and  say 
that  since  these  outer  things  are  changing,  all 
must  change.  It  is  the  physician’s  responsibility 
to  combine  the  new  and  the  old;  in  some  things 
it  is  deadly  to  hold  back  and  refuse  to  move  out, 
and  in  others  it  is  just  as  fatal  to  attempt  to 
change,  to  destroy  or  to  replace.  The  physician’s 
responsibility  must  be  to  guard  constantly  the  ba- 
sic morality  brought  down  to  us  from  the  Island 
of  Cos  so  many  hundreds  of  years  ago.  The  Tem- 
ple is  gone,  the  landscape  has  changed,  all  the 
teachers  are  long  dead,  but  the  ideal  is  still  here, 
and  a thousand  years  hence,  when  the  moon  is  a 
colony  and  Mars  a staging  base  for  an  assault  up- 
on the  galaxies,  it  is  certain  that  physicians  will 
be  able  to  take  the  same  oath  and  its  words  will 
be  as  meaningful  as  today.  All  medical  science 
and  all  the  physican’s  skills  cannot  make  man 
happy,  secure,  or  make  him  at  last  immune  to 
death.  It  is  that  other  dimension  to  dealing  with 
patients  which  strives  to  achieve  these  things, 
and  its  essence  is  in  that  ancient  vow.  It  is  the 
need  of  mankind  for  affection,  respect,  and  for 
hope,  and  finally  for  the  courage  to  make  the 
last  trip  when  art  and  science  have  finally  failed. 
Indeed,  methods  change,  but  principles  never  do. 

QUESTIONING  ATTITUDE 

It  is  the  physician’s  responsibility  further  to 
remain  concerned  with  the  plight  of  his  fellow- 
man  and  he  must  be  his  brother’s  keeper.  How- 
ever, this  effort  must  remain  in  his  field  of  com- 
petence. If  physicians  do  not  retain  a healthy 
questioning  attitude  toward  their  patients  and 
themselves,  they  will  surely  wind  up  with  a series 
of  pat  and,  to  them,  acceptable  answers,  firmly 
convinced  that  the  world  is  almost  entirely  popu- 
lated with  “neurotics.”  “He  has  eyes  and  sees 
not” — this  description  just  must  be  a properly 
directed  scold  to  all  of  us.  In  terms  of  time,  the 
fact  that  blood  circulated  was  discovered  only 
yesterday;  yet  how  could  it  not  have  been  appar- 
ent for  so  long?  Who  looked  and  didn’t  see? 

My  father,  who  was  a general  practitioner,  had 
a notebook  of  his  lectures  at  the  University  of 
Louisville  in  1893.  In  one  place,  under  the  head- 
ing “Malaria”  there  is  this  notation:  “Malaria  is  a 
very  debilitating  disease,  caused  by  a miasma 
which  arises  from  swampland  in  the  summer, 
after  dark.  The  symptoms  are  of  an  acute  onset 
of  chills,  followed  by  a high  fever,  then  a pro- 
fuse sweat.  The  treatment  is  quinine  sulphate, 


112 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


gr.  V every  three  hours  for  six  days,  then  . . . 
etc.” 

PHYSICIAN  OMNISCIENCE 

It  is  an  amusing  fantasy  to  wonder  how  many 
physicians  around  the  world  took  careful  histo- 
ries and  made  many  observations  to  come  up 
with  the  fact  that  this  disease  only  occurred  in 
patients  who  had  been  out  at  night,  around 
swampland,  in  the  summertime.  They  even  knew 
how  to  cure  it.  But  the  most  fun  is  to  conjure  up 
an  image  of  those  same  astute  physicians  stand- 
ing on  the  edge  of  some  watery  area,  at  night,  in 
the  heat,  and  seeing  only  the  miasma  arising  as 
they  swatted  mosquito  after  mosquito. 

How  many  mosquitoes  are  being  swatted  to- 
day while  a physician  decides  in  his  own  om- 
niscience that  this  particular  patient’s  problems 
and  symptoms  arise  from  some  familiar  miasma. 

No  other  branch  of  medicine  is  given — or 
takes — credit  for  so  much  knowledge  about  ev- 
erything as  does  psychiatry.  We  psychiatrists 
know  what  causes  unrest,  revolt,  hippies,  draft 
card  burnings,  racism,  crime  and  just  about  ev- 
erything else  which  is  wrong  in  the  world.  We 
have  fostered  a permissiveness  with  a plea  for 
“understanding”  which  makes  most  any  kind  of 
behavior  understandable,  and  consequently  ac- 
ceptable. Not  all  of  us  are  guilty,  of  course,  but 
too  many  are. 

Psychiatry’s  professional  jargon  has  been 
loosed  on  the  world  in  a completely  unbridled 
manner.  Psychiatrists  are  often  flattered  by  an 
inquiry  into  making  some  really  rather  silly  pro- 
nouncements which  have  nothing  to  do  with  per- 
sonal experience,  knowledge,  or  training.  They 
give  first  their  opinion  as  a human  being  based 


upon  some  experience  with  a few  people  who 
may  or  may  not  have  had  the  same  or  similar 
problems.  How  much  does  training  in  medicine 
fit  them  to  know  how  to  cure  the  political,  cul- 
tural or  sociological  ills  of  the  world?  They  should 
be  involved  and  concerned  and  help  in  every 
way,  but  stick  to  their  lasts  as  regards  real  knowl- 
edge beyond  their  training  and  experience.  They 
should  leave  many  educated  guesses  to  others. 
Psychiatry  has  not  cleaned  its  own  Augean  sta- 
bles in  spite  of  all  its  Herculean  efforts.  They  are 
still  too  full  for  comfort  or  complacency.  Schizo- 
phrenia is  still  around,  you  know. 

If  one  asks  the  average  psychiatrist  how  to 
build  a cantilever  bridge,  he  may  tell  you  of  the 
cantilever  principle,  but  then  withdraw  into  a 
happy  fortress  of  avowed  ignorance  concerning 
the  technical  knowledge  required  to  do  the  job. 
Ask  him  what  causes  racism,  crime  in  the  streets, 
juvenile  delinquency,  student  unrest,  and  then 
get  out  of  the  way,  for  here  it  comes!  Then  ask 
him  what  to  do  about  it  and  you  will  get  more 
answers.  Be  kind  and  don’t  ask  him  why  these 
problems  continue  to  increase  in  spite  of  his 
Olympian  understanding. 

Psychiatrists  must  learn  to  rely  on  those  who 
are  trained  and  capable  in  a specific  area  to  do  a 
special  job.  Publicity  concerning  the  disci- 
pline has  been  so  great  that  psychiatrists  have 
begun  to  believe  it  themselves.  The  simple  phrase 
“I  don’t  know”  rusts  from  lack  of  use.  It  seems 
that  we  would  be  well  advised  to  get  hooked  on 
some  “humble  pills”  and  stick  to  the  business  of 
being  a physician.  Indeed,  methods  change,  but 
principles  never  do.  *** 

323  E.  Chestnut  St.  (40202) 


TREAD  LIGHTLY 

A hippie  presented  himself  at  the  physician’s  office,  attired  in 
the  way-out  regalia  of  the  cult.  The  receptionist,  noting  his  wear- 
ing only  one  shoe,  asked: 

“Did  you  lose  a shoe?” 

“No,”  retorted  the  hippie,  “but  I just  found  one.” 


MARCH  1970 


1 13 


Radiologic  Seminar  XCIII: 
Inferior  Vena  Cavography 


OTTIS  G.  BALL,  M.D. 
Jackson,  Mississippi 


This  is  a simple,  safe,  and  often  very  informa- 
tive procedure  that  can  be  performed  fairly 
quickly  and  requires  no  special  equipment. 

It  is  helpful  to  incorporate  this  study  with  ex- 
cretory urography  for  evaluation  of  pelvic  or 
abdominal  masses,  particularly  in  infants  and 
children.  However,  it  is  also  useful  in  adults  as  an 
aid  to  determine  the  extent  of  lymphomas,  car- 
cinoma of  the  uterus,  prostate,  testicle,  and  colon. 
Conceivably,  it  may  also  be  helpful  in  evaluation 
of  tumors  of  the  liver  and  pancreas. 

The  inferior  vena  cava  returns  to  the  heart 
blood  from  parts  below  the  diaphragm.  It  is 
formed  by  the  junction  of  the  two  common  iliac 
veins  on  the  right  side  of  the  fifth  lumbar  ver- 
tebra. It  is  usually  straight,  and  lies  slightly  to 
the  right  of  and  parallel  to  the  lumbar  spine  (see 
Fig.  1 A and  B).  It  occupies  about  15  per  cent 
of  the  retroperitoneal  space.  Lymphatic  vessels 
and  nodes  draining  the  pelvis  and  abdomen  are 
in  juxtaposition  to  the  inferior  vena  cava  through 
its  course  in  the  retroperitoneal  space.  The  right 
kidney  and  adrenal  gland  border  on  its  right 
lateral  aspect.  The  right  renal  artery  often  pro- 
duces a sharp  indentation  on  the  posterior  bor- 
der of  the  inferior  vena  cava  at  the  level  of  the 
second  lumbar  vertebra.  The  second  and  third 
portions  of  the  duodenum  and  the  head  of  the 
pancreas  lie  against  the  anterior  border.  The 
caudate  lobe  of  the  liver  may  impinge  upon  the 
vessel  superiorly  and  anteriorly. 

Inferior  vena  cavography  is  performed  by  in- 


Sponsored  by  the  Mississippi  Radiological  Society. 
From  the  Department  of  Radiology,  Mississippi  Baptist 
Hospital. 

1 14 


Figure  1A.  Anteroposterior  view  of  opacified  in- 
ferior vena  cava.  Note  washout  effect  (arrow)  due  to 
entry  of  renal  vein. 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Figure  2.  Complete  obstruction  of  right  common 
iliac  vein  with  extensive  collateral  circulation.  Note 
non-functioning  right  kidney  and  normally  function- 
ing left  kidney. 

an  adequate  guide  for  the  placement  of  cobalt 
ports.  A repeat  study  four  weeks  following  radi- 
ation therapy  showed  a patent  right  iliac  vein 
and  vena  cava  and  a functioning  but  somewhat 
small  right  kidney. 

In  summary,  inferior  vena  cavograms  are 
easily  performed  procedures  that  are  helpful  in 
evaluation  of  the  retroperitoneal  space  in  regard 
to  primary  or  metastatic  tumors  involving  the 
lymph  nodes  or  other  structures  in  this  area. 
They  are  simpler  than  lymphangiography  as  a 
means  of  assessing  retroperitoneal  lymph  nodes. 
They  are  more  informative  than  gastrointestinal 
studies  or  intravenous  urography  alone.  *** 

1151  North  State  Street  (39201) 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

1.  Gray,  Henry:  Anatomy  of  the  Human  Body,  Phila- 
delphia, Lea  and  Febiger,  1954. 

2.  Hillman,  D.  C.,  and  Tristan,  T.  A.:  Inferior  Vena 
Cavography  in  Detection  of  Abdominal  Extension  of 
Pelvic  Cancer.  Radiology  81:416-427,  1963. 

3.  Holtz,  S.,  and  Powers,  W.  E.:  Inferior  Vena  Cavo- 
grams. Radiology  78:583-590,  1962. 

4.  Tucker,  A.  S.:  The  Roentgen  Diagnosis  of  Abdominal 
Masses  in  Children.  Amer.  J.  of  Roent.  95:76-90, 
1965. 


serting  a 17  or  18  gauge  needle  or  a catheter  into 
one  or  both  femoral  veins  and  injecting  30  to  50 
cc.  of  50  per  cent  Hypaque,  or  its  equivalent, 
rapidly.  First,  a cross-table  lateral  exposure  is 
made  with  the  patient  in  a supine  position.  This 
is  done  so  that  contrast  media  will  be  present  in 
the  urinary  tracts  and  visualized  in  relationship 
to  the  vena  cava  on  the  anteroposterior  projec- 
tion. A second  injection  is  performed  and  an  an- 
teroposterior view  is  obtained. 

Figure  2 is  an  AP  view  of  an  inferior  vena 
cavogram  that  reveals  extensive  venous  ob- 
struction and  blockage  of  the  right  ureter.  This 
was  a sixty-two  year  old  white  male  patient  with 
edema  of  the  scrotum  and  right  lower  extremity. 
Biopsy  of  a pelvic  node  revealed  lymphosarcoma. 
Cobalt  therapy  was  given  to  the  pelvis  and  retro- 
peritoneal node  areas.  The  venogram  furnished 


Figure  IB.  Lateral  view  of  opacified  inferior  vena 
cava  with  stippled  borders  added  for  easier  identifi- 
cation. Again , note  defect  (arrow)  due  to  entry  of 
renal  veins  and  posteriorly  located  renal  artery 
defect. 


MARCH  1970 


115 


The  President  Speaking 


‘Or  Lose  by  Default’ 

JAMES  L.  ROYALS,  M,D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 

- 

There  has  never  been  a time  in  American  history  that  has  seen 
more  drastic  changes  brought  to  the  health  care  delivery  system. 
Never  has  American  medicine  been  under  such  attack  as  it  is 
now.  Lost  in  this  rush  for  change  is  the  fact  that  Americans  en-.- 
joy  the  best  medical  care  in  the  history  of  the  world.  Those  who 
would  socialize  American  medicine  and  make  physicians  ser- 
vants of  the  state  are  hard  at  work  as  never  before. 

The  next  big  push  towards  socialism  will  be  made  in  an  effort 
to  bring  about  compulsory  national  health  insurance  for  all 
Americans.  AMA’s  answer  to  this  move  is  a voluntary  system  of 
tax  credits,  which  has  been  labeled  Medicredit.  Looming  on  the 
horizon,  probably  in  1972,  is  a great  debate  over  these  plans.  It 
is  necessary  that  physicians  inform  themselves  well  in  every  as- 
pect of  these  plans  so  that  they  may  effectively  contribute  to  the 
debate.  Much  informative  material  is  being  published  at  intervals 
in  the  Journal  and  in  many  other  medical  publications. 

The  nature  of  a physician’s  work  tends  to  isolate  him  from  en- 
vironments that  actively  consider  the  socioeconomic  aspects  of 
these  plans.  It  is,  therefore,  necessary  that  we  make  an  extra  ef- 
fort to  become  well  informed  on  these  major  issues,  or  lose  by  de- 
fault to  those  who  would  remove  free  enterprise  from  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine.  ★★★ 


116 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


JOURNAL  OF  THE 
MISSISSIPPI  STATE 
MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

VOLUME  XI,  NUMBER  3 
March  1970 


Invasion  of  Privacy: 
New  Angle  on  Smoking 


i 

The  jumbo  jets  opening  a new  generation  of 
travel,  Pan  Am’s  Boeing  747’s,  bring  back  mem- 
ories of  the  great  trains  of  the  1920’s.  As  in  the 
wonderful  old  Pullman  car,  there  are  sections  of 
the  big  plane  in  which  smoking  is  not  permitted. 

The  Wall  Street  Journal  reports  that  since  non- 
smoking President  Nixon’s  first  press  conference, 
these  hitherto  smoke-filled  room  sessions  have 
been  tobacco-free.  Consumer  crusader  Ralph  Na- 
der has  petitioned  the  Federal  Aviation  Admin- 
istration and  the  Interstate  Commerce  Commis- 
sion to  prohibit  smoking  altogether  on  air  lines 
and  busses.  He  also  wants  puffing  outlawed  in 
hospitals  and  other  public  accommodations. 

The  U.  S.  Air  Force  surgeon  general  has  is- 
sued orders  forbidding  smoking  by  any  hospital- 
ized patient,  and  no  USAF  hospital  or  BX  in  a 
hospital  complex  sells  cigarettes.  And  conspicu- 
ously missing  among  vending  machines  at  the 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association’s  head- 
quarters building  in  Jackson  are  those  dispensing 
tobacco.  We’ll  take  your  dime  for  a Coke,  cook- 
ies, peanuts,  and  candy  bars,  but  tobacco  prod- 
ucts are  unavailable.  Smoke  if  you’ve  got  them, 
but  we  won’t  help. 

II 

These  are  signs  of  the  times  catching  up  to 
the  long  suffering  of  nonsmokers  caught  in  a 


tobacco  smog.  Antismoking  advocate  John  Ban- 
zhaf,  III,  of  Washington,  the  young  attorney  who 
forced  the  free  equal  time  for  the  case  against 
smoking  on  television  (ASH:  Mild  Label  for  a 
Singeing  Movement,  J.M.S.M.A.  X:99-100 
(March)  1969),  uses  lawsuits  to  hang  up  no 
smoking  signs  in  elevators,  public  transportation, 
and  facilities  deemed  to  be  in  interstate  com- 
merce. 

In  fact,  Mr.  Banzhaf  now  heads  a second  or- 
ganization called  CRASH.  That's  “Citizens  to 
Restrict  Air  Line  Smoking  Hazards.”  His  orig- 
inal organization  which  shook  up  the  TV  industry 
is  ASH,  “Action  on  Smoking  and  Health.”  Nor 
are  his  words  falling  on  deaf  ears,  because  the 
U.  S.  Public  Health  Service,  in  partnership  with 
FAA,  has  initiated  a one  year  study  of  the  ef- 
fects of  tobacco  smoke  on  air  line  passengers. 

One  such  important  passenger,  according  to 
The  Wall  Street  Journal,  was  no  less  than  the  non- 
smoking Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States,  War- 
ren E.  Burger.  The  Chief  Justice  was  on  a flight 
from  Washington  to  Minneapolis  when  he  was 
literally  overcome  by  fellow  passengers’  puffing 
away.  He  got  off  the  plane  at  Madison,  Wis.,  spent 
the  night,  and  finished  his  trip  the  next  day. 

Chief  Justice  Burger  wrote  the  president  of  the 
air  line  but  according  to  WSJ,  didn’t  command 
the  courtesy  of  a reply.  A subsequent  letter  to 


MARCH  1970 


117 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 


FAA  brought  the  Supreme  Court  chief  a prompt 
response  from  the  administrator. 

III 

The  new  and  militant  movement  against  smok- 
ing in  public  accommodations  and  especially  in 
cramped,  close  transportation  situations  has  both 
legal  and  medical  overtones,  and  these  are  in- 
terrelated. Some  individuals  are  allergic  to  tobac- 
co smoke,  and  nearly  all  nonsmokers  find  it  of- 
fensive in  varying  degrees. 

So  for  those  to  whom  smoke  may  not  be  a 
health  hazard  of  immediate  consideration  there 
may  be  a legal  remedy.  Messrs.  Nader  and  Ban- 
zhaf  contend  that  uncontrolled  smoking  consti- 
tutes an  invasion  of  privacy.  Moreover,  it  is  con- 
tended that  all  have  a right  to  breathe  air  un- 
contaminated by  tobacco  smoke. 

Sen.  Mark  Hatfield  (R.,  Ore.)  and  Rep.  Andrew 
Jacobs  (D.,  Ind.)  have  introduced  bills  in  the 
Congress  to  restrict  smoking  aboard  public  trans- 
portation. The  measures  will  doubtless  have  the 
unremitting  support  of  many  physicians,  if  a 
sampling  of  the  letters  to  American  Medical  News 
recently  against  smoking  in  airplanes  is  any  bell- 
wether. 

Italian  investigators  claim  that  free,  uninhaled 
fumes  from  cigarettes  may  constitute  a health 
hazard  to  nearby  nonsmokers.  They  argue  that 
during  the  mean  burning  time  of  a cigarette 
which  is  12  minutes,  it  is  inhaled  only  24  sec- 
onds, leaving  more  than  1 1 minutes  of  smoke 
production  for  the  distress  of  in-range  nonsmok- 
ers. 

IV 

In  a letter  to  Sen.  Hatfield,  reports  WSJ,  a 
manufacturer  of  the  new  big  jet  aircraft  said  that 
electronic  pressure  controls  are  now  being  used 
instead  of  the  old  pneumatic  controls.  The  plane 
maker  said  that  the  electronic  controls  are  ad- 
versely affected  by  tobacco  tar.  While  FAA  has 
yet  to  identify  a hazard  to  air  materiel  opera- 
tions safety  attributable  to  cigarettes,  we  may 
reasonably  postulate  that  they  don’t  help  in  the 
slightest. 

Society  has  become  acutely  consumer  con- 
scious, and  caveat  emptor  is  fast  changing  to 
caveat  vendor.  The  smoker  has  no  particular 
claim  on  anybody  else’s  airspace,  and  the  fact  of 
the  matter  is  that  man’s  natural  state  is  not  to 
smoke.  Most  would,  however,  seek  a reasonable 
solution  to  the  annoyances  and  vexations  of  the 


puffer  of  the  el  hempo  corona  in  the  hotel  ele- 
vator before  breakfast,  even  if  one  of  four  ele- 
vators had  to  be  dedicated  to  the  polluters  of  air 
and  lungs. 

We  wish  smokers  no  ill,  for  they  have  enough 
woe  already.  We  simply  wish  nonsmokers  well 
with  as  much  fresh  air  as  is  currently  available. 
In  fact,  common  courtesy  should  make  laws,  regu- 
lations, and  lawsuits  quite  unnecessary  as  Amer- 
ica slowly  comes  to  its  senses  about  tobacco  and 
health. — R.B.K. 

A Punitive  Bill 
Aimed  at  Physicians 

At  a time  when  the  professional  liability  pic- 
ture in  the  United  States  is  darkest,  House  Bill 
407  has  been  dropped  in  the  hopper  of  the  Regu- 
lar Session  of  the  Legislature  at  Jackson.  The  mea- 
sure, by  Reps.  James  Simpson  of  Pass  Christian 
and  Charles  Bullock  of  Gulfport  would,  if  passed, 
eliminate  the  requirement  for  corroborative  med- 
ical testimony  in  proof  of  negligence,  failure  to 
exercise  reasonable  care,  caution,  or  professional 
skill. 

The  bill  would  permit  awards  to  plaintiffs  in 
malpractice  suits  against  physicians  “by  juries  on 
the  basis  of  (nonmedical)  testimony  offered  in 
evidence,  notwithstanding  any  precedents  estab- 
lished by  any  decision  heretofore  rendered.” 

The  net  result  is  to  deny  the  defendant  doctor 
part  of  his  defense,  and  nobody  is  foolish  enough 
to  believe  that  plaintiffs  in  these  cases  now  have 
the  laws  and  courts  stacked  against  them.  What 
this  bill  does  is  introduce  into  our  Mississippi  law 
books  the  liberal  doctrine  of  res  ipse  loquitur 
(the  thing  speaks  for  itself). 

If  passed.  House  Bill  407  could  cause  the 
premium  on  professional  liability  insurance  for 
physicians  in  Mississippi  to  zoom  as  it  has  in  oth- 
er states.  The  ultimate,  extreme  consequence 
would  be  to  drive  this  vital  insurance  coverage 
from  the  market. 

In  California  where  the  laws  are  liberal  and 
the  courts  are  more  so,  physicians  pay  anywhere 
from  $2,500  to  $20,000  a year  in  professional 
liability  insurance  premiums.  It  is  almost  a rule 
of  thumb  that  the  coverage  costs  around  $1,500 
in  most  other  states.  We  have  been  extremely 
fortunate  in  Mississippi,  because  we  have  the 
lowest  premium  in  the  nation. 

This  is  not  to  say  that  physicians  are  ganged 
up  against  lawful  claims,  throttling  the  courts, 


1 1 8 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


and  stacking  the  deck.  Judicial  records  indicate 
exactly  the  opposite.  But  to  erect  a climate  deny- 
ing a physician  part  of  his  basic  right  of  defense 
is  something  else — something  which  is  neither 
just  nor  reasonable.  This  is  dangerous  legisla- 
tion with  a potentially  punitive  impact  on  phy- 
sicians. It  should  be  defeated. — R.B.K. 

Restraining  Devices 
Help  Mother  Make  Sure 

The  midafternoon  traffic  near  the  shopping 
center  is  heavy,  and  mother  is  tired  from  a weary 
day  as  she  heads  home  with  the  groceries  and  her 
energetic  three-year-old  standing  up  on  the  front 
seat.  This  is  the  setting  for  tragedy,  an  accident 
itching  to  happen,  and  one  that  all  too  frequently 
does. 

The  American  Academy  of  Pediatrics  has  re- 
cently published  studies  showing  that  5,900  chil- 
dren under  15  years  of  age  were  killed  in  motor 
vehicle  accidents  in  1969.  Many,  if  not  most, 
would  be  alive  today  had  mother  made  sure 
with  a restraining  device  for  the  child. 

Bassinets,  safety  harnesses,  kid-size  lap  belts, 
and  a host  of  devices  are  readily  available,  and 
AAP  demonstrates  that  these  provide  “the  high- 
est degree  of  dynamic  protection”  for  children  in 
automobiles.  The  Academy,  through  its  journal. 
Pediatrics,  calls  on  physicians  to  learn  which  of 
the  restraining  devices  to  recommend  for  children 
according  to  weight  and  size. 

There  is  a great  deal  more  to  safety  restraints 
for  the  little  people  than  a bar  or  a belt.  Manu- 
facturers have  adopted  design  concepts  which 
take  into  account  the  weight,  height,  center  of 
gravity,  buttocks-knee  length,  and  body  composi- 
tion of  the  child. 

“A  device  should  be  constructed  with  regard 
to  all  these  factors,”  say  Drs.  Frederic  D.  Burg. 
John  M.  Douglass,  Eugene  Diamond,  and  Mr. 
Arnold  W.  Siegel,  writing  in  Pediatrics,  “so  as  to 
prevent  ejection  of  the  child  and  provide  a long, 
smooth  period  of  deceleration  during  collision  or 
sudden  braking.” 

The  report  recommends  four  classifications  of 
restraining  devices  for  youngsters  in  an  automo- 
bile: 

— Children  from  the  newborn  up  to  12  pounds 
weight  should  be  transported  in  a rear  seat  bas- 
sinet or  car  bed  held  secure  in  place  by  front  and 
rear  seat  safety  belts.  It  is  important  that  the 
bassinet  be  parallel  to  the  long  axis  of  the  auto- 


mobile, with  the  infant  in  a feet-forward  position. 
A properly  constructed  infant  carrier  may  be 
used  in  the  front  seat  of  a car  for  children  in  this 
weight  category  in  lieu  of  the  rear  seat  bassinet. 

— Children  from  12  to  24  pounds  should  be 
placed  in  a properly  constructed  rear  seat  safety 
harness  or  toddler  seat. 

— Youngsters  ranging  in  weight  from  25  to  50 
pounds  should  be  placed  in  a good  safety  child 
seat.  The  shield-type  design  is  said  to  afford  the 
greatest  protection,  although  it  has  the  major 
psychological  disadvantage  of  limiting  the  child’s 
field  of  vision. 

— Children  weighing  more  than  50  pounds 
should  use  the  adult  lap  belt,  and  where  height 
exceeds  55  inches,  the  adult  shoulder  harness 
should  also  be  worn. 

The  American  College  of  Surgeons,  the  major 
medical  pioneer  in  automotive  safety  through 
passenger  restraints,  says  that  as  many  as  10,000 
lives  may  be  saved  in  a year  with  modern  seat 
belts  and  shoulder  harnesses.  It  is  possible  that 
this  figure  might  reasonably  be  increased  if  Jun- 
ior and  Sister  are  also  well-restrained. 

Even  fatal  injuries  to  infants  can  happen  with 
just  sudden  stops  and  minor  traffic  accidents.  And 
most  fatal  accidents,  the  traffic  experts  tell  us, 
occur  within  25  miles  of  the  victim’s  home.  So 
this  business  of  rationalizing  that  “we  don’t  need 
to  buckle  up  to  go  to  the  shopping  center”  is  an 
invitation  to  tragedy.  Let’s  take  a second  to  help 
mother  make  sure. — R.B.K. 

The  Inside  Story 
on  AMA  Membership 

Just  who  among  American  physicians  belongs 
to  the  American  Medical  Association?  Doesn’t 
everybody?  No,  not  by  a long  shot,  and  medi- 
cine’s critics  have  a gleeful  field  day  pointing  out 
that  one  out  of  three  American  physicians  isn’t  a 
member. 

But  the  facts  put  an  entirely  different  light  on 
the  figures,  and  they  are  worth  knowing.  AMA's 
Department  of  Records  and  Circulation,  the 
membership  office,  reports  that  on  Dec.  31, 
1969,  there  were  328,366  physicians  known  to 
be  in  the  United  States.  Of  this  total,  AMA  had 
219,570  on  its  rolls.  If  the  examination  stops 
here,  then  somebody  is  badly  indicted. 

Exactly  199,997  physicians  were  in  private 
practice  at  the  year  end,  and  of  these  168,082 
were  members.  But  the  percentage  of  AMA 


MARCH  1970 


119 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

members  from  among  those  physicians  who  are 
eligible  is  much  more  impressive.  Remember  that 
a physician  is  AMA-eligible  only  if  he  belongs  to 
his  state  medical  association  or  is  a career  fed- 
eral medical  office  eligible  for  direct  service  mem- 
bership. Of  these,  91  per  cent  are  AMA  members. 

So  what  about  the  nonmembers?  Obviously, 
the  largest  segment  is  made  up  of  physicians  in 
training,  interns  and  residents.  About  half  of  the 
state  medical  associations — including  Mississippi 
— provide  for  their  membership  on  a dues-exempt 
basis,  but  most  are  not  on  the  rolls.  The  second 
largest  group  of  nonmembers  are  those  employed 
full  time  by  hospitals,  some  21,167  from  among 
whom  only  8,224  are  AMA  members.  Medical 
school  faculties  are  next  with  5,184  on  the  rolls 
from  a total  of  10,817  in  the  schools. 

The  record  of  AMA  membership  among  pri- 
vate practitioners  is  remarkably  good,  consider- 
ing that  it  is  voluntary  in  41  of  the  54  state  and 
territorial  medical  associations.  Of  the  states  with 
compulsory  AMA  membership,  New  York  and 
California  account  for  more  than  50,000  on  the 
rolls. 

Trite  as  it  sounds,  medicine  has  never  before 
had  a greater  need  or  reason  to  seek  unity.  This 
does  not  mean  that  every  member  should  be  a 
rubber  stamp  for  the  same  viewpoint,  but  it  does 
mean  that  all  eligible,  qualified,  ethical  physicians 
ought  to  be  under  their  own  organizational  roof. 
With  all  of  its  troubles,  AMA  still  remains  the 
paragon  among  organizations  and  associations. 

Moreover,  AMA  is  a confederation  of  the  state 
medical  associations  whose  collective  will  directs 
its  every  effort  and  program.  Medicine’s  house 
ought  to  have  the  family  living  in  it. — R.B.K. 

The  Old  Admonition: 
Watch  Those  Narcotics! 

Almost  every  physician  grows  weary  over  ad- 
monitions about  abuse,  fraud,  and  theft  of  nar- 
cotics, and  virtually  all  know  the  ground  rules  on 
safe,  sane,  and  lawful  handling  of  narcotics.  But 
the  problem  gets  worse,  not  better,  and  a quick 
review  of  the  U.  S.  Narcotics  Bureau  “Don’ts  for 
the  Practitioner”  isn’t  a total  waste  of  time. 

The  drug-oriented  subculture  in  the  nation  has 
not  helped  the  situation  in  the  slightest,  and 
while  the  vast  majority  of  drug  abuse  instances 


relate  to  nonnarcotics,  there  is  still  a grave  and 
growing  problem.  The  addict  is  a clever,  schem- 
ing bundle  of  determination — a challenge  to  the 
most  soundly  conceived  fail-safe  methods  of 
preventing  narcotic  abuse. 

The  bureau  begins  with  the  age-old  warning: 
Don’t  leave  prescription  pads  lying  around  in 
the  office  or  elsewhere.  Not  a few  of  us  have 
seen  Rx  pads  conveniently  distributed  as  tele- 
phone notepads  in  clinics  and  offices.  Nor  should 
a physician’s  supply  of  narcotics  be  unprotected. 

Pharmacists  tell  us  that  there  are  some  few 
physicians  who  do  not  use  brackets  and  spelling 
when  specifying  the  number  of  dosage  units  to 
be  dispensed  in  a narcotic  Rx.  A hastily  written 
“Morphine  HT  # 10”  can  easily  become  “#100” 
in  the  hands  of  the  addict,  and  many  are  expert 
forgers. 

Few  physicians  fall  for  the  simulated  symptoms 
of  a condition  known  to  require  narcotics,  but  a 
patient  who  can  voluntarily  produce  bloody  spu- 
tum is  not  unknown  among  addicts.  Some  women 
addicts  have  successfully  posed  as  nurses,  fraud- 
ulently securing  narcotics  or  prescriptions  for 
imaginary  patients. 

The  bureau  says  that  more  and  more  phy- 
sicians’ bags  are  being  stolen  from  automobiles. 
A good  rule  puts  the  bag  in  the  trunk,  and  a 
minimum  amount  of  narcotics  are  carried  in  the 
bag.  A record  of  narcotics  dispensed  ought  to  be 
maintained. 


120 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Don’t  resent  a pharmacist’s  call  for  verification 
of  a narcotic  Rx — he  is  responsible  for  forgeries 
under  federal  law.  Much  of  the  illicit  supply  of 
narcotics  can  be  cut  off  from  addicts  with  ob- 
servance of  these  common  sense  ground  rules. 
It’s  an  effort  worth  making. — R.B.K. 


March  6,  1970 

CURRENT  ADVANCES  IN 

MANAGEMENT  OF  DISEASES  OF 

THE  KIDNEY  AND  THE 

URINARY  TRACT 

University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 
March  6,  1970,  beginning  at  8:30  a.m. 

Sponsored  by  the  Mississippi  Kidney  Founda- 
tion and  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  Department  of  Medi- 
cine, Division  of  Urology 

Participants: 

H.  Earl  Ginn,  M.D.,  associate  professor  of  medi- 
cine, urology  and  biomedical  engineering  and 
chief  of  the  nephrology  division,  Vanderbilt 
University  School  of  Medicine,  Nashville,  Ten- 
nessee 

Donald  B.  Halverstadt,  M.D.,  department  of 
urology,  University  of  Oklahoma  Medical  Cen- 
ter, Oklahoma  City,  Oklahoma 

Eugene  C.  Klatte,  M.D.,  chairman  of  the  depart- 
ment of  radiology,  Vanderbilt  University 
School  of  Medicine,  Nashville,  Tennessee 

Herbert  G.  Langford,  M.D.,  professor  of  medi- 
cine, The  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine 

Friday  Morning 

Pathologic  Physiology  of  Medical  Renal 
Disease 
Dr.  Ginn 

Pathologic  Physiology  of  Surgical  Disease 
of  the  Urinary  Tract 
Dr.  Halverstadt 

Current  Techniques  of  Radiologic  Evalua- 
tion of  the  Urinary  Tract 
Dr.  Klatte 


Treatment  of  Preterminal  Renal  Failure 
Dr.  Ginn 

Friday  Afternoon 

Renal-Vascular  Hypertension 
Dr.  Klatte 

Diagnosis  of  Renal  Hypertension 
Dr.  Langford 

Management  of  Renal  Hypertension 
Dr.  Halverstadt 

Case  Presentation,  Questions  and  Gener- 
al Discussion 

March  16-20,  1970 

NEUROLOGICAL  DISEASES  AND 
STROKE  INTENSIVE  COURSE 

University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 
March  16-20,  1970,  beginning  at  8 a.m. 

Sponsored  by  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  with  the  support  of  the 
Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Program 

Participants: 

Robert  D.  Currier,  M.D.,  professor  of  medicine 
(neurology)  and  co-director  of  the  stroke  unit, 
The  University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medi- 
cine 

Robert  Smith,  M.D.,  assistant  professor  of  neuro- 
surgery and  co-director  of  the  stroke  unit,  The 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 

Registrants  in  this  one-week  intensive  course 
will  review  management  of  acute  stroke  pa- 
tients, severe  head  injuries,  seizure  problems 
and  other  neurological  and  neurosurgical  dis- 
orders. In  addition  to  seminars,  rounds,  group 
discussions,  and  assigned  reading,  registrants 
will  participate  in  the  daily  care  of  patients  in 
the  Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Program 
demonstration  stroke  unit. 

March  16-20,  1970 

CARDIOLOGY  INTENSIVE  COURSE 

University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 
March  16-20,  1970,  beginning  at  8 a.m. 

Sponsored  by  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  with  the  support  of  the 
Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Program 

Participant: 

Patrick  H.  Lehan,  M.D.,  professor  of  medicine 
and  Mississippi  Heart  Association  William  D. 


MARCH  1970 


121 


POSTGRADUATE  / Continued 

Love  research  professor  of  cardiology,  The 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 

This  one-week  intensive  course  will  famili- 
arize physicians  with  current  concepts  in  bed- 
side diagnosis  of  heart  disease.  Pulse  tracings, 
electrocardiograms,  hemodynamic  data  and 
other  cardiovascular  aids  will  be  used  to  re- 
view practical  points  of  physical  diagnosis  and 
various  forms  of  heart  disease.  Participants  will 
witness  cardiac  catheterizations  and  join  the 
cardiovascular  team’s  discussion  on  manage- 
ment of  patients. 

Both  intensive  courses  will  be  limited  to  five 
physicians  from  the  class  of  20  enrolled  in 
the  four-year  Mississippi  Postgraduate  Institute 
in  the  Medical  Sciences,  supported  by  the  Mis- 
sissippi Regional  Medical  Program  and  designed 
by  The  University  of  Mississippi  Medical  Cen- 
ter and  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Associa- 
tion. 

CIRCUIT  COURSES 

Southern  Circuit 

Biloxi- — March  4 — Session  3 

Bay-Waveland  Yacht  Club,  6:30  p.m. 
Laurel — March  12 — Session  3 

Laurel  Country  Club,  6:30  p.m. 

Session  3 — Current  Approach  to  Tetanus 
Prophylaxis  and  Treatment,  Dr.  Ray- 
mond Martin 

Diagnosis  and  Management  of  Hypothy- 
roidism, Dr.  J.  Manning  Hudson 

Eastern  Circuit 

Meridian — March  3 — Session  1;  April  7 — 
Session  2,  Northwood  Country  Club, 
6:30  p.m. 

Session  1 — Carcinoma  of  the  Cervix 

Radiologic  Approach,  Dr.  Bernard  Hick- 
man 

Surgical  Approach,  Dr.  Richard  Boronow 
Session  2 — Respiratory  Failure:  Current 

Methods  of  Management,  Dr.  Boyd 
Shaw 

Surgical  Management  of  Emphysema,  Dr. 
William  Fain 

Columbus — April  28 — Session  3 

Lowndes  General  Hospital,  6:30  p.m. 
Session  3 — Complications  Associated  with 
Saddle  Block  Anesthesia  in  Obstetrics, 
Dr.  Donald  Sherline 

The  Management  of  Edema  Related  to  the 
Kidney,  Dr.  Ben  B.  Johnson 


Southwest  Circuit 

McComb — April  7 — Session  3 

Southwest  Mississippi  General  Hospital, 
7:00  p.m. 

Natchez — April  21 — Session  3 

Jefferson  Davis  Memorial  Hospital,  7:00 
p.m. 

Session  3 — Headache 

Neurological  Approach,  Dr.  Armin  Haer- 
er 

Neurosurgical  Approach,  Dr.  Robert  R. 
Smith 

FUTURE  CALENDAR 

March  2-6,  1970 

Nephrology  Intensive  Course 

March  3 

Circuit  Course,  Meridian 
March  4 

Circuit  Course,  Biloxi 
March  6 

Renal  Disease  Seminar 
March  12 

Circuit  Course,  Laurel 


o 


“Very  humorous,  Miss  Fisher,  but  just  for  your 
information,  it  isn’t  another  false  alarm.” 


122 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


March  16-20 

Cardiology  Intensive  Course 
Stroke  Intensive  Course 

April  1-3 

Cardiovascular  Seminar 
April  7 

Circuit  Course,  McComb 
Circuit  Course,  Meridian 

April  16 

Mississippi  Thoracic  Society 
April  21 

Circuit  Course,  Natchez 
April  28 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 
May  5 

Circuit  Course,  Meridian 
May  11-14 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


Lemann  Bounds  of  Meridian  was  recently  elect- 
ed president  of  the  Debonaire  Dance  Club.  Mem- 
bers meet  once  a month  for  a buffet  dinner  and 
dancing. 

Paul  B.  Brumby  of  Lexington  spoke  at  the  ex- 
ecutive board  meeting  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  Auxiliary  in  Natchez. 

Duane  Burgess  and  Fred  Tatum,  both  of  Hat- 
tiesburg, participated  in  the  Jan.  workshop  on 
care  of  the  geriatric  patient  at  the  University  of 
Southern  Mississippi  School  of  Nursing. 

Charles  N.  Cannon,  formerly  of  Folkston,  Ga., 
is  now  practicing  medicine  and  surgery  in  Phila- 
delphia in  the  former  location  of  George  Day 
Studios.  Dr.  Cannon  is  a graduate  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine. 

Temple  Carney  of  Meridian  has  joined  the 
staff  of  the  Rush  Medical  Group  as  a general 
practitioner.  Dr.  Carney  graduated  from  the  Uni- 
versity of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine  in  1968. 

Robert  E.  Carter  and  Guy  Gillespie,  both 
of  Jackson,  presented  a postgraduate  circuit  course 
on  anemia  to  physicians  in  the  coastal  area  and 
at  Hattiesburg  recently. 

Marion  E.  Cockrell  of  Laurel  and  his  wife  ex- 
hibited and  lectured  on  their  collection  of  rub- 


bings of  English  brasses  at  the  Lauren  Rogers 
Library  and  Museum  of  Art  in  Laurel. 

Clyde  X.  Copeland,  Jr.,  William  F.  Owens, 
Jr.,  and  L.  Buford  Yerger,  Jr.,  all  of  Jackson, 
have  been  inducted  as  Fellows  of  the  American 
Academy  of  Orthopaedic  Surgeons  at  the  group’s 
annual  meeting  in  Chicago. 

Joe  S.  Covington  and  Octavius  D.  Polk,  both 
of  Meridian,  have  been  named  to  the  General 
Advisory  Council  of  the  Mississippi  Medicaid 
Commission.  Dr.  Covington  will  serve  as  chair- 
man of  the  Physician’s  Services  Technical  Ad- 
visory Committee. 

Robert  D.  Currier,  A.  F.  Haerer,  and  Rich- 
ard W.  Naef,  all  of  Jackson,  have  been  awarded 
certificates  of  merit  by  the  National  Council  on 
Epilepsy  for  service  during  the  past  year.  The 
three  physicians  are  members  of  the  board  of  the 
Mississippi  Council  on  Epilepsy. 

James  Robert  Giffin  of  Louisville  has  been  re- 
elected to  active  membership  in  the  American 
Academy  of  General  Practice  upon  completing 
150  hours  of  accredited  postgraduate  work  in  the 
last  three  years. 

Stanislaw  Grabowski,  a native  of  Poland,  has 
joined  the  staff  at  Ellisville  State  School  as  a 
physician  in  the  medical  department. 

James  D.  Hardy  of  Jackson  reigned  as  King  of 
the  Junior  League’s  1970  Carnival  Ball  in  Janu- 
ary. The  title  is  given  annually  to  those  the 
League  honors  for  their  vital  contributions  to 
mankind. 

Karl  Hatten  of  Vicksburg  received  the  Dis- 
tinguished Service  Award  of  the  Vicksburg  Jay- 
cees  at  their  banquet  at  the  Downtowner  Motor 
Inn. 

Martha  Hays  of  Gulfport  is  now  serving  as  a 
full-time  clinician  at  the  Harrison  County  Health 
Department. 

Henri  Melvin  Hedgewood,  formerly  with  the 
U.  S.  Navy  at  Pensacola,  Fla.,  has  begun  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine  at  Raleigh.  The  general  practi- 
tioner is  a member  of  the  medical  staff  of  Smith 
County  General  Hospital. 

Jack  C.  Hoover  of  Pascagoula  will  serve  as 
president  of  the  American  Cancer  Society  of  Jack- 
son  County  for  1970. 

Gerald  Hopkins  of  Oxford  recently  spoke  on 
“Heart — the  Number  One  Killer”  at  the  District 
Five  Heart  Association’s  annual  Heart  Fund 
dinner  meeting  at  the  Water  Valley  Country  Club. 


MARCH  1970 


123 


PERSONALS  / Continued 

Edley  Jones,  Sr.,  of  Vicksburg  has  been  saluted 
by  the  Vicksburg  Evening  Post  as  a civic  leader 
holding  places  of  responsibility  in  the  business, 
cultural  and  civic  life  of  the  city. 

Dewey  Hobson  Lane,  Jr.,  of  Pascagoula  has 
been  named  Pascagoula’s  outstanding  young  man 
for  1969.  The  surgeon  was  selected  from  six 
nominees  for  the  award,  based  on  community 
service. 

Ray  Lee  of  Liberty  has  announced  that  he  will 
be  a Republican  candidate  for  the  Third  Missis- 
sippi District  seat  in  the  United  States  Congress. 

Lawrence  W.  Long  of  Jackson  has  been  selected 
to  head  a state  committee  to  launch  a campaign 
to  honor  retiring  Selective  Service  director  Gen. 
Lewis  B.  Hershey.  Dr.  Long  was  director  of  the 
Selective  Service  System  in  Mississippi  during 
World  War  II. 

William  E.  Lotterhos  of  Jackson  delivered 
the  dedicatory  address  at  the  dedication  cere- 
monies and  tour  of  the  facilities  of  Leake  County’s 
new  $600,000  Extended  Care  Unit  at  Leake  Me- 
morial Hospital. 

John  McFadden  of  West  Point  is  currently  serv- 
ing as  a director  for  the  West  Point  Jaycees. 

Robert  L.  McKinley,  Jr.,  of  Tupelo  recently 
appeared  on  WTWV  television  as  a guest  of  Mrs. 
Hugh  Purnell  on  the  health  program.  Dr.  Mc- 
Kinley spoke  on  drugs  and  narcotic  abuse. 

Patricia  Moynihan  of  Jackson  and  UMC  spoke 
on  Tissue  Compatibility  before  the  District  Nine 
Heart  Association’s  annual  dinner  at  the  Buena 
Vista  Hotel  in  Biloxi. 

J.  R.  Mullens,  Jr.  of  West  Point  was  unani- 
mously re-elected  to  serve  another  year  as  Chief 
of  Staff  of  Ivy  Memorial  Hospital. 

J.  K.  Oates,  Jr.  of  Jackson  announces  the  removal 
of  his  office  to  Suite  482,  Hinds  Professional 
Building,  1815  Hospital  Drive,  Jackson. 

J.  T.  Prescott,  formerly  of  Central  Valley, 
Calif.,  has  begun  the  practice  of  medicine  in 
Osyka.  He  will  be  affiliated  with  the  Schilling 
Memorial  Hospital  there. 

Curtis  D.  Roberts  of  Brandon  has  received  the 
insignia  of  colonel  in  ceremonies  of  the  Missis- 
sippi Air  National  Guard  in  Jackson.  Dr.  Roberts  is 
the  first  Mississippi  Air  Guard  flight  surgeon  to 
reach  the  rank  of  colonel. 


Lewis  J.  Rutledge  has  joined  in  a partnership 
with  Verner  S.  Holmes  to  form  the  Southwest 
Mississippi  Ear,  Nose  and  Throat  Clinic  at  405 
Marion  Avenue  in  McComb. 

Robert  T.  Surratt  of  Jackson  was  named  coun- 
cilor from  Mississippi  for  the  American  College 
of  Radiology.  C.  D.  Bouchillon,  III,  of  Laurel 
is  alternate  councilor.  Each  physician  was  elected 
to  his  post  by  the  Mississippi  Radiological  Society. 

Walter  Treadwell,  Richard  Johnson,  Boyd 
Shaw,  and  Rush  Netterville,  all  of  Jackson, 
recently  participated  in  the  14th  annual  Tri- 
State  Thoracic  Society  Case  Conference  in  Biloxi. 

Nancy  Varnado  of  Jackson,  Central  Medical 
Society’s  executive  secretary,  and  Rowland  B. 
Kennedy,  MSMA  executive  secretary,  attended 
the  AMA-sponsored  meeting  of  senior  medical 
executives  in  Chicago. 

E.  A.  White,  III  of  Corinth  has  been  named 
Outstanding  Young  Man  of  1969  by  the  Corinth 
Jaycees  at  their  annual  Distinguished  Service 
Award  banquet. 

John  Wofford  of  Greenwood  was  one  of  the 
principal  speakers  at  the  “Hearts  and  Husbands” 
program  sponsored  by  the  LeBonte  Woman’s 
Club  at  the  Greenwood  Little  Theatre.  Dr.  Wof- 
ford is  currently  serving  as  president  of  the  Le- 
flore County  Heart  Association. 

William  L.  Wood,  Jr.  of  Tupelo  instructed  stu- 
dent nurses  at  Tupelo’s  Northeast  Mississippi 
Junior  College  School  of  Nursing  in  the  tech- 
niques of  cardiopulmonary  resuscitation.  Dr. 
Wood,  president  of  the  Lee  County  Heart  As- 
sociation, limits  his  practice  to  internal  medicine. 

Rhea  L.  Wyatt  of  Holly  Springs  has  been  ap- 
pointed acting  health  officer  for  Lee  County  to 
succeed  H.  K.  Tatum,  who  resigned  for  reasons 
of  health. 


Fox,  James  Herman,  Jackson.  M.D., 
Memphis  Hospital  Medical  College,  Mem- 
phis, Tenn.,  1903;  interned  U.  S.  Marine  Hos- 
pital, Memphis,  Tenn.,  one  year;  dermatology 
residency,  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadel- 
phia, Pa.,  May  1,  1909-July  31,  1909;  postgrad- 


1 24 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


uate  study,  Mar.,  1945;  member  MSMA  Fifty 
Year  Club;  Emeritus  member  of  MSMA;  died 
Jan.  8,  1970,  age  89. 


. Wingo,  Oliver  Bryson,  Sardis.  M.D., 
* University  of  Tennessee  College  of  Medi- 
cine, Memphis,  Tenn.,  1943;  interned  Norwood 
Hospital,  Birmingham,  Ala.,  one  year;  pediatric 
residency,  same,  nine  months,  1944;  deceased 
Jan.  31,  1970,  age  51. 


The  following  physicians  have  been  elected  to 
membership  by  their  respective  component  Med- 
ical Societies  in  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  As- 
sociation and  the  American  Medical  Association. 

Bennett,  Kenneth  Rhoma,  Jackson.  Born  Ty- 
ler, Texas,  July  27,  1933;  M.D.,  University  of 
Texas  Southwestern  Medical  School,  Dallas,  1962; 
interned  Confederate  Memorial  Medical  Center, 
Shreveport,  La.,  one  year;  medicine  residency, 
same,  Nov.  15,  1964-June  30,  1965;  medicine 
residency.  University  Medical  Center,  Jackson, 
Miss.,  July  1,  1963-Jan.  31,  1964  and  Sept.  1, 
1966-June  30,  1967;  cardiology  fellowship,  same, 
July  1,  1967-June  30,  1969;  elected  Nov.  4,  1969 
by  Central  Medical  Society. 

Cockrell,  Marion  Everett,  Jr.,  Laurel.  Born 
West  Point,  Miss.,  July  14,  1937;  M.D.,  Tulane 
University  School  of  Medicine,  New  Orleans, 
La.,  1962;  interned  Charity  Hospital,  New  Or- 
leans, La.,  one  year;  obstetric  and  gynecology 
residency,  same,  July  1,  1963-June  30,  1966; 
elected  Dec.  18,  1969  by  South  Mississippi  Med- 
ical Society. 

Collins,  Rex  Wilson,  Laurel.  Born  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  Nov.  10,  1938;  M.D.,  University  of  Mis- 
sissippi School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  1963;  in- 
terned Duvac  Medical  Center,  Jacksonville,  Fla., 
one  year;  dermatology  residency,  University  of 
Arkansas  Medical  Center,  Little  Rock,  July  17, 
1966-July  16,  1969;  elected  Dec.  18,  1969  by 
South  Mississippi  Medical  Society. 

Ederington,  John  Bayliss,  Vicksburg.  Born 
Warren,  Ark.,  Aug.  2,  1937;  M.D.,  Tulane  Uni- 
versity School  of  Medicine,  New  Orleans,  La., 
1963;  interned  Baptist  Hospital,  Nashville,  Tenn., 
one  year;  ophthalmology  residency  Ochsner  Foun- 


dation, New  Orleans,  La.,  July  1,  1966-June  30, 
1969;  elected  Jan.  13,  1970  by  West  Mississippi 
Medical  Society. 

Fulcher,  Luther  Harrison,  Jr.,  Jackson.  Born 
Jackson,  Miss.,  Jan.  25,  1937;  M.D.,  Tulane  Uni- 
versity School  of  Medicine,  New  Orleans,  La., 
1963;  interned  Charity  Hospital,  New  Orleans, 
La.,  one  year;  medicine  residency,  same,  July  1, 
1964-June  30,  1967;  elected  Nov.  4,  1969  by 
Central  Medical  Society. 

Goodlow,  William  Henry,  Jr.,  Jackson.  Born 
Siloam  Springs,  Ark.,  Jan.  31,  1936;  M.D.,  Tu- 
lane University  School  of  Medicine,  New  Or- 
leans, La.,  1962;  interned  Confederate  Memorial 
Medical  Center,  Shreveport,  La.,  one  year;  ob- 
stetric and  gynecology  residency,  City  of  Mem- 
phis Hospitals,  Memphis,  Tenn.,  July  1,  1966- 
June  30,  1969;  elected  Nov.  4,  1969  by  Central 
Medical  Society. 

Hickerson,  Otrie  Bertrelle,  Jackson.  Born 
Coffeyville,  Kan.,  Mar.  17,  1936;  M.D.,  Howard 
University  College  of  Medicine,  Washington, 
D.  C.,  1962;  interned  Kings  County  Hospital, 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  one  year;  psychiatry  residency, 
Mental  Health  Institute,  Independence,  Iowa, 
July  1,  1963-June  30,  1966;  elected  Nov.  4, 
1969  by  Central  Medical  Society. 


April  Course  on 
Physiology  Set 

The  American  College  of  Physicians  and  the 
American  Physiological  Society  will  present  a 
seminar  on  current  concepts  in  physiology  of  the 
gastrointestinal,  endocrine,  and  respiratory  sys- 
tems on  April  9-11,  1970,  at  the  Holiday  Inn  in 
Philadelphia,  Penn. 

Director  of  the  course  is  Dr.  Daniel  H.  Sim- 
mons, F.A.C.P.  Fees  for  members  and  residents 
and  research  fellows  is  $60.00.  Fee  for  nonmem- 
bers is  $100.00. 

The  course  is  limited  to  no  less  than  50  regis- 
trants and  no  more  than  300. 

All  registration,  requests  for  information,  and 
applications  should  be  sent  to:  Dr.  Edward  C. 
Rosenow,  Jr.,  Executive  Director,  American  Col- 
lege of  Physicians,  4200  Pine  Street,  Philadel- 
phia, Penn.  19104. 


MARCH  1970 


125 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Simultaneous  Vaccinations 
Studied  at  MSBH 

Field  investigations  and  experience  are  show- 
ing that  for  several  live  virus  vaccine  combina- 
tions administered  simultaneously  at  different  in- 
oculation sites,  safety  and  immunologic  response 
are  not  significantly  altered  as  compared  to  sin- 
gle administration  of  these  agents  at  monthly  in- 
tervals, reports  the  Mississippi  State  Board  of 
Health. 

An  example  is  the  third  dose  of  trivalent  oral 
poliovirus  vaccine  which  is  commonly  given  at 
the  time  of  smallpox  vaccination  during  the  sec- 
ond year  of  life.  In  addition,  DPT  or  Td  toxoids 
may  be  given  with  good  effect  at  the  same  time. 
Studies  in  progress  indicate  that  it  may  be  feasi- 
ble, safe  and  efficacious  to  simultaneously  ad- 
minister such  combinations  as  measles  and  small- 
pox; mumps,  measles  and  rubella;  and  measles, 
mumps,  smallpox  and  oral  trivalent  poliovirus 
vaccines. 

When  considering  the  simultaneous  adminis- 
tration of  2 or  more  live  virus  vaccines  each 
combination  must  be  individually  assessed  for 
safety  and  efficacy  as  no  general  rule  applying  to 
any  and  all  combinations  can  be  formulated  from 
our  present  data.  Relatively  new  and  recently  li- 
censed vaccines  will  be  singly  assessed  for  pos- 
sible untoward  reactions  before  combined  use 
with  other  agents  is  considered  and  studied. 

AMA  Establishes 
Specialty  Department 

The  American  Medical  Association  established 
a new  headquarters  staff  department  Jan.  22  to 
strengthen  liaison  and  services  to  related  medi- 
cal organizations.  It  is  the  Department  of  Spe- 
cialty Society  Services,  reporting  directly  to  Dr. 
Richard  S.  Wilbur,  assistant  executive  vice  presi- 
dent. Department  Director  is  Theodore  R.  Chil- 
coat,  Jr.,  a five-year  staff  member  formerly  as- 
signed to  the  AMA  Washington  Office. 

The  Department  will  serve  and  implement  the 
directives  of  the  Interspecialty  Committee  which 
was  created  in  1966.  On  the  same  date,  Jan.  22, 
Dr.  Ernest  B.  Howard,  AMA  executive  vice 
president,  announced  that  Dr.  Wilbur  was  ap- 
pointed secretary  of  the  Committee,  succeeding 


Dr.  Hugh  H.  Hussey,  who  was  appointed  direc- 
tor of  the  AMA  Division  of  Scientific  Publica- 
tions and  editor  of  the  Journal  of  the  American 
Medical  Association  Jan.  1. 

Commenting  on  the  new  appointments,  Dr. 
Howard  said,  “The  establishment  of  this  special 
department  is  an  important  step  in  strengthening 
AMA’s  relationship  with  the  specialty  societies, 
and  it  is  the  culmination  of  a long  range  program 
undertaken  to  upgrade  the  services  of  the  AMA 
to  the  specialty  societies. 

“After  the  founding  of  the  Interspecialty  Com- 
mittee, the  House  of  Delegates  appointed  an  Ad 
Hoc  Committee  to  Study  the  Modus  Operandi  of 
the  Sections  of  the  House  of  Delegates.  Its  report, 
prepared  under  the  direction  of  its  chairman,  Dr. 
William  F.  Quinn,  a Los  Angeles  surgeon,  called 
for  the  creation  of  a group  of  section  councils  to 
provide  specialty  societies  with  direct  representa- 
tion in  the  AMA  House  of  Delegates.  The  re- 
port was  adopted  in  July,  1969. 

Its  specific  recommendations  were  to: 

— “Establish  a mechanism  for  stimulating  in- 
creased cooperation  between  the  specialty  medi- 
cal societies  and  the  AMA,  thus  forging  a rela- 
tionship that  will  bind  specialty  societies  and  the 
AMA  closer  together,  generating  a singleness  of 
purpose  which  will  benefit  all  of  medicine; 

— Give  more  satisfactory  representation  in 
the  House  of  Delegates  to  the  specialty  organiza- 
tions; 

— Provide  for  an  increase  in  experience  and 
competent  manpower  to  assist  the  Council  on 
Scientific  Assembly  in  developing  the  Associa- 
tion’s Annual  Convention  scientific  program; 

— Generate  stimulating  and  engaging  interdis- 
ciplinary and  specialty-oriented  programs  which 
will  command  the  interest  of  greater  numbers  of 
practicing  physicians; 

— Provide  a direct  and  continuing  liaison  be- 
tween a section  and  its  corresponding  specialty 
societies; 

— Permit  specialty  societies  direct  access  to  the 
House  of  Delegates  through  their  appointed  dele- 
gates, and 

— Give  AMA  specialty  sections  recognized 
status  by  identifying  them  directly  with  the  spe- 
cialty societies.” 

The  Department’s  responsibilities,  under  the 
direction  of  Mr.  Chilcoat  and  a staff  aide,  are  to 
assist  Dr.  Wilbur  in  his  secretarial  services  to 
the  AMA  Interspecialty  Committee,  further  li- 
aison with  specialty  groups,  and  advance  the  de- 
velopment of  the  section  councils  of  the  House  of 
Delegates. 


126 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Book  Reviews 

Essentials  of  Gastroenterology.  By  J.  Ned 
Smith,  Jr.,  M.D.,  and  Kyo  R.  Lee,  M.D.  St. 
Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mosby  Company,  1969. 

This  textbook  is  a concisely  written  one,  cov- 
ering practically  every  aspect  of  gastroenterology. 
The  text  begins  with  the  history  and  physical  ex- 
amination, and  carries  one  through  different 
pathological  entities  of  the  gastro-intestinal  tract. 
Special  interest  is  given  to  the  radiological  aspect 
of  gastro-intestinal  pathology. 

Chapter  XIII,  which  deals  primarily  with  the 
liver,  is  a superbly  written  chapter  that  begins  by 
discussing  the  basic  physiology  of  the  liver  and 
continues  through  the  management  of  different 
hepatic  diseases,  such  as  hepatitis,  cirrhosis, 
bleeding  varices,  etc. 

One  of  the  splendid  features  of  this  book  is 
the  excellent  illustration  of  all  the  pathological 
entities  by  well  chosen  x-ray  films,  which  dem- 
onstrate the  discussed  diseases. 

This  book  would  be  of  interest  to  all  physi- 
cians, regardless  of  specialty.  I strongly  recom- 
mend that  this  book  be  made  a part  of  every 
physician’s  library. 

C.  A.  Marascalco,  M.D. 

Plastic  and  Maxillofacial  Trauma  Symposium. 
Edited  by  Nicholas  G.  Georgiade.  221  pages  and 
390  illustrations.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mosby 
Company,  1969.  $25.00. 

The  Educational  Foundation  of  the  American 
Society  of  Plastic  and  Reconstructive  Surgeons 
holds  regular,  planned  symposia  for  its  mem- 
bers, candidates,  and  friends  in  related  special- 
ties. This  (Vol.  I)  is  a condensed  presentation 
of  the  proceedings  of  the  society  held  at  Walter 
Reed  General  Hospital  on  Nov.  30-Dec.  2,  1967. 
It  is  regrettable  that  the  slightest  portion  of  any 
presentation  had  to  be  deleted,  but  for  the  sake 
of  time  and  space  and  to  avoid  repetition,  only 
the  “meat  of  the  cocoanut”  was  published. 

The  editor,  Nicholas  G.  Georgiade,  D.D.S., 
M.D..  F.A.C.S.,  is  professor  of  plastic  and  maxil- 


lofacial surgery,  Duke  University  Medical  Center, 
Durham,  N.  C.  He  is  greatly  interested  in  trau- 
ma to  the  head  and  neck  and  is  particularly 
adept  at  organizing  a book  of  this  scope.  Thirty 
of  America’s  leading  plastic  and  oral  surgeons 
and  ophthalmologists  have  contributed  short, 
scholarly  articles  on  problems  thoroughly  re- 
searched and  presented  from  first-hand  knowl- 
edge and  experience.  The  papers  are  accurate  as 
to  content  and  contain  very  few  typographical 
errors.  Clarity  of  content  was  enhanced  by  dia- 
grams and  sketches  in  addition  to  the  many  rath- 
er good  black-and-white  photographs. 

The  subject  matter  was  divided  into  eight  ma- 
jor categories  following  the  foreword  written  by 
one  of  America’s  oldest  practicing  plastic  sur- 
geons, Dr.  Robert  H.  Ivy.  Part  I was  moderated 
by  Dr.  Clifford  L.  Kiehn  of  Western  Reserve  Uni- 
versity. First-hand  knowledge  was  given  by  plas- 
tic surgeons  on  active  duty  in  Vietnam  as  to  med- 
ical services,  evaluation  of  missile  wounds,  man- 
agement of  military  maxillofacial  wounds  and 
care  of  civilian  casualties  of  war. 

Part  II  was  moderated  by  Col.  Wilfred  T. 
Tumbusch  of  Walter  Reed  Hospital,  Washington, 
D.  C.,  dealing  with  general  considerations  of  the 
problem  of  maxillofacial  trauma.  This  included 
resuscitation  following  maxillofacial  trauma,  cas- 
ualty examination  and  triage  and  anesthesia  for 
the  combat  casualty. 

Parts  III  through  VII  were  presentations  of 
the  mandible,  maxilla,  nose,  zygoma,  and  soft 
tissue  repair.  Each  section  was  expertly  handled 
with  an  introduction  of  the  problems  involved  and 
a review  of  the  anatomy  and  physiology  close- 
ly involved.  At  the  end  of  each  major  section 
was  presented  a question  and  answer  round  ta- 
ble. This  was  apropos  in  giving  everyone  a chance 
to  present  his  own  particular  problem  from  back 
home  for  consideration  of  the  experts.  Part  VIII 
presented  trauma  problems  of  special  considera- 
tion. In  it  were  included  particular  experiences 
of  the  author  in  treating  facial  fractures  in  chil- 
dren, late  complications  of  facial  injuries  and  in- 
juries to  the  facial  nerve,  trauma  to  the  laryngo- 
trachea,  and  immediate  mandibular  repair  in 
“blow-out”  jaw  injuries. 


MARCH  1970 


127 


LITERATURE  / Continued 

This  book  should  make  a decided  addition  to 
the  library  of  anyone  treating  trauma,  be  it  acute, 
delayed,  or  of  such  severity  that  complicated 
staged  procedures  will  have  to  be  done.  Many 
general  surgeons  and  general  practitioners  far  re- 
moved from  medical  centers  are  required,  not 
by  choice,  to  treat  a certain  amount  of  facial 
trauma.  Parts  I,  II,  and  VIII  would  give  these 
men  added  self  confidence.  Further  points  of 
technique  may  be  gleaned  from  the  remaining 
chapters  and  also  help  to  establish  one’s  psy- 
chology of  management,  i.e.  what,  when,  and  to 
whom  shall  I send  the  cases  beyond  my  field  of 
competence. 

I found  this  book  rewarding  and  worth  the 
time  and  effort  of  reading.  I hope  that  the  Edu- 
cational Foundation  will  see  fit  to  continue  pub- 
lishing each  of  its  trauma  symposia.  And  to  quote 
Dr.  Robert  H.  Ivy,  “I  hope  it  will  fulfill  the  pri- 
mary educational  purpose  intended,  serve  to  add 
definition  to  the  respective  fields  of  endeavor  of 
the  specialties,  and  involve  and  foster  coopera- 
tive efforts  of  care  in  the  best  interests  of  the  pa- 
tient.” 

Martin  B.  Harthcock,  M.D. 

Sheen  Award 
Deadline  Announced 

The  American  Medical  Association  has  an- 
nounced that  the  closing  date  for  receiving  nomi- 
nations of  physician-candidates  for  the  Dr.  Rod- 
man  E.  Sheen  and  Thomas  G.  Sheen  Award  is 
March  15.  Nominations  received  by  this  date  will 
be  examined  by  a committee  of  physicians  named 
by  the  AMA  Board  of  Trustees. 

Candidates  must  be  American  citizens  pos- 
sessing an  M.D.  degree  who  have  made  out- 
standing contributions  to  medicine;  however, 
these  contributions  need  not  have  been  made  in 
only  the  year  preceding  the  nomination,  nor 
need  these  activities  have  been  conducted  with- 
in the  United  States.  The  award  can  recognize 
either  a single  achievement  in  medicine  or  an  ac- 
cumulated career  of  excellence. 

Nominations  for  the  annual  $10,000  award 
will  be  accepted  from  state  and  local  medical  so- 
cieties, medical  specialty  societies,  medical  re- 
search organizations,  medical  schools,  hospital 
medical  staffs,  public  health  agencies  at  all  levels 
of  government,  and  other  appropriate  military  or 
civilian  agencies. 


The  award  was  established  under  a bequest 
in  the  will  of  Thomas  G.  Sheen,  an  Atlantic 
City,  N.  J.,  businessman,  as  a memorial  to  his 
brother,  Dr.  Rodman  E.  Sheen,  whose  career  was 
cut  short  by  a Roentgen  tube  explosion.  The 
trustee  of  the  estate  and  dispenser  of  the  award 
funds  is  the  Guarantee  Bank  and  Trust  Com- 
pany of  Atlantic  City,  which  invited  the  AMA  to 
establish  and  conduct  procedures  for  selecting 
and  presenting  the  award. 

Announcement  and  presentation  will  be  made 
June  21  in  Chicago  during  the  AMA  Annual 
Convention. 

Previous  recipients  are  Drs.  Irvine  H.  Page, 
Cleveland,  O.,  and  Robert  E.  Gross,  Boston, 
Mass. 

The  nominations,  in  writing,  should  be  ad- 
dressed to  The  Sheen  Award  Committee,  AMA, 
535  North  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  111.  60610. 

Pre  -Addressed  Labels 
Speed  Tax  Refunds 

Income  tax  refunds  can  be  processed  quicker 
if  taxpayers  put  the  pre-addressed  name  label 
that  came  on  their  1040  tax  package  onto  the 
return  they  file,  J.  G.  Martin,  Jr.,  District  Di- 
rector of  Internal  Revenue  for  Mississippi,  said 
today. 

Use  of  the  name  label  will  eliminate  many  er- 
rors in  name  and  Social  Security  numbers  that 
held  up  refunds  last  year. 

Returns  filed  before  April  1 using  the  name 
label  can  usually  be  processed  and  the  refund  is- 
sued in  five  to  six  weeks.  Taxpayers  who  find  an 
error  in  their  name  label  should  correct  the  label 
and  use  it  on  their  return. 

When  a return  is  prepared  by  someone  else, 
the  taxpayer  should  remember  to  put  the  name 
label  on  the  form  he  actually  files.  Taxpayers 
should  either  give  the  tax  preparer  the  form 
with  the  name  label  attached,  or  attach  the  name 
label  themselves  when  the  completed  form  is  re- 
turned to  them  for  signing. 

The  name  label  is  sometimes  called  the  piggy- 
back label  because  a carbon  copy  of  the  informa- 
tion appears  beneath  the  label.  If  you  do  not 
file  the  return  mailed  you,  the  top  label  can  thus 
be  lifted  off  and  put  on  the  return  you  do  file. 

Martin  said  taxpayers  required  to  file  estimated 
tax  declarations  should  use  the  pre-addressed 
form  sent  them  by  IRS. 


128 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


thing 

relief  for 
ir-raising 
cough 


|BlM§p 


EXPECTORANT 

Each  fluidounce  contains:  80  mg.  Benadryl ® 
hydrochloride),  Parke-Davis;  12  grains  ammonium  chloride; 
sodium  citrate;  2 grains  chloroform;  2 / 10  grain  menthol;  and 
An  antitussive  and  expectorant  for  control  of  coughs  due  to  colds 
of  allergic  origin,  BENYLIN  EXPECTORANT  is  the  leading  cough 
ration  of  its  kind.  BENYLIN  EXPECTORANT  tends  to  inhibit  cough 
...soothes  irritated  throat  membranes.  And  its  not 
raspberry  flavor  makes  BENYLIN  EXPECTORANT  easy  to 
PRECAUTIONS:  Persons  who  have  become  drowsy  on  this  or  other 
antihistamine-containing  drugs,  or  whose  tolerance  is  not  known, 
should  not  drive  vehicles  or  engage  in  other  activities  requiring  keen 
response  while  using  this  preparation.  Hypnotics,  sedatives,  or  tran- 
quilizers if  used  with  BENYLIN  EXPECTORANT  should  be  prescribed 
with  caution  because  of  possible  additive  effect.  Diphenhydramine 
has  an  atropine-like  action  which  should  be  considered  when  pre- 
scribing BENYLIN  EXPECTORANT. 

ADVERSE  REACTIONS:  Side  reactions  may  affect  the  nervous,  gastro- 
intestinal, and  cardiovascular  systems.  Drowsiness,  dizziness,  drynesi 
of  the  mouth,  nausea,  nervousness,  palpitation,  and  blurring  of 
vision  have  been  reported.  Allergic  reactions  may  occur. 

PACKAGING:  Bottles  of  4 oz.,  16  oz.,  and  1 gal. 

Parke,  Davis  & Company,  Detroit,  Michigan  48232 


PARKE-DAVIS 


SOSS9 


His  heart  tells  him  he’s  an  invalid. 
You  know  he’s  not. 


Contraindications:  History  of  sensitivity  to  meprobamate. 

Important  Precautions:  Carefully  supervise  dose  and 
amounts  prescribed,  especially  for  patients  prone  to 
overdose  themselves.  Excessive  prolonged  use  has  been 
reported  to  result  in  dependence  or  habituation  in  suscep- 
tible persons,  as  alcoholics,  ex-addicts,  and  other  severe 
psychoneurotics.  After  prolonged  excessive  dosage, 
reduce  dosage  gradually  to  avoid  possibly  severe  withdrawal 
reactions.  Abrupt  discontinuance  of  excessive  doses  has 
sometimes  resulted  in  epileptiform  seizures. 

Warn  patients  of  possible  reduced  alcohol  tolerance,  with 
resultant  slowing  of  reaction  time  and  impairment  of 
judgment  and  coordination. 

Reduce  dose  if  drowsiness,  ataxia  or  visual  disturbance 
occurs;  if  persistent,  patients  should  not  operate  vehicles 
or  dangerous  machinery. 

Side  Effects  include  drowsiness,  usually  transient;  if 
persistent  and  associated  with  ataxia,  usually  responds  to 
dose  reduction;  occasionally  concomitant  CNS  stimulants 
(amphetamine,  mephentermine  sulfate)  are  desirable. 
Allergic  or  idiosyncratic  reactions  are  rare,  but  such 
reactions,  sometimes  severe,  can  develop  in  patients 
receiving  only  1 to  4 doses  who  have  had  no  previous 
contact  with  meprobamate.  Previous  history  of  allergy  may 
or  may  not  be  related  to  incidence  of  reactions.  Mild 
reactions  are  characterized  by  itchy  urticarial  or 
erythematous  maculopapular  rash,  generalized  or  confined 
to  groin.  Acute  nonthrombocytopenic  purpura  with 
cutaneous  petechiae,  ecchymoses,  peripheral  edema  and 
fever  have  been  reported.  One  fatal  case  of  bullous 
dermatitis  following  intermittent  use  of  meprobamate  with 
prednisolone  has  been  reported.  If  allergic  reaction 
occurs,  meprobamate  should  be  stopped  and  not 
reinstituted.  Severe  reactions,  observed  very  rarely,  include 
angioneurotic  edema,  bronchial  spasms,  fever,  fainting 
spells,  hypotensive  crises  (1  fatal  case),  anaphylaxis, 


iety  is  expected  in  the  cardiovascular  patient, 
tie  may  even  be  desirable. 

when  anxiety  is  exaggerated  . . . when  it 
rferes  with  sleep  . . . when  it  aggravates 
liovascular  symptoms,  your  help  may 
leeded. 

jrally,  you’ll  want  to  reassure  the  patient. 

perhaps  prescribe  Equanil  (meprobamate) 
djunctive  therapy.  It  helps  relieve  anxiety 
tension  specifically,  yet  gently. 

ost  15  years’  use  has  shown  that  Equanil 
sually  well  tolerated  as  well  as  effective. 

5 effects  are  generally  limited  to  transient 
vsiness;  serious,  therapy-interrupting 
effects  are  rare. 


stomatitis  and  proctitis  (1  case)  and  hyperthermia.  Treat 
symptomatically  as  with  epinephrine,  antihistamine  and 
possibly  hydrocortisone.  Aplastic  anemia  (1  fatal  case), 
thrombocytopenic  purpura,  agranulocytosis  and  hemolytic 
anemia  have  occurred  rarely,  almost  always  in  presence  of 
known  toxic  agents.  A few  cases  of  leukopenia  usually 
transient,  have  been  reported  on  continuous  administration. 
Meprobamate  may  sometimes  precipitate  grand  mat ' 
attacks  in  patients  susceptible  to  both  grand  and  petit  mal. 
Extremely  large  doses  can  produce  rhythmic  fast  activity 
in  the  cortical  pattern.  Impairment  of  accommodation  and 
visual  acuity  has  been  reported  rarely.  After  excessive 
dosage  for  weeks  or  months,  withdraw  gradually  (1  or  2 
weeks)  to  avoid  recurrence  of  pretreatment  symptoms 
(insomnia,  severe  anxiety,  anorexia).  Abrupt  discontinuance 
of  excessive  doses  has  sometimes  resulted  in  vomiting, 
ataxia,  tremors,  muscle  twitching  and  epileptiform 
seizures.  Prescribe  very  cautiously  and  in  small  amounts 
for  patients  with  suicidal  tendencies.  Suicidal  attempts 
have  resulted  in  coma,  shock,  vasomotor  and  respiratory 
collapse  and  anuria.  Excessive  doses  have  resulted  in 
prompt  sleep;  reduction  of  blood  pressure,  pulse  and 
respiratory  rates  to  basal  levels;  and  occasionally 
hyperventilation.  Treat  with  immediate  gastric  lavage  and 
appropriate  symptomatic  therapy.  (CNS  stimulants  and 
pressor  amines  as  indicated.)  Doses  above  2400  mg. /day 
are  not  recommended. 

Composition:  Tablets,  200  mg.  and  400  mg.  meprobamate. 
Coated  Tablets,  WYSEALS®  EQUANIL  (meprobamate) 

400  mg.  (All  tablets  also  available  in  REDIPAK®  [strip 
pack],  Wyeth.)  Continuous-Release  Capsules, 

EQUANIL  L-A  (meprobamate)  400  mg. 

Wyeth  Laboratories  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


Equanil’ 

(meprobamate) 


Man  in  space,  now  fait  accompli,  re-emphasizes  the 
importance  of  Uro-Phosphate  therapy.  Research  into 
the  effect  of  space  travel  on  the  astronaut  reveals 
that  weightlessness  causes  loss  of  bone  calcium.  As 
the  bones  are  required  to  bear  less  and  less  of  the 
weight  of  the  body  they  lose  calcium,  increasing  the 
calcium  content  of  the  urine.  When  physical  activity 
is  reduced,  the  acidity  of  the  urine  should  be  adjusted 
to  keep  increased  calcium  in  solution  ....  a prophy- 
laxis to  prevent  kidney  or  bladder  calculi. 


Uro-Phosphate. 

NOW  A SUGAR-COATED  TABLET 

Each  tablet  contains:  methenamine,  300  mg.;  sodium  acid  phosphate,  500  mg. 


Uro-Phosphate  gives  comfort  and  protec- 
tion when  inactivity  causes  discomfort  in 
the  urinary  function.  It  keeps  calcium  in 
solution,  preventing  calculi;  it  maintains 
clear,  acid,  sterile  urine;  it  encourages 


Dosage: 

For  protection  of  the  inactive  patient 

1 or  2 tablets  every  4 to  6 hours  is 
usually  sufficient  to  keep  the  urine 
clear,  acid  and  sterile. 

2 tablets  on  retiring  will  keep  residual 
urine  acid  and  sterile,  contributing  to 
comfort  and  rest. 

A clinical  supply  will  be  sent  to 
physicians  and  hospitals  on  request. 


complete  voiding  and  lessens  frequency 
when  residual  urine  is  present. 

Uro-Phosphate  contains  sodium  acid 
phosphate,  a natural  urinary  acidifier. 
This  component  is  fortified  with  methe- 
namine which  is  inert  until  it  reaches  the 
acid  urinary  bladder.  In  this  environment 
it  releases  a mild  antiseptic  keeping  the 
urine  sterile. 

Uro-Phosphate  is  safe  for  continuous  use. 
There  are  no  contra-indications  other 
than  acidosis.  It  can  be  given  in  sufficient 
amount  to  keep  the  urine  clear,  acid  and 
sterile.  A heavy  sugar  coating  protects  its 
potency. 


WILLIAM  P.  POYTHRESS  & COMPANY,  INC.,  RICHMOND,  VIRGINIA  23217 


MEDICAL  ORGANIZATION 


Annual  Session  Is  Set  for  May  11-14; 
Scientific  Work,  Fun,  Elections  on  Agenda 


The  association’s  102nd  Annual  Session  may 
be  the  biggest  thing  to  hit  the  Gulf  Coast  since 
Hurricane  Camille — but  with  exactly  the  oppo- 
site effect.  The  May  11-14  scientific,  social,  busi- 
ness, and  fellowship  gala  will  be  headquartered 
at  the  Buena  Vista  Hotel  and  Motel  at  Biloxi. 

Drs.  James  L.  Royals,  president,  and  Walter  H. 
Simmons,  chairman  of  the  Council  on  Scientific 
Assembly,  said  that  the  House  of  Delegates  will 
meet  on  Monday,  May  11,  with  the  Scientific 
Assembly  opening  on  the  following  day. 

The  Woman’s  Auxiliary  has  scheduled  its  47th 
Annual  Session  May  11-13,  also  at  the  Buena 
Vista,  according  to  Mrs.  Louis  C.  Lehmann  of 
Natchez,  state  president. 

Concurrent  meetings  include  more  than  12 
specialty  groups  and  four  medical  alumni  orga- 


nizations. Technical  and  scientific  exhibits  will 
be  presented  in  the  headquarters  hotel. 

Meeting  in  general  sessions,  the  Scientific  As- 
sembly opens  on  Tuesday  morning  with  surgery, 
and  obstetrics  and  gynecology  is  set  for  the  after- 
noon. A joint  session  Wednesday  morning  fea- 
tures general  practice  and  preventive  medicine, 
while  internal  medicine  occupies  the  afternoon 
program. 

The  final  day  is  divided  between  scientific 
work  and  business  with  eye,  ear,  nose,  and 
throat  and  the  pediatrics  programs  running  con- 
currently in  the  morning.  The  adjourned  meeting 
of  the  House  of  Delegates  is  set  for  the  after- 
noon. 

Medical  alumni  occasions  kick  off  with  Ole 
Miss  on  Monday  evening.  Tennessee,  Tulane,  and 


THE  BUENA  VISTA  HOUSING  PICTURE 


Although  heavily  hit  by  killer  Camille,  the 
Buena  Vista  was  one  of  the  few  Coast  busi- 
nesses and  institutions  which  never  lost  a 
day  following  the  hurricane.  The  original 
motel  complex  around  the  pool  was  de- 
stroyed, but  the  new  and  modern  high-rise 
unit  was  virtually  undamaged. 

The  main  hotel,  modernized  and  refur- 
bished during  the  past  two  years,  sustained 
damage  only  at  ground  level  where  the 
coffee  shop,  Marine  Room,  and  WLOX-TV 
studios  were  located. 

A crash  rebuilding  program  in  the  orig- 
inal motel  complex  is  underway,  and  some 
units  may  be  available  for  the  102nd  An- 


nual Session.  The  association  will,  however, 
be  able  to  anticipate  a shortage  of  75  to 
100  rooms. 

To  offset  this  headquarters  hotel  room 
shortage,  representatives  of  exhibiting  or- 
ganizations will  be  assigned  housing  at  the 
White  House,  and  first  priority  for  Buena 
Vista  rooms  will  be  reserved  for  members 
and  families.  Nearby  modern,  air  condi- 
tioned rooms  are  available  for  overflow. 

The  association  advises  all  who  plan  to 
attend  the  annual  session  to  secure  reserva- 
tions at  the  earliest  moment  to  assure  con- 
firmation in  the  hotel  of  personal  choice. 


MARCH  1970 


129 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Vanderbilt  are  set  for  Tuesday,  and  the  associa- 
tion party  and  dance  is  on  the  ticket  for  Wednes- 
day. 

Twenty-five  vacancies  in  elected  offices  will 
be  filled  on  May  14  at  the  final  meeting  of  the 
House.  The  long  ballot  will  be  announced  by 
the  Nominating  Committee  on  May  1 3,  accord- 
ing to  Dr.  William  E.  Lotterhos  of  Jackson, 
speaker  of  the  House,  and  John  B.  Howell,  Jr., 
of  Canton,  vice  speaker. 

Dr.  Paul  B.  Brumby  of  Lexington  will  be  in- 
augurated president  for  1970-71  during  closing 
ceremonies. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  will  meet  daily  during 
the  annual  session,  said  Dr.  Mai  S.  Riddell,  Jr., 
of  Winona,  Board  chairman.  Serving  with  him  in 
leadership  positions  this  year  are  Drs.  J.  T.  Da- 
vis of  Corinth,  vice  chairman,  and  William  O. 
Barnett  of  Jackson,  secretary. 

Offices  to  be  filled  by  the  delegates  on  May  1 4 
are: 

President-elect 

Nominate  three,  no  two  of  whom  may  be  from 
the  same  county,  elect  one. 

Vice  Presidents 

Nominate  three  for  the  Northern  Area,  three 
for  the  Mid-State  Area,  and  three  for  the  South- 
ern Area.  Elect  one  for  each  area. 

Secretary-T  reasurer 

Term  1970-73.  Nominate  three,  elect  one.  In- 
cumbent: Walter  H.  Simmons,  Jackson. 

Speaker  of  the  House  of  Delegates 

Term  1970-73.  Nominate  three,  elect  one.  In- 
cumbent: William  E.  Lotterhos,  Jackson. 

Vice  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Delegates 

Term  1970-73.  Nominate  three,  elect  one.  In- 
cumbent: John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  Canton. 

Associate  Editor 

Term  1970-72.  Nominate  two,  elect  one.  In- 
cumbent: George  H.  Martin,  Vicksburg. 

Delegate  to  AM  A 

Term  Jan.  1,  1971-Dec.  31,  1972.  Nominate 
two,  elect  one.  Incumbent:  Howard  A.  Nelson, 
Greenwood. 

Alternate  Delegate  to  AM  A 

Term  Jan.  1,  1971-Dec.  31,  1972.  Nominate 
two,  elect  one.  Incumbent:  Stanley  A.  Hill,  Cor- 
inth. 


Board  of  Trustees,  Dictricts  1,2,  and  3 

Terms  1970-73.  Nominate  two  for  each  dis- 
trict, elect  one  for  each  district.  Incumbents: 
John  M.  Alford,  Greenwood,  District  1;  James 
O.  Gilmore,  Oxford,  District  2;  and  J.  T.  Davis, 
Corinth,  District  3. 

Council  on  Budget  and  Finance 

Term  1970-73.  Nominate  two,  elect  one.  In- 
cumbent: Daniel  L.  Hollis,  Biloxi. 

i 

Council  on  Constitution  and  By-Laws 

Term  1970-73.  Nominate  two,  elect  one.  In- 
cumbent: Arthur  E.  Brown,  Columbus. 

Judicial  Council,  Districts  7 , 8,  and  9 

Terms  1970-73.  Nominate  two  for  each  dis- 
trict, elect  one  for  each  district.  Incumbents: 

J.  P.  Culpepper,  Jr.,  Hattiesburg,  District  7;  Leo 
J.  Scanlon,  Jr.,  Natchez,  District  8;  and  James  T. 
Thompson,  Moss  Point.  District  9. 

Council  on  Legislation,  Districts  4 , 5,  and  6 
Terms  1970-73.  Nominate  two  for  each  dis- 
trict, elect  one  for  each  district.  Incumbents: 
Paul  B.  Brumby,  Lexington,  District  4;  George 
E.  Twente,  Jackson,  District  5;  and  Guy  T.  Vise, 
Meridian,  District  6. 

Council  on  Medical  Education 

Term  1970-73.  Nominate  two,  elect  one.  In- 
cumbent: Frederick  E.  Tatum,  Hattiesburg. 

Council  on  Medical  Service,  Districts  7 , 8,  and  9 
Terms  1970-73.  Nominate  two  for  each  dis- 
trict, elect  one  for  each  district.  Incumbents: 
Charles  R.  Jenkins,  Laurel,  District  7;  Jack  A.  At- 
kinson, Brookhaven,  District  8;  and  Bedford  F. 
Floyd,  Gulfport,  District  9. 

Mississippi  State  Board  of  Health 

No  vacancies  will  occur  in  1970  among  phy- 
sician-members. 

ICS  Schedules  17th 
Congress  in  Paris 

The  International  College  of  Surgeons  will 
hold  its  17th  World  Congress  in  Paris  at  the  Mai- 
son  de  la  Chimie  on  April  19-25,  1970. 

The  clinical  meetings  will  feature  presenta- 
tions on  cardiac  surgery,  gynecology,  orthopae- 
dics, thoracic  surgery,  ENT,  ophthalmology,  radi- 
ology, urology,  oncology,  gastro-intestinal  sur- 
gery, and  other  specialized  areas. 

Clinical  conferences  throughout  the  week  will 
be  held  at  the  different  hospitals  in  Paris. 

For  further  information  write:  Expositions  et 
Congre’s  22,  rue  Royale.  Paris  (France). 


130 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Technicon  Announces 
AutoAnalyzer  II 

Technicon  Corporation,  producers  of  the 
world’s  first  automated  system  for  wet  chemical 
analysis,  has  announced  AutoAnalyzer®  II, 
the  second  generation  of  the  AutoAnalyzer  fam- 
ily. “In  1957,  Technicon  introduced  the  Auto- 
Analyzer and  established  a new  standard  for 
chemical  analysis,”  commented  Edwin  C.  White- 
head,  president  of  Technicon.  “We  have  every 
confidence  that  the  impact  of  AutoAnalyzer  II 
will  be  as  great.” 

The  basic  AutoAnalyzer  was  quickly  adopted 
by  hospital  laboratories,  already  feeling  the  pres- 
sures of  increasing  workloads  and  diminished 
staff.  Research  and  industrial  labs  followed  suit, 
and  soon  laboratories  throughout  the  world  were 
not  only  depending  upon  the  AutoAnalyzer,  but 
were  also  developing  new  methodologies  for  ap- 
plying it  to  their  special  analytical  problems. 

Now,  the  years  of  experience  with  AutoAna- 
lyzer systems,  the  advanced  technology  that  pro- 
duced Technicon  Sequential  Multiple  Analysis 
(SMA)®  systems,  and  the  increasingly  sophisti- 


cated demands  of  AutoAnalyzer  users  have  come 
to  fruition  with  the  development  of  AutoAnalyz- 
er II,  a new  species  of  basic  analytical  system. 
AutoAnalyzer  II  combines  the  many  virtues  of 
the  first  generation  instrument  with  innovative 
features  of  the  SMA  systems  to  offer  a compact, 
fast,  accurate,  and  flexible  instrument  for  use  in 
medicine,  research,  and  industry. 

Whitehead  explained  that  an  important  ad- 
vance in  AutoAnalyzer  II  is  its  capacity  to 
achieve,  and  record  results  at,  “steady  state,”  a 
condition  of  equilibrium  in  the  flowcell  in  which 
all  effects  of  possible  sample  interaction  have 
been  eliminated  and  the  recorded  signal  is  a true 
reflection  of  the  constituent  being  measured.  Other 
advantages  described  by  Whitehead  are  the  new 
digital  printer  incorporated  in  AutoAnalyzer  II, 
which  makes  the  instrument  compatible  with 
any  hospital  computer  system  (giving  physicians 
immediate  access  to  results  in  conjunction  with 
other  vital  patient  information  stored  in  the  com- 
puter); increased  rates  of  analysis  (in  some  cases 
doubling  previously  achievable  speeds);  single 
point  calibration  (minimizing  operator  effort  and 
also  increasing  the  total  number  of  samples  run 
per  hour  by  reducing  the  number  of  standards 


Technician  is  shown  with  Technicon  s new  AutoAnalyzer  II,  a new  species  of  basic  analytical  system. 


MARCH  1970 


131 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

per  tray);  and  flexibility  (interchangeable  “car- 
tridges” are  available  for  each  chemical  analy- 
sis). 

“We  anticipate  an  immediate  response  from 
clinical  laboratories,”  Whitehead  said,  “where 
there  is  a critical  need  for  rapid  and  accurate 
analysis  of  blood  and  other  physiologic  fluids.” 
Through  the  simple  substitution  of  analytical  car- 
tridges, complete  with  a unique  “timed”  reagent 
pack  specific  to  each  analysis,  a variety  of  pro- 
cedures may  be  performed. 

With  AutoAnalyzer  II  as  many  as  three  ana- 
lytical procedures  may  be  run  simultaneously, 
providing  multi-test  capability.  This  is  a very 
significant  feature  for  small  labs,  because  it  in- 
creases their  total  analytical  capability  with  a 
minimum  of  expense.  In  large  labs  where  SMA 
systems  are  already  in  use,  AutoAnalyzer  II  en- 
ables users  to  dedicate  from  one  to  three  analyt- 
ical channels  to  those  tests  that  must  be  run 
repetitively.  The  small  sample  size  required  for 
analysis  in  AutoAnalyzer  II  is  important  in  the 
clinical  lab.  particularly  in  the  case  of  pediatric  or 
geriatric  patients,  or  the  critically  ill. 

“While  the  adoption  by  research  and  indus- 
trial labs  may  take  a little  longer,  we  know  that 
the  versatility,  accuracy  and  speed  of  AutoAna- 
lyzer II,  combined  with  its  capacity  for  continu- 
ous, unattended  operation,  will  prove  very  at- 
tractive to  them.  We  are  proud  of  AutoAnalyzer 
II  for  many  reasons,”  Whitehead  continued,  “one 
of  the  most  important  being  that  it  demonstrates 
Technicon’s  continuing  dedication  to  the  develop- 
ment of  the  world’s  finest  instruments  for  auto- 
mated chemical  analyses.” 

Alabama  Names  New 
Psychiatry  Chief 

Dr.  Patrick  H.  Linton  has  been  named  pro- 
fessor and  chairman  of  the  department  of  psy- 
chiatry, University  of  Alabama  School  of  Medi- 
cine. 

The  announcement  was  made  by  the  dean  of 
the  School  of  Medicine,  Dr.  Clifton  K.  Meador, 
who  said  that  Dr.  Linton’s  appointment  is  ef- 
fective immediately. 

Dr.  Linton  has  served  as  acting  chairman  of 
the  department  since  Aug.  1968,  following  the 
resignation  of  Dr.  James  Sussex. 

Dean  Meador  said  “Dr.  Linton  has  been  most 


effective  as  acting  chairman  for  the  past  15 
months;  we  are  pleased  to  have  him  confirmed 
as  chairman.  Psychiatry  has  emerged  as  one  of 
the  leading  disciplines  of  the  School  of  Medicine. 
It  is  anticipated  that  the  department,  under  his 
skilled  leadership,  will  be  greatly  enlarged  and 
strengthened  in  the  months  to  come.” 

Prior  to  joining  the  UAB  faculty  in  1961,  Dr. 
Linton  served  as  staff  psychiatrist  with  Veterans 
Administration  Hospitals  in  New  Orleans,  Tope- 
ka and  Fort  Lyon,  Colo.  He  was  acting  chief  of 
the  Psychiatric  Service  at  the  Birmingham  VA 
Hospital  from  1962  till  1968. 

A graduate  of  Birmingham-Southern  College 
(1949),  Dr.  Linton  received  his  M.D.  degree 
from  the  Medical  College  of  Alabama  (1953), 
served  his  internship  at  the  U.S.  Naval  Hospital 
in  Jacksonville,  Fla.  (1953-54),  and  his  resi- 
dency in  psychiatry  at  the  Menninger  School  of 
Psychiatry,  Topeka  (1954-56,  1958-59). 

A native  of  Lineville,  Ala.,  Dr.  Linton  also 
holds  the  appointment  of  associate  professor  of 
dentistry.  University  of  Alabama  School  of  Den- 
tistry. 

Alabama  Medicaid  OKs 
Mississippi  M.D.’s 

Physicians  located  along  the  eastern  border 
of  the  state  may  participate  in  not  one  but  two 
Medicaid  programs.  Through  an  arrangement 
between  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Associa- 
tion and  the  Alabama  Medical  Services  Admin- 
istration, border  county  physicians  are  eligible 
to  care  for  Alabama  Medicaid  patients. 

Sam  T.  Hardin,  Jr.,  of  Montgomery,  staff  ad- 
ministrator in  the  Alabama  Medicaid  office,  has 
informed  the  association  that  a single  letter  from 
a Mississippi  physician  can  complete  the  ar- 
rangement. 

Mississippi  M.D.’s  interested  in  qualifying  for 
Alabama  Medicaid  participation  should  write 
Alabama  Blue  Cross,  930  S.  20th  St.,  Birming- 
ham 35205,  requesting  assignment  of  an  Ala- 
bama Medicaid  registry  number.  Applicants 
should  give  their  full  names,  professional  ad- 
dress, city  and  ZIP  code  and  their  permanent 
Mississippi  medical  license  number.  Claim  forms 
may  be  secured  from  this  agency. 

The  opportunity  is  open  to  any  licentiate  in 
the  state  but  will  be  particularly  applicable  to 
easternmost  members  of  the  Northeast  Missis- 
sippi, Prairie,  East  Mississippi,  South  Mississippi, 
and  Singing  River  medical  societies. 


132 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Cancer  Quiz 

Cancer  Committee 
University  Medical  Center 
Jackson,  Mississippi 


This  feature,  consisting  of  review  questions  re- 
lated to  the  cancer  field,  was  prepared  by  Dr. 
Myron  Lockey  of  Jackson,  member  of  the  Cancer 
Committee,  University  Medical  Center.  Answers 
appear  on  a separate  page. 

Questions  from  readers  related  to  these  review 
questions  may  be  submitted  to  the  Editors  of  the 
Journal  for  forwarding  to  the  committee.  Each 
will  receive  a personal  reply.  Suitable  questions 
from  readers  will  be  considered  for  publication. 
This  second  presentation  relates  to  laryngeal  can- 
cer. 

Comment  and  suggestions  are  invited  from 
readers. — The  Editors. 

1.  The  disease  predominantly  affects  males  in 
the  ratio  of: 

A.  2:1 

B.  3:1 

C.  4:1 

D.  8:1 

2.  The  most  common  variety  of  tumor  is: 

A.  Adenocarcinoma 

B.  Squamous  Carcinoma 

C.  Sarcoma 

3.  Carcinoma  of  the  vocal  cord  is  characterized 
by  early  metastasis  to  the  neck. 

True 

False 

4.  Persistent  ear  pain  without  ear  pathology 
may  represent  carcinoma  of  the  larynx. 

True 

False 


5.  The  clinical  staging  of  carcinoma  of  the 
larynx  helps  very  little  in  the  clinical  man- 
agement of  such  cases. 

True 

False 

6.  The  most  frequent  presenting  complaint  in 
carcinoma  of  the  larynx  is  throat  pain. 

True 

False 

7.  A patient  with  hoarseness  and  a neck  node 
requires  biopsy  of  the  neck  node. 

True 

False 

8.  The  treatment  of  choice  for  lesions  limited 
to  a vocal  cord  without  loss  of  cord  mobility 
is: 

A.  Surgery 

B.  Radiation 

C.  Chemotherapy 

9.  In  large  lesions  of  the  larynx  preoperative 
radiation  therapy  followed  by  immediate  sur- 
gery is  better  than  either  modality  alone. 

True 

False 

10.  X-Ray  tomography  of  the  larynx  is  very 
helpful  in  evaluating  extent  of  lesions  in- 
volving the  larynx. 

True 

False 

( Answers  on  page  146 ) 


MARCH  1970 


133 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Arts  Festival  Involves 
Many  Physicians'  Wives 

Key  positions  in  the  Mississippi  Arts  Festival 
April  13-19  will  be  filled  by  wives  of  physicians, 
dentists  and  others  in  the  medical  community  of 
Jackson. 

The  mammoth  cultural  presentation — seven 
days  in  spring — features  national  and  statewide 
talent  in  art,  music,  drama,  dance,  and  litera- 
ture. “American  Heritage”  is  the  theme  of  the 
1970  production.  Centered  at  the  fairgrounds  in 
Jackson,  it  is  sponsored  this  year  for  the  first 
time  by  Mississippi  Arts  Festival,  Inc. 

The  present  five-person  executive  or  produc- 
tion committee  was  appointed  by  the  Junior 
League  of  Jackson,  which,  with  the  Civic  Arts 
Council,  had  sponsored  the  festival  for  six  years. 
This  is  the  first  festival  under  sponsorship  of  the 
incorporated  group. 

On  the  five-person  executive  committee,  of 
which  Mrs.  Randolph  Peets,  Jr.,  is  chairman  and 
Mrs.  William  L.  Crim  co-chairman,  are  three 
persons  identified  with  the  medical  community. 

Mrs.  Albert  Meena,  whose  husband  is  a Jack- 


More  than  100  wives  of  physicians,  dentists,  and 
related  medical  service  leaders  in  Jackson  will  work 
in  key  positions  for  Mississippi  Arts  Festival  April 
13-19.  Mrs.  Randolph  Peets,  Jr.,  second  from  left, 
is  chairman,  and  Mrs.  William  Crim , third  from  left 
is  co-chairman.  Mrs.  Albert  Meena,  right,  wife  of 
a Jackson  surgeon,  is  secretary;  Mrs.  Chandler 
Clover,  left,  wife  of  the  administrator  of  Doctors 
Hospital,  is  promotion  chairman;  and  Mrs.  David 
McNamara,  second  from  right,  wife  of  a sales  rep- 
resentative for  McNees  Surgical  Supply  Company, 
is  treasurer. 

1 3 4 


son  surgeon,  is  secretary;  Mrs.  Chandler  Clov- 
er, whose  husband  is  administrator  of  Doctors 
Hospital,  is  promotion  chairman;  and  Mrs.  David 
McNamara,  whose  husband  is  sales  representa- 
tive for  McNees  Medical  Supply  Company,  is 
treasurer. 

Medical  wives  filling  chairman  and  co-chair- 
man positions  on  committees  are:  Mrs.  John  T. 
Kitchings,  artists  arrangements;  Mrs.  William  S. 
Cook,  Flag  Pageant;  Mrs.  James  R.  Cavett,  Jr., 
mimeograph;  Mrs.  Clarence  Webb,  Jr.,  home- 
making seminar;  Mrs.  Thomas  Turner,  home- 
making seminar;  Mrs.  A.  V.  St.  Clair,  informa- 
tion booth,  American  Association  of  University 
Women;  Mrs.  J.  O.  Manning,  arts  and  crafts  ex- 
hibition; Mrs.  Chester  Lake,  program; 

Mrs.  W.  C.  Shands,  youth  concerts;  Mrs. 
J.  Manning  Hudson,  youth  concerts;  Mrs.  Henry 
Webb,  mailing;  Mrs.  Howard  Cheek,  parking; 
Mrs.  H.  M.  Fairchild,  South  Jackson  Civic 
League  workshop;  Mrs.  James  D.  Hardy,  pro- 
gram distribution; 

Mrs.  Heber  Simmons,  Old  Capitol  exhibit; 
Mrs.  Sam  Sanders,  lighting  and  hostesses  in 
youth  pavilion;  Mrs.  Noel  Toler,  fairgrounds; 
Mrs.  Jack  Fowler,  high  school  art;  Mrs.  Palmer 
Wilks,  youth  pavilion  workshop. 

Other  involved  physicians’  wives  include  Mrs. 
Jim  Hayes,  Mrs.  Elmer  Nix,  Mrs.  Roland  Sam- 
son, Mrs.  Thomas  Kilgore,  Mrs.  Julian  Hender- 
son, Mrs.  Alvin  Brent,  and  Mrs.  T.  E.  Wilson, 
III. 

Tickets  will  be  available  after  March  2 for  $5, 
$10,  and  $15.  They  will  admit  the  holder  to 
two  evening  programs  in  the  Coliseum  and  one 
in  the  city  auditorium,  all  featuring  nationally 
known  stars,  and  to  all  other  activities,  including 
exhibits,  art  shows,  concerts,  opera,  ballet,  chil- 
dren’s plays  and  puppet  shows,  and  the  spec- 
tacular Flag  Pageant  by  the  Pensacola  Naval  Air 
Training  Station. 

Exhibits  will  be  housed  in  two  large  buildings. 
The  first  will  present  the  Mississippi  Art  Asso- 
ciation’s national  competition,  “Images  on  Pa- 
per”; the  high  school  art  contest;  and  the  Festi- 
val’s sixth  annual  Arts  and  Crafts  Show.  Signifi- 
cant prizes  will  be  awarded  in  these  contests. 

The  second  building  will  trace  “American 
Heritage”  by  recreating  interiors  of  shops  and 
homes  through  five  eras:  Colonial,  Ante-Bellum, 
Victorian,  War  Years,  and  Modern  Day.  Antiques 
will  contribute  to  the  authenticity  of  the  older 
decors. 

Winners  of  the  statewide  children’s  art  com- 
petition will  be  displayed  in  a town  square  in 
the  center  of  the  American  Heritage  Building. 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


The  Youth  Pavilion  (formerly  children’s  divi- 
sion) will  depict  48  scenes  from  the  nation’s 
birth  through  space  exploration.  The  scenes  will 
be  grouped  under  the  headings  “A  New  Nation 
Is  Born,”  “A  New  Nation  Emerges,”  “We  Develop 
Culturally,”  “War  Between  the  States,”  “Our  Na- 
tion Reunited,”  and  “This  Fabulous  Century.” 

The  Jackson  Symphony  Orchestra,  under  the 
direction  of  Lewis  Dalvit,  will  not  only  partici- 
pate in  the  evening  Coliseum  programs  but  will 
offer  four  other  concerts  during  the  week.  Three 
of  these  will  be  for  local  and  out-of-town  sixth 
grade  pupils.  The  other  will  be  a Saturday  morn- 
ing presentation  in  the  Coliseum  for  all  ticket 
holders. 

Classical  musicians  from  throughout  Missis- 
sippi will  be  featured  at  “The  Met,”  with  stu- 
dent artists  at  “The  Mini-Met.”  Popular  talent 
will  be  heard  in  the  coffee  house. 

Personnel  from  the  Pensacola  Naval  Air  Sta- 
tion will  present  their  exciting  Flag  Pageant,  a 
30-minute  program  including  band  music,  nar- 
ration, costumes,  and  uniforms  of  the  various 
armed  services  in  American  history. 

The  University  of  Mississippi  will  present  the 
opera  “Don  Giovanni,”  and  the  University  of 
Southern  Mississippi  will  give  a children’s  opera, 
“L’Enfant  et  Les  Sortileges”  by  Ravel. 

There  will  be  homemaking  seminars  in  cre- 
ative stitchery  and  gourmet  cooking. 

Nearly  1,000  original  manuscripts  have  been 
submitted  to  the  literary  competition  since  its  be- 
ginning in  1967.  There  are  five  categories  in  the 
senior  division  for  adults  and  college  students: 
drama,  short  story,  formal  essay,  informal  es- 
say, and  poetry.  The  junior  division  for  high 
school  students  includes  short  story,  informal  es- 
say, and  poetry.  Awards  of  $100  for  senior  first 
places  and  $25  for  juniors  will  be  made  at  a 
literary  seminar. 

Judges  for  the  literary  competition  will  be 
Willie  Morris,  editor  of  Harpers  magazine  and 
author  of  North  Toward  Home,  senior  formal 
essay  judge;  Berry  Reese,  senior  editor  for 
Houghton-Mifflin  Publishing  Company,  senior  in- 
formal essay;  James  T.  Whitehead,  noted  poet 
and  faculty  member  of  the  University  of  Arkan- 
sas, senior  poetry;  Dr.  Margaret  Walker  Alex- 
ander, author  of  the  novel  Jubilee  and  faculty 
member  at  Jackson  State  College,  senior  short 
story;  Michael  Dendy,  staff  and  faculty  member 
of  the  Dallas  Theater  Center,  senior  drama;  Dr. 
William  Durrett,  Belhaven  College,  junior  infor- 
mal essay;  Barry  Hannah,  Clemson  University, 
junior  short  story;  and  Mrs.  Lois  Taylor  Black- 
well,  Millsaps  College,  junior  poetry. 


More  Medicare,  Medicaid 
Regulations  Announced 

New  regulations  to  make  sure  that  Medicare 
and  Medicaid  do  not  recognize  inflated  values 
of  profit-making  health  facilities  in  paying  costs 
of  medical  care  for  the  aged  were  announced  by 
Robert  M.  Ball,  Commissioner  of  Social  Security. 

“This  is  part  of  the  continuing  effort  to  elimi- 
nate all  possible  fiscal  loopholes — potential  as 
well  as  existing — in  the  operation  of  these  prob- 
lems,” Commissioner  Ball  said. 

The  regulations  announced  deal  with  both  the 
valuation  of  depreciable  assets  and  the  rate  of 
depreciation  the  federal  government  will  recog- 
nize in  reimbursing  proprietors  for  the  costs  of 
health  care  under  Medicare  and  Medicaid. 

One  change  would  require  that  the  owner 
value  his  depreciable  properties  at  the  lowest  of 
three  figures:  actual  cost,  fair  market  value  or 
replacement  cost  adjusted  for  depreciation. 

The  other  would  forbid  the  use  of  accelerated 
depreciation  in  the  case  of  all  new  operators — 
and  of  new  assets  brought  into  the  Medicare 
program  by  existing  providers  of  services. 

There  have  not,  as  yet,  been  major  abuses  in 
these  areas,  Mr.  Ball  emphasized.  “Although  we 
have  made  every  effort  under  present  regula- 
tions to  insure  that  valuations  of  depreciable  as- 
sets on  fair  market  value  are  just  that — not  the 
result  of  a sale  at  an  inflated  price.”  Commissioner 
Ball  said,  “the  changes  will  enable  us  to  impose 
even  firmer  controls.” 

Under  existing  regulations,  the  operator  is  al- 
lowed to  calculate  his  depreciation  at  acceler- 
ated rates.  That  is,  he  can  charge  off  higher  costs 
in  the  early  years  and  lower  ones  in  the  later. 
Over  the  long  run  these  balance  out  and  the  cost 
to  the  government  in  reimbursement  is  not  great- 
er. But  if  a facility  using  accelerated  deprecia- 
tion is  sold  in  the  early  years,  the  government 
can  require  an  adjustment  in  the  higher  costs  it 
has  paid  for  this  period. 

Nevertheless,  increasing  and  widespread  spec- 
ulative activity  in  these  properties  poses  a future 
threat  that  overall  fair  market  value  may  become 
inflated.  Using  actual  replacement  cost  (less  de- 
preciation) as  a ceiling  on  valuation  should  in- 
sure that  this  threat  does  not  materialize  and  ad- 
versely affect  government  reimbursement,  Com- 
missioner Ball  emphasized.  He  gave  this  hypo- 
thetical illustration  of  the  situation  the  new  regu- 
lations are  designed  to  prevent. 

A nursing  home  operator  has  $700,000  in- 
vested in  buildings  and  equipment  and  another 


MARCH  1970 


135 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

$50,000  in  land.  On  the  $700,000  of  depreci- 
able property,  he  is  now  allowed  to  take  acceler- 
ated depreciation  and  include  this  in  his  costs. 
Fifteen  per  cent  of  his  beds  are  occupied  by 
Medicare  patients.  A corresponding  share  of  his 
depreciation  is  allowed  in  the  base  for  the  cost 
settlement  Medicare  makes  with  him  at  the  end 
of  the  year. 

Should  he  sell  the  buildings,  equipment  and 
land  after  2 years  for  $1,000,000,  the  revised 
regulations  would  prevent  the  new  owner  from 
automatically  valuing  his  facility  at  this  amount 
and  thus  qualifying  for  a higher  cost  base  on 
which  to  calculate  his  depreciation.  Instead,  he 
would  be  required  to  use  the  lower  figure  of  re- 
placement cost  less  depreciation. 

Assuming,  in  this  case,  that  the  replacement 
cost  of  the  depreciable  assets  (but  not  the  land) 
has  risen  in  the  2-year  period  by  12  per  cent, 
the  new  owner’s  cost  basis  for  purposes  of  de- 
preciation would  come  to  $784,000,  less  two 
years  straight-line  depreciation,  based  on  a 40- 
year  life,  of  $39,200.  This  would  amount  to 
$734,800  rather  than  the  $950,000  he  paid 
(apart  from  land).  With  respect  to  the  propor- 
tion of  the  extended  care  facility  devoted  to 
Medicare  patients  this  would  mean  a difference 
in  cost  basis  of  $32,280,  or  some  $807  a year  on 
a 40-year  depreciation  schedule. 

The  new  regulations  would  also  tighten  re- 
covery provisions  significantly  in  the  case  of 
capital  gain  on  the  sale  of  a facility.  The  Social 
Security  Administration  would  be  required  to  re- 
cover the  difference  between  the  amount  allowed 
under  accelerated  depreciation  and  what  this 
would  have  been  on  a straight-line  basis. 

The  regulations  would  also  extend  present 
provisions  governing  gains  or  loses  on  sales  of 
depreciable  assets  to  apply  to  sales  that  occur 
within  a year  after  the  original  proprietor  ceased 
to  participate  in  the  Medicare  program. 

In  addition  the  proposed  changes  would 
tighten  the  rules  relating  to  return  on  equity.  Un- 
der the  law,  the  provider  is  paid  a rate  of  return 
(currently  about  9 per  cent)  on  his  equity — the 
amount  of  his  own,  as  opposed  to  borrowed, 
money  invested — in  the  proportion  that  the  fa- 
cilities are  used  for  Medicare  basis.  This,  too,  is 
limited  by  a fair  value  base.  By  using  replacement 
cost  (if  this  is  lower)  rather  than  fair  market 
value,  the  threat  of  overall  market  value  inflation 
is  eliminated. 

The  proposed  new  rules  are  expected  to  be 


published  in  the  Federal  Register  in  the  near  fu- 
ture. Interested  parties  will  have  30  days  to  sub- 
mit data,  comments  and  arguments  before  the 
regulations  are  made  final. 

Dr.  McCaskill  Acquitted 
of  Abortion  Murder 

A Coahoma  County  Circuit  Court  jury  has 
acquitted  Dr.  Luther  W.  McCaskill  of  Clarksdale 
of  murder  in  the  1967  abortion  death  of  Mrs. 
Emma  Flowers  Hurt  of  Greenwood. 

Dr.  McCaskill  pleaded  not  guilty  and  testified 
that  Mrs.  Hurt  told  him  she  received  an  abortion 
from  a Greenwood  doctor  before  he  saw  her. 

The  physician  was  convicted  on  the  charge  in 
August  1968,  but  the  state  Supreme  Court  or- 
dered a new  trial  because  of  improper  jury  in- 
struction. 

Dr.  McCaskill  now  faces  trial  in  the  abortion 
death  of  another  woman  and  abortion  charges 
in  the  cases  of  two  others,  according  to  press  re- 
ports. He  has  been  serving  a sentence  in  the 
Mississippi  Penitentiary  at  Parchman  on  abor- 
tion conviction. 


St.  Dominic  Elects 
Medical  Staff 

A new  Medical  Staff  has  been  elected  at  St. 
Dominic-Jackson  Memorial  Hospital.  Dr.  Rob- 
ert E.  Tyson  is  Incoming  Chief  of  Staff  and  Dr. 
Rush  E.  Netterville  is  Past  Chief. 

Secretary  is  Dr.  Thomas  E.  Stevens  and  Dr. 
William  B.  Thompson  is  Chief  Elect.  Dr.  Tyson 
and  his  officers  will  serve  for  two  years  instead 
of  one  year  as  has  been  customary. 

Section  Chiefs,  who  with  the  Secretaries,  will 
each  serve  three  years,  have  been  named  as  fol- 
lows: Dr.  Hardy  B.  Woodbridge  (general  prac- 
tice) with  Dr.  Charles  Wright  as  secretary;  Dr. 
John  W.  Evans  (medical)  with  Dr.  William  E. 
Bowlus;  Dr.  William  B.  Wiener  (obstetrics-gyne- 
cology) with  Dr.  Blanche  Lockhard;  Dr.  James 

C.  Griffin  (surgical)  with  Dr.  R.  E.  Dunn;  Dr. 

D.  H.  Draughn  (pediatrics)  with  Dr.  J.  Lee 
Owen;  and  Dr.  L.  C.  Hanes  (psychiatry)  with 
Dr.  S.  Ray  Pate. 


136 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Ole  Miss  Pharmacy 
School  Ups  Standing 

The  University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Phar- 
macy awarded  the  fourth  highest  number  of  doc- 
toral degrees  in  the  nation  in  1968-69,  according 
to  a report  released  this  month. 

Ole  Miss  was  topped  only  by  Purdue  Univer- 
sity, 20  doctoral  degrees;  University  of  Wiscon- 
sin, 17;  and  Buffalo  University,  13.  The  number 
of  Ole  Miss  graduate  students  receiving  Ph.D. 
degrees  in  1968-69  was  eight. 

Author  of  the  report  is  the  American  Associa- 
tion of  Colleges  of  Pharmacy.  Included  were 
summations  from  74  institutions  in  the  United 
States  and  four  affiliates  in  Canada. 

“One  of  the  crucial  tests  of  an  academic  insti- 
tution revolves  around  the  awarding  of  doctoral 
degrees,  not  only  on  a numerical  basis  but  also 
qualitatively,”  explained  Dr.  Charles  W.  Hartman, 
dean  of  the  Ole  Miss  School  of  Pharmacy. 

“In  this  respect,  and  using  as  a standard  the 
report  of  the  American  Association  of  Colleges 
of  Pharmacy,  our  standing  is  better  than  ever  be- 
fore. Our  attempts  to  develop  pharmaceutical  in- 
dustry in  Mississippi  will  be  greatly  enhanced  by 
our  strong  graduate  program.” 

Dean  Hartman  also  noted  that  undergraduate 
enrollment  in  the  School  of  Pharmacy  reached 
357  in  September,  highest  in  the  history  of  the 
School. 


Among  current  doctoral  students  at  the  University 
of  Mississippi  School  of  Pharmacy , which  awarded 
the  fourth  highest  number  of  doctoral  degrees  in 
the  nation  in  1968-69,  are  (from  left)  Everett  Solo- 
mons of  Alston,  Ga.;  Tony  McBride  of  Lakeland, 
Fla.;  John  Holbrook  of  Austell,  Ga.;  and  Ed  More- 
ton  of  Gulfport. 


In  the  continental  United  States  4,046  under- 
graduates received  the  bachelor  of  science  or  the 
bachelor  of  pharmacy  degree  during  1968-69,  an 
increase  of  280  or  7.4  per  cent  over  the  previous 
year. 

Otolaryngology  Council 
Opens  Headquarters 

The  American  Council  of  Otolaryngology  has 
opened  its  national  headquarters  with  offices  at 
1100  17th  Street  N.W.,  in  Washington,  D.  C. 
John  E.  Bordley,  M.D.,  of  Baltimore,  is  execu- 
tive director  and  Wesley  H.  Bradley,  M.D.,  Syra- 
cuse, N.  Y.,  is  consultant  and  assistant  to  the 
executive  director. 

The  Council  was  founded  September  1968,  in 
the  District  of  Columbia  to  represent  the  patient 
care  interests  of  the  nation’s  estimated  6,000 
otolaryngologists  (ear,  nose  and  throat  special- 
ists). 

A general  assembly  has  been  created  by  the 
Council  to  provide  a “grass  roots  forum”  in  which 
the  individual  specialist  may  be  heard.  Repre- 
sentation is  secured  in  the  assembly  from  sup- 
porting otolaryngologic  societies  and  academies 
on  all  levels,  regardless  of  size. 

The  American  Council  is  the  first  national 
body  designed  specifically  to  represent  otolaryn- 
gology through  the  development  of  national  pro- 
grams for  improved  patient  care,  greater  educa- 
tional opportunities  and  to  further  research.  It 
now  serves  as  the  national  voice  of  otolaryngol- 
ogy- 

National  health  problems  in  the  specialty  field 
of  otolaryngology,  national  manpower  needs  in 
both  medical  and  para-medical  areas,  develop- 
ment of  new  training  programs,  assistance  of 
these  programs  in  the  residency  and  postresidency 
levels  are  all  a part  of  the  objectives  of  the  Coun- 
cil. 

Dr.  Bordley  is  Andelot  Professor  Emeritus  of 
Laryngology  and  Otology,  The  Johns  Hopkins 
University  School  of  Medicine,  and  professor  of 
environmental  medicine,  division  of  audiology 
and  speech. 

Dr.  Bradley  is  clinical  associate  professor  of 
otolaryngology  at  the  State  University  of  New 
York,  Upstate  Medical  Center,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 


MARCH  1970 


137 


THE 

COST  OF 

AM  BAR 
EXTENTABS 

IS  APPROX!  MATELY  ONE 
HALF  THAT  OF  OTHER  LEAP- 
ING APPETITE  SUPPRESSANTS 

AN  IMPORTANT  FACTOR 
IN  LONG  TERM  THERAPY 


CONTROL  FOOD  AND  MOOD  ALL  DAY  LONG  WITH  A SINGLE  MORNING  DOSE 

AMBAR2 


One  Ambar  Extentab  before  breakfast  can 


BRIEF  SUMMARY/Indications:  Ambar 


help  control  most  patients’  appetite  for  up  EXTENTABS*  suppresses  appetite  and  helps  offset  emo- 


to  12  hours.  Methamphetamine,  the  appe- 
tite suppressant,  gently  elevates  mood  and 
helps  overcome  dieting  frustrations.  Pheno- 
barbital,  the  sedative  in  Ambar,  controls  irritability  and 
anxiety. ..  helps  maintain  a state  of  mental  calm  and  equa- 
nimity. Both  work  together  to  ease  the  tensions  that  erode 
the  willpower  during  periods  of  dieting. 

Also  available:  Ambar  #1  Extentabs®— methamphetamine 
hydrochloride  10  mg.,  phenobarbital  64.8  mg.  (1  gr.)  (Warn- 
ing: may  be  habit  forming). 


methamphetamine  HC1  15  mg., 
phenobarbital  64.8  mg.  (1  gr.) 
(Warning:  may  be  habit  forming). 


tional  reactions  to  dieting.  Contraindica- 
tions: Hypersensitivity  to  barbiturates  or 
sympathomimetics;  patients  with  advanced 
renal  or  hepatic  disease.  Precautions:  Administer  with  cau- 
tion in  the  presence  of  cardiovascular  disease  or  hypertension. 
Side  Effects:  Nervousness  or  excitement  occasionally  noted, 
but  usually  infrequent  at  recommended  dosages.  Slight  drows- 
iness has  been  reported  rarely.  See  package  insert  for  further 
details.  a.  h.  robins  company.  H-flOBINS 


A.  H.  ROBINS  COMPANY, 
RICHMOND.  VA.  23220 


Blue  Plans 
Promote  Mr.  Gilliland 

Max  Gilliland,  who  joined  Blue  Cross-Blue 
Shield  in  the  Physicians  and  Hospital  Relations 
Division  last  July,  has  assumed  responsibilities 
for  the  south  Mississippi  territory.  Professional 

had  formerly  been  han- 
dled by  Gerald  Fran- 
ciskato,  who  is  now 
manager  of  the  Phy- 
sicians and  Hospital 
Relations  Division. 

Prior  to  his  asso- 
ciation with  Blue 
Cross-Blue  Shield, 
Mr.  Gilliland  was 
business  manager  for 
Rush  Foundation 
Hospital  and  the 
Rush  Medical  Group 
in  Meridian.  He  is  a 
native  of  Meridian. 

The  Physicians  and  Hospital  Relations  Divi- 
sion is  headed  by  W.  C.  Mosley,  vice  president 
of  Hospital  and  Physicians  Affairs.  Director  of 
the  program  is  C.  T.  Walker. 

Five  Care  Facilities 
To  Be  Sued 

The  Social  Security  Administration  has  recom- 
mended that  the  Justice  Department  bring  civil 
suit  against  four  extended  care  facilities  and  a 
two-hospital  corporation  for  the  return  of  wrong- 
fully collected  Medicare  payments,  Robert  M. 
Ball,  Commissioner  of  Social  Security,  announced 
today. 

Ball  also  noted  that  Medicare  payments  to 
another  13  extended  care  facilities  were  suspend- 
ed after  a social  security  investigation  showed 
that  the  institutions  had  billed  Medicare  for  ser- 
vices not  medically  necessary,  and  for  services  of 
questionable  rehabilitation  or  therapy  value. 
There  was  also  billing  for  services  which  did  not 
meet  the  definition  of  skilled  care  in  the  Medi- 
care law,  Ball  said. 

The  amount  of  overpayments  received  by  the 
13  institutions  is  estimated  at  $1,636,000.  Some 
of  this  money  has  already  been  repaid  and  steps 
have  been  taken  to  recoup  the  rest.  Ball  noted. 

The  five  civil  suit  cases  were  referred  to  the 


Justice  Department  after  evidence  was  found  that 
the  institutions,  located  in  Florida,  New  York, 
Arizona,  and  Illinois,  had  collected  overpayments 
for  Medicare  patients  in  an  amount  that  could 
reach  as  high  as  $2,257,600,  Ball  said. 

In  a series  of  “validation”  visits  begun  last 
March,  Ball  said,  on-site  inspections  of  institutions 
participating  in  the  Medicare  program  were  con- 
ducted to  check  on  the  validity  of  payments  made 
by  Medicare  intermediaries. 

These  program  validation  visits  were  supple- 
mental to  the  regular  contract  performance  re- 
views the  Social  Security  Administration  conducts 
in  the  offices  of  the  intermediaries,  such  as  Blue 
Cross,  Blue  Shield,  and  private  insurance  orga- 
nizations which  receive  and  pay  Medicare  bills 
under  contract  to  the  Social  Security  Administra- 
tion. 

Commissioner  Ball  noted  that  one  out  of  every 
12  elderly  persons  discharged  from  a hospital, 
but  still  needing  skilled  nursing  care  on  a con- 
tinuous basis,  is  admitted  to  an  extended  care 
facility  under  Medicare.  There  are  about  40,000 
such  admissions  every  month,  after  an  injury 
or  illness  requiring  hospitalization  for  three  days 
or  more. 

The  average  Medicare  posthospital  stay  in  an 
extended  care  facility  averaged  50  days  in  calen- 
dar 1969  and  payments  totaled  between  $400 
million  and  $450  million  for  the  year. 

To  assist  the  Medicare  contractors,  the  Social 
Security  Administration  has  provided  data  that 
helps  them  to  quickly  identify  irregular  practices 
and  costs. 

The  identification  of  an  institution  which  bills 
for  what  is  indicated  to  be  an  unusual  amount  of 
physical  therapy  may  reveal  that  services  are 
being  provided,  and  paid  for,  without  regard  to 
their  medical  necessity,  and  even  their  potential 
harm  to  elderly  patients. 

An  abnormally  large  number  of  bills  for  phy- 
sician visits  to  patients  in  extended  care  facilities 
may  uncover  a practice  of  “gang”  visits.  The  phy- 
sician may  be  submitting  bills  for  visits  to  indi- 
vidual patients,  but  in  fact  reports  so  many  visits 
for  a given  day  that  he  could  not  have  done  more 
than  stopped  by  the  bed. 

The  Social  Security  Administration  has  also  de- 
veloped information  that  will  enable  the  Medi- 
care contractors  to  be  alerted  when  a physician 
is  receiving  payments  for  more  services  than  he 
would  likely  be  able  to  perform  under  normal 
practice.  If  computer  data  and  investigation  show 
this  to  be  a problem,  these  organizations  enlist 
the  help  of  medical  societies  to  take  corrective 
action. 


MARCH  1970 


139 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Ole  Miss  Develops 
Insect  Sting  Drug 

Foresters,  campers,  soldiers— and  even  back- 
yard gardners — will  share  the  lifesaving  benefits 
of  an  emergency  drug  being  developed  at  the 
University  of  Mississippi. 

For  those  who  suffer  severe  allergic  reaction  to 
the  sting  of  bees,  wasps,  hornets,  yellow  jackets 
and  other  insects,  the  sublingual  tablet  being  de- 
veloped at  the  Ole  Miss  School  of  Pharmacy 
might  prevent  shock  or  death  in  cases  where  there 
is  no  time  to  get  an  injection  or  to  reach  a med- 
ical facility. 

Dr.  Charles  W.  Hartman,  dean  of  the  pharmacy 


A hornet’s  nest  may  hold  less  fear  for  those  who 
suffer  from  severe  allergic  reaction  to  stings,  due  to 
research  on  an  emergency  drug  underway  at  the 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Pharmacy. 
‘'Juggling  molecules”  in  an  effort  to  perfect  a sub- 
lingual tablet  for  use  by  allergy  victims  are  (from 
left)  Dr.  Charles  W.  Hartman,  dean  of  the  pharmacy 
school,  and  Dr.  Julian  H.  Fincher,  associate  pro- 
fessor of  pharmacy . 


school,  and  Dr.  Julian  H.  Fincher,  associate  pro- 
fessor of  pharmacy,  are  conducting  the  research. 

“Speed  of  absorption  is  especially  important  in 
treating  severe  allergic  reaction,”  Dean  Hartman 
explained.  “Research  on  the  emergency  tablet 
was  begun  in  response  to  an  initial  request  for 
an  emergency  tablet  by  members  of  the  forestry 
department  at  the  University  of  Georgia,  where 
some  forestry  school  researchers  had  developed 
severe  allergies  to  stings.” 

Since  there  were  no  such  products  available. 
Dr.  Hartman — who  was  at  the  University  of 
Georgia  when  the  request  was  made — retained 
his  interest  in  the  research  when  he  came  to  Ole 
Miss. 

There  are  several  problems  to  be  solved.  “Not 
all  drugs  can  be  absorbed  under  the  tongue,”  Dr. 
Hartman  said.  “Some  drugs  are  ‘bound’  by  sa- 
liva. This  prevents  their  being  absorbed.” 

This  particular  problem  is  solved  either  by 
“juggling  the  molecule,”  as  Dean  Hartman  says, 
or  “changing  the  physical  form  of  the  drug,  or 
altering  membranes  of  the  mouth,”  according  to 
Dr.  Fincher,  who  is  conducting  the  basic  re- 
search. 

“A  small  dose,  if  properly  designed,  allows 
absorption  within  30  seconds,”  Dr.  Fincher  ex- 
plained. “Sublingual  medication  is  especially  ef- 
fective because  of  the  high  amount  of  blood  cir- 
culation in  the  head,”  he  added. 

Both  researchers  agree  that  this  type  of  in- 
vestigation has  been  overlooked,  and  has  tre- 
mendous potential.  “Nitroglycerine  is  the  most 
common  sublingual  medication,  and  is  used  for 
people  who  are  subject  to  heart  attacks,”  Dr. 
Hartman  said.  “This  drug  was  developed  earlier 
than  an  allergy  tablet  because  there  are  many 
more  people  subject  to  heart  attacks  than  to  se- 
vere bee-sting  allergy.” 

“But  the  development  of  such  a tablet  would 
be  extremely  valuable  in  many  situations.  The 
emergency  drug  would  be  particularly  applicable 
to  the  military,  where  you  have  isolated  men  who 
are  away  from  medical  units,”  Dr.  Hartman  said. 

A student  participated  in  one  phase  of  the  re- 
search. Dr.  Robert  E.  Davis,  who  received  the 
Ph.D.  degree  in  pharmacy  in  1968  and  is  now 
a research  scientist  with  Mead  Johnson  Labora- 
tories, wrote  his  dissertation  on  the  interactions 
of  drugs  in  whole  human  saliva  and  simulated 
saliva. 


140 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Four  MD’s  Indicted 
for  Medicare  Fraud 

Four  physicians  and  one  non-physician  have 
been  indicted  in  Tampa,  Fla,  by  a federal  grand 
jury  for  alleged  Medicare  fraud  estimated  at 
more  than  $200,000. 

Those  charged  with  “willfully  and  knowingly 
conspiring  to  defraud”  the  Medicare  program 
by  making  false  claims  and  statements  are:  Dr. 
Harry  M.  Katz,  psychiatrist  Dr.  Pasquale  Louis 
Gallizzi,  Dr.  Alex  F.  Amadio,  Dr.  Robert  A. 
Brewer,  and  Miss  Madge  Mathis. 

The  Florida  indictment  follows  close  upon  the 
conviction  of  a Florence,  S.  C.,  physician  for 
filing  “false  information  and  fraudulent  claims” 
for  payments  from  Medicare. 

Dr.  Roy  P.  Cunningham  was  sentenced  to 
eight  years  in  federal  prison  by  U.  S.  District 
Judge  Charles  E.  Simmons  on  Dec.  22.  He  was 
found  guilty  on  eight  counts  of  submitting  false 
claims  for  payment  of  432  house  calls,  for  a total 
of  $6,480.  In  passing  sentence  Judge  Simmons 
said:  "It  is  sad  to  see  a man  of  Dr.  Cunningham’s 
background  blow  his  career  to  the  winds.” 

Dr.  Cunningham  is  presently  being  held  for 
observation  for  90  days  by  the  Federal  Bureau  of 
Prisons.  After  his  examination  he  will  be  re- 
turned to  Judge  Simmons’  court  for  final  sen- 
tencing. 

The  conviction  and  sentencing  of  Dr.  Cun- 
ningham was  the  second  in  the  nation  for  fraud 
under  the  Medicare  program.  Some  2,500  cases 
have  been  investigated  by  the  Social  Security  Ad- 
ministration during  Medicare's  3 Vi  -year  history. 

Social  Security  Commissioner  Robert  M.  Ball 
said  that,  “We  are  trying  in  every  way  to  assure 
tight  administration  of  the  Medicare  program. 
Built-in  safeguards  provide  early  detection  of  at- 
tempts at  abuse  and  fraud,”  he  said.  “Medi- 
care,” the  Commissioner  noted,  “pays  about  30 
million  doctors’  bills  and  12  million  bills  from 
institutional  providers  of  services  each  year.  It  is 
clear  from  our  investigations,”  he  added,  “that 
the  number  of  attempts  at  fraud  or  abuse  is 
relatively  very  small.” 

About  half  of  the  cases  investigated  by  the 
Social  Security  Administration,  he  said,  resulted 
from  clerical  errors,  misunderstandings  or  honest 
mistakes  by  physicians  and  health  services. 

To  date,  the  Social  Security  Administration 
has  referred  the  cases  of  13  individuals  and  or- 
ganizations to  the  Justice  Department  with  the 
recommendation  for  criminal  prosecution  for 
fraud.  Another  five  cases  have  been  referred 


with  recommendations  that  civil  proceedings  be 
started  for  the  return  of  illegally  collected  funds. 

Social  security  investigators  are  presently  pre- 
paring 35  other  possible  fraud  cases  for  referral 
to  the  Justice  Department. 

The  most  common  types  of  alleged  violations 
reported  include  physicians  and  providers  billing 
for  services  not  rendered,  excessive  charges,  al- 
teration of  bills,  duplicate  billing,  misrepresenta- 
tion of  types  of  services  or  dates  of  services, 
unreported  discounts  (kickbacks)  and  employee 
embezzlement. 

Dr.  Wiygul  Is 
Named  Section  Officer 

Dr.  Frank  M.  Wiygul.  Jr.,  of  Jackson  has  been 
appointed  secretary  of  the  Section  on  Preventive 
Medicine  of  the  association’s  Scientific  Assembly. 
The  appointment  was  made  and  announced  by 
Dr.  James  L.  Royals  of  Jackson,  president  of  the 
state  medical  association. 

Dr.  Wiygul  succeeds  Dr.  Frank  K.  Tatum  of 
Tupelo  who  was  elected  secretary  of  the  section 
in  1969.  Dr.  Tatum  resigned  the  post  following 
his  recent  retirement  for  reasons  of  health. 

Dr.  Royals  said  that  Dr.  Wiygul  will  serve  un- 
til 1972.  As  a section  secretary,  he  is  also  a mem- 
ber of  the  House  of  Delegates.  Chairman  of  the 
section  is  Dr.  Frank  J.  Morgan.  Jr.,  of  Jackson 
who  is  Assistant  State  Health  Officer. 

Drs.  Webb  and  Abraham 
Are  ACOG  Fellows 

Dr.  Henry  H.  Webb  of  Jackson  and  Dr.  W.  H. 
Abraham,  Jr.  of  Meridian  will  be  installed  as 
Fellows  of  the  American  College  of  Obstetricians 
and  Gynecologists  at  its  annual  meeting.  April 
12-18,  in  New  York  City. 

The  College,  founded  to  promote  the  health 
and  medical  care  of  women,  accepts  physicians 
specializing  completely  in  obstetrics  and  gyne- 
cology, who  have  successfully  completed  a clin- 
ical examination,  and  who  have  been  judged  by 
their  colleagues  as  competent  and  ethical  phy- 
sicians. 

A Fellow  must  be  a graduate  of  an  approved 
medical  school  and  for  at  least  five  years  prior 
to  applying  for  membership  in  the  College  he 
must  have  limited  his  practice  to  obstetrics  and 
gynecology. 


MARCH  1970 


143 


MEETINGS 


1 


NATIONAL  AND  REGIONAL 

American  Medical  Association,  Annual  Conven- 
tion, June  21-25,  1970,  Chicago,  Clinical  Con- 
vention, Nov.  29-Dec.  2,  1970,  Boston.  Ernest 
B.  Howard,  Executive  Vice  President,  535  N. 
Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111.  60610. 

Southeastern  Surgical  Congress,  38th  Annual  As- 
sembly, April  20-23,  1970,  Atlanta.  A.  H.  Let- 
ton,  Secretary-Director,  340  Boulevard,  N.E., 
Atlanta,  Ga.  30312. 

Louisiana-Mississippi  Ophthalmological  and  Oto- 
laryngological  Society,  Annual  Meeting,  April 
3-4,  1970,  Biloxi.  Arthur  V.  Hays,  Secretary, 
3017  13th  Street,  Gulfport,  Miss.  39501. 


STATE  AND  LOCAL 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association,  102nd  An- 
nual Session,  May  11-14,  1970,  Biloxi.  Mr. 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy,  Executive  Secretary, 
735  Riverside  Drive,  Jackson  39216. 

Amite-Wilkinson  Counties  Medical  Society,  Third 
Monday,  March,  June,  September,  December. 
James  S.  Poole,  Centreville,  Secretary. 

Central  Medical  Society,  First  Tuesday,  January, 
March,  May,  September,  November,  6:30  p.m., 
Primos  Northgate  Restaurant,  Jackson.  Robert 
P.  Henderson,  Suite  B-6,  Medical  Arts  Build- 
ing, Jackson,  Secretary. 

Claiborne  County  Medical  Society,  1st  Tuesday 
each  month,  6:00  p.m.,  Claiborne  County 
Hospital,  Port  Gibson.  D.  M.  Segrest,  Port 
Gibson,  Secretary. 

Clarksdale  and  Six  Counties  Medical  Society, 
Third  Wednesday,  April  and  First  Wednesday 
November,  2:00  p.m.,  Clarksdale.  Walter  T. 
Taylor,  P.O.  Box  1237,  Clarksdale,  Secretary. 

Coast  Counties  Medical  Society,  First  Wednesday, 
January,  March,  May,  September  and  Novem- 
ber. C.  Hal  Cleveland,  P.O.  Box  1018,  Gulf- 
port, Secretary. 


Delta  Medical  Society,  Second  Wednesday,  April 
and  October.  Howard  A.  Nelson,  308  Fulton 
St.,  Greenwood,  Secretary. 


DeSoto  County  Medical  Society,  Third  Thursday, 
February  and  August,  1:00  p.m.,  Kenny’s  Res- 
taurant, Hernando.  Malcolm  D.  Baxter,  Jr., 
Baxter  Clinic,  Hernando,  Secretary. 


East  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  First  Tuesday, 
February,  April,  June,  August,  October,  and 
December.  Reginald  P.  White,  East  Mississip- 
pi State  Hospital,  Meridian,  Secretary. 


Adams  County  Medical  Society,  First  Tues- 
day, April  and  October.  Cherie  Friedman, 
and  December,  Eola  Hotel  Roof,  Natchez. 
Walter  T.  Colbert,  Jefferson  Davis  Memorial 
Hospital,  Natchez,  Secretary. 


North  Central  District  Medical  Society,  Third 
Wednesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  De- 
cember. James  E.  Booth,  Eupora,  Secretary. 


Northeast  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second 
Tuesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. S.  Jay  McDuffie,  Nettleton,  Secretary. 


North  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  First  Thurs- 
day, April  and  October,  Cherie  Friedman, 
1004  Jackson  Ave.,  Oxford,  Secretary. 


Pearl  River  County  Medical  Society,  Second  Mon- 
day, March,  June,  September,  and  December. 
J.  M.  Howell,  139  Kirkwood  St.,  Picayune, 
Secretary. 


Prairie  Medical  Society,  Second  Tuesday,  March, 
June,  September,  and  December.  A.  Robert 
Dill,  1001  Main  Street,  Columbus,  Secretary. 

Singing  River  Medical  Society,  Third  Monday, 
January,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. Donald  E.  Dore,  Singing  River  Hospital, 
Pascagoula,  Secretary. 

South  Central  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second 
Tuesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. Julian  T.  Janes,  Jr.,  304  Clark,  McComb, 
Secretary. 


South  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  Thurs- 
day, March,  June,  September,  and  December. 
W.  B.  White,  Medical  Arts  Bldg.,  Laurel,  Sec- 
retary. 


West  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  Tues- 
day, January,  April,  July,  and  October,  7:00 
p.m.,  Old  Southern  Tea  Room,  Vicksburg. 
Martin  E.  Hinman,  the  Street  Clinic,  Vicks- 
burg, Secretary. 


144 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Early  Filing 
Speeds  Up  Refunds 

The  number  of  federal  individual  income  tax 
returns  filed  so  far  by  Mississippi  taxpayers  is 
considerably  less  than  those  received  for  a com- 
parable period  last  year,  J.  G.  Martin,  Jr.,  Mis- 
sissippi District  Director  of  Internal  Revenue,  an- 
nounced recently. 

Although  the  deadline  for  filing  is  April  15, 
both  the  taxpayer  and  the  government  would 
benefit  if  refund  returns  are  filed  early. 

Mr.  Martin  pointed  out  that  the  Southeast  Ser- 
vice Center  is  especially  geared  for  high  volume 
processing  of  refund  returns  early  in  the  filing 
season. 

Before  filing,  taxpayers  should  double  check 
their  Forms  1040  to  be  sure  that  all  W-2’s  are  at- 
tached, correct  social  security  numbers  and  ad- 
dresses are  shown,  and  related  schedules  are 
attached.  In  the  case  of  joint  returns,  both  spouses’ 
signatures  are  required. 

Early  federal  income  tax  returns  indicate  that 
many  taxpayers  are  making  errors  in  claiming 
adjustments  to  their  income  which  may  delay 
their  refunds. 

The  term  “adjustments,”  as  used  on  the  tax 


form,  refers  only  to  sick  pay,  moving  expenses, 
employee  business  expenses,  and  payments  to 
self-employment  retirement  plans.  The  total  of 
these  items  is  entered  on  Line  15B  of  the  Form 
1040. 

Some  taxpayers  are  incorrectly  reporting  on 
Line  15b,  the  total  of  their  itemized  deductions, 
such  as,  interest  expense,  state  and  local  taxes, 
contributions,  medical,  or  miscellaneous  expenses. 
These  deductions  should  be  computed  and  en- 
tered on  the  appropriate  schedules  as  provided  in 
the  instructions. 

Taxpayers  are  also  making  mistakes  by  in- 
cluding as  adjustments  the  exemption  allowances 
for  themselves,  husbands  or  wives,  children,  or 
other  dependents.  For  taxpayers  who  use  the 
tax  table  to  compute  their  tax,  the  exemption  al- 
lowance is  already  figured  into  the  table.  Taxpay- 
ers who  use  the  tax  rate  schedules  should  make 
their  computations  on  Schedule  T,  which  is  in- 
cluded in  the  regular  tax  packet. 

To  avoid  errors  in  claiming  adjustments,  it  is 
suggested  that  taxpayers  read  the  instructions 
carefully  and  make  sure  they  have  attached  the 
proper  supporting  documents. 

If  these  precautions  are  taken,  refund  checks 
should  be  delivered  within  five  to  six  weeks  from 
date  of  filing. 


HIGHLAND  HOSPITAL 

Asheville,  North  Carolina 

FOUNDED  1904 

A DIVISION  OF  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  PSYCHIATRY  OF  DUKE  UNIVERSITY 

Accredited  by  the  Joint  Commission  on  Accreditation  and  Certified  for  Medicare 

Complete  facilities  for  evaluation  and  intensive  treatment  of  psychiatric  patients,  including  individual  psycho- 
therapy, group  therapy,  psychodrama,  electro-convulsive  therapy,  Indoklon  convulsive  therapy,  drugs,  social  ser- 
vice work  with  families,  family  therapy  and  an  extensive  and  well  organized  activities  program,  including  oc- 
cupational therapy,  art  therapy,  music  therapy,  athletic  activities  and  games,  recreational  activities  and  outings.  The 
treatment  program  of  each  patient  is  carefully  supervised  in  order  that  the  therapeutic  needs  of  each  patient  may 
be  realized. 

High  school  facilities  for  a limited  number  of  appropriate  patients  are  now  available  on  grounds.  The  School 
Program  is  fully  integrated  into  the  hospital  treatment  program  and  is  accredited  through  the  Asheville  School 
System. 

Complete  modern  facilities  with  85  acres  of  landscaped  and  wooded  grounds  in  the  City  of  Asheville. 

Brochures  and  information  on  financial  arrangements  available 
Contact:  (1)  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Harkins,  ACSW,  Coordinator  of  Admissions 

or 

(2)  Samuel  N.  Workman,  M.D.  (3)  Charles  W.  Neville,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Chief  of  Clinical  Services  Assistant  Professor  of  Psychiatry 

and  Medical  Director 
Area  Code  704-254-3201 


MARCH  1970 


145 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

EEG  Society  Plans 
1970  Meeting 

The  American  EEG  Society  announces  that 
the  1970  Meeting  will  be  held  in  Washington, 
D.  C.  at  the  Shoreham  Hotel.  The  Scientific  Ses- 
sion is  to  be  held  on  the  17,  18  and  19  of  Sep- 
tember, 1970. 

Members,  as  well  as  nonmembers,  are  in- 
vited to  submit  abstracts  for  presentation  at  the 
meeting  by  June  1,  1970.  The  abstracts  should 
be  submitted  to:  Dr.  Reginald  Bickford,  Depart- 
ment of  Neurosciences,  University  of  California, 
La  Jolla,  Calif.  92037. 


Answers  to  Cancer  Quiz 

1.  D:  The  male-female  ratio  is  8:1  except  for 
lesions  of  the  posterior  cricoid  region  which 
are  more  predominant  in  women. 

2.  B:  Approximately  96%  of  laryngeal  tumors 
are  squamous  cell  carcinomas.  Adenocarci- 
noma arising  from  mucous  glands  is  seen  oc- 
casionally. Sarcomas  are  rare. 

3.  False:  The  true  vocal  cords  are  practically 
devoid  of  lymphatic  channels  and  therefore 
lesions  arising  here  tend  to  metastasize  late. 
The  areas  above  and  below  the  true  cords 
have  a more  extensive  lymphatic  supply  and 
therefore  metastasize  early.  The  area  above 
the  true  cords  ( supra-glottic  region)  is 
drained  by  vessels  which  pass  upward,  pene- 
trate the  thyro-hyoid  membrane,  and  end  in 
the  upper  deep  cervical  nodes  in  the  region 
of  the  carotid  bifurcation.  The  area  below 
the  true  cords  (subglottic  region)  is  drained 
by  vessels  which  pass  downward  to  end  in 
the  prelaryngeal,  pretracheal,  and  lower 
deep  cervical  nodes. 

4.  True:  Pain  is  frequently  referred  to  the  ear 
through  Arnold’s  branch  of  the  vagus  nerve. 
This  is  more  frequent  with  lesions  of  the 
pyriform  sinus,  than  with  lesions  of  the  cords. 

5.  False:  All  tumors  should  be  clinically  staged 
according  to  location,  extent  and  metastasis. 
Treatment  is  then  planned  on  the  basis  of 
such  staging.  Systems  of  clinical  staging  have 
been  in  use  for  a number  of  years  and  we 
are  now  able  to  utilize  the  results  of  these 


studies  in  establishing  the  best  possible  treat- 
ment and  the  prognosis  of  any  given  lesion. 

6.  False:  In  several  large  studies  hoarseness 
was  the  most  frequent  presenting  complaint. 
It  is  early  and  usually  the  only  symptom 
with  lesions  of  the  intrinsic  larynx  (struc- 
tures within  the  larynx).  Lesions  of  the  epi- 
glottis and  pyriform  sinus  develop  hoarse- 
ness rather  late,  if  at  all.  Other  symptoms 
are:  vague  discomfort  in  the  throat,  ear  pain, 
increased  secretions,  irritable  cough,  dyspnea, 
dysphagia,  and  a foul  smelling  breath. 

7.  False:  Node  biopsy  is  contraindicated.  In 
90-95%  of  cases  presenting  with  neck  nodes 
the  diagnosis  can  be  made  without  formal 
biopsy  of  the  neck  mass.  In  most  cases 
endoscopy  (laryngoscopy,  esophagoscopy, 
bronchoscopy,  and  nasopharyngoscopy)  will 
reveal  a primary  lesion  which  can  be  bi- 
opsied  directly.  Unnecessary  biopsies  of  neck 
masses  prior  to  definitive  treatment  lowers 
the  five  years  survival  rate  in  such  cases. 

8.  B:  Radiation  therapy  is  generally  the  treat- 
ment of  choice  in  most  small  (Stage  I)  le- 
sions of  the  cords.  Surgery  achieves  the  same 
five  years  cure  rate,  however  X-ray  leaves 
the  patient  with  a better  voice. 

9.  True:  In  recent  years  several  investigators 
have  reported  a better  five  year  survival 
rate  in  larger  lesions  of  the  larynx  by  em- 
ploying low  dosage  preoperative  radiation 
therapy  followed  immediately  by  surgical  re- 
section of  the  tumor  and  the  related  lym- 
phatic channels. 

10.  True:  When  properly  carried  out  such 
studies  are  of  great  value  in  determining  the 
extent  of  functional  impairment  and  the  size 
of  lesions. 

West  Miss.  Society 
Elects  Officers 

Dr.  J.  Robert  Shell  of  Vicksburg  has  been  elect- 
ed president  of  the  West  Mississippi  Medical  So- 
ciety. 

Other  newly  elected  officers  include  Dr.  Chester 
W.  Masterson  of  Vicksburg,  president-elect;  and 
Dr.  M.  E.  Hinman  of  Vicksburg,  secretary-treas- 
urer. 

The  West  Mississippi  Medical  Society  is  com- 
posed of  physicians  from  Issaquena,  Sharkey  and 
Warren  counties. 


1 46 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Taste! 


Dicarbosi 

ANTACID 

Your  ulcer  patients  and 
others  will  love  it.  Specify 
DICARBOSIL  144's-144  tab- 
lets in  1 2 rolls. 


ARCH  LABORATORIES 

319  South  Fourth  Street.  St.  Louis,  Missouri  63102 


Burdick 

DIRECTED,  DEEP- 
TISSUE  HEATING 
WITH  THE  MW-1 
MICROWAVE  UNIT 

The  MW-l’s  simplicity 
of  operation  and  ease 
of  electrode  application 
have  contributed  much 
to  the  popularity  of  mi- 
crowave diathermy.  Mi- 
crowave radiations  can  be  reflected,  focused 
and  directed.  Treatment  intensities  may  be 
preset. 

Write  us  for  descriptive  literature  and  com- 
plete price  information. 

KAY  SURGICAL  INC. 

663  North  State  St.  * Jackson,  Miss. 


Index  to  Advertisers 


Arch  Laboratories  147 

Breon  Laboratories 12 

Bristol  Labs  17 

Burroughs-Wellcome  136B 

Campbell  Soup  Company 116A 

Highland  Hospital  145 

Hillcrest  Hospital  6 

Hynson.  Westcott  and  Dunning,  Inc 3 

Kay  Surgical,  Inc 147 

Lederle  Laboratories  4,  10,  136A 

Eli  Lilly  and  Company  front  cover,  18 


Merck,  Sharp  and  Dohme  14,  15,  16 

William  S.  Merrell  Company 141 

Mississippi  Hospital  and  Medical  Service  7 

National  Drug  Company  second  cover,  132A,  132B 

Parke  Davis  and  Co 116D,  128A 

Wm.  P.  Poythress 128D 

A.  H.  Robins  Co.,  Inc 10A,  10B,  138 

Roche  Laboratories 8,  142,  fourth  cover 

G.  D.  Searle  Co 116B,  116C 

Stuart  Company  11 

Wyeth  Laboratories  128B,  128C 

Thomas  Yates  and  Company  third  cover 


MARCH  1970 


147 


OSS  (g®SS@lLBSa®M 


MSMA  Medical  Care  Plans  Department  has  initiated  continuing  studies 
on  why  CHAMttrS  claims  must  be  returned  or  rejected.  One  out  of  nh 
is  returned  and  major  reasons  are  poor  description  of  services  ren-'* 
dered , f aulty  patient  identification  data  from  card,  and  need  to 
make  separate  claims.  One  out  of  10  CHAMPUS  claims  is  ineligible 
because  of  unsatisfied  outpatient  deductibles.  Quality  of  claims  : " 
excellent,  and  Review  Committee  now  sees  only  2 per  cent  of  total. 


*i 


AMA  Committee  on  Rating  of  Mental  and  Physical  Impairment  has  just 
published  12th  guide  in  its  series,  this  time  ^Guides  to  the  Evalug 
tion  of  Permanent  Impairment  - the  Skin. 11  Previous  guides  deal  wil 
extremities  and  back,  visual  system,  cardiovascular  system,  ENT  and 
related  structures,  central  nervous  system,  digestive  tract,  respii- 
tory  system,  peripheral  spinal  nerves,  endocrine  system,  mental  ill 
ness,  and  reproductive  and  urinary  systems.  Single  copies  are  free 


President  Nixon  named  rising  costs,  manpower  shortages,  and  insuf- 
ficient care  for  poor  most  pressing  and  urgent  health  care  problems 
Budget  message  sent  up  to  Capitol  Hill  asks  more  money  than  ever 
before,  expanded  Hill-Burton  program,  tighter  controls  on  Medicaid, 
and  new  programs  for  the  poor.  Social  Security  Administration  will 
get  1,600  more  employees  and  medical  education,  an  additional  $25 
million.  Regional  Medical  Programs  got  cut  by  $3.5  million. 


American  College  of  Radiology  will  pioneer  a summer  preceptorship 
program  for  medical  students.  First  year  students  will  get  chance 
to  work  in  diagnostic  radiology,  while  second  year  level  is  slated 
for  training  in  therapeutic  radiology.  College  foundation  will  pay 
students  a stipend  of  $800  during  eight-week  training  periods  which 
will  be  tax-deductible.  Idea  in  program  is  to  recruit  residents. 


Television  is  promoting  adoptions  in  California,  according  to  Ameri 
can  Academy  of  Pediatrics.  Los  Angeles  County  Department  of  Adopti 
goes  on  air  weekly  to  show  off  "special  needs"  youngsters  such  as  t 
handicapped.  Program  has  paid  off  with  202  adoptions  out  of  282 
children  appearing  on  TV.  Similar  efforts  will  soon  be  made  in  New 
York,  Washington,  Kansas  City,  and  San  Francisco. 


Volume  XI 
Number  4 
April  1970 


• EDITOR 

William  M.  Dabney,  M.D. 

• ASSOCIATE  EDITORS 
George  H.  Martin,  M.D. 
Thomas  W.  Wesson,  M.D. 

• MANAGING  EDITOR 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 

• EDITORIAL  CONSULTANT 
Betty  M.  Sadler 

• EDITORIAL  ASSISTANT 
Nola  Gibson 

• PUBLICATIONS  COMMITTEE 
Lawrence  W.  Long,  M.D. 

Chairman 

Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr.,  M.D. 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
and  the  editors 

• THE  ASSOCIATION 
James  L.  Royals,  M.D. 

President 

Paul  B.  Brumby,  M.D. 

President-elect 
Walter  H.  Simmons,  M.D. 

Secretary-Treasurer 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
Speaker 

John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Vice  Speaker 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 
H.  C.  Harrell 
Executive  Assistant 


CONTENTS 


ORIGINAL  PAPER 

Management  of  Posterior 
Segment  Intraocular 

Foreign  Bodies  149  Morton  F.  Goldberg, 

M.D. 


SPECIAL  ARTICLE 

Radiologic  Seminar 
XCIV  Intravenous 

Cholangiography  160  James  B.  Barlow,  M.D. 


ANNUAL  SESSION 

Complete  Program  163  Four  Days  in  May 

Handbook  of  the  House 

of  Delegates  1 87  Advance  Reports 


EDITORIALS 

Professional 

Corporations: 

They’re  Here!  191  Our  New  Law 

Complete  Care  of  the 

Whole  Man  193  Medicine  and  Religion 

Malthus  and 

Meat  Analogs  193  Ersatz,  But  Good! 


The  Journal  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  is  owned  and  pub- 
lished by  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association,  founded  1856.  Editorial,  ex- 
ecutive, and  business  offices,  735  Riverside 
Drive,  Jackson,  Mississippi  39216;  office 
of  publication,  1201-5  Bluff  Street,  Fulton, 
Missouri  65251.  Subscription  rate,  $7.50 
per  annum;  $1  per  copy,  as  available.  Ad- 
vertising rates  furnished  on  request. 
Second-class  postage  paid  at  the  post  office 
at  Fulton,  Missouri. 


THIS  MONTH 

The  President  Speaking  190  Continuum  of  Crisis 


Medical  Organization  198  Pharmacy  School  Museum 


Copyright  1970,  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


SCIENCES  LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  MARYLAND 
BALTIMORE 


6 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  APRIL  1970 


MSBH  Has  Social 
Services  Supervisor 

Dr.  H.  B.  Cottrell,  executive  officer,  Missis- 
sippi State  Board  of  Health,  has  announced  the 
appointment  of  a supervisor  of  social  services 
for  the  State  Board  of  Health. 

He  said  the  newly-created  post  will  be  filled 
by  Miss  Geraldine  Parish,  formerly  with  the  Fam- 
ily and  Children’s  Services  of  the  Mississippi  De- 
partment of  Public  Welfare. 

“The  development  of  a Social  Service  Unit  in 
the  State  Board  of  Health  can  be  invaluable  in 
the  coordination  and  delivery  of  health  services,” 
said  Dr.  Cottrell. 

“Social  workers,”  he  said,  “can  assist  in  the  in- 
terpretation of  services  to  patients  and  in  inter- 
preting the  needs  of  the  patients  to  the  health 
workers. 

‘They  can  provide  assistance  in  working  with 
other  agencies — public  and  private — in  planning 
for  patients.  They  may  participate  in  training 
programs  for  nurses,  mental  health  programs, 
chronic-illness  programs,  family  planning,  special 
clinics  and  related  services. 

“The  social  worker  can  assist  the  county 
health  departments  in  organizing  community 


groups  for  the  promotion  of  a specific  health 
service. 

“Adding  the  dimension  of  social  services  will, 
I’m  sure,  result  in  more  effective  delivery  of 
comprehensive  health  services  to  Mississippians 
throughout  the  state.” 

Miss  Parish  has  already  participated  in  neurol- 
ogy clinics  in  Meridian,  Hattiesburg,  Greenville, 
Indianola  and  Greenwood,  working  under  the 
medical  direction  of  Dr.  Frank  M.  Wiygul,  Jr., 
director  of  the  Division  of  General  Health  Ser- 
vices, State  Board  of  Health. 

She  is  currently  involved  in  assisting  in  plan- 
ning a pilot  project  in  Warren  County  for  medical 
screening  of  all  persons  under  21  who  qualify  for 
Medicaid.  After  the  pilot  project  gets  underway 
in  March,  the  service  will  be  extended  to  all  un- 
der 21  in  the  state  who  are  eligible  for  Medicaid. 

Miss  Parish  is  a graduate  of  the  Tulane  School 
of  Social  Work,  from  which  she  holds  a Master 
of  Social  Work  degree.  While  with  the  Missis- 
sippi Department  of  Public  Welfare,  she  served 
as  coordinator  of  children’s  services  in  the  Fam- 
ily and  Children’s  Services  Division. 

Miss  Parish  is  active  in  the  Magnolia  Chapter 
of  the  National  Association  of  Social  Workers  and 
is  a member  of  the  Academy  of  Certified  Social 
Workers.  She  is  president-elect  of  the  Mississippi 
Conference  on  Social  Welfare. 


HIGHLAND  HOSPITAL 

Asheville,  North  Carolina 

FOUNDED  1904 

A DIVISION  OF  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  PSYCHIATRY  OF  DUKE  UNIVERSITY 

Accredited  by  the  Joint  Commission  on  Accreditation  and  Certified  for  Medicare 

Complete  facilities  for  evaluation  and  intensive  treatment  of  psychiatric  patients,  including  individual  psycho- 
therapy, group  therapy,  psychodrama,  electro-convulsive  therapy,  Indoklon  convulsive  therapy,  drugs,  social  ser- 
vice work  with  families,  family  therapy  and  an  extensive  and  well  organized  activities  program,  including  oc- 
cupational therapy,  art  therapy,  music  therapy,  athletic  activities  and  games,  recreational  activities  and  outings.  The 
treatment  program  of  each  patient  is  carefully  supervised  in  order  that  the  therapeutic  needs  of  each  patient  may 
be  realized. 

High  school  facilities  for  a limited  number  of  appropriate  patients  are  now  available  on  grounds.  The  School 
Program  is  fully  integrated  into  the  hospital  treatment  program  and  is  accredited  through  the  Asheville  School 
System. 

Complete  modern  facilities  with  85  acres  of  landscaped  and  wooded  grounds  in  the  City  of  Asheville. 

Brochures  and  information  on  financial  arrangements  available 
Contact:  (1)  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Harkins,  ACSW,  Coordinator  of  Admissions 

or 

(2)  Samuel  N.  Workman,  M.D.  (3)  Charles  W.  Neville,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Chief  of  Clinical  Services  Assistant  Professor  of  Psychiatry 

and  Medical  Director 
Area  Code  704-254-3201 


April  1970 


. ar  Doctor: 

I v.  John  Bell  Williams  signed  the  association's  professional  cor- 
: ration  bill/  HB  48,  into  law  on  March  17*  Measure  permits  phy- 
i cians  to  set  up  tax-qualified  corporations  under  state  and  fed- 
-al  statutes,  enjoying  benefits  of  retirement  plans,  group  life 
d health  insurance,  sick  leave,  and  tax-free  death  benefits, 
e lead  editorial  in  this  issue  for  report. 

Association-sponsored  enactment  provides  for  solo  M.D. 's 
incorporation.  Other  benefits  in  excellent  law  impart 
rights  under  Mississippi  Business  Corporation  Act  to 
professional  corporations.  But  caution  is  urged  in  set- 
ting up  corporations  which  must  comply  with  federal  law. 

:n.  Gaylord  Nelson  (D. ,Wis.)  was  charged  by  head  of  birth  control 
Iganization  as  "causing  100,000  unwanted  pregnancies. 11  Nelson 
bcommittee  conducted  loaded  hearing  on  The  Pill,  and  FDA  obe- 
i ently  took  up  cudgel  and  ordered  warnings  to  patients  in  oral 
:ntraceptive  package  inserts.  Precedent-shattering  move  con- 
:itutes  invasion  by  government  in  physician-patient  relation. 

W Undersecretary  John  Veneman  advocates  amendments  to  Medicare 
Id  Medicaid  imposing  fee  schedules  on  physicians  and  hospitals, 
neman  would  pay  75th  percentile  of  1969  rate.  Unexpected  op- 
sition  came  from  organized  labor  when  California  union  chief 
m Moore  said  "we  don't  want  wage  controls  on  doctors  any  more 
.an  we  would  want  wage  controls  on  union  members." 

0 more  state  medical  associations  are  taking  over  Medicaid  fis- 
.1  administration  from  health  insurance  and  prepayment  plans, 
dical  Association  of  Georgia,  an  original  CHAMPUS  administrator , 
in  business,  while  New  Mexico  Medical  Society  begins  in  summer 
ter  restaffing  and  acquiring  computer.  Arrangements  were  made 
' association  officers  with  Assistant  HEW  Secretary  Egeberg. 

ugh  new  regulations  have  been  adopted  on  reporting  payments  to 
‘oviders  of  services  under  Medicaid^  Now  required  are  annual  re- 
rts  to  IRS  on  identity  of  providers  receiving  more  than  $600. 
gulations  also  call  for  sample  verification  with  recipients  that 
rvices  paid  were  actually  received. 


Sincerely, 


Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 


TO 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  APRIL  1970 


One  of  seven  dosage  forms 

Thorazine 

“Chlorpromazine  HCI 

Spansule 

■ brand  of  sustained  release  capsules 


Available  in  30  mg.,  75  mg.,  150  mg.,  200  mg.  and  300  mg.  strengths. 


Smith  Kline  & French  Laboratories 
Philadelphia,  Pa.  19101 


MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 


Wrong  Tables  May 
Cause  Overpayment 

So  far  this  year  756  taxpayers  in  Mississippi 
have  used  the  wrong  tax  table  or  rate  schedule  in 
computing  their  1969  Federal  income  tax. 

Not  only  have  refunds  been  delayed  but  many 
taxpayers  have  overpaid  their  income  tax  as  a 
result,  reports  J.  G.  Martin,  Jr.,  district  director  of 
Internal  Revenue  for  Mississippi. 

The  problem  occurs  when  a married  taxpayer 
filing  a joint  return  uses  the  tax  table  for  either 
married  couples  filing  separately  or  for  single  per- 
sons. Frequently,  single  taxpayers  use  the  tables 
for  married  taxpayers  by  mistake. 

There  are  separate  tax  tables  for  single  per- 
sons, unmarried  heads  of  household,  married 
couples  filing  jointly  and  married  couples  filing 
separate  returns.  Mr.  Martin  urged  Mississippi  tax- 
payers to  use  the  right  one  to  avoid  mistakes. 

Computation  from  the  wrong  tax  table  results 


1 1 

in  the  wrong  tax  due.  Some  taxpayers,  as  a result 
of  the  error,  receive  a smaller,  or  larger  refund 
and  others  receive  a bill  for  additional  tax. 

Another  major  reason  for  refund  delay  is  the 
failure  of  taxpayers  to  include  their  correct  Social 
Security  number. 

So  far  this  year,  196  refunds  have  been  de- 
layed in  Mississippi  because  of  incorrect  or  miss- 
ing Social  Security  numbers,  he  reported. 

Other  refunds  are  being  held  up  for  a variety 
of  other  errors  or  failures  to  follow  instructions 
that  are  included  with  the  returns. 

So  far  errors  in  arithmetic  are  causing  delay  in 
sending  refunds  to  415  taxpayers  in  Mississippi. 

Through  last  week,  there  were  1,061  tax  re- 
turns filed  without  signatures,  including  those  of 
husband  or  wife  on  joint  returns.  These  have  to 
be  sent  back  to  the  taxpayers  before  refunds  can 
be  processed. 

Mr.  Martin  said  20,381  taxpayers  in  Mississippi 
have  received  refunds  totaling  $3,699,120.45 
since  Jan. 


C/tes  t 

HOSPITAL 

(Formerly  Hill  Crest  Sanitarium) 


7000  5TH  AVENUE  SOUTH 
Box  2896,  Woodlawn  Station 
Birmingham,  Alabama  35212 
Phone:  205-836-7201 


A patient  centered 
independent  hospital  for 
intensive  treatment  of 
nervous  disorders  . . . 

Hill  Crest  Hospital  was  estab- 
lished in  1925  as  Hill  Crest 
Sanitarium  to  provide  private 
psychiatric  treatment  of  ner- 
vous or  mental  disorders.  Indi- 
vidual patient  care  has  been 
the  theme  during  its  44  years 
of  service. 

Both  male  and  female  pa- 


tients are  accepted  and  depart- 
mentalized care  is  provided  ac- 
cording to  sex  and  the  degree 
of  illness. 


In  addition  to  the  psychiatric 
staff,  consultants  are  available 
in  all  medical  specialities. 


MEDICAL  DIRECTOR: 

James  A.  Becton,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 

CLINICAL  DIRECTORS: 

James  K.  Ward,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 
Hardin  M.  Ritchey,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 


HILL  CREST  is  a member  of: 

AMERICAN  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
. . . NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  PRI- 
VATE PSYCHIATRIC  HOSPITALS  . . . 
ALABAMA  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
BIRMINGHAM  REGIONAL  HOSPITAL 
COUNCIL. 

Hill  Crest  is  fully  accredited  by  the  Joint 
Commission  on  Accreditation  of  Hospitals 
and  is  also  approved  for  Medicare  pa- 
tients. 


HOSPITAL 

BIRMINGHAM,  ALABAMA 


4 


Tetrex  bidCAPS  controls  susceptible  bacteria 
on  an  easy  b.i.d.  schedule  at  a cost  lower  than 
all  other  “convenience  dosage”  tetracyclines. 


PRESCRIBING  INFORMATION.  For  complete  information  consult 
Official  Package  Circular.  Tet.  Comb.  1-7/17/67.  Indications:  Infections 
of  respiratory,  gastrointestinal  and  genitourinary  tracts  and  skin  and  soft 
tissues  due  to  tetracycline-sensitive  organisms.  Contraindications:  The 
drug  is  contraindicated  in  individuals  hypersensitive  to  tetracycline 
Warnings:  Photodynamic  reactions  have  been  produced  by  tetracyclines.' 
Natural  and  artificial  sunlight  should  be  avoided  during  therapy.  Stop 
treatment  if  skin  discomfort  occurs.  With  renal  impairment,  systemic 
accumulation  and  hepatotox- 
icity  may  occur.  In  this  situa- 
tion, lower  doses  should  be 
used.  Tooth  staining  and 
enamel  hypoplasia  may  be  in- 
duced during  tooth  develop- 
ment (last  trimeter  of  preg- 
nancy, neonatal  period  and 


IcfrcXlririCAI’S 

(TETRACYCLINE  PHOSPHATE  COMPLEX) 


childhood).  Precautions:  Mycotic  or  bacterial  superinfection  may  o 
Infants  may  develop  increased  intracranial  pressure  with  bulging 
tanels.  In  gonorrheal  therapy,  serologic  tests  for  syphilis  should  be 
ducted  initially  and  monthly  for  4 months.  Adverse  Reactions:  Glos 
stomatitis,  nausea,  diarrhea,  flatulence,  proctitis,  vaginitis,  derma 
and  allergic  reactions  may  occur.  Usual  Adult  Dose:  1 Gm./day  in 
4 divided  doses.  Continue  therapy  for  10  days  in  Group  A Beta-h< 
lytic  streptococcal  infections.  Administer  one  hour  before  or  2 h 

®after  meals.  Supplied:  ( 
sules— 250  mg.  in  bottles  c 
and  100.  bidCAPS-500  m 
bottles  of  16  and  50. 

A.H.F.S.  Category 
BRISTOL 
LABORATORIES 


BRISTOL 


Division  of  Bristol-Myers  C< 
Syracuse,  New  York  13201 


• ' 


a g Spots  End  Washington  - TV  networks  get  a last  bonanza 

; Cash  Blast  on  cigarette  advertising  with  change  of  one 

day  on  permanent  ban  by  the  House  and  Senate, 
flaw  was  delayed  one  day,  becoming  effective  Jan.  2,  1971, 
’itting  all-out  swan  song  by  tobacco  manufacturers  in  bowl 
i telecasts  New  Years  Bay.  Compromise  law  can't  touch  printed 
.but  will  require  tougher  package  warning  on  fags. 


s are  White  New  York  - A Health  Insurance  Institute  study 
l ar  Killers  concludes  that  office  workers  are  surrounded 

bby  potential  assassins,  chairs,  stairs,  file 
ets,  and  elevators.  Five-year  survey  disclosed  that  falls  in 
es  are  leading  cause  of  injury  and  disability  for  employees 
his  order:  Falls  in  corridors,  chairs,  stairs,  escalators, 

elevators.  Study  also  showed  that  employees  themselves  are 
^onsible  for  mishaps,  rather  than  faulty  equipment. 

i Administrators  Washington  - Administrators  of  nursing  homes 
; Be  Licensed  and  extended  care  facilities  must  be  licensed 

by  states  on  July  1,  1970,  if  facility  is  to 
.ify  for  Medicaid  payments.  Requirement  leaves  licensure  to 
;es  as  well  as  minimum  qualifications  for  licensing.  Federal 
ilation  has  one-year  grandfather  clause  as  well  as  two-year 
risional  licensure  during  which  applicant  may  qualify. 


lents  Hit  $71  Jackson  - Health  insurance  and  prepayment  paid 
Lion  in  State  Mississippians  $71  million  in  benefits  during 

1969,  reports  the  Health  Insurance  Institute, 
lercial  companies  paid  $43.4  million,  while  Blue  plan  and  other 
governmental  sources  paid  just  over  $27  million.  HII  says  that 
million  Mississippians  under  65  had  coverage  last  year  for  medi- 
care. Other  findings  showed  average  daily  hospital  census  of 
)0  patients  and  300,000  admissions  during  '69  for  Mississippi. 


. Tax  Proposed  Atlanta  - Former  FBA  chief  James  Goddard  has 
Addiction  Care  proposed  a penny-a-pill  tax  on  tranquilizers 

and  stimulants  to  pay  for  care  of  drug  abuse 
.ents  and  to  finance  nation-wide  education  program.  Dr.  Goddard 
\ that  unique  tax  would  raise  $160  million  annually.  Observers 
>d  that  extension  of  tax  to  every  pill  listed  as  subject  to  abuse 
Ld  produce  upwards  of  $500  million  per  year. 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  MARCH  1970 


1 4 

Individual’s  Health 
Burden  Eased 

In  a time  when  annual  medical  care  expendi- 
tures have  soared  to  $60.3  billion,  the  govern- 
ment’s health  care  programs  are  significantly  eas- 
ing the  individual’s  financial  burden,  according  to 
a chart  booklet  on  medical  costs  published  by  the 
Social  Security  Administration. 

The  booklet,  “The  Size  and  Shape  of  the 
Medical  Care  Dollar,”  was  prepared  by  the  Ad- 
ministration’s Office  of  Research  and  Statistics 
and  covers  the  period  from  1950  through  the 
end  of  fiscal  year  1969. 

As  detailed  in  the  booklet’s  charts,  medical 
care  expenditures  during  that  19-year  period  in 
the  United  States  have  increased  almost  five 
times  over,  markedly  climbing  from  the  $12.1  bil- 
lion that  was  spent  on  health  care  in  1950.  To- 
day’s medical  care  dollars  now  account  for  a 6.7 
per  cent  share  of  the  Gross  National  Product;  in 
1950,  medical  expenses  made  up  4.6  per  cent 
of  the  GNP. 

At  the  same  time,  however,  it  is  noted  that  the 


percentage  of  medical  costs  borne  by  the  indi- 
vidual has  actually  decreased  in  the  last  several 
years — and  especially  since  1966 — after  enact- 
ment of  Medicare  and  Medicaid. 

Throughout  the  36-page  booklet,  the  Social 
Security  Administration  takes  note  of  “rising 
health  costs,”  and  at  one  point  lists  10  steps  that 
the  Federal  Government  is  taking  to  “insure  that 
the  nation  gets  more  for  its  health  dollar.” 

Among  those  steps  are  included  the  use  of 
stricter  guidelines  for  hospitals  and  nursing  homes 
which  are  participating  in  the  Medicare  program, 
and  the  promotion  of  less  expensive  alternatives 
to  inpatient  medical  care  for  individuals  who 
would  benefit  from  more  economical  care. 

The  chart  booklet  notes  that  the  largest 
growth  in  medical  spending  from  1950  was  due 
to  increases  in  prices  of  everything  from  hos- 
pital services  to  doctors’  fees. 

As  noted  in  the  text  accompanying  one  of  the 
booklet’s  charts,  “A  dollar  of  health  care  spent 
today  does  not  go  nearly  as  far  in  paying  for  a 
day  of  care  or  a unit  of  service  as  it  would  have 
several  years  ago.”  In  fact,  from  1965  to  1968, 
medical  care  prices  jumped  almost  twice  as  fast 
as  prices  for  all  consumer  items. 


LAKELAND  NURSING  CENTER 

“MISSISSIPPI’S  NEWEST” 


A 105  BED  EXTENDED  CARE  FACILITY,  MEDICARE  APPROVED,  EQUIPPED  FOR  REHABILI- 
TATION OF  THE  SICK  WITH  PHYSICAL  THERAPY,  INHALATION  THERAPY,  SPEECH  THER- 
APY AND  OCCUPATIONAL  THERAPY.  OPEN  STAFF.  FULL  TIME  MEDICAL  DIRECTOR  AND 
EMERGENCY  MEDICAL  CALL  COVERAGE. 


For  Admission  Call: 

WILLIAM  F.  KLIESCH,  M.D. 
MEDICAL  DIRECTOR  AND  ADMINISTRATOR 
3680  LAKELAND  LANE 
JACKSON,  MISSISSIPPI 
DIAL  982-5505 


Symptoms  subside 
in  48  to  72  hours! 

Itching,  burning,  discharge, 
and  malodor  disappear  rapidly... 
patient’s  embarrassment,  too. 

Avoids  the 
disappointment 
of  “the  cure 
that  didn’t  take.” 

Candeptin  is“cidal"as  well  as“static,” 
it  is  100  times  more  potent  in  vitro 
than  nystatin,2  and  it  has  achieved 
culture-confirmed  cure  rates  of 
90%  and  more3  (even  in  notoriously 
d iff icu It-to-treat  pregnant  patients)!-3'4 

And  two  weeks  does  it. 

Usually,  Candeptin  cures  in 
a single  14-day  course  of  therapy.3 


the  fortnight  fungicide 

Candeptin 

candicidin 

Vaginal  Tablets/Ointment 

Formula:  CANDEPTIN  Vaginal  Ointment  con- 
tains a dispersion  of  candicidin  powder  equiva- 
lent to  0.6  mg.  per  gm.  orO  06%  candicidin  activity 
in  U.S.P.  petrolatum.  3 mg.  of  candicidin  is  con- 
tained in  5 gm.  of  ointment  or  one  applicatorful. 
CANDEPTIN  Vaginal  Tablets  contain  candicidin 
powder  equivalent  to  3 mg.  (0.3%)  candicidin  ac- 
tivity dispersed  in  starch,  lactose  and  magnesium 
stearate. 

Indications:  Vaginal  moniliasis  due  to  Candida 
albicans  and  other  Candida  species. 

Contraindications:  Patient  sensitivity  to  any 
of  the  components.  During  pregnancy  manual 
tablet  insertion  may  be  preferred  since  the  use  of 
the  ointment  applicator  or  tablet  inserter  may  be 
contraindicated. 

Caution:  Clinical  reports  of  sensitization  or  tem- 
porary irritation  with  CANDEPTIN  Vaginal  Oint- 
ment or  Vaginal  Tablets  have  been  extremely 
rare.  To  avoid  reinfection,  it  is  recommended  that 
the  patient  refrain  from  sexual  intercourse  during 
treatment  or  the  husband  wear  a condom. 
Dosage:  One  vaginal  applicatorful  of  CAN- 
DEPTIN Ointment  or  one  Vaginal  Tablet  is 
inserted  high  in  the  vagina,  twice  a day,  in  the 
morning  and  at  bedtime,  for  14  days.  Treatment 
may  be  repeated  if  symptoms  persist  or  reappear. 
Dosage  forms:  CANDEPTIN  Vaginal  Ointment 
is  supplied  in  75  gm.  tubes  with  applicator  (14- 
day  regimen  requires  2 tubes)  CANDEPTIN  Vag- 
inal Tablets  are  packaged  in  boxes  of  28,  in  foil, 
with  inserter  — enough  for  a full  course  of  treat- 
ment. Store  under  refrigeration. 

Federal  law  prohibits  dispensing  without  pre- 
scription. CANDEPTIN  is  a registered  trade-mark 
of  Julius  Schmid,  Inc. 

References:  1.  Olsen,  J R.  Journal-Lancet 
85  287  (July)  1965  2 Lechevalier,  H : Antibiotics 
Annual  1959-1960,  New  York,  Antibiotica,  Inc., 
1960,  pp  614-618  3.  Giorlando,  S.  W„  Torres,  J.  F„ 
and  Muscillo,  G Am  J Obst  & Gynec.  90  370 
(Oct.  1)  1964.  4.  Friedel,  H J.:  Maryland  M.  J. 
75  36  (Feb.)  1966. 


Julius  Schmid  Pharmaceuticals 
423  West  55th  Street 
New  York,  N.Y.  10019 


Few  Tax  Changes 
Affect  1969  Returns 

Receipts  of  individual  tax  returns  are  down 
nine  per  cent  from  last  year,  announced  J.  G. 
Martin,  Jr.,  District  Director  of  Internal  Revenue 
Service.  Only  8.1  million  federal  income  tax  re- 
turns had  been  filed  by  mid-February. 

Many  taxpayers  appear  to  be  needlessly  de- 
laying their  refunds  by  waiting  for  additional  in- 
structions on  the  new  tax  law.  Most  of  the 
changes  made  by  the  Tax  Reform  Act  of  1969 
relate  to  1970  and  later  years,  and  affect  only  a 
small  percentage  of  individual  income  tax  re- 
turns for  1969,  Martin  said. 

Changes  affecting  returns  for  1969  that  must 
be  filed  by  April  15  involve  living  expenses  paid 
by  insurance  as  a result  of  home  damage  or  de- 
struction; sales  of  collections  of  letters,  memos, 
etc.;  gains  from  certain  installment  sales;  de- 
preciation and  amortization;  and  investment 
credit. 

Under  the  new  law  a taxpayer  whose  home  is 
damaged  by  storm,  fire,  or  other  casualty  does 
not  have  to  pay  tax  on  the  insurance  proceeds 
he  receives  for  temporary  living  expenses.  The 
amount  not  subject  to  tax  is  limited  to  actual  ex- 
penses that  are  over  and  above  normal  living  ex- 
penses. 

Gains  from  sales  made  by  a taxpayer  after 
July  25,  1969,  of  collections  of  letters  and  docu- 
ments that  were  created  by  or  for  him  will  be 
taxed  as  ordinary  income  rather  than  capital 
gains. 

Sales  of  real  property  and  casual  sales  of  per- 
sonal property  made  after  May  27,  1969,  for  a 
price  of  more  than  $1,000  are  subject  to  new 
rules  in  cases  when  the  seller  reports  his  gain  in 
installments  extending  over  two  or  more  years. 

The  investment  credit  in  most  cases  ended 
April  18,  1969;  however,  the  investment  credit 
is  available  for  property  bought,  built  or  rebuilt 
under  a binding  contract  entered  into  before  April 
19,  1969,  or  in  certain  other  transitional  sit- 
uations. 

The  use  of  accelerated  depreciation  of  real 
property  acquired  after  July  24,  1969,  has  been 
limited,  but  a 60-month  write-off  of  air  or  water 
pollution  control  facilities  has  been  added  for 
1969  returns. 

Taxpayers  concerned  with  these  matters  for 
their  1969  returns  may  find  it  helpful  to  obtain  a 
new  publication  “Highlights  of  1969  Changes  in 
the  Tax  Law” — IRS  Publication  553 — available 
free  from  IRS  district  offices. 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  APRIL  1970 


1 8 


Each  tablet  contains 
erythromycin  esioiaie 
equivalent  to  125  mg. 
erythromycin  base. 


Each  5 cc.  contain 
erythromycin  estolate 
equivalent  to  250  mg. 
erythromycin  base. 


When  mixed  as  directed, 
each  5 cc.  will  contain  erythromycii 
estolate  equivalent  to  125  mg. 
erythromycin  base. 


When  mixed  as 
JF  directed,  each  cc. 

will  contain 
erythromycin  estolate 
equivalent  to  100  mg. 
erythromycin  base. 


Each  5 cc.  contain 
erythromycin  estolate 
equivalent  to  125  mg. 
erythromycin  base. 


The  many 
forms 
of  llosone 

Erythromycin  Estolate 


Each  Pulvule®  contains 
erythromycin  estolate 
equivalent  to  125  mg. 
erythromycin  base. 


Additional  

available  upon  request. 

Eli  Lilly  and  Company 
Indianapolis,  Indiana  46206 


Each  Pulvule  contains 
erythromycin  estolate 
equivalent  to  250  mg. 
erythromycin  base. 


900761 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

April  1970,  Vol.  XI,  No.  4 


Management  of  Posterior  Segment 
Intraocular  Foreign  Bodies 

MORTON  F.  GOLDBERG,  M.D, 

Arlington,  Virginia 


Management  of  posterior  segment  intraocular 
foreign  bodies  has  always  been  complex.  Al- 
though recent  technical  advances  have  facilitated 
the  extraction  of  such  objects,  the  prognosis  for 
retention  of  an  eye  and  for  restoration  of  normal 
visual  acuity  remains  guarded  even  in  the  most 
favorable  circumstances.  Optimal  clinical  man- 
agement depends  upon  the  following  factors:  (1) 
accurate  localization  of  the  foreign  body;  (2) 
knowledge  of  its  composition;  (3)  awareness  of 
the  extent  of  the  ocular  trauma;  (4)  the  proper 
decision  on  whether  to  remove  the  foreign  body 
or  to  leave  it  in  situ;  and  (5)  once  undertaken, 
technical  excellence  in  the  actual  removal  of  the 
foreign  body.1 

The  possibility  of  a retained  intraocular  for- 
eign body  should  be  considered  in  every  perfo- 
rating ocular  injury.1  Retained  foreign  bodies  can 
lodge  anywhere  on  the  surface  of  the  globe  or 
within  its  wall,  or  can  be  buried  within  any  of  its 
various  intraocular  tissues.  Common  sites  for  re- 


Consultant  in  Ophthalmology,  Neurological  and  Sensory 
Disease  Control  Program,  U.  S.  Public  Health  Service. 
Presented  in  part  at  the  101st  Annual  Session  of  the 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association,  Biloxi,  May  15, 
1969. 


tained  intraocular  foreign  bodies  are  as  follows: 
anterior  chamber,  15  per  cent;  lens,  8 per  cent; 
posterior  segment,  70  per  cent;  and  orbit  (double 


Recent  technical  advances  have  facilitat- 
ed the  extraction  of  posterior  segment  intra- 
ocular foreign  bodies.  However,  the  prog- 
nosis for  retention  of  the  eye  and  for  restora- 
tion of  normal  visual  acuity  remains  guard- 
ed even  in  the  most  favorable  circumstances. 
The  author  discusses  the  factors  involved  in 
optimal  clinical  management:  localization 
of  the  foreign  body,  knowledge  of  its  com- 
position, awareness  of  the  extent  of  the  ocu- 
lar trauma,  the  proper  decision  on  whether 
or  not  to  remove  the  foreign  body  and  the 
technique  required  in  removal. 


perforation),  7 per  cent.2  The  detection  of  a sin- 
gle foreign  body  in  any  one  of  these  locations 
should  not  provide  a sense  of  false  security,  since 
multiple  intraocular  foreign  bodies  are  not  un- 
common. This  is  particularly  true  in  modern  in- 


APRIL  1970 


149 


INTRAOCULAR  BODIES  / Goldberg 

dustrial  and  military  accidents  in  which  the  eye 
may  be  subject  to  a barrage  of  missiles  from  ex- 
plosions and  other  incidents. 

Although  there  are  many  techniques  for  indi- 
rect demonstration  of  an  intraocular  location,  the 
most  important  single  maneuver  in  the  determi- 
nation of  appropriate  therapy  for  any  patient  is 
direct  visualization  of  the  foreign  body.  This  is 
particularly  important,  because  double  perfora- 
tion of  the  globe  may  have  occurred.  In  such 
cases,  it  is  sometimes  difficult  to  know,  in  the 
presence  of  opaque  ocular  media,  whether  or  not 
the  foreign  body  remains  inside  the  eye.  If  one 
has  direct  visualization  of  the  foreign  body,  how- 
ever, there  is  no  doubt  as  to  its  location,  and  sub- 
sequent decisions  regarding  possible  removal  can 
be  made  more  easily. 

IMPORTANT  MANEUVERS 

Since  a penetrating  injury  complicated  by  an 
intraocular  foreign  body  results  in  post-traumatic 
inflammatory  processes,  many  of  which  tend  to 
cloud  the  ocular  media,  certain  immediate  ma- 
neuvers should  be  performed  upon  examining  the 
patient.  Immediate  and  maximum  pupillary  dila- 
tation is  probably  the  most  important.  Because  of 
the  complicating  factors  of  post-traumatic  miosis, 
iridocyclitis,  cataract,  vitreous  hemorrhage  or  in- 
flammation, or  hypotony,  the  first  examiner  is 
sometimes  the  only  person  who  has  an  opportuni- 
ty to  examine  through  clear  ocular  media.  Any 
delay  in  visualization  of  the  posterior  segment 
can  result  in  failure  to  detect  the  presence  of  an 
intraocular  foreign  body,  a double  perforation,  or 
associated  intraocular  injuries  such  as  ricochet 
wounds  in  the  retina  or  trauma  to  the  macula  or 
optic  nerve. 

Severe  iritis  can  occur  within  minutes  or  hours 
following  trauma,  and  a profuse  collection  of  in- 
flammatory debris  can  obscure  a small  pupil  and 
contribute  to  early  posterior  synechiae  in  a state 
of  pupillary  miosis.  Traumatic  cataract  formation 
can  similarly  occur  within  minutes  or  hours,  and 
an  initially  transparent  lens,  which  allows  careful 
inspection  of  the  posterior  segment,  can  progress 
to  a totally  opaque  structure,  which  precludes 
any  accurate  determination  of  the  state  of  the 
posterior  segment  of  the  eye.  In  addition,  an  early 
vitreous  hemorrhage  may  be  confined  to  one  area 
of  the  vitreous  chamber,  but  the  effects  of  time, 
gravity,  and  motion  of  the  globe  may  all  con- 
tribute towards  dissemination  of  the  blood  within 
the  vitreous  chamber,  with  subsequent  and  con- 
sequent loss  of  transparency  and  visibility. 


With  regard  to  immediate  visualization  of  the 
posterior  segment  of  the  eye,  binocular  indirect 
ophthalmoscopy  remains  the  best  and  most  im- 
mediately available  technique.  The  power  of  the 
illuminating  bulb,  the  ability  to  achieve  stereop- 
sis,  and  the  capacity  to  examine  most,  if  not  all, 
of  the  posterior  segment  make  the  binocular  in- 
direct ophthalmoscope  indispensible  for  an  accu- 
rate and  complete  diagnosis.  Although  the  mo- 
nocular, direct  ophthalmoscope  is  useful  in  cer- 
tain circumstances,  it  does  not  approach  the  use- 
fulness and  versatility  of  the  binocular  indirect 
ophthalmoscope.  This  is  particularly  true  when 
the  ocular  media  have  already  become  partially 
opaque.  Occasionally,  the  slit  lamp,  with  or  with- 
out use  of  a three-mirror  contact  lens,  is  useful  in 
locating  foreign  bodies  in  the  anterior  or  periph- 
eral vitreous  chamber. 

Indirect  demonstration  of  intraocular  foreign 
bodies  is  rarely  as  convincing  as  direct  visualiza-  i 
tion  but  occasionally  is  highly  useful  because  of 
the  presence  of  totally  opaque  ocular  media. 
There  are  three  general  types  of  indirect  demon- 
stration of  intraocular  foreign  bodies:  (1)  radio- 
logic  procedures;  (2)  foreign  body  locators;  and 
(3)  ultrasonic  probes. 

ORBITAL  RADIOGRAPHS 

Routine,  plain,  orbital  radiographs  can  occa- 
sionally be  very  useful,  even  in  the  presence  of 
small  foreign  bodies,  if  certain  precautions  are 
observed  in  obtaining  them.  Whenever  possible, 
new  cassettes  should  be  utilized,  because  older, 
extensively  used  cassettes  frequently  have  a vari- 
ety of  small  radiopaque  markings  from  accumu- 
lated debris  or  mishandling,  and  the  final  x-ray 
often  shows  artifacts  simulating  intraocular  or  in- 
traorbital foreign  bodies.  If  new  cassettes  are  un- 
available and  a foreign  body  appears  to  be  pres- 
ent, the  same  view  should  be  repeated  with  a dif- 
ferent cassette.  This  will  have  a different  set  of 
artifacts,  but  should  not  reproduce  any  suspicious 
radiopacity  seen  on  the  initial  film.  Two  radio- 
logic  views  are  useful  in  the  detection  of  intra- 
ocular foreign  bodies:  An  anteroposterior  view 
and  Belot’s  modified  lateral  view,  which  imposes 
only  the  shadow  of  the  thinned  lateral  wall  of  the 
bony  orbit  upon  the  area  of  the  globe.2 

The  A-P  view  and  modified  lateral  view 
should  be  repeated  with  the  eyes  in  a new  posi- 
tion of  gaze,  either  maximum  supraduction  or 
maximum  infraduction.  To  prevent  artifactitious 
movement  of  the  foreign  body,  the  patient’s  head 
can  be  immobilized  with  a bite-board.  If  there  is 
no  shift  in  position  of  the  foreign  body  on  maxi- 
mum change  in  gaze,  it  is  unlikely  that  it  lies 


150 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


within  the  globe.  On  the  other  hand,  if  the  foreign 
body  does,  in  fact,  shift,  it  can  be  either  intra- 
ocular in  location  or  can  be  attached  to  the  out- 
side wall  of  the  eye  or  to  one  of  the  extraocular 


muscles. 


In  all  such  x-ray  studies,  fixation  and  immobil- 
ity of  the  head  are  of  paramount  importance, 
since  motion  blurs  the  image  of  a foreign  body.  If 
the  foreign  body  is  small,  its  image  may  be  ob- 
scured against  the  background  of  radiopaque 
bony  tissues.  Similarly,  a short  exposure  time 
(preferably  less  than  0.5  seconds),  a short  film 
distance  designed  to  minimize  distortion  (about 
24  inches),  fast  film,  and  soft  x-rays  (so  that  the 
cornea-air  interface  can  be  seen  on  lateral  views) 
will  all  maximize  the  ability  to  detect  foreign 
bodies  whose  density  would  otherwise  make  ra- 
diologic demonstration  difficult.  If  there  is  any 
doubt  of  the  ability  of  x-rays  to  demonstrate  an 
intraocular  or  intraorbital  foreign  body,  one  can 
tape  residual  debris,  presumably  similar  in  nature 
to  the  offending  object  itself,  to  the  x-ray  cassette 
prior  to  making  the  exposure. 


SCREENING  TESTS 


A quick  screening  test  of  considerable  value 
i utilizes  a 25-cent  coin.1  When  the  25-cent  coin  is 
I placed  in  the  center  of  an  anteroposterior  x-ray 
i of  the  orbit,  it  approximates  the  average  diame- 
i ter  of  the  globe  (24  mm.).  Consequently,  any 
radiopaque  foreign  body  lying  outside  the  cir- 
cumference of  the  25-cent  piece  is,  of  necessity, 
located  outside  the  average-sized  eye.  If  the  shad- 
ow of  the  foreign  body  is  covered  by  the  coin,  it 
may  be  in  an  intraocular  location,  but  other  con- 
firmatory tests  are  required. 

The  bonefree  technique  of  orbital  x-rays  is  in- 
valuable in  demonstrating  small  foreign  bodies  or 
foreign  bodies  whose  density  approaches  that  of 
orbital  bone;  for  example,  aluminum.  In  taking 
bonefree  views,  dental  x-ray  film  is  utilized  in 
both  lateral  and  anteroposterior  directions.  In  the 
lateral  approach,  the  x-ray  film  is  pressed  into  the 
area  of  the  medial  canthus,  and  the  x-ray  tube  is 
directed  from  the  lateral  position.1  The  eye,  of 
course,  should  be  anesthetized  topically,  and  the 
manipulation  should  be  performed  by  an  individ- 
ual who  is  accustomed  to  handling  ocular  tissues. 
Pressure  should  not  be  applied  on  an  eye  with  an 
open  perforation. 

For  the  anteroposterior  projections,  the  x-ray 
film  can  be  placed  in  the  superior  and  inferior 
conjunctival  cul-de-sacs  or  in  the  upper  lid  recess, 
and  the  x-ray  is  projected  through  the  globe  onto 
the  film.  Glass  foreign  bodies  are  ordinarily  very 
difficult  to  demonstrate  radiologically  unless  they 


contain  barium  or  lead.  With  the  bonefree  tech- 
nique, they  can  be  visible,  regardless  of  their 
metal  content. 

RETROBULBAR  INJECTION 

Occasionally  a foreign  body  will  be  located 
near  the  posterior  pole  of  the  eye,  and  there  is 
doubt  as  to  whether  or  not  it  is  intra-  or  extra- 
ocular. In  such  circumstances  a retrobulbar  in- 
jection of  an  aqueous  solution  of  radiopaque  ma- 
terial (such  as  Hypaque)  can  be  used  to  outline 
the  posterior  contour  of  the  scleral  shell.  A lateral 
view  can  then  demonstrate  whether  or  not  the 
radiopaque  material  lies  posterior  to  the  foreign 
body,  in  which  case  it  is  presumed  that  the  foreign 
body  is  in  an  intraocular  location. 

More  precise  radiopaque  localization  tech- 
niques include  the  following:  Sweet’s  technique, 
Comberg’s  technique,  Spindell’s  technique,  and 
the  use  of  radiopaque  scleral  markers.1-3  The 
first  three  of  these  techniques  have  in  common 
the  fallacy  that  all  eyes  have  identical  standard 
dimensions.  It  is  usually  assumed  that  the  aver- 
age eye  is  24  mm.  in  diameter.  However,  the 
adult  human  eye  varies  from  about  20  mm.  to  26 
mm.  in  diameter.  This  range  of  dimensions  is  in- 
creased in  abnormal  refractive  states  such  as  in 
high  myopia  or  high  hyperopia.  In  practice, 
therefore,  the  foregoing  techniques  are  subject  to 
significant  error  when  they  localize  foreign  bodies 
within  a millimeter  or  so  of  the  scleral  shell.  In 
cases  of  high  myopia,  for  example,  a foreign 
body  may  be  localized  just  posterior  to  the  globe 
(using  an  average  diameter  of  24  mm.)  when,  in 
fact,  the  foreign  body  may  actually  be  within  the 
globe.  The  reverse  situation  may  be  true  of  high 
hyperopia,  wherein  the  localization  procedures 
ostensibly  demonstrate  an  intraocular  location 
when,  in  fact,  the  foreign  body  may  be  lying  a 
few  millimeters  posterior  to  the  globe.  Nonethe- 
less, the  localization  techniques  of  Sweet,  Com- 
berg,  and  Spindell  are  useful  in  most  clinical  situ- 
ations. 

The  Sweet  technique  remains  the  standard  ra- 
diological localization  procedure.  It  is  based  upon 
a triangulation  principle  and  utilizes  a small  radi- 
opaque device  which  is  positioned  at  a known 
distance  in  front  of  the  eye.2  Unfortunately,  the 
range  of  error  is  2-4  mm.,  especially  if  the  foreign 
body  is  in  a posterior  location.  However,  its  ad- 
vantages are  that  the  apparatus  used  for  the  ra- 
diographic procedure  does  not  touch  the  injured 
eye,  and  the  radiologic  image  of  the  localizing 
device  is  not  superimposed  on  the  image  of  the 
foreign  body.  The  major  disadvantages  include 
the  assumption  that  the  eye  is  24  mm.  in  diame- 
ter; the  error  of  2-4  mm.;  and  the  difficulty  of 


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INTRAOCULAR  BODIES  / Goldberg 

maintaining  immobility  of  the  patient’s  head  and 
complete  fixation  of  the  eye.  Finally,  this  pro- 
cedure is  difficult  for  the  inexperienced  radiolo- 
gist. 

The  Comberg  technique  utilizes  a contact  lens 
with  radiopaque  markers  and  is  more  accurate 
than  the  Sweet  technique,  since  the  markers  ac- 
tually touch  the  eye,  thereby  reducing  the  error 
of  radiologic  magnification.  This  technique  is  also 
advantageous  in  that  the  radiodensity  of  the  lead 
markers  allows  a qualitative  interpretation  of  the 
nature  of  various  foreign  bodies.  Disadvantages 
of  the  Comberg  technique  include  the  standard 
assumption  of  the  24  mm.  eye;  possible  superim- 
position of  the  contact  lens  markers  on  the  image 
of  the  foreign  body;  contact  of  the  lens  with  an 
injured  eye,  possibly  inducing  infection  or  addi- 
tional trauma;  difficulty  of  applying  a contact  lens 
to  a nervous  or  a young  patient;  and.  finally,  im- 
proper positioning  of  the  lens  due  to  the  presence 
of  chemosis  or  a deformed  anterior  segment. 

SPINDELL  TECHNIQUE 

A more  recently  published  technique  by  Spin- 
dell  includes  the  use  of  orbital  laminograms  taken 
in  conjunction  with  a specially  designed  radi- 
opaque spectacle  frame.3  Again,  the  assumption 
of  a 24  mm.  eye  could  contribute  to  an  inaccurate 
localization. 

Radiopaque  scleral  markers  provide  a very  ac- 
curate means  of  localizing  foreign  bodies  within 
the  eye  but  require  aseptic  technique.  Thus,  this 
procedure  is  usually  reserved  for  operating  room 
usage.  In  performing  these  maneuvers,  needles 
or  other  radiopaque  markers  are  inserted  into  the 
sclera  in  various  locations,  and  a series  of  bone- 
free  x-rays  or  standard  orbital  views  is  taken.  The 
markers  are  then  moved  until  they  are  superim- 
posed in  both  anteroposterior  and  lateral  projec- 
tions on  the  image  of  the  foreign  body.  They 
thus  provide  accurate  external  localization  of  an 
intraocular  object. 

Foreign  body  locators,  typified  by  the  Berman 
apparatus,  can  be  useful,  particularly  when  for- 
eign bodies  are  composed  of  certain  materials  or 
when  they  are  found  in  certain  locations.  The 
Berman  apparatus  is  especially  responsive  to 
iron-containing  and  carbon  steel-containing  for- 
eign bodies,  as  well  as  to  foreign  bodies  of  pure 
nickel.  It  is  not  well  suited  for  detection  of  alloy 
steels,  coin  nickel,  brass,  copper,  lead,  or  alumi- 
num. The  reactivity  of  the  locator  is  directly  re- 


lated to  the  size  and  to  the  magnetic  or  conduc- 
tive properties  of  the  foreign  body.  For  example, 
the  detecting  range  for  an  iron-containing  object 
is  about  10  times  the  diameter  of  the  foreign 
body;  e.g.,  a 1 mm.  iron  foreign  body  is  detecta- 
ble at  a distance  of  about  10  mm.2  For  nonmag- 
netic metals,  foreign  bodies  are  detectable  within 
one  to  two  times  their  own  diameter.  Thus,  for 
the  sake  of  practicality,  a non-magnetic  foreign 
body  has  to  be  greater  than  about  3 mm.  in  di- 
ameter in  order  to  be  detected  by  the  Berman 
locator. 

DISADVANTAGES 

Disadvantages  of  such  apparatuses  in  locating 
intraocular  foreign  bodies  include  the  fact  that 
foreign  bodies  may  shift  their  position  at  the  time 
of  surgery  (after  completion  of  the  localization 
procedure).  The  locator  is  most  valuable  for  de- 
tecting a foreign  body  which  is  embedded  pos- 
teriorly in  the  wall  of  the  eye,  and  a direct  trans- 
scleral  cutdown  or  extraction  is  contemplated.  It 
is  also  useful  in  locating  foreign  bodies  in  Tenon’s 
capsule,  which  otherwise  resembles  finding  a 
needle  in  a haystack. 

More  recently,  A-mode  ultrasonic  probes  have 
been  evaluated  as  foreign  body  locators.4  While 
foreign  bodies  can  usually  be  detected  in  intra- 
ocular locations  by  these  devices,  it  has  recently 
been  determined  that  the  Sweet  technique  is  more 
accurate,  because,  should  a foreign  body  lie  in  a 
tissue  interface  such  as  the  wall  of  the  eye,  it  can- 
not be  ultrasonically  distinguished  from  that  in- 
terface.4 

SILENT  FOREIGN  BODIES 

Despite  the  widespread  use  of  the  foregoing 
techniques,  there  are  certain  foreign  bodies 
which  remain  silent  and  undetectable.  Various 
clues  provide  suspicion  that  the  eye  harbors  such 
objects.  These  clues  include  the  following:  focal 
bedewing;  a biomicroscopically  visible  corneal  or 
vitreous  tract;  angle  trauma  with  peripheral  an- 
terior synechiae  or  angle  recession;  iridotomy  or 
iridodialysis  (sometimes  best  visualized  by  retro- 
illumination);  heterochromia;  anisocoria  or  pu- 
pillary irregularity;  sector  zonulolysis;  persistent 
hypopyon;  persistent  uveitis;  or  possibly  a focally 
tender  ciliary  body  (overlying  the  site  of  a for- 
eign body). 

One  factor  determines  to  a large  extent  the 
success  or  failure  of  an  attempt  at  removal  of  an 
intraocular  foreign  body;  namely,  its  magnetic 
properties.  Iron,  pure  nickel,  cobalt,  and  some 
manganese  alloys  are  magnetic,  and,  consequent- 
ly, can  be  extracted  from  the  eye  with  minimal 


152 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


trauma.  Iron-containing  foreign  bodies  are  par- 
ticularly dangerous  because  they  commonly  cause 
siderosis  bulbi.  In  this  disease,  iron  is  deposited 
in  intracellular  locations  throughout  the  eye,  re- 
sulting ultimately  (in  about  two  months  to  two 
years)  in  retinal  degeneration,  cataract,  discolor- 
ation of  the  uveal  tissues,  or  absolute  glaucoma. 
It  is  thus  fortunate  that  iron-containing  foreign 
bodies  can  usually  be  extracted  atraumatically  by 
a magnet. 

COPPER  BODIES 

Copper-containing  foreign  bodies  can  produce 
an  acute,  sterile,  chemical,  purulent  panophthal- 
mitis if  the  foreign  body  is  composed  of  a high 
concentration  of  copper  (greater  than  about  85 
per  cent)  or  if  the  copper  is  present  on  the  out- 
side of  the  foreign  body  in  high  concentration, 
from  which  it  can  diffuse  into  the  surrounding 
ocular  tissues.2  Such  a disastrous  complication 
usually  occurs  in  the  immediate  post-traumatic 
period.  On  the  other  hand,  a more  chronic  and 
less  serious  course  of  copper  deposition  on  the 
membranes  of  the  eye  (Descement’s  membrane, 
lens  capsule,  etc.)  can  occur,  resulting  in  the  con- 
dition known  as  chalcosis.  Such  an  eventuality  is 
not  nearly  as  common  nor  as  detrimental  to  the 
visual  status  of  the  eye  as  is  that  from  an  iron- 
containing  foreign  body.  The  Kayser-Fleischer 
ring  and  sunflower  cataract,  produced  by  deposi- 
tion of  copper  in  the  cornea  and  in  the  lens  cap- 
sule, mimic  those  seen  in  Wilson's  hepatolenticu- 
lar degeneration.  They,  themselves,  are  not  re- 
sponsible for  visual  disability,  but  ocular  degener- 
ation and  blindness  can  definitely  occur  from 
chalcosis. 

In  order  to  determine  the  chemical  nature  of 
certain  unknown  intraocular  foreign  bodies,  the 
surgeon  can  perform  an  anterior  chamber  para- 
centesis and  chemically  analyze  the  aqueous  hu- 
mor for  such  substances  as  copper,  aluminum, 
magnesium,  and  lead.  Similarly,  he  can  indirectly 
determine  the  nature  of  certain  retained  objects 
by  attaching  a spectroscopic  ocular  to  a slit  lamp. 
More  directly,  if  there  is  residual  debris  from  the 
material  causing  the  ocular  penetration,  the  for- 
eign material  itself  can  be  chemically  analyzed. 

OCULAR  REACTIVITY 

Knowledge  of  the  ocular  reactivity  of  these 
substances  enables  the  surgeon  to  vary  the  ag- 
gressiveness with  which  he  pursues  the  extraction 
of  intraocular  foreign  bodies.  In  decreasing  order 
of  ocular  reactivity  the  following  substances  can 
be  listed:  iron,  copper,  mercury,  aluminum,  nick- 
el, zinc,  lead,  precious  metals,  glass,  plastics,  etc.2 


Of  these  all  are  nonmagnetic  except  iron  and 
pure  nickel. 

As  in  all  perforating  injuries,  exquisite  consid- 
eration for  the  potential  development  of  sympa- 
thetic ophthalmia  is  an  absolute  requirement. 
Careful  biomicroscopic  evaluation  of  the  non- 
penetrated  eye  should  be  part  of  the  daily  exam- 
ination ritual,  in  order  to  determine  if  there  are 
early  signs  of  inflammation.  Any  consideration 
towards  definitive  therapy  should  involve  the  pos- 
sibility of  enucleating  the  injured  eye  within  the 
first  eight  or  ten  days  of  the  traumatic  episode  in 
an  effort  to  forestall  the  development  of  sympa- 
thetic ophthalmia.  If  good  visual  acuity  remains 
and  the  perforation  can  be  surgically  repaired 
without  significant  damage  to  the  eye,  the  physi- 
cian is  justified  in  attempting  to  retain  the  in- 
jured eye.  In  making  the  decision  on  whether  or 
not  to  enucleate  the  injured  eye,  the  perforating 
effects  of  the  trauma  must  be  assessed  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  blunt  contusive  effects,  the  immedi- 
ate chemical  effects,  and  the  immediate  inflam- 
matory effects.  In  addition,  an  informed  judgment 
as  to  the  probable  consequences  of  subsequent 
chemical,  inflammatory,  and  reparative  processes 
must  be  included  in  the  over-all  judgment  of  the 
clinical  situation. 

SALVAGING  THE  EYE 

At  the  time  of  initial  surgical  repair  of  the 
wound  of  entry,  all  efforts  should  be  expanded  in 
the  attempt  to  salvage  the  eye.  Seemingly  hope- 
less situations,  characterized  by  gaping  wounds, 
avulsed  tissue,  prolapsed  intraocular  contents, 
and  extensive  hemorrhage  can  occasionally  be 
converted  into  much  more  favorable  circum- 
stances by  virtue  of  a meticulous  surgical  restora- 
tion. If  accurate  projection  of  light  is  lost  during 
the  first  post-traumatic  week  or  two,  enucleation 
is  probably  then  in  the  best  interests  of  the  pa- 
tient. Occasionally,  immediate  enucleation  is  jus- 
tified, as  in  the  case  of  total  disruption  of  the 
globe  from  a bullet’s  direct  hit. 

Since  intraocular  foreign  bodies  can  cause  rico- 
chet wounds  in  the  retina  or  can  produce  double 
perforations,  complete  retinal  evaluation  should 
be  performed  in  salvageable  cases,  so  that  any 
retinal  break  or  scleral  wound  of  exit  can  be 
treated  at  the  time  of  closure  of  the  wound  of  en- 
try or  at  the  time  of  foreign  body  extraction. 

The  decision  to  attempt  removal  of  the  foreign 
body  is  determined  by  weighing  the  contusive,  in- 
flammatory, and  chemical  effects  of  the  initial 
trauma  and  its  probable  later  inflammatory, 
chemical,  and  fibrotic  effects  (together  with  the 
effects  of  subsequent  surgical  trauma)  plus  the 


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INTRAOCULAR  BODIES  / Goldberg 

possible  inability  to  remove  the  foreign  body.  In 
most  cases,  with  or  without  surgical  intervention, 
therapy  with  systemic  and  local  antibiotics  and 
corticosteroids  is  warranted.  Early  inflammatory 
changes  are,  as  noted  previously,  sometimes  the 
result  of  sterile  chemical  processes,  especially 
from  copper.  If  this  appears  to  be  the  case  (and 
such  a likelihood  can  be  corroborated  by  chem- 
ical analysis  of  material  remaining  from  the  acci- 
dent, particularly  if  the  copper  content  is  greater 
than  85  per  cent),  immediate  removal  of  the  for- 
eign body  is  then  the  only  way  to  alleviate  the 
inflammatory  process,  despite  the  inherent  dan- 
gers of  operating  on  an  acutely  and  severely  in- 
flamed eye. 

CHRONIC  EFFECTS 

Chronic  inflammatory,  chemical,  and  fibrotic 
effects  are  more  or  less  inevitable,  depending 
largely  upon  the  chemical  nature  of  the  foreign 
body  and  on  its  intraocular  location.  They  are 
particularly  likely  to  occur  in  iron-containing  for- 
eign bodies,  particularly  when  the  iron  is  in  a rel- 
atively pure  state.  Thus,  a surgeon  would  ordi- 
narily be  more  aggressive  in  attempting  to  re- 
move such  a retained  object.  The  magnetic  char- 
acteristics of  the  iron-containing  foreign  body 
would  enhance  his  willingness  to  perform  the  sur- 
gery because  of  the  applicability  of  magnetic  ex- 
traction. 

The  opposite  situation  pertains  to  a non-mag- 
netic  foreign  body  such  as  a copper-containing 
alloy  with  low  concentration  of  elemental  copper. 
In  such  a circumstance  the  ultimate  effects  of 
chalcosis  are  ordinarily  nowhere  near  as  severe 
as  in  acute  copper  panophthalmitis,  and  not  usu- 
ally as  severe  as  with  a retained  iron-containing 
foreign  body.  Thus,  there  would  not  be  as  high  a 
priority  to  remove  such  a foreign  body.  The  inap- 
plicability of  the  magnet  and  the  consequent  re- 
quirement for  more  traumatic  surgery  would  sup- 
port this  conservative  judgment. 

THERAPEUTIC  JUDGMENT 

The  unwillingness  of  a surgeon  to  attempt  ex- 
traction of  a certain  foreign  body  may  be  due  to 
the  fact  that  it  is  nonmagnetic,  that  it  is  invisible, 
or  that  it  is  trapped  in  fibrotic  tissue  or  in  inflam- 
matory debris.  Withholding  surgery  in  those  cases 
where  extraction  appears  difficult  should  not  be 
misconstrued  as  lack  of  courage  or  ability.  The 
availability  of  surgical  techniques  in  certain  in- 
stances is  simply  not  advanced  enough  to  provide 
safe  or  successful  manipulation  within  the  globe. 

154 


Assuming  that  the  foreign  body  remains  in  situ,  ; 
inevitable  destruction  of  the  eye,  even  in  iron- 
containing  foreign  bodies,  may  not  occur.  Certain 
foreign  bodies  may  induce  enough  surrounding 
encapsulation  that  no  diffusion  of  toxic  or  chem- 
ical substances  occurs.  Total  dissolution  of  the 
foreign  body  without  induced  chemical  changes 
may  similarly  occur,  and  spontaneous  expulsion 
of  the  foreign  body  from  a globe  without  at- 
tendant destruction  of  the  eye  has  also  been  re- 
ported.2 

In  summary,  decision  to  remove  a foreign  body 
or  to  leave  it  within  an  eye  requires  the  exercise 
of  mature  therapeutic  judgment.  The  decision- 
making process  is  exceedingly  difficult  in  certain 
cases,  and  the  patient  should  realize  that  pene- 
trating injuries  and  retained  ocular  foreign  bodies 
produce  guarded  prognoses,  both  for  visual  acui- 
ty and  for  retention  of  the  globe,  whether  or  not 
the  foreign  body  is  extracted  or  is  allowed  to  re- 
main within  the  globe. 

AVAILABLE  MAGNETS 

Several  magnets  are  available  for  use  in  re- 
moving magnetic  foreign  bodies  from  the  posteri- 
or intraocular  segment.  The  giant  magnet,  the 
permanent  hand  magnet,  the  hand  electro-mag- 
net, and  the  new  Bronson-Magnion  instrument5 
are  among  them.  The  hand  electro-magnet  is  ex- 
tremely useful  in  most  clinical  circumstances,  al- 
though extracting  a foreign  body  from  the  pos- 
terior segment  via  an  anterior  wound  of  entry  oc- 
casionally requires  a more  powerful  magnet.  The 
giant  magnet  requires  considerably  more  careful 
preoperative  and  intraoperative  planning  and 
technical  execution.  Many  of  the  problems  at- 
tending the  use  of  the  hand  electro-magnet  and 
the  giant  magnet  have  been  eliminated  with  the 
development  of  the  Bronson-Magnion  instru- 
ment, which  is  extremely  powerful,  but  which  is 
about  the  same  in  size  as  the  hand  electro-mag- 
net. Despite  considerable  cost,  the  advantages  of 
this  new  instrument  are  great.5 

The  attractive  force  of  any  magnet  varies  with 
the  cube  of  the  distance  between  it  and  the  for- 
eign body.  Consequently,  a foreign  body,  even  if 
magnetic,  cannot  be  extracted  anteriorly  if  it  lies 
too  far  posteriorly.  If  it  is  weakly  magnetic  or  less 
than  1 mm.  in  size,  similar  difficulty  may  be  en- 
countered. The  anterior  route  is  dangerous  if  the 
foreign  body  is  greater  than  3 mm.  in  size  or  if  it 
is  jagged,  since  intact  ocular  structures  can  be  ir- 
reparably damaged  during  such  an  extraction.  A 
decision  to  extract  a foreign  body  through  the  an- 
terior segment  requires  knowledge  of  the  state  of 
the  lens.  If  the  lens  is  intact  and  transparent,  a 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


posterior  route  of  extraction  should  invariably  be 
used,  even  if  the  wound  of  entry  is  in  the  limbal 
region.  On  the  other  hand,  if  the  lens  had  been 
markedly  disrupted  by  the  entering  foreign  body, 
there  is  then  much  less  hesitation  towards  per- 
forming an  anterior  extraction. 

TRAUMATIC  CATARACT 

In  most  cases,  removal  of  a traumatic  cataract 
should  not  be  performed  at  the  time  of  foreign 
body  extraction,  unless  extensive  lens  trauma  has 
occurred.  An  unwary  surgeon  may  be  misled  by 
the  presence  of  inflammatory  debris  in  the  pupil- 
lary space  and  anterior  chamber,  the  result  of 
the  original  trauma,  which  may  so  mimic  the 
presence  of  flocculent  lens  material  that  only  the 
test  of  time  will  demonstrate  the  difference  be- 
tween the  two.  Consequently,  lens  extraction, 
whether  it  be  intracapsular  or  extracapsular, 
should  be  deferred.  Whenever  lens  extraction  is 
performed,  it  should  be  recalled  at  all  times  that 
a penetrating  injury  through  the  lens  produces 
disruption  of  the  anterior  hyaloid  face  and  in- 
creases the  risk  of  vitreous  loss. 

In  performing  magnetic  extractions  via  the  an- 
terior route,  the  following  technical  measures  are 
useful.  As  in  all  cases  of  magnetic  foreign  body 
extraction,  the  lid  speculum  and  other  instru- 
ments should  be  constructed  of  nonmagnetic  ma- 
terials. The  bluntest  magnet  tip  consistent  with 
surgical  exposure  should  be  used,  since  it  pro- 
vides the  strongest  force,  and  the  magnet  tip 
should  be  brought  as  close  to  the  foreign  body  as 
possible.  Since  magnets  have  much  more  strength 
when  cold,  intermittent  short  bursts  of  current  are 
more  effective  than  prolonged  ones,  which  unfor- 
tunately, heat  up  the  magnet. 

After  performing  customary  procedures  to  soft- 
en the  eye  (such  as  administration  of  a preop- 
erative carbonic  anhydrase  inhibitor  and  a hy- 
perosmotic agent),  the  magnet  is  directed  at  the 
original  wound  of  entry,  and  the  current  is  ap- 
plied. If  the  foreign  body  is  magnetic  enough  or 
is  close  enough  to  the  magnet,  there  should  be 
little  difficulty  in  extracting  it  through  the  original 
wound  of  entry.  Repositioning  or  excising  pro- 
lapsed intraocular  contents  should  then  be  per- 
formed in  the  usual  fashion.  The  wound  should 
be  closed  with  interrupted  sutures  and  the  an- 
terior chamber  reformed  with  normal  saline  solu- 
tion. 

SECONDARY  MANEUVERS 

Occasionally,  two  directions  of  pull  will  be  re- 
quired: the  first,  in  which  the  magnet  is  used  to 
pull  the  foreign  body  into  the  anterior  chamber; 
and  the  second,  in  which  the  magnet  is  then 


used  to  extract  the  foreign  body  through  a sep- 
arate, newly  created  limbal  incision.  Such  a sec- 
ondary maneuver  is  useful  when  the  corneal  in- 
cision is  small  or  self-sealing.  The  advantages  of 
a new  limbal  incision  are  that  it  can  be  created 
under  a conjunctival  flap  and  that  it  can  be  made 
regular  without  jagged  edges,  consequently  mini- 
mizing the  danger  of  uveal  tissue  incarceration. 

If  the  surgeon  elects  to  remove  the  foreign 
body  transsclerally,  he  must  choose  between  the 
pars  plana  versus  the  actual  site  of  the  foreign 
body.  If  the  foreign  body  lies  within  the  vitreous 
chamber,  it  is  frequently  best  to  remove  the  for- 
eign body  through  the  pars  plana.  If  the  object  is 
free-floating  in  the  vitreous  and  can  be  easily 
moved  about,  the  inferolateral  pars  plana  is  the 
usual  area  for  extraction,  since  good  surgical  ex- 
posure is  easily  achieved  in  this  location.  If  the 
foreign  body  is  fixed  in  the  vitreous  chamber 
(surrounded  by  inflammatory  or  fibrotic  materi- 
al), the  quadrant  of  the  pars  plana  nearest  the 
foreign  body  should  be  chosen  for  the  extraction. 

IMMEDIATE  EXTRACTION 

If  the  foreign  body  lies  embedded  in  the  wall 
of  the  eye,  extraction  should  usually  be  per- 
formed immediately  over  the  foreign  body  itself. 
Attempting  a magnetic  extraction  via  the  pars 
plana  in  such  circumstances  can  result  in  severe 
gashes  in  the  retina  as  the  foreign  body  is  dragged 
anteriorly.  However,  if  the  foreign  body  lies  em- 
bedded in  the  wall  of  the  eye  near  the  macula, 
optic  nerve,  or  posterior  ciliary  vessels  or  nerves, 
extraction  via  the  pars  plana  will  obviate  possible 
surgical  trauma  to  those  vital  stiuctures  lying  at 
the  posterior  pole  of  the  eye.  As  in  all  such  intra- 
ocular maneuvers,  constant  monitoring  of  the  for- 
eign body  and  of  the  retina  should  be  performed 
during  the  actual  surgical  manipulations,  when- 
ever possible,  with  the  binocular  indirect  ophthal- 
moscope. 

For  posterior  route  magnetic  extractions 
through  the  pars  plana,  the  aforementioned  pre- 
cautions involving  preoperative  lowering  of  the 
intraocular  pressure  should  be  followed.  At- 
tempts should  also  be  made  to  minimize  pressure 
on  the  globe  and  to  reduce  the  chances  of  vitre- 
ous loss  during  the  actual  extraction  of  the  for- 
eign body.  A conjunctival  peritomy  is  helpful  and 
should  expose  at  least  a full  quadrant  of  the 
globe.  Occasionally  a more  extensive  peritomy  is 
required,  but,  at  any  rate,  the  extraction  attempt 
should  not  usually  be  made  through  a tiny  con- 
junctival incision,  because  suboptimal  exposure 
increases  the  hazards  of  surgery.  Sling  sutures  un- 
der the  two  adjacent  rectus  muscles  are  helpful  in 


APRIL  1970 


155 


INTRAOCULAR  BODIES  / Goldberg 

manipulating  the  globe.  Occasionally,  sling  su- 
tures under  all  four  rectus  muscles  are  required, 
and  there  should  be  no  hesitation  in  extending 
the  peritomy  and  placing  these  sutures  if  expo- 
sure is  limited  or  if  atraumatic  rotation  of  the 
globe  is  difficult.1 

SCLERAL  INCISION 

A scleral  incision  calculated  to  be  large  enough 
to  deliver  the  foreign  body  should  be  made  to  the 
external  surface  of  the  uveal  tract.  The  site 
should  be  within  the  confines  of  the  pars  plana 
(anterior  to  the  ora  serrata).  Although  certain 
conventional  measurements  ostensibly  represent 
the  posterior  limit  of  the  pars  plana  (in  milli- 
meters from  the  limbus),  the  exact  location  of 
the  pars  plana  varies  considerably  from  case  to 
case.  Consequently,  one  should  determine  the 
location  of  the  pars  plana  by  transillumination. 
This  can  easily  be  performed  at  the  operating  ta- 
ble by  directing  a strong  source  of  fight  through 
the  pupil  and  noting  the  demarcation  between 
the  dark  ciliary  body  and  the  more  lightly  pig- 
mented retinal  area.  A preplaced  suture  should 
be  inserted  through  the  lips  of  the  scleral  incision 
and  the  magnet  should  then  be  directed  at  the 
slightly  gaping  wound. 

Even  if  the  magnet  is  activated  correctly,  the 
foreign  body  may  not  be  removed  initially.  There 
are  several  explanations  for  this,  including  inap- 
propriate selection  of  the  magnet  tip  (particularly 
if  a curved  tip  has  been  used),  entanglement  of 
the  foreign  body  in  fibrous  and  inflammatory  de- 
bris, or  a small  or  weakly  magnetic  foreign  body. 
Extreme  patience  is  often  required  before  extrac- 
tion of  the  foreign  body  can  be  accomplished.  It 
is  less  important  to  point  the  magnet  tip  directly 
at  the  foreign  object  than  it  is  to  move  the  short- 
est tip  that  can  be  used  under  the  conditions  of 
surgical  exposure  as  close  as  possible  to  the  for- 
eign body.  Attempted  induction  of  a point  source 
of  magnetic  strength,  by  holding  the  magnet 
against  a metallic  instrument  (which  then  is 
pointed  towards  the  foreign  body),  is  extremely 
inefficient  and  should  not  be  employed.5 

MAGNETIC  EXTRACTION 

Simultaneous  use  of  the  binocular  indirect  oph- 
thalmoscope, whenever  possible,  provides  assur- 
ance that  the  foreign  body  is  being  pulled  by  the 
magnet  and  that  it  is  not  entrapped  in  the  retina, 
where  it  can  cause  large  tears.  Under  most  cir- 
cumstances, if  the  foreign  body  can  be  attracted 
to  the  sclerotomy,  it  will  cut  its  own  way  through 


the  uveal  tract,  whereupon  the  surgeon  will  per- 
ceive an  audible  click  or  a tactile  impression  from 
the  magnet  tip.  Occasionally,  however,  the  for-  I 
eign  body  is  too  dull  or  the  magnet  too  weak, 
and  a stab  incision  of  the  pars  plana  (through 
the  sclerotomy)  must  be  performed  with  a small, 
sharp  knife.  The  magnet  is  then  reapplied,  and 
the  foreign  body  is  extracted  whilst  all  traction 
and  pressure  are  relieved.  The  preplaced  sclerot- 
omy suture  is  immediately  tied.  In  all  such  oper- 
ations, the  original,  anterior  wound  of  entry 
should  have  been  previously  sealed,  either  spon- 
taneously or  surgically.  The  sclerotomy  site  can 
be  ringed  either  pre-  or  post-extraction  with  dia- 
thermy or  cryothermy  in  order  to  produce  a firm 
adhesion  of  the  uveal  tract  to  the  sclera. 

If  a foreign  body  is  embedded  in  the  wall  of 
the  eye  and  overlies  the  retina,  and  if  a direct 
transcleral  magnetic  extraction  is  contemplated, 
precise  localization  is  required  in  order  to  mini- 
mize trauma  to  the  retina.  Use  of  the  indirect 
ophthalmoscope,  the  Berman  metal  locator,  and, 
occasionally,  placement  of  radiopaque  scleral 
markers  for  intraoperative  radiologic  localizing 
procedures  contribute  in  large  measure  to  a suc- 
cessful extraction.  For  a direct  posterior,  trans- 
scleral  extraction,  a large  conjunctival  peritomy 
and  sling  sutures  under  most  (or  all)  of  the  rec- 
tus muscles  are  required  for  adequate  exposure 
and  atraumatic  manipulation  and  rotation  of  the 
globe.  After  precise  localization  of  the  foreign 
body,  a scleral  incision  is  made  overlying  it  to 
the  external  surface  of  the  uveal  tract. 

Under  these  conditions,  ringing  the  sclerotomy 
site  with  diathermy  or  cryothermy  is  considerably 
more  important  than  in  pars  plana  extractions, 
since  postoperative  vitreous  traction  at  the  wound 
of  exit  could  conceivably  produce  retinal  traction 
or  hole  formation  (either  at  the  exit  site  itself  or 
at  a point  180  degrees  across  the  globe).  Since 
the  precise  direction  of  pull  of  potential  vitreous 
traction  at  the  opposite  side  of  the  globe  cannot 
be  determined  until  after  the  fact,  diathermy  or 
cryothermy  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  globe 
should  not  be  performed  prophylactically.  After  a 
preplaced  suture  has  been  inserted  in  the  lips  of 
the  small  scleral  incision,  the  magnet  is  applied; 
the  foreign  body  either  cuts  its  own  way  through 
the  uveal  tract,  or  is  extracted  after  a uveal  stab 
incision  is  made;  and  the  preplaced  suture  is 
closed. 

SCLERAL  BED 

Under  most  circumstances,  this  series  of  ma- 
neuvers is  sufficient.  However,  if  one  anticipates 
significant  vitreous  traction,  one  may  wish  to  ex- 
tract the  foreign  body  through  a lamellar  scleral 


156 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


bed,  prepared  as  in  a routine  scleral  undermining 
procedure  for  repair  of  retinal  detachment.  The 
diathermized  or  cryothermized  scleral  bed  is  then 
buckled  inward  to  reduce  traction  on  the  under- 
lying retina.  Alternatively,  one  can  extract  the 
foreign  body  through  full-thickness  sclera,  fol- 
lowed by  a Custodis-type  scleral  buckling  pro- 
cedure, using  an  exoplant  of  silicone  rubber.  The 
conjunctival  peritomy  is  then  closed,  and  the  pa- 
tient is  treated  in  the  customary  fashion  with  pu- 
pillary dilatation,  antibiotics  and  corticosteroids 
as  indicated. 

In  the  case  of  nonmagnetic  foreign  bodies,  sur- 
gical maneuvers  are  considerably  more  difficult 
and  potentially  more  disruptive  to  the  vitreous, 
because  of  the  commonly  employed  intravitreal 
manipulations.  Direct  transscleral  extraction 
should  be  performed  as  in  the  previously  de- 
scribed procedure  for  magnetic  extraction.  To 
minimize  vitreous  trauma,  the  sclerotomy  must 
directly  and  precisely  overlie  the  foreign  body.  If 
localization  has  been  correct  and  precise  (within 
1 mm.),  the  scleral  incision,  performed  in  the 
manner  already  described,  will  provide  direct  vis- 
ualization of  the  foreign  body.  If  it  lies  within  the 
wall  of  the  eye,  it  can  be  simply  lifted  out  of  its 
resting  place  with  forceps.  Closure  of  the  sclerot- 
omy, with  or  without  simultaneous  scleral  buck- 
ling, should  be  completed  as  detailed  above. 

USE  OF  FORCEPS 

If  the  foreign  body  lies  intravitreally,  forceps 
can  be  inserted  through  a large  pars  plana  scle- 
rotomy under  indirect  ophthalmoscopic  control. 
Since  the  indirect  ophthalmoscope  reverses  the 
image,  considerable  familiarity  with  this  instru- 
ment is  a necessary  prerequisite  to  successful  in- 
travitreal manipulation  of  forceps.  Forceps  with 
suture-tying  platforms  or  with  precisely  apposed 
flat  tips  are  useful  in  grasping  the  foreign  body. 

After  the  foreign  body  is  removed,  it  occasion- 
ally will  remain  attached  to  a strand  of  vitreous. 
This  should  be  cut  flush  with  the  sclerotomy  using 
sharp  scissors  in  order  to  prevent  unnecessary 
tugging  on  the  intraocular  vitreous  or  on  the  reti- 
na. If  this  simple  maneuver  is  not  practiced,  one 
may  experience  the  unfortunate  episode  of  hav- 
ing the  foreign  body  retract  inside  the  eye,  due  to 
the  elastic  effect  of  an  attached  strand  of  vitreous, 
or  may  subsequently  encounter  a large  retinal 
hole. 

If  the  pars  plana  route  is  employed,  but  the 
foreign  body  is  invisible  due  to  opaque  media  or 
to  other  reasons,  one  has  recourse  to  several  tech- 
niques. All,  however,  are  hazardous  and  difficult, 
and  none  guarantees  successful  extraction  of  the 


foreign  body  with  preservation  of  good  visual 
acuity.  An  ultrasonic  probe  with  a forceps  attach- 
ment at  its  tip  has  been  developed  for  such  cases. 
An  experienced  manipulator  can  perform  the  ac- 
tual extraction  in  most  cases,  but  only  a minority 
of  patients  treated  in  this  way  recover  good  vi- 
sion. Subsequent  technical  developments  in  this 
field  may  increase  the  salvage  rate. 

THORPE  ENDOSCOPE 

The  Thorpe  endoscope  requires  an  experi- 
enced assistant,  as  well  as  an  experienced  opera- 
tor, in  order  to  prevent  an  excessive  length  of 
this  large  instrument  from  being  shoved  inside 
the  eye.2  A large  pars  plana  incision,  approxi- 
mately 9 mm.  in  length,  is  required.  This  instru- 
ment does  provide  illumination  within  the  eye  as 
well  as  a chance  to  grasp  the  foreign  body,  but 
excessive  heating  of  the  vitreous  by  the  illuminat- 
ing source  can  occur  with  consequent  clouding  of 
the  media.  Other  devices,  such  as  an  electrified 
forceps  (which  conveys  an  audible  signal  when 
its  tips  close  down  on  a metal  foreign  body)  and 
biplane  fluoroscopy,  have  been  developed  within 
recent  years  in  an  attempt  to  improve  the  cur- 
rently unfavorable  prognosis  of  such  situations. 
Proper  evaluation  of  these  instruments  requires 
widespread  use  in  several  medical  centers  before 
unequivocal  endorsement  of  their  efficacy  can  be 
offered. 

The  prognosis  for  successful  extraction  de- 
pends on  two  major  factors:  the  magnetic  prop- 
erties of  the  foreign  body  and  the  ease  of  visual- 
izing it.  If  the  foreign  body  is  both  magnetic  and 
visible,  the  prognosis  is  most  favorable.  If  the 
foreign  body  is  magnetic  but  invisible,  the  prog- 
nosis worsens.  If  the  foreign  body  is  visible  but 
nonmagnetic,  the  prognosis  is  even  worse;  and  if 
it  is  both  nonmagnetic  and  invisible,  the  prog- 
nosis is  most  grave.  Even  if  extraction  is  per- 
formed successfully,  however,  the  overall  chance 
of  recovering  good  visual  acuity  is  only  about  50 
per  cent. 

The  occurrence  of  intraocular  foreign  bodies, 
especially  nonmagnetic  ones,  has  not  lessened  as 
the  result  of  technical  advances  in  modern  civili- 
zation and  industry.  The  intensity  of  military  ac- 
tions in  various  parts  of  the  world  contributes,  in 
large  measure,  to  the  frequency  of  such  thera- 
peutically difficult  clinical  situations.  Justification 
for  extensive,  additional  clinical  research  in  the 
management  of  retained  foreign  objects  is  based 
on  the  large  number  of  affected  patients,  the  se- 
vere morbidity  involved,  and  the  currently  rather 
gloomy  prognosis.  *** 

4040  North  Fairfax  Drive  (22203) 


APRIL  1970 


157 


INTRAOCULAR  BODIES  / Goldberg 

REFERENCES 

1.  Paton,  D.,  and  Goldberg,  M.  F.:  Injuries  of  the  Eye, 
the  Lids,  and  the  Orbit,  Diagnosis  and  Management, 
Philadelphia,  W.  B.  Saunders  Company,  1968. 

2.  Duke-Elder,  S.:  Textbook  of  Ophthalmology,  vol.  6,  In- 
juries, London,  Henry  Kimpton,  1954. 


3.  Spindell,  L.:  Localization  of  Intraocular  Foreign  Bod- 
ies— A Preliminary  Report,  J.  Newark  Beth  Israel 
Hospital,  18: 131-136  (July)  1967. 

4.  Runyan,  T.  E.,  and  Penner,  R.:  Comparison  of  Local- 
ization of  Orbital  Foreign  Bodies  by  Radiologic  and 
Ultrasonic  Methods,  A.M.A.  Arch.  Ophth.  81:512- 
517  (April)  1969. 

5.  Bronson,  N.  R.:  Practical  Characteristics  of  Ophthal- 
mic Magnets,  A.M.A.  Arch.  Ophth.  79:22-27  (Jan.) 
1968. 


NO  PROBLEMS  HERE 

A band  director,  going  to  a Pop  Festival,  found  himself  seated 
next  to  a hippie  on  the  bus.  “Are  you  going  to  the  festival?,”  he 
asked. 

“I  wouldn’t  miss  it,  man,”  was  the  reply. 

“Do  you  expect  they’ll  have  a drug  problem  there?”  asked  the 
musician. 

“No  problem  at  all,”  the  hippie  said  reassuringly,  “You’ll  be 
able  to  get  anything  you  want.” 


158 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


for  the  debilitated 


geriatric  patient 


TABLETS 

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Each  Berocca  Tablet  contains: 


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Folic  acid  . 0.5  mg 

Ascorbic  acid 500  mg 


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Indications:  Nutritional  supplementation  in  conditions  in 
which  water-soluble  vitamins  are  required  prophylactically 
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or  other  primary  or  secondary  anemias.  Neurologic  involve- 
ment may  develop  or  progress,  despite  temporary  remission 
of  anemia,  in  patients  with  pernicious  anemia  who  receive 
more  than  0.1  mg  of  folic  acid  per  day  and  who  are  in- 
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Roche 

LABORATORIES 


Division  of  Hoffmann-La  Roche  Inc. 
Nutley,  New  Jersey  07110 


Radiologic  Seminar  XCIY 
Intravenous  Cholangiography 


JAMES  B.  BARLOW,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


Intravenous  cholangiography  has  been  ac- 
cepted as  a part  of  the  armamentarium  in  diag- 
nosis of  biliary  duct  as  well  as  gallbladder  disease 
for  more  than  a decade. 

When  we  started  doing  intravenous  cholangi- 
ography we  had  a heritage  of  intravenous  pye- 
lography. Our  predecessors  had  told  us  to  dehy- 
drate and  fast  the  patient  for  about  12  hours  be- 
fore the  study.  Since  intravenous  cholangiogra- 
phy was  an  intravenous  procedure,  it  seemed  the 
logical  thing  to  do  and  all  of  us  went  down  this 
road.  So  for  a number  of  years,  we  dehydrated 
all  our  patients,  starved  them,  and  they  came  in 
miserable,  without  breakfast,  and  promptly  pro- 
ceeded to  have  a reaction. 

Years  ago  someone  from  the  Mayo  Clinic  said 
that  to  physicians  many  reactions  are  minor;  to 
patients  all  reactions  are  major.  This  is  true, 
and  this  is  why  one  of  the  first  things  of  interest 
that  happened  in  intravenous  cholangiography  af- 
ter many  years  of  experience  was  a real  way  of 
reducing  reactions. 

Several  months  ago,  following  a report  by  Dr. 
Robert  Wise  at  Lehey  Clinic  Foundation1  on  a 
scientific  study,  done  at  that  institution,  we  start- 
ed doing  intravenous  cholangiograms  with  the  pa- 
tient hydrated  and  following  a light  breakfast  and 
have  relatively  few  reactions  and  I therefore  rec- 
ommend this  to  you. 

Since  the  search  for  common  duct  calculi  is 
the  most  common  indication  for  intravenous  chol- 

Sponsored  by  the  Mississippi  Radiological  Society. 

From  the  Department  of  Radiology,  The  Doctors  Hos- 
pital, Inc. 


angiography,  it  is  in  this  area  in  which  diagnostic 
criteria  have  been  most  refined.  They  may  be 
divided  into  the  direct  and  indirect  approach.  We 
have  all  used  the  direct  approach  since  the  pro- 
cedure was  initiated  and  in  this  the  calculus  is 
manifested  as  a filling  defect  in  the  column  of 
opacified  bile. 

Again,  if  we  go  back  to  experience  with  in- 
travenous pyelography,  a great  deal  of  our  diag- 
nosis depends  upon  drainage  of  the  ureter.  At 
some  point  thirty  or  forty  minutes  after  injection, 
we  decide  that  if  the  ureter  and  upper  calyceal 
system  hasn’t  drained  properly  there  must  be 
some  obstruction  even  though  we  don’t  see  a 
stone.  On  intravenous  cholangiography  the  cases 
in  which  calculi  are  present  but  impacted  in  the 
distal  end  of  the  common  bile  duct  and  not  visi- 
ble serious  difficulties  arise.2  The  size  of  the  duct 
alone  is  of  limited  value  in  the  diagnosis  of  par- 
tial obstruction.  Other  criteria  were  necessary  if 
the  diagnosis  of  partial  obstruction  was  to  be 
made  with  any  degree  of  certainty.  Out  of  this 
need  grew  the  time-density  retention  concept; 
first  presented  in  1956  by  Drs.  Wise  and  O’Brian.3 
Patients  who  have  no  obstruction  in  the  common 
duct  opacify  their  ducts  rather  fast,  build  to  a 
peak  of  a crescendo  and  then  opacification  starts 
to  decrease  or  drop  off  in  60  minutes  or  so.  In 
patients  who  have  obstruction,  the  opacification 
starts  later,  tends  to  reach  a plateau,  and  does 
not  drop  off  as  rapidly. 

On  this  basis  the  criteria  for  diagnosis  of  ob- 
struction have  been  developed.  If  the  120  minute 
film  shows  an  increase  in  density,  in  comparison 


160 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Figure  1.  60  minute  film  following  injection  of 
Cholografin  demonstrating  the  common  duct  (arrow). 


with  the  60  minute  film,  then  there  is  a partial 
obstruction.  This  is  the  time-density  retention 
concept  which  has  stood  the  test  of  time,  and 
has  increased  diagnostic  accuracy. 

Figure  I is  the  60  minute  film  from  a study  on 
a 49  year  old  female  with  right  upper  quadrant 
pain.  Figure  II  is  the  120  minute  film  from  the 
same  study  and  although  no  filling  defect  was 
seen  there  was  an  increase  in  density  from  the 
60  minute  to  the  1 20  minute  film  and  a diagnosis 
of  partial  obstruction  was  made.  At  the  time  of 
surgery,  there  was  a small  stone  impacted  in  the 
very  distal  segment  of  the  common  duct. 

SUMMARY 

By  doing  intravenous  cholangiograms  with  the 
patient  well  hydrated  and  following  a light  break- 
fast. one  can  greatly  decrease  the  number  and 


Figure  2.  120  minute  film  following  injection  on 
the  same  patient  demonstrating  increasing  opacifi- 
cation of  the  common  duct,  indicative  of  an  element 
of  distal  obstruction. 

severity  of  reactions  to  the  contrast  agent.  By 
utilizing  the  rule  of  thumb  formulated  by  Dr. 
Wise  at  Lehey  Clinic,  which  says  that  if  the  120 
minute  film  shows  an  increasing  density  in  com- 
parison with  a 60  minute  film  there  is  partial  ob- 
struction, one  can  greatly  increase  diagnostic  ac- 
curacy. 

2969  University  Drive  (39216) 

REFERENCES 

1.  Johnson,  J.  H.,  Jr.  and  Wise,  R.  E.:  Intravenous 
Cholangiography;  A Study  of  Reaction  to  Iodipamide 
Methylglucamine.  Lehey  Clinic  Foundation  Building. 
13:245-250  (July-Sept.  1964). 

2.  Wise,  Robert  E.:  Current  Concepts  of  Intravenous 
Cholangiography.  The  Radiological  Clinic  of  North 
America,  Vol.  IV,  No.  3:521-523,  December,  1966. 

3.  Wise.  R.  E.  and  O’Brian.  R.  G.:  Interpretation  of  the 
Intravenous  Cholangiogram.  J.A.M.A.  160:810-827 
(March  10)  1956. 


NEEDLESS  WORRY 

A couple  visiting  New  Orleans  decided  to  take  their  10  year 
old  son  to  one  of  the  nightspots.  They  began  to  feel  a little  uneasy 
when  a stripper  appeared  clad  only  in  a scanty  green  and  white 
ribbon.  As  the  number  ended,  the  boy  leaned  over  and  said, 
“Mom,  did  you  see  those?” 

“See  what?”  asked  the  mother  apprehensively. 

“Those  colors,”  replied  the  boy.  “She  was  wearing  our  school 
colors!” 


APRIL  1970 


161 


EIGHTY-FIRST 
ANNUAL  MEETING 

of  the 

MID-SOUTH 
MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

(Formerly  Mid-South  Postgraduate  Medical  Assembly) 

MAY  27,  28,  29,  1970 
at  the 

HOLIDAY  INN-RIVERMONT  MEMPHIS,  TENNESSEE 

Outstanding  speakers  will  present  half-hour  lectures  on  subjects  of  interest 
to  both  general  practitioner  and  specialist.  A well  balanced  program  is 
scheduled.  Make  your  plans  to  attend  NOW!! 

CLASS  REUNIONS:  Class  of  1930;  Class  of  1935 — March,  June,  Sep- 
tember, December;  Class  of  1939 — December;  Class  of  1940 — March, 
June,  September,  December;  Class  of  1945 — March,  June,  September, 
December;  Class  of  1950 — March,  June,  September,  December;  Class 
of  1955 — March,  June,  September;  Class  of  1956 — June;  Class  of  1 960 — 
March,  June,  September,  December;  Class  of  1956 — March,  June,  Sep- 
tember, December. 

MAKE  YOUR  PLANS  NOW  TO  ATTEND  THE 
MID-SOUTH  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 
MAY  27,  28,  29,  1970 

MEMPHIS  TENNESSEE 


162 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


102nd  Annual  Session 


Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 

May  11-14,  1970 
Biloxi 


Mississippi’s  Gulf  Coast,  bouncing  back  as  the 
Riviera  of  the  South  from  the  ravages  of  Hur- 
ricane Camille,  becomes  the  state’s  medical  cap- 
ital May  11-14  as  the  102nd  Annual  Session  of 
the  association  meets  at  the  Hotel  Buena  Vista. 
Six  general  scientific  sessions  involving  the  seven 
formal  sections,  a dozen  specialty  groups,  med- 
ical alumni  occasions,  technical  and  scientific 
exhibits,  the  House  of  Delegates,  and  a host  of 
fellowship  events  are  slated  for  the  four-day  meet. 

Dr.  James  L.  Royals  of  Jackson,  association 
president,  will  address  the  opening  meeting  of 
the  House  of  Delegates  on  May  1 1 . House  Speaker 
William  E.  Lotterhos  of  Jackson  and  Vice  Speak- 
er John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  of  Canton  said  that  reports 
and  resolutions  will  be  presented  at  the  opening 
meeting.  Final  actions  will  come  on  May  14 
when  1970-71  officers  are  elected. 

Dr.  Paul  B.  Brumby  of  Lexington  will  be  in- 
augurated president  for  the  new  year  during  clos- 
ing ceremonies  on  the  final  day. 

Dr.  Walter  H.  Simmons  of  Jackson  said  that 
the  Scientific  Assembly  will  open  on  Tuesday 
morning.  May  12,  and  continue  through  Thursday 
noon.  Dr.  Simmons  heads  the  group  which  has 
planned  and  scheduled  the  general  and  specialty 
session,  exhibits,  and  fellowship  occasions. 

Principal  speaker  for  the  annual  session  is 
Dr.  Gerald  D.  Dorman  of  New  York,  president 
of  the  American  Medical  Association.  He  is 
scheduled  to  address  the  opening  meeting  of  the 
House  of  Delegates  on  May  11,  Dr.  Royals  said. 

The  Woman's  Auxiliary  will  conduct  its  47th 
Annual  Session  concurrently  during  May  11-13. 
also  headquartering  at  the  Buena  Vista,  accord- 
ing to  Mrs.  Louis  C.  Lehmann  of  Natchez,  state 
president.  Mrs.  Curtis  W.  Caine  of  Jackson  will 
be  inaugurated  1970-71  president  at  the  meeting. 
General  chairman  for  the  ladies’  meet  is  Mrs. 


OFFICIAL  CALL 

To  all  members  of  the  Mississippi  State 

Medical  Association: 

The  102nd  Annual  Session  of  the  Missis- 
sippi State  Medical  Association  is  called  to 
meet  at  Biloxi,  Mississippi,  on  Monday, 
May  11,  1970,  pursuant  to  Article  V of 
the  Constitution.  The  House  of  Delegates 
will  be  convened  at  9 o’clock  in  the  morn- 
ing at  the  Hotel  Buena  Vista  on  May  11. 

The  Scientific  Assembly,  consisting  of  the 
general  sessions,  will  meet  during  May  12- 
14,  1970. 

No  member  or  guest  will  be  permitted  to 
participate  in  any  aspect  of  the  annual  ses- 
sion until  regularly  registered. 

James  L.  Royals 
President 

Walter  H.  Simmons 
Secretary-Treasurer 


David  L.  Clippinger  of  Hazlehurst,  and  Mrs. 
Steve  Sekul  of  Biloxi  is  co-chairman. 

Medical  alumni  occasions  are  set  for  Monday 
and  Tuesday  evenings,  and  the  annual  association 
party  is  the  Wednesday  feature. 

The  Buena  Vista  complex  has  virtually  com- 
pleted its  rebuilding  program  following  the  devas- 
tation of  Hurricane  Camille  last  August.  The 
hotel,  high-rise  motel,  and  original  motel  are 
operational  with  only  a few  rooms  lacking  in  the 
motel  section  around  the  Olympic  pool.  The 
Buena  Vista  is  accepting  reservations  subject  to 
sell-out,  after  which  registrants  will  be  given 
priority  at  the  White  House  and  Tradewinds. 


APRIL  1970 


163 


102ND  ANNUAL  SESSION 


STATE  OFFICERS  1969-70 


Dr.  Royals 


President 
James  L.  Royals 
Jackson 

President-Elect 
Paul  B.  Brumby 
Lexington 

Secretary-Treasurer 
Walter  H.  Simmons 
Jackson 


Dr.  Brumby 


Vice  Presidents  G.  Leroy  Howell,  Starkville 

J.  Dan  Mitchell,  Jackson 
Jack  A.  Atktnson,  Brookhaven 


Speaker  of  the  House 

of  Delegates  William  E.  Lotterhos,  Jackson 

Vice  Speaker  of  the 

House  of  Delegates  John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  Canton 

Editor  W.  Moncure  Dabney,  Crystal  Springs 

Associate  Editors  George  H.  Martin,  Vicksburg 

Thomas  W.  Wesson,  Tupelo 

Delegates  to  AMA  Howard  A.  Nelson,  Greenwood 

G.  Swink  Hicks,  Natchez 


BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

Mal  S.  Riddell,  Jr.,  Winona,  Chairman 
J.  T.  Davis,  Corinth,  Vice  Chairman 
William  O.  Barnett,  Jackson,  Secretary 
John  M.  Alford,  Jr.,  Greenwood 
James  O.  Gilmore,  Oxford 
Guy  T.  Vise,  Meridian 
W.  E.  Moak,  Richton 
Everett  Crawford,  Tylertown 
James  T.  Thompson,  Moss  Point 


EXECUTIVE  OFFICE 

Mr.  Rowland  B.  Kennedy,  Executive  Secretary 
Mr.  H.  C.  Harrell,  Executive  Assistant 


164 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


LIVING  PAST  PRESIDENTS 


A.  Street,  Vicksburg 

1941-42 

B.  S.  Guyton,  Oxford 

1950-51 

James  Grant  Thompson,  Jackson 

1951-52 

Lamar  Arrington,  Meridian 

1952-53 

S.  Lamar  Bailey,  Kosciusko 

1955-56 

H.  C.  Ricks,  Jackson 

1956-57 

Howard  A.  Nelson,  Greenwood 

1957-58 

Guy  T.  Vise,  Meridian 

1958-59 

Stanley  A.  Hill,  Corinth 

1959-60 

n 

G.  Swink  Hicks,  Natchez 

V 

1960-61 

<«Tl 

Lawrence  W.  Long,  Jackson 

1961-62 

C.  P.  Crenshaw,  Collins 

1962-63 

Omar  Simmons,  Newton 

1964-65 

Everett  Crawford,  Tylertown 

1965-66 

James  T.  Thompson,  Moss  Point 

1966-67 

Temple  Ainsworth,  Jackson 

1967-68 

Joseph  B.  Rogers,  Oxford 

1968-69 

APRIL  1970 


165 


102ND  ANNUAL  SESSION 


ACTIVITIES  CALENDAR 


REGISTRATION 

General  registration  for  the  Scientific  Assembly  and  House  of 
Delegates  will  be  located  in  the  Hurricane  Foyer  of  the  Buena 
Vista  Hotel.  No  person  may  be  admitted  to  any  activity  of  the 
annual  session  without  first  registering.  Hours  of  registration 
will  be  1:00  to  4:00  p.m.  Sunday,  May  10;  8:00  a.m.  to  5:00 
p.m.,  Monday,  Tuesday,  and  Wednesday,  May  11-13;  and  8:00 
a.m.  to  2:00  p.m.  Thursday,  May  14.  The  Secretary’s  Office 
will  be  located  in  Rooms  142-144. 


SUNDAY,  MAY  10,  1970 

1:00  p.m.  Mississippi  Association  of  Pathologists,  Surf  Room 


MONDAY,  MAY  11,  1970 


7: 

o 

o 

a.m. 

9: 

o 

o 

a.m. 

9: 

o 

o 

a.m. 

9: 

o 

o 

a.m. 

12 

:30 

p.m. 

2: 

o 

o 

p.m. 

2 

o 

o 

p.m. 

3: 

o 

o 

p.m. 

3: 

:30 

p.m. 

3: 

:30 

p.m. 

4 

o 

o 

p.m. 

4 

o 

o 

p.m. 

5 

o 

o 

p.m. 

7 

o 

o 

p.m. 

Reference  Committees  Breakfast,  Sun  Room 
House  of  Delegates,  Fountain  Terrace 
Mississippi  Association  of  Pathologists,  Surf  Room 
Woman’s  Auxiliary  Hospitality,  Fiesta  Room 
Mississippi  Orthopaedic  Society,  Glass  Room 
Reference  Committee  on  Reports  of  Officers  and  Board 
of  Trustees,  Fountain  Terrace 
Reference  Committee  on  Miscellaneous  Business,  Gold 
Room  South 

Woman’s  Auxiliary  Finance  Committee,  Fiesta  Room 
Reference  Committee  on  Medical  Practices,  Sun  Room 
Council  on  Constitution  and  By-Laws,  Surf  Room 
Woman’s  Auxiliary  Preconvention  Executive  Board 
Meeting,  Fiesta  Room 

Ole  Miss  Medical  Alumni  Business  Meeting,  Hurricane 
Room  E 

Auxiliary  President’s  Reception,  Glass  Room 
Ole  Miss  Medical  Alumni  Fellowship  Hour,  Dinner, 
and  Dance,  Gold  Rooms  North,  Center,  and  South 
and  Fountain  Terrace 


TUESDAY,  MAY  12,  1970 

8:00  a.m.  Scientific  Film  Session,  Hurricane  Room  E 
9:00  a.m.  General  Scientific  Session,  Hurricane  Room  E 
12:00  noon  Mississippi  Ob-Gyn  Society,  Luncheon,  Sun  Room 


166 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


12:00  noon 
12:00  noon 
12:00  noon 

1 :00  p.m. 
1:30  p.m. 
2:00  p.m. 
5:30  p.m. 

6:00  p.m. 


Fifty  Year  Club  Luncheon,  Surf  Room 
Woman’s  Auxiliary  Luncheon,  Fountain  Terrace 
American  College  of  Surgeons  Luncheon,  Gold  Room 
Center 

Scientific  Film  Session,  Hurricane  Room  E 
American  College  of  Surgeons,  Gold  Room  South 
General  Scientific  Session,  Hurricane  Room  E 
Vanderbilt  Medical  Alumni  Fellowship  Hour,  Glass 
Room 

Tulane  Medical  Alumni  Fellowship  Hour,  Sun  Room 


WEDNESDAY,  MAY  13,  1970 


7 

:30 

a.m. 

8: 

o 

o 

a.m. 

8: 

o 

o 

a.m. 

9 

o 

o 

a.m. 

9 

o 

o 

a.m. 

12: 

o 

o 

noon 

12: 

o 

o 

noon 

12: 

o 

o 

noon 

12: 

o 

o 

noon 

1: 

o 

o 

p.m. 

1: 

: 30 

p.m. 

2: 

o 

o 

p.m. 

2: 

:30 

p.m. 

7: 

o 

o 

p.m. 

MSMA  Past  Presidents’  Breakfast,  Fiesta  Room 
Woman’s  Auxiliary  Complimentary  Continental  Break- 
fast, Gold  Room  South 
Scientific  Film  Session,  Hurricane  Room  E 
Woman’s  Auxiliary  General  Session,  Gold  Room  South 
General  Scientific  Session,  Hurricane  Room  E 
Mississippi  Psychiatric  Society  Luncheon,  Sun  Room 
Mississippi  Academy  of  General  Practice  Luncheon, 
Fountain  Terrace 

Mississippi  Society  of  Internal  Medicine  Luncheon, 
Fiesta  Room 

Flying  Physicians  Association  Luncheon,  Surf  Room 
Scientific  Film  Session,  Hurricane  Room  E 
Nominating  Committee,  Glass  Room 
General  Scientific  Session,  Hurricane  Room  E 
Woman’s  Auxiliary  Postconvention  Executive  Board 
Meeting,  Gold  Room  South 

Annual  Association  Party,  Gold  Rooms  North,  Center, 
and  South  and  Fountain  Terrace 


THURSDAY,  MAY  14.  1970 

8:30  a.m.  Woman’s  Auxiliary  Past  Presidents’  Breakfast,  Fiesta 
Room 

8:30  a.m.  Scientific  Film  Session,  Hurricane  Room  E 
9:30  a.m.  General  Scientific  Session  on  Pediatrics,  Hurricane 
Room  E 

10:00  a.m.  General  Scientific  Session  on  EENT,  Gold  Room  South 
11:30  a.m.  Mississippi  Radiological  Society  Luncheon,  Glass  Room 
12:00  noon  Mississippi  EENT  Association  Luncheon,  Sun  Room 
1:30  p.m.  House  of  Delegates,  Fountain  Terrace 


APRIL  1970 


167 


102ND  ANNUAL  SESSION 


EXECUTIVE  BUSINESS 


Dr.  Lotterhos 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES 
Monday,  May  11,  1970 
9:00  a.m. 

Fountain  Terrace 
Buena  Vista  Hotel 

William  E.  Lotterhos 
Jackson,  Speaker 

John  B.  Howell,  Jr. 
Canton,  Vice  Speaker 


MEETINGS  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES 

The  opening  meeting  of  the  House  will  be  called  to  order  by 
the  President,  and  the  Speakers  will  announce  the  order  of 
business.  An  open  meeting,  to  which  all  members  and  ladies  of 
the  Auxiliary  are  invited,  will  feature  addresses  by  Dr.  James  L. 
Royals,  the  president,  and  Dr.  Gerald  D.  Dorman,  president 
of  the  American  Medical  Association.  The  adjourned  meeting 
of  the  House  will  convene  in  the  Fountain  Terrace  Room  at 
1:30  p.m.  on  May  14. 


REFERENCE  COMMITTEES 

Reports  of  Officers  and  Board  of  Trustees,  May  11,  Fountain 
Terrace,  2:00  p.m. 

Miscellaneous  Business,  May  11,  Gold  Room  South,  2:00  p.m. 
Medical  Practices,  May  11,  Sun  Room,  3:30  p.m. 

Constitution  and  By-Laws,  May  11,  Surf  Room,  3:30  p.m. 
Nominating  Committee,  May  13,  Glass  Room,  1:30  p.m. 


168 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


THE  SCIENTIFIC  ASSEMBLY 


COUNCIL  ON  SCIENTIFIC  ASSEMBLY 
Walter  H.  Simmons,  Chairman 


Dr.  Simmons 


THE  COUNCIL 

J.  Leighton  Pettis,  Chairman.  EENT 
James  K.  Williams,  Jr.,  Secretary 

William  H.  Parker,  Chairman,  General  Practice 
W.  Johnson  Witt,  Secretary 

Ben  P.  Folk,  Jr.,  Chairman,  Medicine 
C.  Ralph  Daniel,  Jr.,  Secretary 

J.  Purves  McLaurin,  Jr.,  Chairman,  Ob-Gyn 
Warren  Plauche,  Secretary 

Bill  Carr,  Jr.,  Chairman,  Pediatrics 
William  F.  Sistrunk,  Secretary 

Frank  J.  Morgan,  Jr.,  Chairman.  Preventive  Medicine 
Frank  M.  Wiygul,  Jr.,  Secretary 

W.  Coupery  Shands,  Chairman,  Surgery 
M.  Beckett  Howorth,  Jr.,  Secretary 

MEDICAL  MOTION  PICTURES 

Calvin  T.  Hull,  Chairman 

SCIENTIFIC  AND  TECHNICAL  EXHIBITS 

Hurricane  Rooms  A,  B,  C,  and  D 
The  Beuna  Vista  Hotel 

CONDUCT  OF  THE  SCIENTIFIC  ASSEMBLY 

The  order  of  exercise,  papers,  and  discussion  as  set  forth  in 

the  official  program  shall  be  followed  until  completion.  All 

papers  read  before  the  association  shall  become  its  property. 

Each  paper  must  be  read  by  its  author  and  deposited  with  the 

Secretary  (or  Chairman)  when  read. 


1970 


169 


102ND  ANNUAL  SESSION 


THE  SCIENTIFIC  EXHIBIT 

Physicians,  foundations,  organizations,  and  major  medical  in- 
stitutions will  present  the  Scientific  Exhibit.  Physician-members 
of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  are  eligible  for  the 
Aesculapius  Award,  an  honorarium  cash  purse,  given  for  ex- 
cellence of  presentation,  quality  of  content,  and  originality. 
Others  may  not  participate  in  this  competition,  but  they  are 
eligible  for  the  association’s  Scientific  Achievement  Award,  a 
sculptured  bronze  medallion,  in  recognition  of  the  best  presen- 
tation by  a nonmember.  The  Scientific  Exhibit  is  located  in 
Hurricane  Room  D between  the  Technical  Exhibit  and  the 
principal  meeting  auditorium. 


EXHIBITS  AND  AUTHORS 

“Nuclear  Medicine  in  a General  Hospital” 

Ottis  G.  Ball,  Elmer  J.  Harris,  Robert  P.  Henderson,  and 
James  M.  Packer,  Radiological  Group,  Mississippi  Baptist 
Hospital,  Jackson 

“The  Children’s  Hospital — University  Medical  Center” 

Blair  E.  Batson,  Professor  and  Chairman,  Department  of 
Pediatrics,  Jackson 

“To  Conquer  Cervix  Cancer” 

Richard  C.  Boronow,  Robert  Smith,  Durward  Blakey, 
Kenneth  Pittman,  Carl  Evers,  Forrest  Bratley,  Guy  Gilles- 
pie, Hardy  Woodbridge,  Frank  Wiygul,  and  Walter  H. 
Simmons,  Jackson 

“Cytopathology  of  the  Female  Genital  Tract” 

Forrest  G.  Bratley,  William  P.  Featherston,  Kenneth  M. 
Heard,  and  Louis  Schiesari,  associates  of  the  Central  Cyto- 
pathology Laboratory,  Jackson 

“Diagnostic  Peritoneal  Irrigation:  A Simple  and  Reliable  Tech- 
nique” 

Major  Joseph  M.  Civetta,  USAF,  MC,  and  Major  William 
T.  Ferguson,  USAF,  MC,  USAF  Medical  Center,  Keesler 
AFB 

“Intravenous  Regional  Anesthesia,  a Valuable  Adjunct  to 
Surgery” 

R.  J.  Field,  Jr.,  Centreville 
“Cosmesis  and  Camouflage” 

James  H.  Hendrix,  Jr.,  H.  C.  Ethridge,  and  W.  Douglas 
Godfrey,  Jackson 


170 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


“Total  Intravenous  Nutrition” 

Richard  C.  Miller,  Mart  McMullan,  and  Pervie  Simpson, 
Division  of  Pediatric  Surgery,  University  Medical  Center, 
Jackson 

"The  Evaluation  of  the  Dizzy  Patient” 

James  T.  Robertson  and  Coyle  Shea,  Memphis 

“Intracavitary  Treatment  of  Malignant  Brain  Tumors” 

Alex  Sanford,  Department  of  Neurosurgery,  University 
Medical  Center,  Jackson 

“Complications  of  Hair  Transplantation” 

Dowling  B.  Stough,  III,  Hot  Springs 

“Coronary  Arteriosclerosis:  Surgical  Treatment” 

Charles  W.  Pearce  and  White  E.  Gibson,  III,  New  Or- 
leans 

“Systemic  Clues  to  Occult  Cancer” 

James  P.  Spell,  Jackson 

“Surgical  Management  of  Coronary  Occlusion” 

Hilary  H.  Timmis,  James  D.  Hardy,  Patrick  H.  Lehan, 
and  Kenneth  R.  Bennett,  Departments  of  Medicine  and 
Surgery,  University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 

“Surgical  Aspects  of  Cerebrovascular  Disease” 

Thomas  L.  Kilgore,  J.  Harvey  Johnston,  George  E.  Twente, 
W.  Coupery  Shands,  James  C.  Griffin,  Jackson 

“Coronary  Heart  Disease” 

Thomas  L.  Kilgore,  J.  Harvey  Johnston,  George  E.  Twente, 
W.  Coupery  Shands,  James  C.  Griffin,  Jackson 


OLD  MISS  MEDICAL  ALUMNI 

University  of  Mississippi  Medical  Alumni  will  meet  on  Mon- 
day, May  11.  Alumni  officials  will  conduct  registration  in  the 
general  convention  registration  area  at  the  Buena  Vista  where 
tickets  will  be  available  for  the  evening  party.  A general  busi- 
ness meeting  will  be  conducted  at  4:00  p.m.  in  Hurricane  Room 
E.  The  fellowship  hour,  dinner,  and  dance  will  be  conducted  in 
the  Gold  Rooms  North,  Center,  and  South  and  on  the  Fountain 
Terrace  beginning  at  7:00  p.m.,  Dr.  Hector  S.  Howard,  Mem- 
phis, president,  presiding.  Dr.  Paul  H.  Moore  of  Pascagoula 
is  president-elect,  Dr.  James  S.  Fisckerly  of  Biloxi  is  program 
chairman,  and  Mr.  Charles  William  Price  of  Jackson  is  secre- 
tary. Further  details  and  advance  tickets  may  be  secured  from 
Mr.  Price  at  the  University  Medical  Center,  Jackson. 


APRIL  1970 


171 


102ND  ANNUAL  SESSION 


THE  TECHNICAL  EXHIBIT 

The  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  presents  with  pride 
the  1970  Technical  Exhibit.  Established  firms  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  and  distribution  of  pharmaceuticals,  supplies, 
equipment,  and  in  providing  varied  services  will  present  exhibits. 
Visit  each  exhibit  often  and  discuss  products  and  services  with 
the  Professional  Service  Representatives.  Only  registered  mem- 
bers and  guests  are  admitted.  The  Technical  Exhibit  is  located 
in  the  Hurricane  Room,  the  Buena  Vista  Hotel. 


EXHIBITORS  BOOTH 

Abbott  Laboratories,  North  Chicago,  111.  9 

Ayerst  Laboratories,  New  York,  N.  Y 32 


Bedsole  Surgical  Supply  Co.,  Inc.,  Mobile,  Ala 

Bristol  Laboratories,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Carnation  Company,  Los  Angeles,  Calif. 

Carnrick  Laboratories,  Cedar  Knolls,  N.  J 

CIBA  Pharmaceutical  Co.,  Summit,  N.  J. 

Coca-Cola  USA,  Atlanta,  Ga 

The  Emko  Company,  St.  Louis,  Mo 

Financial  Service  Corporation,  Brookhaven,  Miss. 

Imperial  Fashions,  Los  Angeles,  Calif 

Kay  Surgical,  Inc.,  Jackson,  Miss. 

Lanier  Company,  Jackson,  Miss 

Massachusetts  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Co.,  Jackson,  Miss. 

McNees  Medical  Supply  Company,  Jackson,  Miss 

Mead  Johnson  Laboratories,  Evansville,  Ind 

Merck  Sharp  and  Dohme,  West  Point,  Penn 


19 

34 

43 

41 
11 
12 

42 

4 
45 
33 
30 

7 

10 

1 

5 


172 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


31 


Merrill  Lynch,  Pierce,  Fenner  and  Smith,  Inc.,  Jackson,  Miss. 

Meyer  Laboratories,  Inc.,  Fort  Lauderdale,  Fla.  18 

Mississippi  Hospital  and  Medical  Service,  Jackson,  Miss 44 

Parke,  Davis  and  Company,  Detroit,  Mich 2 

Wm.  P.  Poythress  and  Co.,  Inc.,  Richmond,  Va 20 

A.  H.  Robins  Company,  Richmond,  Va 24 

William  H.  Rorer,  Inc.,  Fort  Washington,  Penn 6 

Sandoz  Pharmaceuticals,  Hanover,  N.  J 35 

W.  B.  Saunders  Company,  Philadelphia,  Penn 21 

Schering  Laboratories,  Union,  N.  J 8 

Smith,  Miller  and  Patch,  Inc.,  New  York,  N.  Y 3 

St.  Paul  Insurance  Companies,  St.  Paul,  Minn 17 

Stuart  Pharmaceuticals,  Pasadena,  Calif 22 

Travelers  Insurance  Co.,  Jackson,  Miss 23 

The  Upjohn  Company,  Memphis,  Tenn.  29 

SCIENTIFIC  GRANTS 

Geigy  Pharmaceuticals,  Ardsley,  N.  Y. 

SEMED  Pharmaceuticals,  San  Francisco,  Calif. 

Smith,  Kline  and  French  Laboratories,  Philadelphia,  Penn. 

Eli  Lilly  and  Company,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 


REGISTRATION  FOR  EXHIBIT  PRIZES 

Visit  the  Technical  Exhibits  often  and  qualify  for  the  drawing 
of  attractive  prizes.  Obtain  necessary  initials  as  you  visit  each 
booth.  Deposit  cards  at  Registration  not  later  than  12:30  p.m., 
Thursday,  May  14. 


APRIL  1970 


173 


102ND  ANNUAL  SESSION 


SCIENTIFIC  PROGRAM 

Tuesday,  May  12,  1970 
Hurricane  Room  E 
Beginning  at  9:00  a.m. 

W.  Coupery  Shands,  Jackson 
Chairman 

M.  Beckett  Howorth,  Jr.,  Oxford 
Secretary 

Intestinal  Obstruction  in  the  Newborn 
Richard  C.  Miller,  Jackson 

The  Present  Status  of  Myocardial  Revascularization 
John  L.  Ochsner,  New  Orleans 

The  Surgical  Aspects  of  the  Thymus 

Philip  E.  Bernatz,  Rochester,  Minnesota 

Amputations  in  Patients  with  Peripheral  Vascular  Disease 
Richard  Warren,  Boston 


Dr.  Shands 


SCIENTIFIC  PROGRAM 

Tuesday,  May  12,  1970 
Hurricane  Room  E 
Beginning  at  2:00  p.m. 

J.  Purves  McLaurin,  Jr.,  Oxford 
Chairman 

Warren  C.  Plauche,  Biloxi 
Secretary 


Family  Planning  in  Mississippi,  Present  and  Near  Future 
George  R.  Huggins,  Jackson 

Diagnosis  and  Management  of  Secondary  Amenorrhea 
Donald  A.  Goss,  Nashville 

Maternal  Mortality  Related  to  Anesthesia,  1957-1967,  State 
of  Mississippi 

Donald  M.  Sherline,  Jackson 

The  Adolescent’s  Social  and  Sexual  Development  in  the 
United  States — A Review  of  Changing  Concepts 
Kermit  E.  Krantz,  Kansas  City 

Complications  Relative  to  the  Use  of  the  Birth  Control 
Pill 

George  Ball,  Jackson,  Moderator 

Panel:  Drs.  Goss,  Krantz,  Herbert  G.  Langford  of  Jackson 
and  J.  Leighton  Pettis  of  Tupelo 


Dr.  McLaurin 


174 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


SCIENTIFIC  PROGRAM 


Wednesday,  May  13,  1970 
Hurricane  Room  E 
Beginning  at  9:00  a.m. 

Frank  J.  Morgan,  Jr.,  Jackson 
Chairman 

Frank  M.  Wiygul,  Jr.,  Jackson 
Secretary 


Dr.  Morgan 


Community  Mental  Health  Centers 
Mary  Alice  Lee,  Jackson 


Youth  and  Drugs 

Judge  Carl  E.  Guernsey,  Jackson 


SCIENTIFIC  PROGRAM 


Wednesday,  May  13,  1970 
Hurricane  Room  E 
Beginning  at  10:00  a.m. 

William  H.  Parker,  Heidelberg 
Chairman 

W.  Johnson  Witt,  Jackson 
Secretary 


Dr.  Parker 


The  Fat  Diabetic 

Buris  R.  Boshell,  Birmingham 


Pitfalls  of  Eye  Care  in  Industrial  Practice 
James  K.  Williams,  Jr.,  Pascagoula 


Industrial  Back  Injuries 

John  G.  Caden,  Jr.,  and  William  C.  Warner,  Jackson 


Fingertip  Injuries  and  Fractures  of  the  Hand 
Claude  S.  Williams,  New  Orleans 


APRIL  1970 


175 


102ND  ANNUAL  SESSION 


SCIENTIFIC  PROGRAM 


Wednesday,  May  13,  1970 
Hurricane  Room  E 
Beginning  at  2:00  p.m. 

Ben  P.  Folk,  Jr.,  Jackson 
Chairman 

C.  Ralph  Daniel,  Jr.,  Jackson 
Secretary 


Dr.  Folk 


Certain  Current  Concepts  of  Immunological  Diseases 
Frederic  C.  McDuffie,  Rochester,  Minnesota 

Meningococcal  Septicemia 
Robert  E.  Blount,  Jackson 

Current  Laboratory  Evaluation  of  Lipid  Disorders 
William  B.  Wilson,  Jackson 

Hereditary  Enzymatic  Defects  of  the  Red  Cell — Clinical 
Implications 

Francis  S.  Morrison,  Jackson 


SCIENTIFIC  PROGRAM 


Thursday,  May  14,  1970 
Hurricane  Room  E 
Beginning  at  9:30  a.m. 

Bill  Carr,  Jr.,  Gulfport 
Chairman 

William  F.  Sistrunk,  Jackson 
Secretary 

Current  Immunization  Trends  and  Indications  for  the  Newer 
Live  Virus  Vaccines 

Mark  A.  Belsey,  New  Orleans 

Pediatric  Hematological  Problems 
Jeanette  Pullen,  Jackson 

Recent  Trends  in  Newborn  Nursery  Care,  Including  Photo- 
therapy of  Jaundice 
Alfred  W.  Brann,  Jackson 


Dr.  Carr 


176 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


SCIENTIFIC  PROGRAM 


Thursday,  May  14,  1970 
Gold  Room  South 
Beginning  at  10:00  a.m. 

J.  Leighton  Pettis,  Tupelo 
Chairman 

James  K.  Williams,  Jr.,  Pascagoula 
Secretary 


Cerebellopontine  Angle  Tumors — Early  Diagnosis  and  Sur- 
gical Treatment 

James  T.  Robertson  and  Coyle  Shea,  Memphis 

Diabetic  Retinopathy 
David  Meyer.  Memphis 


GOLF  TOURNAMENT 

The  annual  association  golf  tournament  will  be  conducted  at 
the  Sunkist  Country  Club  on  Wednesday,  May  13,  Dr.  A.  V. 
Hays,  Gulfport,  chairman.  The  $12  entrance  fee  includes  one 
green  fee  ticket  and  two  19th  Hole  refreshment  tickets.  Awards 
to  winners  will  be  made  at  5:00  p.m.  in  the  clubhouse.  Handi- 
caps are  not  needed,  the  two  flights  being  divided  among  those 
over  and  under  55  years  of  age.  Advance  registration  is  en- 
couraged, sending  name  and  fee  to  Dr.  Hays  at  the  ENT  Hos- 
pital, 13th  and  31st  Avenue,  Gulfport  39501.  Tuesday  rounds 
are  acceptable  for  the  single  round  18  hole  play.  Pre-registrants 
may  pick  up  tickets  at  the  pro  shop;  others  at  General  Registra- 
tion at  the  Buena  Vista  Hotel. 

ANNUAL  ASSOCIATION  PARTY 

Fun,  food,  fellowship,  and  frolic  highlight  Wednesday  evening, 
May  13,  at  the  annual  association,  no-theme  party  in  the  Gold 
Rooms  North,  Center,  South  and  the  Fountain  Terrace.  Fellow- 
ship begins  at  7:00  p.m.,  continuing  through  dinner  and  dancing 
with  Ed  Butler  and  his  Orchestra.  Tickets  will  be  available  at 
General  Registration  in  the  Hurricane  Room  Foyer. 


177 


APRIL  1970 


102ND  ANNUAL  SESSION 


VISITING  ESSAYISTS 


Mark  A.  Belsey,  M.D.,  New  Orleans, 
Louisiana.  Acting  Chairman  of  Epidemiol- 
ogy, Tulane  University.  Medical  Education, 
New  York  Medical  College,  1960.  Diplo- 
mate,  American  Board  of  Pediatrics. 


Dr.  Belsey 


Philip  E.  Bernatz,  M.D.,  Rochester,  Min- 
nesota. Associate  Professor  of  Surgery, 
Mayo  Graduate  School  of  Medicine,  Uni- 
versity of  Minnesota.  Medical  Education, 
State  University  of  Iowa,  1944.  Diplomate, 
American  Boards  of  Surgery  and  Thoracic 
Surgery. 


Dr.  Bernatz 


Dr.  Boshell 


Buris  R.  Boshell,  M.D.,  Birmingham,  Ala- 
bama. Professor  of  Medicine,  Medical  Col- 
lege of  Alabama.  Medical  Education,  Har- 
vard Medical  School,  1953.  Diplomate, 
American  Board  of  Internal  Medicine. 


Gerald  D.  Dorman,  M.D.,  New  York. 

President,  American  Medical  Association. 

Medical  Education,  Columbia  University 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  1929. 

Diplomate,  American  Board  of  Preventive 
Medicine. 

Dr.  Dorman 


178 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Donald  A.  Goss,  M.D.,  Nashville,  Tennes- 
see. Professor  and  Chairman  of  Obstetrics 
and  Gynecology,  Vanderbilt  University. 
Medical  Education,  Harvard  Medical  School, 
1959.  Diplomate,  American  Board  of  Ob- 
stetrics and  Gynecology. 


Dr.  Goss 


Judge  Guernsey 


Hon.  Carl  E.  Guernsey,  Jackson.  Profes- 
sional Education:  Millsaps  College,  B.A.; 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Law, 
LL.B.  Presiding  Judge,  Hinds  County  Court 
and  Youth  Court. 


Kermit  E.  Krantz,  M.D.,  Kansas  City, 
Kansas.  Professor  and  Chairman  of  Ob- 
stetrics and  Gynecology,  University  of  Kan- 
sas. Medical  Education,  Northwestern  Uni- 
versity Medical  School,  1948.  Diplomate, 
American  Board  of  Obstetrics  and  Gynecol- 
ogy- 


Frederic  C.  McDuffie,  M.D.,  Rochester, 
Minnesota.  Assistant  Professor  of  Medicine, 
University  of  Minnesota.  Medical  Education, 
Harvard  Medical  School,  1951.  Diplomate, 
American  Board  of  Internal  Medicine. 


Dr.  McDuffie 


Dr.  Krantz 


APRIL  1970 


179 


102ND  ANNUAL  SESSION 


VISITING  ESSAYIST 


Dr.  Meyer 


David  Meyer,  M.D.,  Memphis,  Tennessee. 
Instructor,  Department  of  Ophthalmology, 
University  of  Tennessee.  Medical  Educa- 
tion, University  of  Tennessee,  1962.  Diplo- 
mate,  American  Board  of  Ophthalmology. 


John  L.  Ochsner,  M.D.,  New  Orleans, 
Louisiana.  Clinical  Associate  Professor,  Tu- 
lane  University,  and  Chairman  of  Surgery, 
Ochsner  Clinic.  Medical  Education,  Tulane 
University,  1952.  Diplomate,  American 
Boards  of  Surgery  and  Thoracic  Surgery. 


Dr.  Ochsner 


Dr.  Warren 


Richard  Warren,  M.D.,  Boston,  Massachu- 
setts. Professor  of  Surgery,  Harvard  Medical 
School.  Medical  Education,  Harvard  Med- 
ical School,  1934.  Diplomate,  American 
Board  of  Surgery. 


Claude  S.  Williams,  M.D.,  New  Orleans, 
Louisiana.  Instructor,  Tulane  University 
School  of  Medicine.  Medical  Education, 
Tulane  University,  1959.  Diplomate,  Amer- 
ican Board  of  Orthopaedic  Surgery. 


Dr.  Williams 


1 80 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


WOMAN’S  AUXILIARY  TO  THE 
MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

47th  Annual  Session 
Buena  Vista  Hotel 
May  11-13,  1970 


Mrs.  Lehmann 


OFFICERS 

Mrs.  Louis  C.  Lehmann 
Natchez 
President 

Mrs.  Curtis  W.  Caine 
Jackson 
President-elect 


Mrs.  Caine 


ANNUAL  SESSION  CHAIRMEN 


Mrs.  David  L.  Clippinger 
Hazlehurst 
General  Chairman 

Mrs.  Steve  Sekul 
Biloxi 

Co-Chairman 

Mrs.  G.  Swink  Hicks 
Mrs.  Sidney  O.  Graves,  Jr. 
Natchez 
Luncheon 


Mrs.  Nicholas  DiSanti 
Pascagoula 
Registration 

Mrs.  H.  Lowry  Rush,  Jr. 
Meridian 
Publicity 

Mrs.  James  T.  Thompson 
Moss  Point 

VIP  and  Transportation 


AUXILIARY 

Sunday,  May  10,  1970 
2:00  p.m.  Registration,  Buena  Vista  Lobby 


1 8 1 


APRIL  1970 


102ND  ANNUAL  SESSION 


Monday,  May  11,  1970 

9:00  a.m.  Registration,  Lobby 

9:00  a.m.  Auxiliary  Hospitality,  Fiesta  Room 

3:00  p.m.  Finance  Committee,  Mrs.  A.  T.  Tatum,  Fiesta  Room 

4:00  p.m.  Preconvention  Executive  Board  Meeting,  Mrs.  Louis 
C.  Lehmann,  Presiding,  Fiesta  Room 

5:00  p.m.  President’s  Reception,  Glass  Room,  for  the  Executive 
Board  and  Auxiliary  members  arriving  early 


Tuesday,  May  12,  1970 

9:00  a.m.  Registration,  Lobby 

12:00  noon  Luncheon,  Fountain  Terrace 
Adams  County  Auxiliary 
Mrs.  Kurtz  B.  Stowers,  President 
Mrs.  G.  Swink  Hicks  and  Mrs.  Sidney  O.  Graves, 
Jr.,  Luncheon  Chairmen 
Theme:  “Happiness  is  . . .” 

Mrs.  Louis  C.  Lehmann,  Presiding 
Invocation 

Introduction  of  Guests 
Guest  Speaker 

Mrs.  G.  Prentiss  Lee,  Portland,  Ore. 

First  Vice  President,  Woman’s  Auxiliary  to  the 
American  Medical  Association 

3:00  p.m.  Optional  Tour,  Beauvoir 

Admission  $.75  per  person 

Meeting  in  Lobby  at  2:30  p.m.  for  Transportation 


Wednesday,  May  13,  1970 
8:00  a.m.  Registration,  Lobby 

8:00  a.m.  Complimentary  Continental  Breakfast  for  Auxiliary 
Members,  Gold  Room  South 

9:00  a.m.  General  Session,  Gold  Room  South 

Mrs.  Louis  C.  Lehmann,  Presiding 
Invocation 
Auxiliary  Pledge 

Mrs.  Clarence  H.  Webb,  Jr.,  Jackson 
Welcome 

Mrs.  Maurice  A.  Taquino,  Ocean  Springs 


I 82 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Response 

Mrs.  Jack  A.  Stokes,  Pontotoc 
Introductions 
Greetings 

James  L.  Royals,  M.D.,  Jackson 
President,  MSMA 
Paul  B.  Brumby,  M.D.,  Lexington 
President-elect,  MSMA 

Credentials  and  Registration 

Mrs.  Nicholas  DiSanti,  Pascagoula 

Roll  Call 

Minutes 

President’s  Report 

Mrs.  Louis  C.  Lehmann,  Natchez 

Treasurer’s  Report 

AMA-ERF  Report 

Mrs.  A.  E.  Brown,  Columbus 

Finance  Report 

Mrs.  A.  T.  Tatum,  Hattiesburg 

Appointment  of  Delegates  to  AMA  Auxiliary 

Unfinished  Business 

New  Business 

Memorial  Service 

Mrs.  James  W.  Allison,  Jr.,  Vicksburg 

Report  of  the  Nominating  Committee 
Mrs.  Paul  B.  Brumby,  Lexington 

Election  of  Officers 

Installation  of  Officers 

Courtesy  Resolution 

Mrs.  James  V.  Ferguson,  Jr.,  Greenwood 
Adjournment 

2:30  p.m.  Postconvention  Executive  Board  Meeting 
Mrs.  Curtis  W.  Caine,  Presiding 
Gold  Room  South 

7:00  p.m.  Annual  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  Party 

Fountain  Terrace  and  Gold  Rooms,  North  Center, 
and  South 


Thursday,  May  14,  1970 

8:30  a.m.  Past  Presidents’ Breakfast,  Fiesta  Room 
Mrs.  Paul  B.  Brumby,  Presiding 


APRIL  1970 


183 


102ND  ANNUAL  SESSION 


AMERICAN  COLLEGE  OF  SURGEONS, 
MISSISSIPPI  CHAPTER 

Buena  Vista  Hotel 
Tuesday,  May  12,  1970 


Richard  F.  Riley,  Meridian,  President 

Dawson  B.  Conerly,  Jr.,  Hattiesburg,  President-elect 

Albert  L.  Meena,  Jackson,  Secretary 

12:00  noon  Luncheon  and  Business  Meeting,  Gold  Room  Center 
Members  and  Guests 

1:30  p.m.  Scientific  Program,  Gold  Room  South 
All  MSMA  Members  Are  Invited 
Treatment  of  Venous  Thromboembolism 
Richard  Warren,  Boston 

2:15  p.m.  The  Surgical  Management  of  Functional  Dis- 
eases of  the  Esophagus 

Philip  E.  Bernatz,  Rochester,  Minnesota 

3:00  p.m.  Problem  Cases  in  Surgery 

Frank  H.  Tucker,  Jr.,  Meridian 
Benton  M.  Hilbun,  Tupelo 
Richard  C.  Boronow,  Jackson 
T.  E.  Ross,  III,  Hattiesburg 


MISSISSIPPI  SOCIETY  OF  ANESTHESIOLOGISTS 

The  Mississippi  Association  of  Anesthesiologists  will  meet  at 
the  University  Medical  Center,  Jackson,  on  Sunday,  May  10. 
The  guest  speaker  will  be  Dr.  Richard  C.  Miller  of  Jackson, 
UMC  Assistant  Professor  of  Surgery  (Pediatric  Surgery),  who 
will  speak  on  “Fluid  Balance  in  Pediatric  Surgical  Patients.” 
Society  officers  are  Drs.  Leonard  W.  Fabian  of  Jackson,  presi- 
dent; Robert  B.  Thompson  of  Jackson,  president-elect;  and 
Richard  C.  Snow  of  Jackson,  secretary. 

MISSISSIPPI  ASSOCIATION  OF  PATHOLOGISTS 

Members  of  the  Mississippi  Association  of  Pathologists  will  meet 
on  Sunday  and  Monday,  May  10  and  11.  Activities  will  begin 
at  1:00  p.m.  in  the  Surf  Room  on  Sunday  and  continue  on  Mon- 
day with  a further  session  at  9:00  a.m.,  also  in  the  Surf  Room. 
Dr.  George  M.  Sturgis  of  Jackson  is  president,  and  Dr.  William 
V.  Hare  of  Jackson  is  secretary. 


1 84 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


REFERENCE  COMMITTEES  BREAKFAST 

Members  of  all  Reference  Committees  of  the  House  of  Delegates 
will  meet  for  breakfast  on  Monday  morning.  May  11,  in  the 
Sun  Room  at  7:00  a.m.  Hosts  are  Drs.  William  E.  Lotterhos 
of  Jackson,  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Delegates,  and  John  B. 
Howell,  Jr.,  of  Canton,  Vice  Speaker.  The  meeting  is  important 
in  that  Reference  Committee  members  will  be  oriented  as  to 
duties  and  the  conduct  of  hearings  later  in  the  day. 

MISSISSIPPI  ORTHOPAEDIC  SOCIETY 

A luncheon  meeting  of  the  Mississippi  Orthopaedic  Society  will 
be  conducted  in  the  Glass  Room  on  Monday,  May  11,  at  12:30 
p.m.  A program  will  follow  the  luncheon.  Officers  are  Drs.  Wil- 
liam B.  Thompson  of  Jackson,  president;  Daniel  J.  Enger  of 
Pascagoula,  president-elect;  James  O.  Manning  of  Jackson,  vice 
president;  and  Louis  A.  Farber  of  Jackson,  secretary. 

FIFTY  YEAR  CLUB 

Members  of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association's  Fifty 
Year  Club  will  be  honored  at  a luncheon  on  Tuesday,  May  12, 
in  the  Surf  Room.  Dr.  Mai  S.  Riddell,  Jr.,  of  Winona,  chairman 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  will  preside,  and  Mrs.  Cindy  Sanders 
of  the  MSMA  staff  is  secretary. 

MISSISSIPPI  OB-GYN  SOCIETY 

The  Mississippi  Ob-Gyn  Society  will  conduct  a luncheon  meet- 
ing on  Tuesday,  May  12,  in  the  Sun  Room  at  12:00  o’clock 
noon.  Officers  of  the  society  are  Drs.  William  S.  Cook  of  Jack- 
son,  president  and  meeting  chairman;  William  R.  Raulston  of 
Hattiesburg,  president-elect;  and  George  Ball  of  Jackson,  sec- 
retary. 

VANDERBILT  MEDICAL  ALUMNI 

Vanderbilt  Medical  Alumni  will  meet  at  a reception  on  Tues- 
day, May  12  from  5:30  until  7:00  in  the  evening  in  the  Glass 
Room.  Hosts  for  the  reception  are  Drs.  Archie  C.  Hewes  and 
Edward  C.  Hamilton  of  Gulfport.  The  guest  of  honor  will  be 
Dr.  John  L.  Shapiro,  professor  and  chairman  of  the  Department 
of  Pathology.  Arrangements  are  under  the  charge  of  Mrs.  Sue 
F.  Segrest,  director  of  Medical  Alumni  and  Development  Affairs. 

TULANE  MEDICAL  ALUMNI 

Medical  Alumni  of  the  Tulane  University  will  enjoy  a fellow- 
ship hour  from  6:00  until  8:00  on  Tuesday  evening.  May  12, 
in  the  Sun  Room.  Dr.  Maxwell  E.  Lapham,  Executive  Secretary 
of  the  Medical  Alumni  Association,  and  Miss  Rose  B.  Koppel 
of  his  office  are  in  charge  of  arrangements. 


p: 


CD 


APRIL  1970 


185 


102ND  ANNUAL  SESSION 


MSMA  PAST  PRESIDENTS’  BREAKFAST 

Past  Presidents  of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 
will  enjoy  a breakfast  meeting  on  Wednesday  morning.  May  13, 
in  the  Fiesta  Room  at  7:30  a.m.  Dr.  Joseph  B.  Rogers  of  Oxford 
is  host. 

MAGP  LUNCHEON 

The  Mississippi  Academy  of  General  Practice  will  sponsor  a 
luncheon  at  12:00  o’clock  noon  on  Wednesday,  May  13,  on 
the  Fountain  Terrace.  Officers  are  Drs.  Walter  W.  Crawford  of 
Tylertown,  president;  William  H.  Parker  of  Heidelberg,  presi- 
dent-elect; John  G.  Atwood  of  Meridian,  secretary-treasurer; 
and  Miss  Louise  Lacey  of  Jackson,  executive  secretary.  A spe- 
cial guest  speaker  will  be  featured. 

FLYING  PHYSICIANS  ASSOCIATION 

The  Flying  Physicians  Association  and  nonmembers  interested 
in  private  aviation  will  enjoy  a luncheon  on  Wednesday,  May  13, 
in  the  Surf  Room  at  12  o’clock  noon.  The  Mississippi  president 
is  Dr.  Jim  C.  Barnett  of  Brookhaven. 

MISSISSIPPI  SOCIETY  OF  INTERNAL  MEDICINE 

A luncheon  meeting  of  the  Mississippi  Society  of  Internal  Med- 
icine will  be  held  on  Wednesday,  May  13,  at  12:00  o’clock  noon 
in  the  Fiesta  Room.  Officers  of  the  society  are  Drs.  Ben  P.  Folk, 
Jr.,  of  Jackson,  president  and  meeting  chairman;  William  C. 
Kellum  of  Tupelo,  president-elect;  and  S.  H.  McDonnieal,  Jr., 
of  Jackson,  secretary. 

MISSISSIPPI  PSYCHIATRIC  ASSOCIATION 

Members  of  the  Mississippi  Psychiatric  Association  will  meet 
in  the  Sun  Room  on  Wednesday,  May  13,  for  a luncheon  and 
special  program  at  12:15  p.m.  Officers  are  Drs.  George  C. 
Hamilton,  Jr.,  of  Jackson,  president;  William  H.  C.  Dudley  of 
Whitfield,  president-elect  and  meeting  chairman;  and  William 
C.  McQuinn  of  Jackson,  secretary. 

MISSISSIPPI  RADIOLOGICAL  SOCIETY 

The  Mississippi  Radiological  Society  will  sponsor  a luncheon 
meeting  on  Thursday,  May  14,  in  the  Glass  Room,  beginning 
at  11:30  a.m.  Officers  of  the  society  are  Drs.  Clyde  Smith  of 
Greenwood,  president;  James  B.  Barlow  of  Jackson,  president- 
elect; and  Ottis  G.  Ball  of  Jackson,  secretary. 

MISSISSIPPI  EENT  ASSOCIATION 

The  Mississippi  Eye,  Ear,  Nose,  and  Throat  Association  will 
conduct  a business  meeting  and  luncheon  on  Thursday,  May  14, 
in  the  Sun  Room  at  12:00  o’clock  noon.  Officers  are  Drs. 
Samuel  B.  Johnson  of  Jackson,  president  and  meeting  chairman; 
Chester  W.  Masterson  of  Vicksburg,  president-elect;  and  Ben 
McCarty,  Jr.,  of  Jackson,  secretary. 


186 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Handbook  of  the 
House  of  Delegates 


Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 
102nd  Annual  Session,  Biloxi 
May  11-14,  1970 


SUPPLEMENTAL  REPORT  “A" 
OF  THE  SECRETARY-TREASURER 

Vacancies  in  Elected  Offices.  Effective  May 
14,  1970,  there  will  occur  25  vacancies  in  elected 
offices  in  the  association  by  reason  of  expiration 
of  prescribed  terms  of  service.  In  accordance 
with  applicable  portions  of  the  By-Laws,  the 
Nominating  Committee  will  be  asked  to  deliber- 
ate, consult  with  colleagues,  and  make  nomina- 
tions to  the  House  of  Delegates  for  consideration 
and  voting  to  elect  successors  or  to  re-elect  in- 
cumbents. 

Eligibility.  To  be  nominated  for  office  in  the 
association,  a nominee  must  have  been  a mem- 
ber for  two  years  and  must  have  attended  two 
of  the  past  three  annual  sessions,  including  the 
present  one.  A member  may  not  serve  more 
than  three  consecutive  terms  as  a member  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  or  a council.  No  incumbent  is 
ineligible  for  re-election  by  reason  of  three  terms 
of  service. 

Vacancies  for  Nomination.  Following  is  a list- 
ing of  vacancies  which  will  occur  during  the 
102nd  Annual  Session  as  well  as  requirements 
for  nominations  and  identity  of  incumbents: 

President-elect 

Nominate  three,  no  two  of  whom  may  be  from 
the  same  county,  elect  one. 

Vice  Presidents 

Nominate  three  for  the  Northern  Area,  three 
for  the  Mid-State  Area,  and  three  for  the  South- 
ern Area.  Elect  one  for  each  area. 

Secretary-T  reasurer 

Term  1970-73.  Nominate  three,  elect  one.  In- 
cumbent: Walter  H.  Simmons,  Jackson. 


HANDBOOK  INFORMATION 

The  Speaker  and  Vice  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Delegates  herewith  present  for  the 
information  of  all  members  those  reports 
and  resolutions  as  have  been  received  for 
publication  in  advance  of  the  102nd  Annual 
Session.  It  is  the  intent  of  this  advance  publi- 
cation to  inform  the  membership  and  to  af- 
ford all  concerned  the  opportunity  to  confer 
with  delegates  over  any  aspect  of  the  reports 
and  resolutions. 

No  report  or  resolution  herein  becomes 
official  or  a statement  of  policy  until  formal- 
ly presented  to  the  House  of  Delegates  and 
acted  upon  at  the  annual  session. 

William  E.  Lotterhos 
Speaker 

John  B.  Howell,  Jr. 

Vice  Speaker 


Speaker  of  the  House  of  Delegates 

Term  1970-73.  Nominate  three,  elect  one.  In- 
cumbent: William  E.  Lotterhos,  Jackson. 

Vice  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Delegates 

Term  1970-73.  Nominate  three,  elect  one.  In- 
cumbent: John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  Canton. 

Associate  Editor 

Term  1970-72.  Nominate  two,  elect  one.  In- 
cumbent: George  H.  Martin,  Vicksburg. 


APRIL  1970 


187 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

Delegate  to  AM  A 

Term  Jan.  1,  1971 -Dec.  31,  1972.  Nominate 
two,  elect  one.  Incumbent:  Howard  A.  Nelson, 
Greenwood. 

Alternate  Delegate  to  AM  A 

Term  Jan.  1,  1971-Dec.  31,  1972.  Nominate 
two,  elect  one.  Incumbent:  Stanley  A.  Hill, 
Corinth. 

Board  of  Trustees,  Districts  1 , 2,  and  3 

Terms  1970-73.  Nominate  two  for  each  dis- 
trict, elect  one  for  each  district.  Incumbents:  John 
M.  Alford,  Greenwood,  District  1;  James  O.  Gil- 
more, Oxford,  District  2;  and  J.  T.  Davis,  Cor- 
inth, District  3. 

Council  on  Budget  and  Finance 

Term  1970-73.  Nominate  two,  elect  one.  In- 
cumbent: Daniel  L.  Hollis,  Biloxi. 

Council  on  Constitution  and  By-Laws 

Term  1970-73.  Nominate  two,  elect  one.  In- 
cumbent: Arthur  E.  Brown,  Columbus. 

Judicial  Council,  Districts  7 , 8,  and  9 

Terms  1970-73.  Nominate  two  for  each  district, 
elect  one  for  each  district.  Incumbents:  J.  P.  Cul- 
pepper, Jr.,  Hattiesburg,  District  7;  Leo  J.  Scan- 
lon, Jr.,  Natchez,  District  8;  and  James  T.  Thomp- 
son, Moss  Point,  District  9. 

Council  on  Legislation,  Districts  4,  5,  and  6 

Terms  1970-73.  Nominate  two  for  each  dis- 
trict, elect  one  for  each  district.  Incumbents: 
Paul  B.  Brumby,  Lexington,  District  4;  George 
E.  Twente,  Jackson,  District  5;  and  Guy  T.  Vise, 
Meridian,  District  6. 

Council  on  Medical  Education 

Term  1970-73.  Nominate  two,  elect  one.  In- 
cumbent: Frederick  E.  Tatum,  Hattiesburg. 

Council  on  Medical  Service,  Districts  7 , 8,  and  9 
Terms  1970-73.  Nominate  two  for  each  dis- 
trict, elect  one  for  each  district.  Incumbents: 
Charles  R.  Jenkins,  Laurel,  District  7;  Jack  A.  At- 
kinson, Brookhaven,  District  8;  and  Bedford  F. 
Floyd,  Gulfport,  District  9. 

Mississippi  State  Board  of  Health 

No  vacancies  will  occur  in  1970  among  phy- 
sician-members. 


REPORT  OF  THE  DELEGATES  TO  AMA 


P 


Reporting  Format.  Your  Delegates  to  the 
American  Medical  Association  continue  to  limit 
their  joint  report  to  this  House  of  Delegates  to  P 
key  policy  actions  at  the  annual  and  clinical  con- 
ventions. Because  of  excellent  and  detailed  re-  to 
porting  in  the  American  Medical  News  and 
Journal  AMA  of  scientific  and  subsidiary  activ- 
ities, these  aspects  would  only  be  needless  repe- 
titions and  duplications. 

Dr.  G.  Swink  Hicks  of  Natchez  completed  his 
hist  full  term  of  two  years  in  1969  and  began 
serving  his  second  term  to  which  he  was  re-elect-  . t, 
ed  in  1969  on  Jan.  1,  1970.  The  senior  Delegate, 
Dr.  Howard  A.  Nelson  of  Greenwood,  will  com- 
plete his  second  full  term  during  the  current  year. 
Our  able  Alternate  Delegates  are  Drs.  Stanley  A.  1 
Hill  of  Corinth  and  Joseph  B.  Rogers  of  Oxford. 

The  present  reporting  covers  the  1 1 8th  An- 
nual Convention  at  New  York,  July  13-17,  and 
the  23rd  Clinical  Convention  at  Denver,  Nov. 
30-Dec.  3,  both  1969.  We  are  grateful  for  the 
attendance,  participation,  and  support  at  these 
meetings  of  our  president.  Dr.  Royals,  and  our 
president-elect,  Dr.  Brumby.  Many  other  Missis- 
sippi physicians  attended  and  participated  in 
these  conventions,  contributing  to  scientific  and 
business  activities. 


New  York  Annual  Convention.  The  House  of 
Delegates  considered  59  reports  and  137  resolu- 
tions, meeting  in  formal  session  about  16  hours 
over  four  days.  Distinguished  speakers  included 
Vice  President  Agnew  and  Dr.  Roger  O.  Ege- 
berg,  Assistant  Secretary  of  HEW  for  Health  and 
Scientific  Affairs. 

Major  items  of  business  and  policy  included 
peer  review,  health  care  of  the  poor,  medical 
care  as  a matter  of  right.  Medicare  and  Medicaid, 
relations  with  hospitals,  laboratory  advertising 
and  billing,  sex  education,  and  internal  organi- 
zation and  finances  of  AMA. 

The  House  moved  decisively  on  peer  review, 
encouraging  full  and  complete  participation  and 
implementation  at  all  levels  of  medical  organiza- 
tion. The  House  stated  that  it  “knows  of  no 
greater  challenge  facing  the  profession  today 
than  to  secure  universal  acceptance  and  applica- 
tion of  the  peer  review  concept.  . . .”  The  action 
made  it  clear  that  should  medicine  fail  in  meet- 
ing this  challenge,  the  task  will  be  done  for  us 
and  not  on  our  terms. 

In  this  same  connection,  the  delegates  recog- 
nized the  physician’s  influence  on  the  cost  of 
care,  stating  that  “the  doctor  has  a significant 
and  responsible  role  in  any  organized  effort  to 
control  health  care  expenditures.”  With  specific 


188 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


reference  to  Medicare  and  Medicaid,  the  House 
took  four  major  actions: 

— Expanded  peer  review  at  component  society 
level  to  reduce  hospital  and  extended  care  fa- 
cility stay  and  to  expand  ambulatory  care. 

— Eradication  by  the  profession  of  isolated 
abuses  by  physicians. 

— Promotion  of  innovative  health  service  de- 
livery systems  for  low  income  communities. 

— Preservation  of  care  quality  in  the  face  of 
cost  containment  measures. 

But  in  the  matter  of  Social  Security  Adminis- 
tration fee  freezes,  the  House  said  that  the  set- 
ting of  “rigid  limits  on  levels  of  payments  to  phy- 
sicians who  provide  services  appear  in  contra- 
diction to  Congressional  intent”  that  these  pa- 
tients receive  care  on  the  same  basis  as  private 
patients.  A call  was  made  for  the  Congress  to 
reassess  its  intent  and  priorities  in  relation  to 
Title  XIX. 

The  AMA  again  asked  for  the  identities  of 
physicians  said  to  have  abused  Medicare  and 
Medicaid  and  condemned  the  practice  of  release 
by  government  agencies  of  gross  amount  paid  to 
individuals  and  groups  under  the  programs  with- 
out further  explanation,  giving  a frequently  false 
impression  of  abuse. 

Your  Delegates  introduced  a resolution  in  re- 
sponse to  the  mandate  given  us  in  Resolution 
No.  3,  subject:  JAMA  Laboratory  Advertising,  at 
our  101st  Annual  Session.  A number  of  similar 
resolutions  were  introduced  by  other  states.  De- 
spite diligent  and  persistent  effort,  the  House  con- 
curred with  the  Judicial  Council’s  views  that  the 
advertising  pages  of  Journal  AMA  cannot  be  de- 
nied a lawful  activity,  including  independent  lab- 
oratories with  industrial  sponsorship. 

The  frequently  discussed  and  sometimes  mis- 
understood position  on  medical  care  as  a right 
was  clarified  to  the  extent  of  a policy  statement: 

— That  it  is  a basic  right  of  every  citizen  to 
have  available  to  him  adequate  health  care. 

— That  it  is  a basic  right  of  every  citizen  to 
have  free  choice  of  physician  and  institutions  in 
obtaining  medical  care. 

— That  the  medical  profession,  using  all  means 
at  its  disposal,  should  endeavor  to  make  good 
medical  care  available  to  each  person. 

A preliminary  policy  on  health  care  of  the 
poor  states  that  comprehensive  services  in  this 
connection  are  desirable,  that  it  must  be  a long- 
range,  continuing  program,  that  research  on  un- 
met needs  which  is  documented  should  be  im- 
plemented, that  the  poor  should  participate  in 
planning  at  community  level,  and  that  physicians 
should  work  with  organizations  in  and  out  of 


medicine  where  concern  for  care  of  the  poor  has 
been  expressed. 

The  Scientific  Assembly  was  reorganized  with 
the  several  specialty  societies  having  been  given 
a stronger  voice  in  the  affairs  of  their  respective 
sections.  Each  of  the  24  scientific  sections  is  to  be 
governed  by  a section  council  whose  members 
are  selected  by  the  appropriate  specialty  society. 
The  new  format  becomes  effective  Jan.  1,  1972. 

By-Laws  relating  to  membership  eligibility 
were  amended  to  permit  qualified  osteopaths  to 
become  full,  active  members.  While  conceding 
that  the  primary  responsibility  for  family  life  edu- 
cation is  in  the  home,  the  House  “supported  in 
principle  the  inauguration  by  State  Boards  of 
Education  or  school  districts,  whichever  is  appli- 
cable, of  a voluntary  family  life  and  sex  educa- 
tion program  at  appropriate  grade  levels.”  The 
House  supported  the  integrity  of  hospital  medi- 
cal staffs  in  self-government,  having  previously 
endorsed  the  concept  of  voting  membership  on 
hospital  governing  boards  for  physicians. 

The  financial  picture  for  AMA  is  not  bright 
with  mounting  costs,  broadened  areas  of  activity, 
and  about  $4  million  due  in  federal  income  taxes 
on  advertising.  We  forsee  a dues  increase  to  $100 
per  year  effective  in  1971. 

At  the  New  York  convention,  the  House  of 
Delegates  took  a unique  action,  electing  a num- 
ber of  senior  state  medical  association  and  na- 
tional specialty  society  executives  to  membership 
in  AMA.  Our  Executive  Secretary,  Mr.  Row- 
land B.  Kennedy,  was  among  them. 

Denver  Clinical  Convention.  Major  actions  at 
the  Denver  Clinical  Convention  included  con- 
clusive actions  on  health  care  of  the  poor,  long- 
range  planning  for  AMA,  discontinuation  of  the 
AMA-ERF  Institute  for  Biomedical  Research,  a 
statement  of  policy  on  marijuana,  private  prac- 
tice, governmental  delivery  programs,  and  costs 
of  medical  care.  The  House  of  Delegates  acted 
on  99  items  of  business  among  which  were  33  re- 
ports and  66  resolutions. 

In  taking  definitive  actions  on  health  care  of 
the  poor,  the  House  reaffirmed  its  policy  on  medi- 
cal care  as  a basic  right,  calling  for  increased 
funding  of  effective  government  programs,  proj- 
ects to  eliminate  unfavorable  environmental  con- 
ditions, increased  physician  services  in  the  urban 
slums,  expansion  of  health  careers  by  recruitment 
from  disadvantaged  areas,  better  prenatal  and 
postnatal  care,  family  planning  services,  a crack- 
down on  quackery  which  exploits  the  poor,  im- 
proved mental  health  services  programs,  and 
more  participation  in  AMA  activities  by  minority 
group  physicians. 

(Turn  to  page  200) 


APRIL  1970 


189 


The  President  Speaking 


‘Continuum  of  Crisis’ 


JAMES  L.  ROYALS,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


Being  President  of  the  state  medical  association  when  the  Legis- 
lature is  in  session  is  an  interesting  and  an  enlightening  experi- 
ence. Last  summer  with  the  special  session  to  consider  Medicaid 
and  this  year  with  the  regular  session  in  full  swing,  it  seems  almost 
as  if  the  Legislature  has  been  meeting  continually.  And,  hardly 
does  one  crisis  begin  to  pass  before  another  more  serious  one  ap- 
pears. 

Many  issues  of  great  importance  to  the  practice  of  medicine  in 
Mississippi  have  been  before  these  two  sessions  of  the  Legislature. 
While  we  are  fortunate  to  have  many  good  and  staunch  friends 
in  the  Legislature,  it  is  realistic  to  recognize  that  organized  medi- 
cine is  increasingly  under  attack. 

Much  of  the  hostile  feelings  which  we  have  on  occasions  ex- 
perienced can  be  explained  by  lack  of  proper  communication 
with  the  Legislature.  In  our  busy  days,  we  simply  have  not  taken 
the  time  or  made  the  effort  to  communicate  on  a personal  basis 
with  our  legislators  so  that  they  may  more  properly  understand 
our  points  of  view.  We  must  organize  ourselves  so  that  our  mem- 
bers will  be  more  adequately  informed  on  issues  under  considera- 
tion and  bring  our  membership  to  an  understanding  of  the  abso- 
lute importance  of  participating  from  a position  of  knowledge  in 
the  great  debate  on  delivery  of  health  care  that  looms  on  the  hori- 
zon. We  must  increasingly  and  individually  become  involved  with 
our  lawmakers,  helping  them  draft  legislation  that  will  serve  the 
best,  long-range  interest  of  the  public  and  preserve  the  free  en- 
terprise system  that  has  made  American  medicine  the  greatest  in 
the  world.  *** 


1 90 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


JOURNAL  OF  THE 
MISSISSIPPI  STATE 
MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

VOLUME  XI,  NUMBER  4 

April  1970 


Professional  Corporations: 

They’re  Here! 


i 

Ten  months  to  the  day  after  adoption  of  Reso- 
lution No.  6 by  the  association’s  House  of  Dele- 
gates in  1969,  professional  corporations  for  Mis- 
sissippi physicians  are  a legal  reality.  On  March 
16,  the  first  citizen  of  the  state  guided  his  pen 
across  the  engrossed  copy  of  House  Bill  48,  af- 
fixing the  familiar  signature,  “John  Bell  Williams,” 
as  the  president  of  the  association  stood  at  his 
side.  We  not  only  have  a professional  corpora- 
tion law,  but  we  have  an  unusually  good  one. 

The  West  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  consist- 
ing mostly  of  Vicksburg  physicians,  introduced 
Resolution  No.  6 at  the  101st  Annual  Session, 
seeking  association  approval  and  endorsement  of 
professional  corporations  and  asking  that  a suit- 
able bill  be  prepared  and  introduced  in  the  Leg- 
islature to  make  these  legal  entities  possible.  The 
MSMA  team  took  it  from  there,  and  our  bill 
was  introduced  by  Hon.  Fred  Lotterhos  of  Jack- 
son,  a member  of  the  House  of  Representatives 
and  respected  practicing  attorney.  Much  work 
was  done  on  the  bill  in  the  House  Committee  on 
the  Judiciary,  and  physicians  owe  a debt  of  grati- 
tude to  Hon.  H.  L.  Merideth  of  Greenville,  the 
committee  chairman,  who  conducted  hearings,  in- 
vestigations, and  sessions  of  the  committee  not 
only  to  secure  passage  of  the  measure  but  to 


strengthen  it  as  well.  The  bill  passed  the  Senate 
without  change. 

Not  every  Mississippi  physician  will  find  it  ad- 
vantageous to  incorporate,  nor  will  it  even  be 
economical  to  some.  But  for  many,  there  are  tax 
benefits  aplenty  over  anything  else  available.  In 
fact,  physicians  are  almost  equal — but  not  quite 
— to  their  business  and  industrial  counterparts 
before  the  awesome  majesty  of  the  Internal  Rev- 
enue Service.  And  it’s  about  time,  too. 

II 

The  state  medical  association’s  bill  amends 
Section  5390-42  of  the  Mississippi  Code  of  1942, 
Annotated,  to  define  “professional  service”  as  a 
personal  service  to  the  public  which  “requires  as 
a condition  precedent  to  the  rendering  of  such 
service  the  obtaining  of  a license  or  other  legal 
authorization  and  which  prior  to  the  passage  of 
this  act  and  by  reason  of  law  could  not  be  per- 
formed by  a corporation.” 

Any  corporation  formed  under  the  act  will 
exist  for  the  sole  and  specific  purpose  of  render- 
ing professional  services.  Its  shareholders  are  re- 
stricted to  individuals  “who  themselves  are  duly 
licensed  or  otherwise  legally  authorized  within 
the  state  to  render  the  same  professional  service 
as  the  corporation.” 


cd 


; 1 


j 

.7 

\1 


s 

§ 


o 


APRIL  1970 


191 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

The  enactment  also  amends  Section  5390-43  to 
define  who  may  organize  a professional  corpora- 
tion. In  response  to  an  amendment  to  Resolution 
No.  6 on  the  floor  of  the  House  last  year,  the 
law  permits  a single  or  solo  practitioner  to  incor- 
porate, as  well  as  two  or  more.  But  most  impor- 
tant of  all,  professional  corporations  enjoy  the 
same  privileges  and  benefits  as  are  permitted 
under  the  Mississippi  Business  Corporation  Act, 
except  for  the  limitation  of  corporate  activities 
or  the  practice  of  the  profession.  This  was  an- 
other substantial  service  performed  for  the  pro- 
fession by  Chairman  Merideth  and  his  colleagues 
of  the  House  Committee  on  the  Judiciary. 

III 

Since  enactment  of  the  federal  income  tax  in 
the  era  of  World  War  I,  self-employed  profession- 
al individuals  have  been  behind  the  tax  collec- 
tor’s eight  ball.  In  the  decade  of  the  1950’s,  medi- 
cine opposed  compulsory  Social  Security  cover- 
age for  physicians.  This  also  meant  opposing  pro- 
fessional corporations,  because  the  Social  Secur- 
ity Act  required  this  taxation  upon  every  cor- 
porate employee.  Rather,  American  medicine 
went  for  Keogh  and  voluntary  tax-deferred  re- 
tirement programs  for  the  self-employed. 

We  got  Keogh,  and  there  is  something  in  it  for 
just  about  every  self-employed  professional  indi- 
vidual, generally,  much  more  for  some  than  for 
others.  It  is  a good,  sound  law  which  is  not  sub- 
ject to  the  whims  of  judicial  fiat  in  tax  litigation. 
But  for  most,  it  is  half  a loaf:  A self-employed 
individual  can’t  even  deduct  his  personal  hospi- 
tal insurance  premium  under  it. 

The  professional  corporation  opened  up  new 
vistas,  and  the  issue  of  mandatory  coverage  for 
physicians  became  academic  and  rhetorical  in 
1965  with  the  enactment  of  Public  Law  89-97, 
Medicare  and  Medicaid,  which  also  blanketed 
the  M.D.  into  Social  Security.  The  long  road 
through  the  courts  for  the  professional  corpora- 
tion, blocked  at  every  turn  by  the  Treasury  De- 
partment and  Internal  Revenue  Service,  is  a fa- 
miliar story  to  physicians.  In  1969,  the  Treasury 
Department,  with  a zero  record  in  the  courts, 
announced  that  no  further  litigation  would  be 
pursued  against  professional  corporations.  The 
way  was  apparently  clear  for  the  Mississippi  ac- 
tion as  mandated  in  Resolution  No.  6. 

IV 

House  Bill  48  is  far  more  than  a vehicle  for 
tax-sheltered  retirement  plans,  but  this  is  the 


principal  benefit.  The  corporation  may  cover  its  $ 
employees  (and  owner-employees)  with  one  or  to 
more  deferred  compensation  plans  qualified  un-  i 
der  Section  401(a)  of  the  Internal  Revenue  Code  « 
of  1954,  deducting  from  federal  taxes  all  con- 
tributions to  such  plans. 

Moreover,  beneficiaries  are  deemed  to  have 
received  no  taxable  income  until  payment  of 
benefits.  A plan  may  provide  for  progressive 
vestment,  and  amount  so  owned  may  be  en- 
joyed  by  the  beneficiary-owner  at  any  time  with 
payment  only  of  income  tax  due.  Under  Keogh, 
this  is  not  possible. 

The  corporation  may  purchase  group  life,  ac-  j 
cident,  and  health  insurance  for  its  employees,  | 
deducting  from  taxes  all  premiums  paid.  Most  | 
such  plans  are  noncontributory,  meaning  that  the  | 
corporation  pays  the  full  amount.  For  federal 
tax  purposes,  professional  corporations  may  pay 
death  benefits  of  as  much  as  $5,000  which  are 
not  only  fully  deductible  for  tax  purposes  but  j 
which  are  also  not  taxable  to  recipients. 

Corporations  may  establish  a plan  for  sick 
leave  payment  for  employees,  usually  at  full 
salary,  and  deduct  all  such  costs  from  taxes. 
Employees  receiving  such  benefits  may  deduct 
from  personal  income  taxes  up  to  $100  per  week 
of  benefit  payments.  Corporate  employees  are 
fully  covered  by  Workmen’s  Compensation,  and 
the  costs  of  the  coverage  are  tax-deductible  to 
the  corporation  with  tax-free  benefits  to  employ- 
ees. A corporate  employee  may  even  exclude 
from  gross  income  meals,  lodging,  and  travel  ex- 
pense furnished  by  the  corporation  under  cer- 
tain circumstances. 

V 

But  a note  of  caution:  Proceed  with  the  same 
care  which  is  required  in  any  serious  and  sub- 
stantial business  transaction.  In  the  next  few 
months,  Mississippi  physicians  will  be  deluged 
with  mail  and  hordes  of  salesmen,  investment 
counselors,  insurance  agents,  mutual  fund  repre- 
sentatives, pitchmen  of  every  degree  and  shade, 
and  perhaps  an  occasional  bank  vice  president. 
They  are  after  just  one  thing:  Your  corporate 
funds  in  their  own  particular  type  of  investment. 

Most  of  these  salesmen  will  have  lawful  and 
sound  programs  to  offer.  Their  main  selling  point 
will  be  relief  of  detail  and  administration  for  the 
busy  physician.  Some  few  will  have  plainly  poor 
programs  to  sell,  and  dealing  with  them  would 
be  a tragic  mistake. 

For  the  physician  or  medical  group  feeling 
that  the  professional  corporation  offers  the  most 
and  best  advantages,  call  in  the  certified  public 


192 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


accountant  who  regularly  examines  accounts  and 
' counsels  on  taxation.  Consultation  with  an  at- 
torney is  also  time  well  spent.  Look  critically  into 
- your  individual  tax  situation  and  practice  orga- 
nization. Some  are  going  to  find  that  the  Keogh 
route  is  as  good  as  the  corporation  without  the 
e attendant  costs  and  detail.  Others — many,  we 
trust — will  find  substantial  advantage  in  the  cor- 
* porate  vehicle. 

But  whatever  the  case,  begin  with  competent 
and  preferrably  independent  professional  evalua- 
tion and  screening  before  making  a decision.  Be 
certain  that  corporations  conform  to  the  IRS 
regulations  of  1965  which  were  aimed  at  and 
against  professional  corporations:  Your  organiza- 
tion must  have  more  corporate  characteristics 
than  those  of  a partnership  or  trust  to  qualify. 
IRS  still  denies  tax  benefits  to  some  professional 
corporations  on  this  basis. 

Be  certain  also  to  look  over  all  plans  avail- 
able, because  one  may  be  best  for  a given  tax 
and  practice  situation.  Deal  with  reputable,  es- 
tablished institutions  and  organizations  in  the  cor- 
porate finance  market. 

The  association  has  carried  this  assignment 
from  the  membership  to  completion,  another 
team  project  which  has  paid  off.  The  association 
will  now  devote  its  efforts  toward  the  interests  of 
j those  who  elect  to  use  this  vehicle. — R.B.K. 

Complete  Care  of 
the  Whole  Man 

“I  don't  want  any  preacher  around  upsetting 
my  patients.” 

This  remark  is  attributed  to  one  Dr.  Orville  S. 
Walters  writing  in  the  Illinois  Medical  Journal 
quite  a few  years  ago.  Now  his  state  medical  so- 
ciety, along  with  all  of  its  sister  associations  and 
societies,  has  a useful,  viable  program  in  medi- 
cine and  religion. 

The  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  pio- 
neered this  program,  presenting  what  was  prob- 
ably the  first  state  symposium  on  medicine  and 
religion  in  1963.  The  AMA  program  has  pros- 
pered under  the  skillful  leadership  of  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Paul  B.  McCleave  and  the  20-member  Com- 
mittee on  Medicine  and  Religion. 

Mississippi  is  proud  that  one  of  the  10  repre- 
sentatives of  the  clergy  and  rabbinate  is  the  Most 
Rev.  Joseph  B.  Brunini,  bishop  of  the  Diocese  of 
Natchez-Jackson  which  embraces  our  state.  Bishop 
Brunini  has  given  valuable  leadership  and  sup- 


port to  this  AMA  program,  having  been  first  ap- 
pointed to  serve  as  one  of  two  Catholic  representa- 
tives with  the  popular  and  distinguished  Bishop 
Fulton  J.  Sheen. 

The  seven-member  Committee  on  Medicine 
and  Religion  of  the  association  is  a constitutional 
body  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  Its  program  is 
expanding  as  it  reaches  into  our  communities  and 
major  medical  institutions.  Component  societies 
of  the  association  have  associated  themselves  in 
the  work  of  treating  the  whole  man  and  promot- 
ing closer  understanding  between  physicians  and 
clergymen  and  rabbis.  Only  recently,  a major 
presentation  was  sponsored  by  the  Central  Med- 
ical Society  at  Jackson  with  state  committee  sup- 
port and  participation. 

This  is  a program  which  may  be  implemented 
in  a community  with  only  one  physician  and  one 
minister.  And  how  much  more  is  it  needed  in 
the  larger  communities  with  many  physicians 
and  churchmen.  AMA  will  supply  materials,  and 
the  state  association  committee  stands  ready  to 
offer  suggestions  and  guidance. 

What  was  once  a conflict  between  the  physi- 
cian and  the  man  of  the  cloth,  so  well  illustrated 
by  Dr.  Walters’  observation,  is  fast  becoming  a 
useful  partnership  serving  the  needs  and  well- 
being of  the  patient.  It  has  been  wisely  observed 
that  a man  may  be  without  a denomination  but 
he  is  not  without  a faith.  Let  us  give  more  than 
the  miracles  of  science  in  the  care  of  the  whole 
man  and  lend  our  support  and  conscientious  ef- 
fort to  this  vital  program. — R.B.K. 

Malihus  and 
Meat  Analogs 

Malthus  was  right,  although  it  has  taken  us 
two  centuries  to  find  that  out.  At  the  rate  we  are 
going,  the  world's  population  will  outstrip  the 
food  supply.  Of  course,  human  hunger  and  mal- 
nutrition are  favorite  vehicles  for  making  politi- 
cal hay.  It  is  fashionable  to  decry  half  the  world’s 
going  to  bed  hungry  or  ill-fed. 

This  may  soon  come  to  mean  half  of  suburbia, 
too,  if  you’ve  been  to  the  supermarket  lately  and 
looked  at  the  food  prices.  There’s  no  question 
about  it:  If  the  Big  Board  on  Wall  Street  had 
the  upswing  record  of  cheese,  meat,  canned  corn, 
and  peanut  butter,  we'd  have  a society  of  wealthy 
shareholders. 

But  everywhere  on  the  horizon  are  evidences 
of  American  ingenuity,  and  there’s  hope  in  the 


APRIL  1970 


193 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 


supermarket  yet.  The  most  recent  development 
is  meatless  meat,  and  it  has  medical,  social,  and 
economic  implications. 

Just  about  everybody  knows  how  good  General 
Mills’  BacOs®  can  be  on  the  salad  or  scrambled 
eggs.  This  synthetic  product,  tasting  devilishly 
close  to  $1.10  per  pound  bacon,  is  among  the 
first  of  the  successful  meat  analogs,  so  named  as 
being  “analogous”  to  meat. 

But  joy  for  Mississippi,  meat  analogs  are  made 
mostly  from  soybeans.  They  are  nutritious,  tasty, 
and  much  less  expensive  than  meat.  In  northern 
test  markets,  there  are  ersatz  meat  loaf,  luncheon 
slices,  meatless  meat  pies,  hamburger(less)  pat- 
ties, and  even  “Stripples,”  a Worthington  bacon- 
like strip  which  for  79  cents  yields  up  about  the 
same  number  of  servings  as  two  pounds  of  ba- 
con. 

The  process  involves  “spinning”  soybean  fiber 
and  then  shaping  and  flavoring  it  like  meat.  There 
are  fat  and  flavor  fillers,  colorings,  and  slicing. 
Many  claim  that  it  is  just  another  impulse  item, 
but  in  industrial  cafeteria  tests,  workers  ate  ana- 
logs with  relish,  and  most  didn’t  complain  after 
being  told  that  the  meat  was  meatless.  Now, 
Swift  and  Co.  is  about  to  introduce  a revolution- 
ary extrusion  process  which  may  open  the  market 
up  wide. 

Does  this  portend  ill  for  the  livestock  indus- 
try? Absolutely  not,  because  meat-hungry  Amer- 
icans will  continue  to  clamor  for  U.  S.  prime 
ribeye  steaks.  But  it  is  no  secret  that  the  price  is 
going  out  of  sight,  because  protein  for  cattle  is 
costly  in  feeds  and  grazing.  Above  all,  there  will 
be  progressively  more  people  to  eat  a diminish- 
ing supply  of  food. 

Analogs  will  get  progressively  better,  as  tech- 
niques improve.  One  meat  processor  has  a steak 
which  is  hardly  distinguishable  from  the  real  Mc- 
Coy in  appearance  and  feel.  It  is  a little  mushy 
in  comparison  with  the  best  grade  of  beef,  but  it 
is  also  about  a third  of  the  price. 

So  far,  nobody  has  come  up  with  a causal  con- 
nection between  the  components  of  analogs  and 
cancer,  mental  retardation,  or  crossed  eyes.  The 
nutritive  values  appear  to  be  well-established, 
and  the  economic  possibilities  suggest  that  meat, 
in  analog  form,  may  soon  be  back  on  low  income 
tables.  All  of  this  is  to  say  that  we  may  continue 
to  feed  ourselves  in  spite  of  runaway  procreativ- 
ity. — R.B.K. 


April  1-3,  1970 

SEVENTEENTH  ANNUAL  f 

CARDIOVASCULAR  SEMINAR  L 


University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 
April  1,2,  3,  1970,  beginning  at  8:30  a.m. 

Sponsored  by  the  Mississippi  Heart  Association 
and  The  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine 

Participants: 

Jack  W.  Fleming,  M.D.,  cardiologist,  and  direc- 
tor, Project  Coronary  Care,  Medical  Center  ! 
Clinic,  Pensacola,  Florida 

Noble  O.  Fowler,  M.D.,  professor  of  medicine,  ! 
The  University  of  Cincinnati  College  of  Med- 
icine and  director,  Cardiac  Research  Labora- 
tory, Cincinnati  General  Hospital,  Cincinnati, 
Ohio 

John  A.  Chadbourn,  M.D.,  assistant  professor  of 
clinical  medicine  and  co-director,  Mobile  Coro- 
nary Care  Unit,  New  York  University-Bellevue 
Medical  Center,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

Lawrence  E.  Lamb,  M.D.,  professor  of  medicine, 
Baylor  University  College  of  Medicine,  Hous- 
ton, Texas 


“ The  sponge  count  is  correct,  Doctor,  but  my 
lucky  rabbit's  foot  is  missing!” 


194 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Derward  Lepley,  Jr.,  M.D.,  professor  of  thoracic- 
cardiovascular  surgery  and  chairman  of  the 
department,  Marquette  University  School  of 
Medicine,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin 

Madison  S.  Spach,  M.D.,  chief  of  the  division  of 
pediatric  cardiology,  department  of  pediatrics, 
Duke  University  School  of  Medicine,  Durham, 
North  Carolina 

Wednesday  Morning 

Experiences  in  Mass  Screening  Electro- 
cardiography 
Dr.  Lamb 

Mobile  Coronary  Care  Ambulancing 
Dr.  Chadbourn 

Intracardiac  Shunting  Mechanisms  and 
their  Influence  on  Ventricular  Per- 
formance in  Congenital  Heart  Disease 
Dr.  Spach 

Pediatric  Grand  Rounds 

Wednesday  Afternoon 

Intermediate  Coronary  Care  Units 
Dr.  Chadbourn 

Mobilizing  Community  Resources  for  Coro- 
nary Care 
Dr.  Fleming 

Valvular  Replacement 
Dr.  Lepley 

Discussion 

Thursday  Morning 

The  Current  Role  of  Isopotential  Surface 
Mapping  in  Clinical  Electrocardiog- 
raphy 
Dr.  Spach 

Myocardial  Disease 
Dr.  Fowler 

Coronary  Surgery:  Direct  Reconstruction 
Dr.  Lepley 

Surgery  Grand  Rounds 

Thursday  Afternoon 

Pericardial  Disease 
Dr.  Fowler 

Exercise  and  the  Cardiovascular  System 
Dr.  Lamb 

Current  Major  Diagnostic  and  Therapeutic 
Problems  in  Children  With  Heart  Dis- 
ease 

Dr.  Spach 


Discussion 
Friday  Morning 

The  Failing  Heart  in  Acquired  Heart  Dis- 
ease 

Dr.  Lepley 

Clinical  Palpation  and  Portable  Record- 
ing in  Evaluating  Common  Cardiac 
Problems 
Dr.  Fleming 

Modern  Treatment  of  Paroxysmal  Arhyth- 
MIAS 

Dr.  Fowler 

Medicine  Grand  Rounds 

Cardiovascular  Studies  in  Astronauts,  Air- 
crews and  Athletes 
Dr.  Lamb 

CIRCUIT  COURSES 
Eastern  Circuit 

Meridian — April  7 — Session  2;  May  5 — Ses- 
sion 3,  East  Mississippi  State  Hospital, 
6:30  p.m.;  Briarwood  Country  Club, 
6:30  p.m. 

Columbus — April  28 — Session  3,  Downtown- 
er Motor  Inn,  6:30  p.m. 

Session  2 — Respiratory  Failure:  Current 

Methods  of  Management,  Dr.  Boyd 
Shaw 

Surgical  Management  of  Emphysema,  Dr. 
William  Fain 

Session  3 — Complications  Associated  With 
Saddle  Block  Anesthesia  in  Obstetrics, 
Dr.  Donald  Sherline 

The  Management  of  Edema  Related  to 
the  Kidney,  Dr.  Ben  B.  Johnson 

Southwest  Circuit 

McComb — April  7 — Session  3,  Southwest  Mis- 
sissippi General  Hospital,  7 :00  p.m. 
Natchez— April  21 — Session  3,  Jefferson  Da- 
vis Memorial  Hospital,  7:00  p.m. 

Session  3 — Headache 

Neurological  Approach,  Dr.  Armin  Haer- 
er 

Neurosurgical  Approach,  Dr.  Robert  R. 
Smith 

FUTURE  CALENDAR 

March  16-20,  1970 

Cardiology  Intensive  Course 
Stroke  Intensive  Course 


APRIL  1970 


1 95 


POSTGRADUATE  / Continued 


April  1-3 

Cardiovascular  Seminar 
A pril  7 

Circuit  Course,  McComb 
Circuit  Course,  Meridian 

April  16 

Mississippi  Thoracic  Society 
April  21 

Circuit  Course,  Natchez 


April  28 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 
May  5 

Circuit  Course,  Meridian 
May  11-14 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


William  E.  Bobo  of  Clarksdale  has  conducted 
cardiopulmonary  resuscitation  training  sessions 
for  physicians  from  the  Greenwood  Leflore  Hos- 
pital, King’s  Daughters  Hospital  of  Greenville, 
General  Hospital  of  Greenville,  and  the  East 
Bolivar  Hospital  of  Cleveland,  at  the  General 
Hospital  in  Greenville. 

Tommy  Brooks  of  Jackson  was  among  gem  cut- 
ters and  collectors  who  exhibited  their  gems  at 
the  11th  annual  Mississippi  Gem  and  Mineral 
Society  show  in  February.  Dr.  Brooks  is  a past 
president  of  the  society. 

Robert  S.  Caldwell  of  Tupelo  and  John  M. 
McRae  of  Laurel  have  been  appointed  to  the 
Boards  of  Directors  for  the  University  of  Mis- 
sissippi Alumni  Association  and  the  Medical 
Alumni  Chapter. 

Charles  N.  Cannon  has  begun  the  general 
practice  of  medicine  and  surgery  at  Philadelphia. 
Dr.  Cannon’s  offices  are  located  at  587  E.  Main. 

James  Doster  of  Columbus  has  been  named  a 
new  director  of  the  1970-71  Columbus-Lowndes 
Community  Fund. 

William  M.  Flowers  of  Jackson  spoke  on 
radioisotopes  and  scanning  to  the  medical  staff  of 


Southwest  General  Hospital  at  McComb.  The 
hospital  is  considering  installing  radioisotope  nu- 
clear equipment  in  the  x-ray  department. 

William  A.  Gary  has  associated  with  R.  B. 
Robinson  of  Saltillo  in  the  practice  of  general 
medicine  at  the  Saltillo  Clinic. 

Guy  T.  Gillespie,  Jr.  of  Jackson  announces  the 
removal  of  his  office  for  the  practice  of  hema- 
tology and  chemotherapy  to  710  Gillespie  Street 
in  Jackson. 

William  E.  Godfrey,  III;  Thomas  L.  Purvis,  f 
Jr.;  Donald  E.  Killelea;  and  Louis  C.  Leh- 
mann, of  Natchez  have  announced  the  removal 
of  their  offices  to  136  Jefferson  Davis  Boulevard. 

Carl  R.  Hale  of  Hattiesburg  has  been  appoint- 
ed stockholder  representative  for  Forrest  County 
of  Kimbrough  Investment  Co.,  Jackson,  owners  ' 
and  operators  of  the  Sheraton-Biloxi. 

Gov.  John  Bell  Williams  has  appointed  the  fol- 
lowing physicians  to  a 40-member  committee  to 
study  the  problems  of  children  and  young  people 
in  preparation  for  the  1970  White  House  con- 
ference: William  E.  Lotterhos,  Robert  E. 
Carter,  Noel  C.  Womack,  Jr.,  Claude  G. 
Sutherland,  Mary  Alice  Lee,  Hugh  Cot- 


”But,  how  could  I be? — He  never  once  missed 
taking  his  pill.” 


196 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


trell,  and  Frank  Wiygul,  all  of  Jackson.  Drs. 
Lotterhos  and  Carter  were  appointed  co-chairmen 
of  the  committee. 

L.  L.  McDougal  of  Tupelo  was  awarded  the 
Outstanding  Citizen  Award  posthumously  during 
the  city’s  annual  Junior  Auxiliary  Charity  Ball. 

C.  B.  Mitchell  of  Starkville  has  presented  27 
shares  of  IBM  stock  to  the  Mississippi  State  Uni- 
versity Development  Foundation  to  be  restricted 
to  the  C.  B.  Mitchell  Pre-Med  Fund.  The  gift 
qualifies  Dr.  Mitchell,  retired  university  physi- 
cian, as  a member  of  the  Patrons  of  Excellence 
program. 

A.  C.  Pickle  of  Kosciusko  instructed  physicians 
at  Tyler-Holmes  Hospital  of  Winona  in  the  tech- 
niques of  cardiopulmonary  resuscitation  at  a Mis- 
sissippi Heart  Association-sponsored  training 
course. 

Ernest  P.  Reeves  of  Collins  has  been  elected 
director  of  First  Guaranty  Savings  and  Loan  As- 
sociation. Formerly  advisory  director.  Dr.  Reeves 
was  elected  to  full  directorship  at  the  annual 
board  meeting. 

T.  E.  Ross,  III  of  Hattiesburg  recently  presented 
a workshop  on  cardiac  resuscitation  at  the  South 
Mississippi  Medical  Auxiliary  meeting  in  Hatties- 
burg. 

I E.  J.  Schmidt  of  Bude  has  been  named  citizen 
of  the  year  at  a banquet  at  Franklin  County’s 
Middlefork  Country  Club. 

C.  D.  Taylor,  Jr.  of  Pass  Christian  served  as 
president  of  the  St.  Paul’s  Mercy  Carnival  Asso- 
ciation which  sponsored  the  annual  Mardi  Gras 
parade. 


Cooke,  James  Kenneth,  Jackson.  M.D.,  Uni- 
versity of  Tennessee  College  of  Medicine,  1948; 
postgraduate  training  in  psychiatry  at  Tulane 
University  and  child  psychiatry  at  the  University 
of  Indiana;  died  Feb.  1 1,  1970,  age  57. 

Pitchford,  Ruth  Dean,  Canton.  M.D.,  Univer- 
sity of  Virginia;  died  Feb.  24,  1970,  age  71. 


The  following  physicians  have  been  elected  to 
membership  by  their  respective  component  Med- 
ical Societies  in  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  As- 
sociation and  the  American  Medical  Association. 

Miller.  Richard  Charles,  Jackson.  Born  Hart- 
ford, Conn.,  Nov.  6,  1929;  M.D.,  Harvard  Med- 
ical School,  Boston,  Mass.,  1955;  interned  Uni- 
versity Hospitals  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  one  year; 
surgery  residency,  same,  July  1,  1956-June  30, 
1957,  and  July  1,  1959-June  30,  1962;  fellow- 
ship in  pediatric  surgery.  Royal  Children’s  Hos- 
pital, Melbourne,  Australia,  1963-64;  elected 
Jan.  6,  1970  by  Central  Medical  Society. 

Rester,  Robert  Raymond,  Jackson.  Born  Jack- 
son,  Miss.,  Oct.  8,  1932;  M.D.,  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  1968;  in- 
terned same,  one  year;  elected  Nov.  4,  1969  by 
Central  Medical  Society. 

Speck,  James  W.,  Ecru.  Born  Pontotoc,  Miss., 
April  26,  1941;  M.D.,  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  1967;  interned  Mobile  Gen- 
eral Hospital,  Ala.,  one  year;  elected  Dec.  3, 
1968  by  Northeast  Mississippi  Medical  Society. 

Sprabery,  Archie  Patrick,  Fulton.  Born  Tupe- 
lo, Miss.,  Dec.  18,  1942;  M.D.,  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  1967; 
interned  Mississippi  Baptist  Hospital,  Jackson,  one 
year;  elected  Sept.  19,  1969  by  Northeast  Missis- 
sippi Medical  Society. 

Walden,  Thomas  Beall,  Brookhaven.  Born 
Georgetown,  Miss.,  April  15,  1937;  M.D.,  Uni- 
versity of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson, 
1962;  interned,  same,  one  year;  pathology  resi- 
dency, same,  July  1,  1963-June  30,  1967;  elect- 
ed by  South  Central  Mississippi  Medical  Society. 

White,  Ellison  Fred,  Houston.  Born  Brook- 
haven,  Miss.,  April  7,  1916;  M.D.,  University  of 
Tennessee  College  of  Medicine,  Memphis,  1942; 
interned  Baptist  Memorial  Hospital,  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  one  year;  fellow  in  medicine,  Mayo  Foun- 
dation for  Medical  Education  and  Research,  Mayo 
Clinic,  1943-1947;  University  of  Minnesota 
Graduate  School  of  Medicine,  M.Sc.  (Medicine) 
1947;  elected  Dec.  3,  1968  by  Northeast  Mis- 
sissippi Medical  Society. 


APRIL  1970 


197 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Pharmacy  School 
Organizes  Museum 

Directions  on  the  cough  remedy  bottle  were 
printed  in  nine  languages — from  English  to  Nor- 
wegian, French  to  Yiddish — but  something  else 
was  unique  about  the  medicine  ...  it  only  cost 
34  cents. 

Consequently,  although  a mere  40  years  old, 
the  “international”  cough  medicine  has  become 
a part  of  the  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Pharmacy’s  newly  organized  Pharmacy  Museum. 

Purpose  of  the  museum,  according  to  Pharma- 
cy School  Dean  Charles  W.  Hartman,  is  to  record 
history  and  illustrate  progress  in  the  profession  in 
both  theory  and  practice. 


Examining  antiques  once  used  in  an  old  Mississippi 
pharmacy,  and  now  a part  of  the  University  of  Mis- 
sissippi School  of  Pharmacy’s  Museum,  are  (from 
left)  Jill  Patrick  of  Tallapoosa,  Ga.  and  James 
Scruggs  of  Atlanta,  Ga.  The  museum  is  located  in 
the  School  of  Pharmacy’s  new  building  at  Ole  Miss. 


“The  museum  was  unveiled  last  June  when 
we  moved  into  our  new  building,”  he  explained, 
“although  we  have  been  collecting  items  since 
1961,  when  we  began  asking  pharmacists  in  Mis- 
sissippi for  artifacts  of  historical  interest.” 

Dean  Hartman  said  there  are  presently  between 
1,000  and  2,000  items  in  the  collection  but  added  : 
that  all  are  not  yet  on  display. 

To  be  featured  in  the  museum  when  all  dis- 
play areas  have  been  filled  will  be  old  drugs, 
prescription  journals,  pill  tiles,  antique  weights 
and  balances,  grinding  mills,  apothecary  jars,  and 
even  an  old-fashioned  marble-topped  fountain 
table  and  chairs. 

Representative  among  the  dark  bottles  with 
faded  labels  is  Professor  Guilmitte’s  French  Kid- 
ney Pads  “guaranteed  to  cure  any  person  . . . 
who  has  lame  back,  gravel,  diabetes,  Bright’s 
disease  of  the  kidneys,  catarrh  of  the  bladder, 
general  weakness,  dropsy.” 

Or  there  is  the  remedy  with  the  simple  but  ; 
highly  appropriate  name  of  “Pain  Killer,”  which 
could  be  swallowed  or  rubbed  on,  depending  on  i 
one’s  ailment.  Internally,  it  solved  problems  of  1 
cramps,  colic  or  colds;  externally,  it  was  dandy  I 
for  insect  stings,  muscular  strain,  or  minor  in-  1 
juries. 

A special  feature  of  the  museum  is  a section  I 
devoted  to  the  first  dean  of  the  Ole  Miss  School 
of  Pharmacy,  Henry  Minor  Fraser,  for  whom 
the  building  will  be  named  in  later  formal  cere- 
monies. 

The  section  contains  Dean  Fraser’s  citations, 
scrapbook,  watch,  and  a letter  to  Gov.  Lee  Rus- 
sell after  graduation  from  a recognized  school  of 
pharmacy  became  a prerequisite  for  becoming  a - 
licensed  pharmacist.  Also  in  the  collection  is  the  ! 
pen  with  which  the  governor  signed  the  law. 

Although  undedicated,  the  museum  is  already 
open  to  the  public. 

EEG  Course  Set 
for  September 

A continuation  course  on  “Current  Practice  of 
Clinical  Electroencephalography”  will  be  held 
Sept.  14-16,  1970,  in  Washington,  D.  C.  The 
course  is  designed  to  review  the  principal  appli- 
cations of  the  EEG  to  clinical  medical  practice, 
and  is  sponsored  by  the  American  Electroenceph- 
alographic  Society. 

Inquiries  about  further  details  of  the  course  or 
registration  procedure  should  be  addressed  to  Dr. 
Donald  W.  Klass,  EEG  Course  Director,  Mayo 
Clinic,  Rochester,  Minn.  55901. 


I 98 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Book  Reviews 

Manual  on  Artificial  Organs.  Vol.  I,  The  Arti- 
icial  Kidney.  By  Yukihiko  Nose,  M.D.,  Ph.D. 
143  pages  with  illustrations.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V. 
Mosby  Company,  1969.  $27.75. 


Few  books  have  been  written  for  the  physician 
and  his  patient.  This  is  one  of  those  books.  This 
stems  from  the  fact  that  hemodialysis  is  a relative- 
ly new  venture  for  both  of  these  parties.  For  this 
reason,  portions  of  the  book  seem  fundamental  at 
first  glance,  but  these  concepts  are  essential  to 
the  basic  comprehension  of  the  principles  of 
dialysis.  The  interrelationship  and  interaction  of 
man  and  a machine  responsible  for  the  mainte- 
nance of  his  life  require  this  type  of  information. 
This  book  helps  to  bring  this  concept  into  sharp 
focus  both  for  the  physician  and  his  patient. 

The  book  is  well  written  using  many  excellent 
detailed  illustrations.  It  covers  the  broad  field  of 
dialysis  ranging  from  the  history  of  dialysis  to 
future  planning  and  optimal  design  of  commu- 
nity kidney  care  centers.  It  also  contains  detailed 
description  on  the  technique  of  peritoneal  dialy- 
sis. This  is  probably  the  best  analysis  of  this  topic 
to  date  for  medical  and  paramedical  personnel. 
The  author  gives  an  accurate  appraisal  of  existing 
dialysis  equipment.  In  addition,  he  discusses  the 
future  of  dialysis  equipment  including  the  pos- 
sibility, and  feasibility  of  wearable  and  implant- 
able artificial  kidneys.  The  largest  portion  of  the 
book  is  directed  toward  the  major  problems  in 
dialysis  today.  Considerable  time  is  spent  on  the 
care  and  maintenance  of  permanent  access  to  the 
human  blood  stream.  The  newer  internal  A-V 
fistula  is  described  and  evaluated  very  well.  The 
medical  complications  of  long  term  chronic  hemo- 
dialysis are  also  presented  along  with  the  cur- 
rent state  of  the  art  toward  prevention  of  these 
complications. 

The  book  has  an  excellent  index  and  con- 
tains many  pertinent  references  that  will  permit 
the  reader  to  delve  as  deeply  as  desired  into  dial- 
ysis technology,  clinical  results  and  research  re- 
lated to  this  field. 


This  book  definitely  has  a place  in  the  office  of 
any  physician  involved  in  any  form  of  dialysis. 
It  will  make  a good  teaching  text  for  patients, 
physicians,  nurses  and  technicians  in  the  home 
and  satellite  hemodialysis  programs  of  Mississip- 
pi. 

John  D.  Bower,  M.D. 

Current  Practices  in  Orthopaedic  Surgery. 
Edited  by  John  P.  Adams,  B.S.,  M.D.,  F.A.C.S. 
279  pages  with  322  illustrations.  St.  Louis:  The 
C.  V.  Mosby  Company,  1969.  $22.50. 

This  fourth  volume  of  Current  Practice  in 
Orthopaedic  Surgery  is  edited  by  John  P.  Adams, 
M.D.  This  and  previous  volumes  have  been  an 
annual  review  of  current  practices  in  orthopaedic 
surgery  with  each  article  being  an  interpretation 
of  the  literature,  explained  and  when  necessary 
enlarged  upon,  according  to  the  concepts  of  well 
qualified  authorities. 

The  nine  contributors  of  this  volume  have  not 
only  interpreted  the  literature  on  their  respective 
subjects  but  also  advanced  their  own  thoughts  on 
the  matter. 

The  topics  covered  in  this  edition  help  to  clari- 
fy “current  practices”  in  several  important  areas 
of  orthopaedic  surgery.  It  consists  of  279  pages 
and  322  illustrations.  There  are  three  primary 
sections.  The  first  section  is  an  interesting  and  en- 
lightening history  of  American  orthopaedic  sur- 
gery by  Dr.  Alfred  R.  Shands.  Section  two  covers 
general  orthopaedic  surgery  and  includes  con- 
genital talipes  equinovarus,  femoral  intertrochan- 
teric osteotomy  for  arthritis  of  the  hip,  fractures 
and  dislocations  of  the  cervical  spine  (diagnosis 
and  treatment),  and  flexion  deformities  of  the 
fingers. 

Section  three  is  a miscellaneous  section  and  in- 
cludes current  aspects  of  shock  management,  re- 
gional anesthesia  in  the  upper  limbs,  and  manual 
muscle  testing  of  the  trunk  and  lower  extremities. 

While  the  volume  does  not  serve  as  a complete 
text,  it  certainly  has  a good  deal  to  offer  as  a 
reference  to  those  topics  mentioned  above.  I feel 
that  it  is  a worthwhile  addition  to  my  library. 

William  B.  Thompson,  M.D. 


APRIL  1970 


199 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Planning  and 
Development  for  AM  A (Himler  Report)  was  re- 
ceived formally  by  the  House  of  Delegates.  In- 
stead of  generating  the  anticipated  controversy, 
the  report  was  discussed  and  handled  with  lit- 
tle fanfare.  The  House  established  an  ad  hoc 
committee  to  receive  the  report,  to  recommend 
methodology  for  a permanent  committee,  and  to 
send  the  report  to  state  associations  requesting 
resolutions  for  consideration  at  the  1970  annual 
convention. 

After  years  of  discussion  and  debate,  the 
House  of  Delegates  adopted  as  policy  that  “can- 
nabis (marijuana)  is  a dangerous  drug  and  as 
such  is  a public  health  concern.  It  is  a psycho- 
active substance  which  can  have  a marked  del- 
eterious effect  on  individual  performance  and 
social  productivity.  A significant  number  of  ex- 
posed persons  become  chronic  users  with  con- 
comitant medical  and  interpersonal  problems.” 

The  House  stated  that  the  sale  of  marijuana 
should  not  be  legalized,  saying  that  if  potency 
were  legally  controlled,  predictably  there  would 
be  an  illicit  market  for  the  more  powerful  forms. 

The  AMA-ERF  Institute  for  Biomedical  Re- 
search, called  a noble  experiment,  was  discon- 
tinued because  of  high  costs.  The  House  could 
find  no  way  to  construct  a permanent  building 
for  the  Institute,  and  there  were  no  outside  funds 
available  to  assist  AMA  in  supporting  the  multi- 
million dollar  activity. 

The  House  created  a Committee  on  Private 
Practice,  assigning  it  to  the  Council  on  Medical 
Service.  A proposal  to  establish  a new  Council  on 
Private  Practice  was  not  favorably  considered. 
Support  for  the  Regional  Medical  Programs  un- 
der PL  89-239  was  reaffirmed,  but  the  delegates 
opposed  on-site  auditing  of  physicians’  accounts 
in  their  offices  by  government  representatives. 
Federal  licensure  was  opposed,  but  state  associa- 
tions were  urged  to  work  with  legislatures  to 
strengthen  licensure  laws.  Physicians  were  asked 
again  to  be  mindful  of  care  costs,  as  concern  was 
expressed  over  the  ever-increasing  costs  of  hos- 
pital care.  The  Medicredit  concept  for  voluntary 
national  health  insurance  was  endorsed. 

State  medical  associations  were  encouraged  to 
make  active  membership  available  to  residents 
and  interns  (a  benefit  available  in  Mississippi), 
and  dialogue  with  medical  students  was  recom- 
mended. 

Expression  of  Delegates.  Your  AMA  Delegates 
express  their  appreciation  to  our  own  House  of 
Delegates,  to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  to  the 


general  officers  for  support  and  the  mainte-  P 
nance  of  continuing  communication.  We  sit  withy 
the  Board  at  all  meetings  and  are  thereby  en- 
abled to  be  fully  informed  on  all  policy  develop- 
ments and  positions.  We  pledge  our  best  effort 
in  representing  your  wishes,  desires,  and  policies 
in  the  AMA  House  of  Delegates. 

j | 

REPORT  OF  THE  COUNCIL  ON  f 

CONSTITUTION  AND  BY-LAWS 

101st  Annual  Session.  At  the  1969  annual  ses- 
sion, the  House  of  Delegates  approved  two 
amendments  to  the  By-Laws  of  the  association, 
both  with  reference  to  committees. 

Section  2,  Chapter  IX,  was  amended  to  ac- 
cord constitutional  status  to  the  Committee  on 
Blood  and  Blood  Banking  as  a permanent  com- 
mittee of  the  Council  on  Medical  Service.  This 
action  did  not,  however,  confer  a vote  in  the 
House  of  Delegates  on  the  committee  members, 
since  only  elected  officers,  Trustees,  and  council 
members  have  the  vote. 

Section  2,  Chapter  VI,  was  repealed  as  regards 
a new  nominating  procedure  instituted  in  1968. 
The  traditional  method  of  making  nominations 
was  restored  and  will  be  followed  during  the 
present  annual  session. 

Two  proposed  amendments  to  the  By-Laws  at 
the  1969  annual  session  failed.  One  was  to  make 
the  Speaker  and  Vice  Speaker  of  the  House  of 
Delegates  ex  officio  members  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  without  vote  and  the  other  would  have 
empowered  the  Speaker  and  Vice  Speaker  to  ap- 
point reference  committees. 

102nd  Annual  Session.  There  are  no  pending 
amendments  to  the  Constitution  or  By-Laws  lying 
on  the  table.  The  council  will  stand  in  readiness 
to  consider  any  amendments  which  are  proposed 
at  the  present  annual  session. 

REPORT  OF  THE  COUNCIL  ON 
SCIENTIFIC  ASSEMBLY 

Organization  and  Duties.  The  Council  on  Sci- 
entific Assembly  is  a constitutional  body  of  the 
House  of  Delegates,  charged  with  the  responsi- 
bility of  planning  the  annual  session  of  the  as- 
sociation to  include  all  scientific  activities,  the 
programming,  and  the  scheduling  of  the  annual 
session  events.  The  council  membership  consists 
of  the  chairmen  and  secretaries  of  the  seven  sci- 
entific sections  and  the  secretary-treasurer,  a to- 
tal of  15  members. 

102nd  Annual  Session.  Your  council  began 
plans  for  the  102nd  Annual  Session  in  August 
1969.  The  general  format,  previously  ap- 
proved by  the  House  of  Delegates,  has  been  con- 


200 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Limed  with  general  sessions  centering  around 
iroad  areas  of  specialty  interests.  To  the  maxi- 
nurn  possible  extent,  conflicts  in  programming 
lave  been  eliminated.  The  council,  in  many  in- 
tances,  has  requested  and  placed  essayists  be- 
ore  sections  from  the  various  specialty  societies 
lot  represented  in  the  Scientific  Assembly.  The 
nembership  is  thereby  given  the  benefit  of  the 
presence  of  these  speakers  which  might  not  oth- 
erwise be  available.  The  specialty  societies  con- 
inue  to  work  closely  in  these  and  other  con- 
lections  to  improve  the  quality  and  to  enhance 
:he  attractiveness  of  our  programs. 

At  the  present  annual  session,  about  12  spe- 
;ialty  groups,  four  medical  alumni  groups,  and 
various  nonscientific  but  medically  related  bodies 
will  meet  concurrently  during  May  11-14.  We 
believe  that  this  arrangement  offers  variety  and 
combinations  of  benefits  for  the  membership  in 
attendance. 

We  have  scheduled  film  programs  again  im- 
mediately before  each  scientific  section.  We  are 
gratified  with  the  promising  quality  and  interest 
of  our  scientific  exhibits,  and  we  urge  each  mem- 
ber and  guest  in  attendance  to  avail  themselves 
of  the  benefits  of  the  Technical  Exhibit  which 
largely  supports  our  annual  session’s  scientific 
work. 

Expression  of  the  Council.  Your  Council  on 
Scientific  Assembly  is  deeply  grateful  for  the 
support,  cooperation,  and  assistance  we  have  re- 
ceived in  planning  the  102nd  Annual  Session. 
We  are  especially  aware  of  the  problems  con- 
fronting our  headquarters  hotel  complex  result- 
ing from  the  devastating  experience  of  Hurricane 
Camille.  The  Buena  Vista  organization  has  done 
splendidly  in  restoring  services  and  facilities  to 
fulfill  our  contract,  and  we  will  look  forward  to 
future  annual  sessions  scheduled  for  our  Gulf 
Coast. 

REPORT  OF  THE  JUDICIAL  COUNCIL 

Constitutional  Responsibilities.  Your  Judicial 
Council  is  one  of  eight  elected  councils  of  the  as- 
sociation and  one  of  the  three  which  reports  di- 
rectly to  the  House  of  Delegates.  Under  author- 
ities contained  in  Section  4,  Chapter  IX,  of  the 
By-Laws,  the  council  is  charged  with  the  exer- 
cise of  the  judicial  powers  of  the  association  and 
the  interpretation  and  application  of  the  Prin- 
ciples of  Medical  Ethics  of  the  American  Medi- 
cal Association.  The  rulings  of  the  council  are 
subject  to  the  will  of  the  House  of  Delegates,  and 
its  judicial  decisions  may  be  appealed  to  the  Ju- 
dicial Council  of  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion. 


In  the  exercise  of  these  powers  and  discharge 
of  its  responsibilities,  the  council  endeavors  to 
work  with  general  officers,  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
and  component  medical  societies.  At  all  times, 
the  council  endeavors  to  be  responsive  to  the 
needs  and  requests  of  members  of  the  associa- 
tion. 

Medical  Ethics.  At  the  101st  Annual  Session 
in  1969,  your  council  reported  seven  opinions  to 
the  House  of  Delegates  relating  to  telephone  di- 
rectory listings,  compulsory  assessments  upon 
hospital  staff  members,  transplantation  of  human 
tissue,  drugs  and  devices,  treatment  of  obesity 
(condemnation  of  the  so-called  “rainbow  pill” 
regimen),  laboratory  services,  and  use  of  bank 
credit  cards  for  payment  of  physicians’  fees. 
Your  council  reaffirms  these  opinions. 

Two  physicians  who  are  members  of  the  asso- 
ciation asked  the  council  during  the  1969-70  as- 
sociation year  to  examine  into  a circumstance  in 
which  it  was  charged  that  a third  physician,  also 
a member  who  practiced  in  the  same  medical 
community,  occupied  offices  in  a community 
(Hill-Burton)  hospital.  The  council,  acting 
through  the  chairman,  requested  the  component 
medical  society  to  investigate  the  charge  to  de- 
termine if  sufficient  basis  existed  for  formal  ac- 
tion. 

A committee  of  the  component  society,  in- 
cluding the  district  Trustee,  conducted  the  inves- 
tigation and  found  that  the  office  in  question  was 
merely  in  close  proximity  to  the  hospital  with  a 
walkway.  The  society  expressed  the  opinion  that 
no  violation  of  law,  regulations,  or  medical  eth- 
ics had  occurred,  and  the  council  has  considered 
the  matter  closed.  The  Board  of  Trustees  also 
received  a report  in  this  connection  through  the 
Trustee,  also  at  the  request  of  the  council. 

The  council,  acting  on  prior  policies  of  the  as- 
sociation, issues  the  following  opinion: 

Physicians  should  not  maintain  offices  for  the 
conduct  of  their  regular  private  practice  for  care 
of  outpatients  in  community,  county,  nonprofit,  or 
church-affiliated  hospitals.  Exceptions  are  made 
in  the  case  of  those  physicians  whose  practice  of 
medicine  is  usually  conducted  in  the  hospital  en- 
vironment such  as  pathologists  and  radiologists. 
The  proscription  does  not  apply  to  the  private 
proprietary  hospital  or  to  physician-owners  when 
the  medical  staff  approves  the  practice. 

Discipline.  The  council  has  conducted  no  for- 
mal proceedings  as  to  disciplinary  matters  either 
by  original  jurisdiction  or  on  appeal  during  the 
association  year.  We  stand  ready,  however,  to 
respond  to  any  need  where  and  when  necessary. 

AMA  Judicial  Council.  All  opinions  and  de- 


APRIL  1970 


201 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

cisions  of  the  AM  A Judicial  Council  are  regular- 
ly reviewed,  and  each  member  of  your  council 
maintains  a compendium  of  these  opinions  and 
decisions  which  are  secured  and  distributed 
through  our  association’s  executive  office. 

REPORT  OF  THE  COUNCIL  ON 
MEDICAL  SERVICE 

Organization  and  Duties.  The  Council  on 
Medical  Service  is  a constitutional  body  of  the 
House  of  Delegates.  It  is  charged  with  the  re- 
sponsibility of  ascertaining  and  studying  all  as- 
pects of  medical  care  in  Mississippi.  Under  the 
council’s  jurisdiction  are  assigned  activities  of  the 
association  in  medical  service,  emergency  ser- 
vice programs,  medical  care  for  the  indigent,  and 
the  work  of  allied  medical  agencies.  The  council 
is  assisted  in  its  work  by  four  constitutional  and 
three  ad  hoc  committees.  Programs,  studies,  and 
activities  of  the  several  committees  embraced  a 
wide  range  of  subject  areas  and  policy  develop- 
ment and  implementation  during  the  1969-70  as- 
sociation year. 

Committee  on  Maternal  and  Child  Care.  The 
committee  continues  to  pursue  its  study  of  ma- 
ternal deaths  in  Mississippi,  and  during  the  year, 
it  marked  a full  decade  of  these  studies.  The  data 
have  been  processed  on  the  association  System/ 
360  computer,  and  selected  papers  from  the 
studies  have  been  published  in  the  Journal.  At 
the  101st  Annual  Session,  the  committee  present- 
ed a scientific  exhibit  on  its  work. 

Of  particular  interest  is  a recent  substudy  of 
anesthesia-related  deaths  in  the  series,  and  this  is 
being  presented  in  the  Scientific  Assembly  at  your 
102nd  Annual  Session.  The  committee  works 
closely  with  the  Department  of  Obstetrics  and 
Gynecology  of  the  University  Medical  Center. 

The  committee  continues  to  make  available 
sets  of  “Maternal  Health  Desk  Cards”  which  are 
distributed  to  hospitals  through  chiefs-of-staff  and 
chiefs  of  ob-gyn  services.  The  committee  con- 
ducts regular  quarterly  meetings  to  pursue  its 
duties  and  review  case  studies.  The  chairman  is 
Dr.  William  B.  Wiener  of  Jackson,  and  the  com- 
mittee has  seven  members  and  three  consultants 
in  medicine,  pathology,  and  anesthesiology. 

Committee  on  Mental  Health.  Continuing  its 
work  in  broad  areas  of  mental  health,  the  com- 
mittee has  been  acutely  aware  of  problems  in 
drug  addiction.  During  the  year,  it  has  conduct- 
ed educational  activities  in  this  connection  and 
made  materials  available  to  physicians  who  have 
addressed  school,  youth,  and  other  nonmedical 
audiences  on  the  subject. 


The  committee  reports  that  seven  of  the  nm 
multi-county  regions  in  Mississippi  now  havi 
mental  health  centers  or  are  preparing  to  becomi 
operational  in  the  near  future.  Centers  are  al 
ready  open  at  Tupelo,  the  first  in  the  state,  am 
at  Oxford.  Units  for  Jackson  and  Greenville  art 
under  construction,  and  plans  are  in  advances 
stages  for  centers  at  Meridian,  Clarksdale,  anc 
Gulfport.  The  program  has  grants  totaling  $3.7 
million. 

The  chairman  is  Dr.  John  J.  Head  of  Whit 
field,  and  the  committee  has  seven  members. 

Committee  on  Occupational  Health.  The  com- 
mittee, charged  with  study  of  all  aspects  of  oc- 
cupational health,  continues  to  pursue  an  inter-: 
est  of  a suitable  and  adequate  legal  base  foi 
Workmen’s  Compensation  in  Mississippi.  Thq 
1968  amendments  covered  occupational  disease! 
Additional  measures  were  pending  before  the 
1970  Regular  Session  at  the  time  of  preparation  i 
of  this  report. 

The  committee  continues  to  have  interest  in 
publishing  papers  in  this  area  of  interest  in  the! 
Journal. 

The  chairman  is  Dr.  George  D.  Purvis  of  Jack-,: 
son,  and  the  committee  has  seven  members. 

Committee  on  Blood  and  Blood  Banking.  Thi& 
committee  was  accorded  constitutional  status  by! 
the  House  of  Delegates  at  the  101st  Annual  Ses-: 
sion  in  1969.  It  has  been  active  in  conducting 
Congressional  liaison  in  connection  with  National 
Blood  Donors  Week  and  in  the  issue  of  a com- 
memorative postage  stamp  on  blood  donors  in  a 
cooperative  effort  to  focus  attention  on  this  acute 
need. 

The  committee  has  further  pursued  studies  on 
computer-based  blood  bank  inventory  informa- 
tion systems  and  intends  to  institute,  at  the  ear- 
liest practicable  time,  a pilot  project  making  use 
of  the  association’s  computer.  Modest  financing 
will  be  required,  and  the  possibilities  of  secur- 
ing this  from  participating  medical  institutions 
will  be  explored  prior  to  requesting  support  funds. 
The  committee  has  also  considered  the  possibil- 
ity of  a grant  application  for  a demonstration 
project.  When  and  if  such  a decision  is  reached, 
the  matter  will  be  subject  to  the  usual  approval 
procedures  traditionally  followed. 

The  chairman  is  Dr.  Kenneth  M.  Heard  of 
Jackson,  and  the  committee  has  seven  members. 

Committee  on  Nursing  (ad  hoc).  The  commit- 
tee has  been  intensely  devoted  to  the  major  is- 
sue of  mandatory  licensure  for  nurses  in  Missis- 
sippi during  the  year.  At  the  101st  Annual  Ses- 
sion, the  House  of  Delegates  received  majority 
and  minority  reports  from  the  reference  commit- 
tee considering  this  matter.  Neither  was  approved 


202 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


■ 


>r  rejected,  and  the  matter  was  recommitted  to 
rnr  council  by  the  House  of  Delegates. 

The  association  was  then  confronted  with  a 
fficult  dilemma:  The  1970  Regular  Session  of 
e Legislature,  before  which  the  issue  of  man- 
atory  licensure  for  nurses  was  to  be  brought,  was 
> convene  the  first  week  of  January  1970,  and 
ith  great  interests  in  patient  care  at  stake,  we 
ad  urgent  need  for  policy  clarification.  Useful 
ebate  at  the  101st  Annual  Session,  valid  opin- 

1)n,  and  response  from  delegates  were  carefully 
oted  by  the  committee  and  council.  Your  coun- 
il  re-assigned  this  matter  to  the  committee  which 
onducted  meetings  both  with  nurse  organization 
epresentatives  and  those  of  the  hospital  associa- 
ion.  Extensive  deliberation  in  executive  session 
vas  carried  out. 

The  committee  reported  to  your  council  which, 
n turn,  conducted  a special  meeting  for  consid- 
ration  of  the  issue.  Taking  note  of  the  fact  that 
lurses  have  mandatory  licensure  in  42  of  the  51 
Jnited  States  jurisdictions  and  the  fact  that  nine 
Df  13  health  service  and  health-related  profes- 
sions in  Mississippi  have  mandatory  licensure, 
the  committee  viewed  the  problem  in  the  con- 
text of  discussions  before  our  House  of  Dele- 
gates in  1969.  Two  points  were  primary: 

— Whether  mandatory  licensure  would  serve 
as  an  incentive  for  improvement  in  quality  edu- 
cation toward  the  end  of  better  bedside  nursing. 

— Whether  mandatory  licensure  would  exacer- 
bate the  already-critical  shortage  of  nurses. 

The  committee  and  your  council  were  deeply 
concerned  over  any  threat  to  ( 1 ) medical  as- 
sistants to  physicians  who  might  not  qualify  for 
licensure  and  (2)  those  employed  in  hospitals 
who,  while  not  carrying  responsibilities  of  a 
nurse  in  the  literal  sense,  might  be  brought  un- 
der the  law  and  be  unable  to  qualify. 

Accordingly,  the  following  policy  position  was 
recommended  and  approved  by  the  council: 

( 1 ) The  association  supports  mandatory  licen- 
sure of  nurses  in  principle,  reserving  the  preroga- 
tive of  making  further  changes  and  improvement 
(in  the  proposal),  including  the  offering  of 
amendments  to  any  bill  introduced,  and  further 
reserving  to  the  Board  of  Trustees  the  prerogative 
of  final  approval  of  any  bill  presented. 

(2)  The  Committee  on  Nursing  be  utilized  in 
consultation  and  testimony  before  the  Legislature 
(within  the  framework  of  policy  established)  be- 
cause of  the  committee’s  familiarity  and  expertise 
in  the  matter. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  considered  the  work  of 
the  committee  and  the  recommendations  of  your 
council  in  December  1969  and  approved  the  pol- 


icy. The  committee  chairman  appeared  as  our 
witness  during  hearings  on  the  bill  in  the  1970 
Regular  Session.  As  this  report  is  submitted,  the 
proposal  is  still  pending,  and  the  association  con- 
tinues to  pursue  its  goals  within  the  policy  frame- 
work established. 

The  chairman  of  the  committee  is  Dr.  Tom  H. 
Mitchell  of  Vicksburg,  and  there  are  five  mem- 
bers. 

Health  Insurance  Benefits  Advisory  Commit- 
tee (ad  hoc).  This  committee  continues  to  serve 
as  the  official  medical  advisory  committee  for  op- 
eration of  Medicare  in  Mississippi  with  official 
status  before  the  Certifying  Unit  for  inpatient  fa- 
cilities, an  activity  of  the  State  Board  of  Health. 

The  committee  conducts  meetings  with  physi- 
cians experiencing  problems  under  the  program, 
the  Part  1-B  carrier,  the  Part  1-A  intermediary,  in- 
termediaries representing  extended  care  facilities, 
the  Bureau  of  Health  Insurance  of  the  Social  Se- 
curity Administration,  representatives  of  HEW, 
and  providers  of  services.  The  committee  is  not 
encouraged  over  these  conferences  as  to  results 
of  its  work  and  recommendations,  despite  its 
sincere  efforts  and  diligence. 

An  advisory  panel  of  knowledgeable  physicians 
was  appointed  to  work  in  utilization  review  as 
regards  hospitals  and  ECF’s,  primarily  with  ref- 
erence to  the  Certifying  Unit,  our  third  ad  hoc 
body. 

The  chairman  of  the  committee  is  Dr.  Mai  S. 
Riddell,  Jr.,  of  Winona,  and  there  are  seven  mem- 
bers. 

Other  Council  Activities.  Some  small  but  en- 
couraging progress  is  being  made  in  placing  prac- 
ticing physicians  as  voting  members  of  hospital 
governing  boards,  despite  opposition  to  this  by 
many  hospitals.  This  useful  and  important  means 
of  liaison  with  the  medical  staff  bears  the  en- 
dorsement of  the  Joint  Commission  on  Accredi- 
tation of  Hospitals,  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation, the  American  College  of  Surgeons  and 
most  major  national  specialty  societies,  our  own 
state  medical  associations  and  most  of  our  sister 
state  medical  associations. 

We  continue  educational  efforts  and  programs 
designed  to  upgrade  emergency  medical  ser- 
vice. During  the  year,  the  helicopter  demonstra- 
tion project  has  shown  great  promise,  as  report- 
ed in  the  Journal.  Staffing  of  hospital  emer- 
gency rooms  with  physicians  has  greatly  extend- 
ed these  services,  and  we  endorse  the  various 
approved  postgraduate  and  continuing  education 
programs  for  physicians,  nurses,  and  other  allied 
professional  personnel  in  this  area  as  being  vital  to 
improvement  of  emergency  medical  services. 


APRIL  1970 


203 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

There  is  a salutary  trend  in  legislative  develop- 
ment on  standards  for  ambulance  and  driver 
standards. 

We  met  prior  to  the  implementation  of  Title 
XIX  Medicaid  with  state  officials  of  the  Medicaid 
Commission,  and  we  have  carefully  monitored 
program  development.  Oversight  of  program  de- 
velopment remained  a primary  responsibility  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  during  the  year,  because 
of  the  Extraordinary  Session  of  the  Legislature  to 
shape  the  program.  Your  council,  however,  is 
prepared  to  assume  oversight  of  the  ongoing  pro- 
gram when  and  if  the  Board  and  House  of  Dele- 
gates so  direct,  as  was  the  case  in  Medicare. 

The  council  expresses  appreciation  to  its  sev- 
eral committees,  some  of  which  are  among  the 
most  active  bodies  of  the  association,  and  to  our 
colleagues  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  who  have 
worked  closely  with  us,  giving  understanding  sup- 
port and  guidance  to  our  problems  and  programs. 
The  council  emphasizes  to  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates that  its  area  of  responsibility  and  concern, 
the  actual  practice  of  medicine  and  delivery  of 
care,  must  have  support  from  all  members  and 
adequate  staff  in  our  Executive  Office.  We  re- 
pledge our  best  efforts  in  carrying  out  our  work. 

REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

Organization  and  Duties.  The  Board  of  Trust- 
ees is  the  executive  and  governing  body  of  the 
association  during  vacation  of  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates. It  is  additionally  charged  with  the  duties 
and  responsibilities  prescribed  by  law  for  direc- 
tors of  corporations.  In  the  discharge  of  these 
duties,  the  Board  shall  have  conducted  six  meet- 
ings since  the  101st  Annual  Session.  The  Board 
met  in  May,  September  (having  been  forced  to 
cancel  a scheduled  August  meeting  because  of 
Hurricane  Camille),  December,  and  February. 
Meetings  are  scheduled  for  April  and  May.  Al- 
together, these  meetings  included  10  meeting 
days,  usually  exclusive  of  travel  time. 

Seven  officers  sit  with  the  Board  of  Trustees 
in  all  meetings.  They  are  the  president,  presi- 
dent-elect, secretary-treasurer,  speaker,  vice 
speaker,  and  AMA  delegates.  The  Board  is  as- 
sisted in  its  work  by  support  of  the  executive 
staff.  All  1969-70  meetings  were  conducted  at 
our  headquarters  building  at  Jackson. 

This  annual  report  includes  actions  on  matters 
referred  to  the  Board  by  the  House  of  Delegates 
and  those  items  relating  to  management  and  pol- 
icy functions  which  are  among  the  Board’s  re- 
sponsibilities. 


Referrals  from  the  House  of  Delegates.  Mat 
ters  referred  to  the  Board  of  Trustees  by  th< 
House  of  Delegates  at  the  101st  Annual  Ses 
sion  and  actions  by  the  House  requiring  Boarc 
action  include: 

(a)  Blue  Cross  Group.  The  new  hospital  ser 
vice  contract  available  to  the  membership  ha: 
been  operational  for  a year.  It  provides  for  1 0C 
days  per  confinement  with  a room  allowance  oi 
$20  per  day  and  all  anciliary  services.  The  House 
of  Delegates  voted  to  have  the  Board  ask  the 
plan  to  pay  benefits  due  15  subscribers  in  ar 
amount  of  about  $16,000  carved  out  undei 
Medicare  prior  to  concluding  a nonduplication 
agreement  and  to  refer  the  matter  of  the  non- 
duplication agreement  back  to  the  Board  for  fur- 
ther study. 

The  Board  acted  on  the  mandate  of  the  House 
on  the  payback,  and  the  plan  reports  that  this 
has  been  accomplished.  The  matter  of  the  non- 
duplication agreement  has  become  moot,  since 
the  new  122X  contract  contains  a standard  pro-! 
vision  on  this. 

(b)  Resolution  No.  2.  This  resolution  asks 
that  the  association  “seek  amendments  to  exist- 
ing law  to  provide  for  more  proper  and  adequate 
professional  compensation”  for  autopsy.  In  ap- 
proving the  resolution,  the  House  asked  “that 
the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  association  work  out 
a suitable  fee  schedule  with  the  executive  com- 
mittee of  the  Mississippi  Association  of  Patholo- 
gists.” At  the  time  of  preparation  of  this  report, 
two  bills  to  accomplish  this  are  pending  before 
the  1970  Regular  Session  of  the  Legislature. 

One  measure  would  increase  the  fee  from  $75 
to  $250.  While  we  sponsor  and  support  the  bill, 
we  have  asked  that  the  amendment  provide  for 
payment  of  the  usual  and  customary  fee  rather 
than  for  a fixed  amount.  Prior  to  the  convening 
of  the  Legislature,  conference  was  conducted 
with  the  secretary  of  the  Mississippi  Association 
of  Pathologists,  and  a formal  letter  in  this  con- 
nection was  written  inviting  recommendations  and 
suggestions. 

(c)  Resolution  No.  3.  This  resolution  ex- 
presses the  belief  of  the  association  that  “to  re- 
place physician-to-physician  consultation  with 
physician-to-industrial  firm  consultation  (in  the 
matter  of  laboratory  services)  would  be  unwise 
and  not  in  keeping  with  good  medical  practices.” 

The  resolution  also  asked  that  we  communicate 
our  concern  over  advertisements  (for  commercial 
or  industrial  laboratories)  which  appear  in  Jour- 
nal AMA  to  the  AMA  House  of  Delegates.  Drs. 
Nelson  and  Hicks  introduced  an  appropriate  res- 
olution at  the  1 1 8th  Annual  Convention  of 


204 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


AMA  at  New  York.  There  were  10  similar  reso- 
lutions also  introduced. 

The  AMA  House,  however,  adopted  a sub- 
stitute resolution  and  a report  of  the  Judicial 
Council  which,  although  reaffirming  its  historic 
position  on  the  practice  of  pathology  being  the 
practice  of  medicine  in  every  sense,  took  notice 
of  the  court  decree  in  the  matter  of  United  States 
of  America  v.  American  College  of  Pathologists. 
Under  this  position,  nonmedical  laboratory  ad- 
vertising is  not  barred  from  Journal  AMA. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  invites  the  attention  of 
the  House  of  Delegates  to  the  fact  that  nonmedi- 
cal laboratory  advertising  is  not  accepted  in  our 
Journal  in  the  light  of  action  at  our  1969  an- 
nual session. 

1(d)  Resolution  No.  4.  This  resolution  asks 
that  the  Mississippi  Medical  Political  Action 
Committee  prepare  educational  material  concern- 
ing the  coronership  and  supply  physician-candi- 
dates suitable  material  coordination,  and  exper- 
tise and  that  MPAC  study  the  counties  of  the 
state,  encouraging  physicians  to  seek  this  office. 

The  Board  conferred  with  the  chairman  of 
MPAC  and  found  that  funds  of  the  organization 
are  extremely  restricted.  Moreover,  these  are  the 
only  funds  which  may  lawfully  be  used  in  can- 
didate support.  The  PAC  is  not  a formal  orga- 
nization in  the  sense  of  being  able  to  sustain  ser- 
vice programs  and  studies.  The  Board,  therefore, 
offered  the  best  resources  available  in  accom- 
plishing this  purpose,  the  pages  of  our  Journal, 
and  asked  the  sponsor  of  the  resolution  to  sub- 
mit materials  for  publication  in  furtherance  of 
the  objectives  which  he  sought  in  the  resolution. 

(e)  Resolution  No.  6.  For  the  first  time,  in 
1969  the  House  of  Delegates  approved  the  con- 
cept of  professional  corporations  for  physicians. 
This  resolution  called  for  our  sponsoring  an 
amendment  to  Mississippi  law  in  this  connection. 
An  association-sponsored  bill  was  introduced 
early  in  the  Regular  Session,  and  we  testified 
three  times  in  its  support  before  the  House  Com- 
mittee on  the  Judiciary.  The  measure  passed  the 
House  of  Representatives  without  a dissenting 
vote  and  is  pending  before  the  Senate  Judiciary 
Committee  “A”  at  the  time  of  preparation  of 
this  report. 

Nominations  to  State  Board  of  Health.  Follow- 
ing up  on  House  actions  in  1969,  nominations 
were  made  to  the  Governor  for  appointment  of 
three  members  of  the  Mississippi  State  Board  of 
Health.  These  are: 

For  Public  Health  District  2:  Drs.  G.  Lacey 
Biles,  Sumner;  Julian  C.  Bramlett,  Oxford;  and 
John  R.  Lovelace,  Batesville. 


For  Public  Health  District  4:  Drs.  S.  Lamar 
Bailey,  Kosciusko;  Thomas  N.  Braddock,  West 
Point;  and  Lester  D.  Webb,  Calhoun  City. 

For  Public  Health  District  5:  Drs.  Lamar  Ar- 
rington, Meridian;  John  R.  Laird,  Union;  and 
Omar  Simmons,  Newton. 

CHAMPUS.  The  association  is  in  its  14th 
year  as  fiscal  administrator  for  the  Civilian 
Health  and  Medical  Program  of  the  Uniformed 
Services  (CHAMPUS),  the  original  military  Med- 
icare. With  amendments  to  the  law  providing  out- 
patient benefits  and  inclusion  of  retirees,  the  pro- 
gram has  grown  fourfold  into  a multimillion  dol- 
lar operation.  It  remains  unique  in  these  re- 
spects : 

— It  is  the  only  medical  care  program  in  Mis- 
sissippi operated  exclusively  under  physician  con- 
trol. 

— It  is  the  only  medical  care  plan  with  a vir- 
tually unrestricted  prescription  drug  program. 

— It  is  unique  in  possessing  a true  usual  and 
customary  fee  reimbursement  system  under  med- 
ical peer  control. 

A five-member  review  committee  meets  12  to 
15  times  annually  on  claims  in  question,  and  we 
are  paying  about  94  out  of  every  100  claims  ex- 
actly as  received.  Our  reorganized  Department 
of  Medical  Care  Plans  in  our  offices  makes  pay- 
ment weekly  to  physicians  and  others  providing 
services. 

Journal  MSMA.  Our  Journal  completed 
its  first  decade  of  service  to  the  association  with 
publication  of  the  120th  consecutive  monthly  is- 
sue in  December  1969.  This  largest  single  asso- 
ciation-sponsored project  is  a team  effort  among 
the  Editors,  Committee  on  Publications,  our 
printers,  and  executive  staff.  The  Board  ex- 
presses appreciation  to  the  Editors  and  commit- 
tee for  their  faithful  and  diligent  services  and 
pledges  continued  support  to  this  vital  member- 
ship service. 

Legal  Matter.  At  the  101st  Annual  Session,  it 
was  reported  that  the  association  and  the  Execu- 
tive Secretary  had  been  named  defendants  in  the 
matter  styled  /.  P.  Culpepper,  Jr.,  v.  American 
Medical  Association.  Also  named  as  defendants 
were  the  South  Mississippi  Medical  Society  and 
two  officers.  AMA  dues  in  transit  through  the 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  in  the 
amount  of  about  $31,000  were  attached  by  the 
plaintiff. 

On  June  9,  the  Executive  Secretary  answered 
subpoenas  for  the  association  and  himself  in  the 
company  of  our  legal  counsel  in  Chancery  Court 
for  Forrest  County,  when  a continuance  was  or- 
dered. 


APRIL  1970 


205 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

On  July  8,  the  Chancellor,  having  accepted  a 
compromise  which  was  also  accepted  by  the  plain- 
tiff, dismissed  the  suit  with  full  prejudice  as  Cause 
No.  26509  on  motion  by  plaintiff.  AMA  dues 
funds  in  the  hands  of  the  “garnishee  defendant,” 
as  the  association  was  identified,  were  thereby 
released.  Because  of  the  nature  of  the  court  or- 
der, the  matter  is  closed. 

Insurance  Programs.  In  addition  to  the  Blue 
Cross  hospital  group,  the  association  also  spon- 
sors general  accident,  disability,  health,  and  life 
programs  with  the  Continental  Casualty  Co. 
through  Thomas  Yates  and  Co.  of  Jackson,  ad- 
ministrators, and  a professional  liability  program 
through  the  St.  Paul  Companies. 

(a)  Continental  Programs.  The  group  life  pro- 
gram, one  of  the  most  recently  initiated,  has  been 
successful  to  the  point  that  benefits  have  been 
increased  by  20  per  cent  without  change  in  pre- 
mium. Where  a member  carries  the  previous 
maximum  of  $40,000,  he  now  has  $48,000  for 
the  same  premium.  We  have  recently  inaugurat- 
ed a group  ordinary  life  program  which  requires 
no  medical  examination. 

Participation  continues  to  be  excellent  in  the 
disability  income  programs,  catastrophic  hospital 
expense  program,  and  office  overhead  expense 
group.  Approximately  40  per  cent  of  the  mem- 
bership carry  some  1,200  contracts  in  these  pro- 
grams. The  administrator  makes  a full  disclosure 
reporting  to  the  Board  of  Trustees  on  all  aspects 
of  these  programs.  The  association  does  not  han- 
dle any  premiums  or  benefit  payments,  nor  does 
it  realize  any  income  from  any  insurance  pro- 
gram. We  take  the  position  that  any  profits  which 
might  thereby  accrue  should  be  passed  along  to 
participating  members  in  the  form  of  lower  pre- 
miums, increased  benefits,  or  both. 

(b)  St.  Paul  Program.  The  association  is  in  its 
9th  year  with  the  St.  Paul  professional  liability 
program  in  which  about  600  members  partici- 
pate. We  have  enjoyed  the  lowest  professional 
liability  premium  rate  in  the  United  States  as  a 
result  of  our  carefully  managed  program  and 
claims  review  counseling  by  the  Board. 

The  professional  liability  crisis  has  become 
acute  in  many  states  with  astronomical  premiums 
ranging  up  to  as  much  as  $20,000  per  year  for 
certain  specialties.  The  Board  urges  that  care  and 
diligence  in  the  securing  of  this  coverage  be  ex- 
ercised and  that  threatened  or  instituted  litiga- 
tion be  brought  before  the  Board  by  any  mem- 
ber concerned.  The  frequency  of  suits  has  in- 
creased as  have  awards  and  settlements  in  Mis- 
sissippi. 


Appointments.  Under  the  provisions  of  Sec- 
tion 1,  Chapter  VII,  of  the  By-Laws,  the  ap- 
pointive powers  are  vested  in  the  President.  Dur- 
ing the  1969-70  association  year,  President 
Royals  has  made  the  following  appointments, 
each  of  which  has  the  endorsement  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees: 

(a)  Alternate  Delegate  to  AMA.  Following 
the  death  of  Dr.  B.  B.  O’Mara  of  Biloxi,  his  un- 
expired term  as  Alternate  Delegate  to  AMA  was 
filled  by  Dr.  Joseph  B.  Rogers  of  Oxford,  AMA 
Alternate  Delegate-elect. 

(b)  RMP  Representative.  President  Royals, 
upon  assuming  office,  resigned  as  the  association’s 
member  of  the  Regional  Medical  Program  Ad- 
visory Council.  He  appointed  as  his  successor 
Dr.  C.  D.  Taylor,  Jr.,  of  Pass  Christian,  our  im- 
mediate past  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

(c)  Committee  on  Publications.  This  commit- 
tee consists  of  the  three  Editors  and  three  who 
are  appointed  for  terms  of  three  years  each  by 
the  Board  of  Trustess.  To  serve  the  unexpired 
term  of  the  late  Dr.  B.  B.  O’Mara,  President 
Royals  appointed  Dr.  Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr.,  of 
McComb. 

(d)  Delta-HEW  Project.  This  program  for  a 
five-county  area,  since  identified  as  the  County 
Health  Improvement  Program  (CHIP),  is  op- 
erated by  a Committee  of  Nine  consisting  of  rep- 
resentatives of  the  state  medical  association,  the 
State  Board  of  Health,  the  University  Medical 
Center,  the  Mississippi  Medical  and  Surgical  As- 
sociation, and  consumer  representatives.  Dr. 
Temple  Ainsworth  of  Jackson,  who  represented 
the  association  on  the  committee  for  two  years, 
resigned,  and  President  Royals  appointed  Dr. 
Lyne  S.  Gamble  of  Greenville  as  successor. 

(e)  Hospital  Manpower  Study.  The  Mississippi 
Hospital  Association  received  an  RMP  grant 
with  which  to  fund  a manpower  study.  Dr.  War- 
ren N.  Bell  of  Jackson  was  named  to  represent 
the  association  as  a member  of  the  advisory  body 
to  the  project. 

(f)  Section  on  Preventive  Medicine.  When 
Dr.  Frank  K.  Tatum  of  Tupelo  retired  from  the 
practice  of  preventive  medicine,  he  also  resigned 
as  secretary  of  the  Section  on  Preventive  Medi- 
cine of  the  Scientific  Assembly.  President  Royals, 
after  consultation  with  the  section  chairman,  ap- 
pointed Dr.  Frank  M.  Wiygul,  Jr.,  to  serve  the 
unexpired  term  as  secretary  of  the  section. 

(g)  Medicaid  Committee.  Upon  invitation  by 
the  Mississippi  Medicaid  Commission,  President 
Royals  appointed  a five-member  Technical  Ad- 
visory Committee  on  Physicians  Services.  Mem- 
bers are  Drs.  Joe  S.  Covington  of  Meridian  (in- 
ternal medicine) , James  D.  Hardy  of  Jackson  (gen- 


206 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


eral  and  thoracic  surgery),  William  J.  Carr,  Jr., 
of  Gulfport  (pediatrics),  J.  Leighton  Pettis  of 
Tupelo  (ophthalmology),  and  Tom  H.  Mitchell  of 
Vicksburg  (general  practice).  The  committee 
elected  Dr.  Covington  chairman,  and  he  serves 
as  the  association’s  representative  on  the  com- 
mission’s Advisory  Council. 

Organization  of  the  Board.  One  new  Trustee, 
Dr.  James  T.  Thompson  of  Moss  Point,  District  9, 
was  welcomed  to  the  Board  during  1969-70, 
bringing  to  a total  six  new  Trustees  named  to 
the  Board  since  1967.  Dr.  Thompson  succeeded 
Dr.  C.  D.  Taylor,  Jr.,  of  Pass  Christian  who  re- 
tired after  13  years  service,  the  last  of  which  he 
served  as  chairman. 

Officers  of  the  Board  during  1969-70  are  Drs. 
Mai  S.  Riddell,  Jr.,  of  Winona,  chairman;  J.  T. 
Davis  of  Corinth,  vice  chairman;  and  William  O. 
Barnett  of  Jackson,  secretary. 


mediate  prospect  of  improvement  at  Jackson,  be- 
cause the  300-room  supermotel  now  under  con- 
struction is  incapable  of  accommodating  the  meet- 
ing. 

Resolution  No.  9.  By  tradition,  the  annual  ses- 
sion has  been  convened  during  the  second  full 
week  in  May,  thereby  conflicting  with  Mother’s 
Day  and  with  municipal  elections  during  years 
held.  Resolution  No.  9 resolves  “that  the  Board 
of  Trustees  is  empowered  to  alter  the  date  of 
the  annual  session  so  as  to  avoid  these  conflicts 
and  to  make  such  changes  as  are  necessary  and 
possible  in  contracts  with  the  headquarters  hotel 
to  accomplish  this  purpose.” 

In  implementing  the  resolution,  the  Board  was 
unable  to  alter  the  1970  contract  because  of  exist- 
ing commitments  by  the  hotel.  We  have,  how- 
ever, been  able  to  make  necessary  changes  for 
1971  through  1973: 


SUPPLEMENTAL  REPORT  “A”  OF 
THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

Scheduling  of  Annual  Sessions.  The  Constitu- 
tion of  the  association  provides  for  the  annual 
session,  and  under  the  By-Laws,  it  must  be  con- 
ducted prior  to  the  annual  convention  of  AMA. 
Section  2,  Article  V,  of  the  Constitution  states 
that  “the  time  and  place  for  holding  the  annual 
session  shall  be  fixed  by  the  House  of  Delegates, 
but  in  emergencies,  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall 
have  the  power  to  fix  or  change  either  the  time 
or  the  place  or  both.  . . .” 

Since  1966,  three  major  policy  changes  on 
scheduling  the  annual  session  have  been  made 
by  the  House  of  Delegates.  Until  1966,  the  an- 
nual session  was  scheduled  on  a year-to-year 
basis,  and  by  custom  and  tradition,  it  was  ro- 
tated between  Jackson  and  Biloxi.  Actually,  these 
have  long  been  the  only  two  cities  in  the  state 
with  adequate  facilities.  Because  of  scheduling 
difficulties  on  the  year-to-year  basis,  the  House 
approved  a four-year  advance  schedule,  and  the 
association  contracted  on  an  alternating  basis  for 
Jackson  and  Biloxi  1967-1970. 

Site  of  Annual  Session.  As  convention  facilities 
in  Jackson  became  less  satisfactory  and  as  the  an- 
nual session  grew  in  size  and  scope,  it  was  noted 
that  attendance  on  the  Coast  was  increasing.  At 
the  same  time,  Coast  hotel  facilities  were  im- 
proving as  major  hotels  in  Jackson  were  closed. 

At  the  99th  Annual  Session  in  1967,  the 
House  agreed  that  the  1968  meeting  would  be 
conducted  at  Jackson  to  fulfill  then-existing  con- 
tracts but  that  annual  session  thereafter  would  be 
conducted  on  the  Gulf  Coast  “until  such  time  as 
more  adequate  and  suitable  convention  facilities 
are  made  available  at  Jackson.”  There  is  no  im- 


Annual Session 


Dates 


102nd 
103rd 
104th 
105  th 


May  11-14,  1970 
May  3-  6,  1971 
May  8-11,  1972 
Apr.  30-May  3,  1973 


To  maintain  our  four-year  advance  schedule, 
the  Board  of  Trustees  recommends  that  the  106th 
Annual  Session  be  conducted  May  6-9,  1974,  at 
Biloxi. 

SUPPLEMENTAL  REPORT  “B”  OF 
THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

Hinder  Report.  In  November  1965,  the  AMA 
House  of  Delegates  authorized  and  approved  a 
planning  and  development  project  through  the 
Board  of  Trustees  who  appointed  an  ad  hoc 
committee  for  this  purpose.  The  committee  re- 
ported that  AMA  planning: 

— Could  be  made  more  effective. 

— That  it  should  not  be  separated  from  man- 
agement. 

— That  its  process  should  be  tailored  to  fit 
AMA’s  unique  situation. 

— Should  be  a commitment  of  leadership. 

— Efforts  should  be  to  enlighten  problems  for 
solution. 

Recognition  should  be  given  to  the  fact  that 
the  AMA  structure  presents  severe  limitations. 

A Committee  on  Planning  and  Development 
was  appointed  in  1968,  chaired  by  Dr.  George 
Himler  of  New  York.  The  report,  a lengthy 
document,  was  presented  to  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates at  Denver  in  1969,  and  a minority  report 
from  Dr.  John  H.  Budd  of  Ohio,  a member  of 
the  committee,  accompanied  the  majority  report. 

The  Himler  Report  is  a searching  and  thought- 
ful examination  of  medical  care  in  the  United 
States,  its  manner  of  delivery,  financing,  gov- 


APRIL  1970 


207 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

ernmental  influence,  medical  facilities,  man- 
power problems,  allied  professions,  and  the  phy- 
sician himself.  It  further  touches  on  medical  or- 
ganization, health  care  consumers,  and  a host  of 
related  areas. 

The  report  contains  18  groups  of  recommenda- 
tions totaling  57  in  number.  The  minority  report 
contains  19  recommendations,  each  a modifica- 
tion or  refutation  of  a corresponding  recommen- 
dation in  the  majority  report.  As  such,  the  mi- 
nority report  cannot  stand  alone  as  a substitute 
for  the  majority  report. 

As  should  be  expected  of  any  major  study  of 
this  scope,  challenge,  depth,  and  candor  dealing 
with  critical  and  painfully  difficult  problems,  the 
Himler  Report  has  evoked  controversy.  As  often 
as  not,  opposition  has  been  based  on  single  state- 
ments or  groups  of  statements  judged  alone.  Some 
appear  to  object  to  the  entire  document  as  to  con- 
tent, but  many  of  the  recommendations  flow 
from  existing  AMA  policy. 

No  attempt  was  made  by  the  AMA  House  of 
Delegates  to  act  with  finality  on  the  report  at 
Denver,  and  indeed,  they  could  not.  The  House 
voted  to  name  a committee  to  receive  the  re- 
port, to  study  its  content,  and  to  refer  it  to  the 
governing  bodies  of  constituent  state  medical  as- 
sociations. 

In  the  latter  connection,  the  AMA  House  stat- 
ed that  it  can  better  act  on  the  recommendations 
“with  the  benefit  of  individual  resolutions  to  be 
submitted  by  the  component  and  constituent  state 
associations  or  societies.”  Your  Board  of  Trustees 
has  reviewed  the  Himler  Report  and  the  minor- 
ity report  together  with  an  analysis  by  our  AMA 
Delegates,  Drs.  Nelson  and  Hicks.  They  request 
instructions  on  the  wishes  of  the  association,  rec- 
ognizing the  magnitude  of  their  tasks  at  the  Chi- 
cago annual  convention  of  AMA  in  June. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  recognizes  the  impor- 
tance of  this  report  and  the  difficulties  implicit  in 
dealing  with  its  recommendations.  The  Board 
voted  unanimously  to  transmit  the  report  to  our 
House  of  Delegates  and  to  publish  it  to  the  mem- 
bership prior  to  our  102nd  Annual  Session,  to- 
gether with  the  minority  report.  The  full  text  is 
appended  to  this  supplemental  report,  and  the 
Board  hopes  sincerely  that  every  member  of  the 
association  will  study  it  carefully  and  make  his 
wishes  known. 

President  Royals  has  agreed  to  write  every 
member  of  the  association  and  to  invite  attention 
to  this  transmittal,  asking  for  informed  opinion 
and  debate. 


The  Board  of  Trustees  encourages  compo- 
nent medical  societies  to  generate  resolutions  and 
policy  positions  on  the  majority  and  minority  re- 
ports herewith  transmitted.  We  ask  that  indi- 
vidual members  of  the  association  appear  at  the 
reference  committee  hearing  on  this  report  and 
discuss  their  views.  We  ask  these  things  toward 
the  end  of  enabling  our  AMA  Delegates  to  rep- 
resent faithfully,  accurately,  and  forcefully  the 
thinking  of  the  association  on  this  vital  matter. 

In  making  this  transmittal,  the  Board  also  re- 
cords the  fact  that  it  has  conducted  careful  and 
extensive  deliberations  over  the  majority  and  mi- 
nority reports.  Many  points  made  have  been  con- 
curred in,  and  many  have  not.  Our  present  ob- 
jective is  to  seek  the  widest  possible  participa- 
tion in  our  decisions  by  the  membership  in  an  ef- 
fective effort  to  advance  the  best  thinking  of  our 
association  as  a contribution  to  the  delivery  of 
medical  service  in  the  United  States. 

REPORT  OF  THE  AMA  COMMITTEE 
ON  PLANNING  AND  DEVELOPMENT 

In  November  1965,  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
the  American  Medical  Association  established  a 
Study  Committee  on  Planning  and  Development 
which  was  given  the  following  tasks: 

(1)  To  review  and  study  current  planning 
procedures  and  techniques  in  the  AMA  for  plan- 
ning and  development;  and 

(2)  To  study  and  recommend  new  mecha- 
nisms and  organizational  arrangements  to  achieve 
more  effective  planning  and  development  for  the 
future. 

The  Study  Committee,  having  completed  its 
investigations,  summarized  its  recommendations 
as  follows: 

( 1 ) The  AMA  can  improve  its  effectiveness 
by  placing  more  emphasis  on  planning. 

(2)  The  responsibility  for  planning  should  not 
be  separated  from  the  responsibility  for  man- 
aging the  affairs  of  the  Association. 

(3)  The  planning  process  must  be  tailored  to 
fit  the  uniqueness  of  the  AMA. 

(4)  The  House  of  Delegates,  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  all  the  councils  and  committees,  and 
the  Executive  Vice  President  and  his  staff  must 
make  a significant  commitment  of  time  and  other 
resources  in  order  to  make  the  Association’s 
planning  more  productive. 

(5)  A concerted  effort  should  be  made  to 
blend  into  the  Association’s  planning  efforts  the 
knowledge  and  insights  of  many  disciplines  in- 
cluding medicine,  sociology,  economics,  law,  and 
any  others  which  would  bring  more  enlighten- 
ment to  bear  on  the  problems  facing  the  Associa- 
tion. 


208 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


(6)  The  Association  must  recognize  that  its 
present  organizational  structure  does  present  se- 
vere limitations  and  may  have  to  be  modified  at 
some  future  time. 

The  Study  Committee  went  on  to  recommend 
that  “the  AMA  establish  a permanent  Committee 
on  Planning  and  Development,”  and  suggested 
the  objectives  of  the  proposed  committee  and 
how  it  might  set  about  achieving  the  purposes  for 
which  it  was  to  be  created. 

To  implement  the  recommendations  in  the  re- 
port of  the  Study  Committee,  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates, on  the  advice  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  ap- 
proved the  establishment  of  a Committee  on 
Planning  and  Development.  In  due  course,  the 
Board  of  Trustees  appointed  the  committee  and 
gave  it  the  following  charge: 

(1)  To  study  and  make  recommendations 
concerning  the  long  range  objectives  of  the  As- 
sociation and  the  resources,  programs,  and  or- 
ganizational structure  by  which  the  Association 
attempts  to  reach  them. 

(2)  To  serve  as  a focal  point  for  the  planning 
activities  of  the  Association  and  stimulate  and 
coordinate  planning  activities  throughout  the  As- 
sociation. 

(3)  To  study,  or  cause  to  be  studied,  medi- 
cine and  the  environment  in  which  the  Associa- 
tion must  function  and  transmit  the  conclusion 
of  these  studies,  in  the  form  of  recommendations, 
to  the  Board  of  Trustees  for  distribution  to  ap- 
propriate decision  making  centers  throughout  the 
Association,  particularly  the  House  of  Delegates. 

INITIAL  STEPS 

The  first  meeting,  held  on  January  26,  1968, 
was  primarily  organizational.  The  Committee  re- 
viewed the  injunction  it  had  received  from  the 
House  of  Delegates  and  the  Board  of  Trustees 
and,  after  recovering  from  the  shock  of  realizing 
the  magnitude  of  the  responsibility,  attempted  to 
break  the  task  down  into  manageable  parts. 

It  was  agreed  that  the  first  step  would  be  to 
scrutinize  the  environment  in  which  medicine  is 
now  practiced,  to  identify  current  problems,  and 
to  analyze  the  reasons  for  their  development.  In 
addition  to  providing  historical  perspective,  the 
analysis  was  to  be  the  substrate  for  short-term 
policy  recommendations. 

Beyond  this,  the  Committee  thought  it  impor- 
tant to  identify  current  trends  by  studying  the 
forces  that  are  influencing  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine. The  evaluation  of  these  trends  in  terms  of 
their  direction,  vigor,  and  likelihood  of  endur- 
ing was  to  provide  the  basis  for  predicting  the 
future  form  of  medical  practice  and  the  social, 
economic,  political,  scientific,  and  technological 


climate  in  which  it  would  probably  be  conducted. 
The  Committee  also  expected  to  use  this  study  to 
develop  recommendations  on  how  these  trends 
could  be  channeled,  modified,  supported  or  op- 
posed in  the  best  interest  of  the  public  and  the 
member  physicians  of  the  Association. 

Finally  a study  of  the  structure  and  function 
of  the  AMA  was  to  indicate  how  well  the  orga- 
nization is  adapted  to  its  presumptive  future  en- 
vironment and  what  modifications,  if  any,  will  be 
needed  to  prepare  it  to  be  effective  under  the 
conditions  that  are  anticipated. 

From  the  sum  of  all  the  preceding  observa- 
tions, long-term  recommendations  on  policy  and 
organization  were  to  be  formulated. 

The  most  pressing  problems  that  medicine  and 
the  Association  face  are  social,  economic,  legis- 
lative, and  legal  in  nature.  The  Committee  there- 
fore decided  to  direct  its  attention  primarily  to 
these  areas.  Relatively  little  attention  was  given 
to  the  scientific  and  educational  activities  of  the 
AMA  except  as  they  affect  these  more  urgent 
considerations.  However,  the  scientific  and  edu- 
cational functions  of  the  AMA  are  of  secondary 
importance  only  in  terms  of  immediacy,  and 
they  may  well  be  the  subjects  of  future  reports. 

As  a first  step,  the  Committee  familarized  it- 
self in  detail  with  the  structure  of  the  AMA  and 
the  operation  of  its  administration  and  its  coun- 
cils, commissions  and  committees.  Much  written 
material  was  made  available  by  staff,  of  which 
the  Review  Committee  reports  of  1967  were  par- 
ticularly useful.  To  supplement  this  information, 
meetings  were  held  with  the  Executive  Vice 
President,  the  Assistant  Executive  Vice  President, 
and  the  heads  of  the  major  divisions.  The  Com- 
mittee’s purpose  was  to  elicit  from  each  what  he 
believed  the  long  range  objectives  of  his  jurisdic- 
tion to  be,  and  what  obstacles  he  saw  to  their  at- 
tainment, either  within  or  outside  of  the  organi- 
zation. 

As  a last  preliminary  step,  the  Committee  met 
with  a Committee  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  com- 
posed of  Gerald  D.  Dorman,  M.D.,  Chairman, 
Joseph  B.  Copeland,  M.D.,  and  Burtis  E.  Mont- 
gomery, M.D.  The  meeting  was  most  helpful  in 
further  refining  the  charge  of  the  Committee  and 
outlining  the  scope  of  its  endeavors. 

BASIC  CONSIDERATIONS 

A few  fundamental  assumptions,  decisions, 
and  policy  determinations  were  necessary  to 
channel  investigation  and  discussion  along  pro- 
ductive lines.  It  is  generally  agreed  that,  since 
medicine  is  a service  profession,  it  cannot  thrive 
and  prosper  unless  the  needs  of  the  public  for 
health  services  are  fully  met.  Although  recog- 


APRIL  1970 


209 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

nition  of  this  principle  is  more  or  less  implicit  in 
the  “American  Medical  Association — Purposes 
and  Responsibilities,”  it  is  not  clearly  stated.  Peo- 
ple must  be  made  aware  that  the  medical  profes- 
sion recognizes  a community  of  interests  with 
them  in  maintaining  the  public  health  at  the 
highest  level  attainable. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends: 

( 1 ) That  the  AMA  adopt  the  following  as  a 
statement  of  the  primary  purpose  and  responsi- 
bility of  the  Association  and  the  medical  profes- 
sion: 

“To  endeavor,  by  all  appropriate  means,  to 
make  health  services  of  high  quality  available 
to  all  individuals,  in  a dignified  and  acceptable 
manner,  regardless  of  their  social  class,  ethnic 
origin,  ability  to  pay  for  services,  or  the 
source  of  the  payment.” 

(2)  The  adoption  of  the  following  as  a corol- 
lary or,  rewritten,  as  a separate  policy  state- 
ment: 

“The  American  Medical  Association  has  the 
duty  to  guide  and  assist  the  medical  profession 
in  the  attainment  of  this  objective.” 

On  adoption,  these  statements  should  be 
widely  publicized. 

The  AMA  has  a second  obligation  which  is 
somewhat  more  subtle  and  therefore  harder  to 
define.  We  are  experiencing  a soaring  demand 
for  health  services  as  a result  of  better  public  edu- 
cation and  more  adequate  funding  for  health 
care  from  insurance  and  governmental  sources. 
This  trend  is  augmented  by  the  increasing  com- 
plexity of  medical  science  and  by  our  adoption 
of  progressively  more  stringent  standards  in  judg- 
ing the  quality  of  professional  services.  It  seems 
almost  certain  that  unless  some  fundamental 
changes  are  made  in  the  current  system  of  de- 
livering health  care,  the  demand  will  outpace 
our  ability  to  meet  it,  regardless  of  efforts  to  train 
additional  personnel  or  build  more  facilities. 
Therefore,  if  the  total  health  establishment  is  to 
meet  the  requirements  and  expectations  of  the 
public,  it  becomes  mandatory  that  the  individual 
professionals  and  the  institutions  that  render 
health  services  be  more  closely  organized  and  at 
a higher  level  than  is  now  the  case. 

Some  services  require  sophisticated  equipment 
that  is  found  only  in  hospitals.  Many  types  of  care 
necessitate  a team  approach  that  the  solo  practi- 
tioner and  his  consultants  cannot  readily  provide. 


Considerations  of  convenience,  economy,  and 
comprehensiveness  will  tend  to  force  physicians 
into  one  or  more  formal  types  of  organization. 
This  may  require  attending  physicians  to  share 
authority  and  responsibility  with  other  individu- 
als and  even  institutions,  thereby  diminishing 
their  own.  Partial  transference  will  not  only  raise 
the  question  of  where  the  ultimate  authority  to 
determine  patient  care  lies,  but  will  also  tend  to 
weaken  and  depersonalize  the  relationships  be- 
tween physicians  and  their  patients. 

Given  present  social  values,  the  encroachment 
on  physician-patient  relationships  will  not  be  mas- 
sive at  first,  since  that  would  be  resented  by  the 
public  and  the  medical  profession  alike.  Never- 
theless, some  degree  of  curtailment  of  the  time- 
honored  privileges,  prerogatives,  and  authorities 
of  physicians  are  already  upon  us  and  further 
encroachments  seem  inevitable  if  the  public  is  to 
get  the  health  services  it  needs  at  a price  that  it 
is  able,  or  willing,  to  pay.  To  add  to  this  picture, 
there  are  already  indications  that  rising  costs  may 
bring  about  efforts  on  the  part  of  government  to 
regulate  or  limit  physicians’  fees,  in  an  ill-ad- 
vised effort  to  achieve  economy. 

It  is  generally  agreed  that  independence  in 
thought  and  action  and  a high  degree  of  intel- 
lectual development  are  essential  characteristics 
for  those  who  aspire  to  be  competent  physicians. 
People  of  this  caliber  are  likely  to  seek  profes- 
sions that,  in  addition  to  intellectual  and  personal 
satisfaction,  promise  freedom  from  regimentation, 
reasonably  high  standards  of  living,  and  ade- 
quate compensation.  The  study  of  medicine  is  a 
long  and  difficult  discipline  which  must  compete 
with  less  demanding  professions  for  a limited 
number  of  qualified  prospects.  It  can  continue  to 
do  so  successfully  only  if,  in  addition  to  the  great 
personal  satisfaction  of  medical  practice,  the  so- 
cial, financial,  and  intellectual  rewards  are  suffi- 
ciently attractive. 

The  AMA  must  therefore  be  continually  so- 
licitous about  the  setting  in  which  medicine  is 
practiced  and  must  attempt  to  maintain  condi- 
tions that  will  attract  the  best  qualified  and  most 
highly  motivated  individuals  to  the  profession. 
Every  effort  should  be  made  to  keep  regulation, 
restriction  and  regimentation  to  the  absolute 
minimum  compatible  with  the  Association’s 
avowed  purpose  of  helping  to  deliver  health  ser- 
vices of  high  quality  to  all  who  need  them.  One 
way  in  which  the  Association  can  move  toward 
this  goal  is  to  encourage  and  actively  participate 
in  devising  practice  patterns  and  delivery  systems 
that  are  efficient,  economical  and  non-restrictive 
for  both  the  provider  and  the  consumer. 


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The  Committee  therefore  recommends: 

That,  while  the  AMA  must  be  prepared  to  ac- 
cept some  circumscription  of  the  traditional  priv- 
ileges and  freedoms  of  physicians,  the  follow- 
ing policy  be  adopted: 

“That  the  American  Medical  Association 
recognize  the  need  for  new  and  improved 
methods  of  delivering  health  services,  that  it 
encourage  and  participate  in  efforts  to  develop 
them,  and 

“That,  in  the  interest  of  attracting  the  most 
highly  qualified  candidates  to  the  field  of  medi- 
cine, it  simultaneously  make  every  effort  to 
maintain  and  create  incentives  in  medical  prac- 
tice. Among  these  incentives  are  minimal 
regimentation,  a multiplicity  of  practice  op- 
tions, and  freedom  of  choice  for  both  physi- 
cians and  patients.” 

Adherence  to  these  principles  is  not  only  in 
the  enlightened  self-interest  of  the  medical  pro- 
fession, but  is  in  the  public  interest  as  well.  All 
other  policy  decisions  of  the  Association  should 
be  made  in  the  light  of  these  concepts. 

At  this  point,  two  other  decisions  or  assump- 
tions had  to  be  made,  since  they  are  fundamen- 
tal to  further  recommendations  made  in  this  re- 
port. The  first  of  these  was  the  adoption  of  a 
definition  of  the  term  “health”  since  that  defini- 
tion will  establish  the  dimensions  of  the  health 
care  field  in  which  the  Association  will  function. 
Many  were  considered  and  the  one  most  in  keep- 
ing with  enlightened  social  and  medical  philoso- 
phy, in  the  Committee’s  opinion,  was  that  of  the 
World  Health  Organization. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends: 

That  the  AMA  officially  adopt  the  following 
World  Health  Organization  definition  of  health: 

“Health  is  a state  of  complete  physical, 
mental  and  social  well-being  and  not  merely 
the  absence  of  disease  or  infirmity.” 

Given  this  interpretation,  health  services  in- 
volve all  aspects  of  man’s  ecology  and  their 
spectrum  becomes  much  more  extensive  than  the 
mere  provision  of  medical  services.  The  question 
then  arises:  How  large  a role  should  the  AMA 
claim  in  planning  for  the  future  and  in  develop- 
ing systems  for  the  achievement  of  the  goals  in 
health  care  that  were  postulated  earlier?  The  As- 
sociation can  follow  one  of  three  courses.  It  can 
limit  its  efforts  and  interest  to  matters  that  are 
purely  medical  and  exhibit  no  concern  for  the 
other  elements  that  enter  into  the  attainment  of 
the  optimum  degree  of  public  health,  such  as  edu- 
cation, housing,  environmental  control,  transpor- 


tation, civil  rights,  and  the  alleviation  of  poverty. 
Another  alternative  would  be  for  the  AMA  to 
concentrate  primarily  on  the  medical  aspects  of 
health  care  but  to  show  a continuing  interest  in 
the  above  non-medical  components  of  health 
services.  The  final  course  would  be  for  the  AMA 
to  claim  an  active  role  in  the  planning  and  de- 
velopment of  all  health  plans  and  programs  in  all 
their  ramifications. 

Clearly,  the  orderly  and  effective  provision  of 
health  services  in  the  future  and  the  planning  and 
implementation  of  health  care  programs  will  call 
for  multidisciplinary  action  and  an  unprecedented 
degree  of  cooperation  among  the  health  profes- 
sions. The  AMA  has  neither  the  facilities  nor  the 
personnel  to  undertake  a regulatory  and  planning 
function  on  this  scale.  Even  if  it  did,  it  does  not 
have  the  authority  to  put  the  policies  it  might 
develop  into  effect,  nor  does  any  other  single 
group,  profession  or  association. 

Nevertheless,  there  is  now  an  almost  total 
lack  of  leadership  in  devising  methods  for  im- 
proving the  utilization  of  our  existing  resources 
of  personnel,  equipment,  and  funds.  The  equally 
important  problem  of  how  to  provide  a progres- 
sively increasing  range  of  services  as  limitations 
and  shortages  are  overcome  is  also  being  ne- 
glected, pending  the  slow  and  painful  organiza- 
tion of  comprehensive  areawide  planning  agen- 
cies. 

Public  health  officials  have  attempted  to  fill 
this  leadership  vacuum,  with  but  limited  success. 
Restraints  on  their  authority  and  scope  of  activity 
may  have  precluded  their  arriving  at  solutions  for 
issues  of  such  protean  nature.  In  any  event,  both 
the  interests  of  the  public  and  th^se  of  the  medi- 
cal profession  now  require  that  the  AMA  and  its 
constituent  societies  become  actively  involved  in 
and  endeavor  to  bring  order  and  continuity  to  this 
presently  chaotic  field. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends: 

That  AMA  adopt  an  active  role  and  take  the 
initiative  in  developing  all  plans  and  programs 
for  health  care  in  all  their  ramifications  that 
it  encourage  and  assist  state  and  county  medical 
societies  to  do  the  same  at  their  respective  levels. 

The  last  recommendation,  although  necessary 
at  this  point,  is,  of  course,  a generalization.  The 
specifics  of  how  it  may  be  implemented  will  be 
suggested  in  succeeding  sections.  The  foregoing 
portion  of  this  report  outlines,  in  very  general 
terms,  the  range  of  interests  and  the  scope  of  ac- 
tivities the  AMA  should  assume  to  play  an  ef- 
fective part  both  in  the  revolution  that  is  cur- 
rently sweeping  medicine  and  in  the  era  of  sys- 
tematic progress  that,  hopefully,  will  follow. 


APRIL  1970 


211 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

EVALUATION  OF  CURRENT  TRENDS 

In  order  to  evaluate  the  trends  that  are  now 
affecting  medical  practice  and  those  that  may  af- 
fect it  in  the  future,  it  is  necessary  to  understand 
the  public’s  attitude  toward  government  and  to- 
ward social  programs  supported  by  tax  funds. 

Perhaps  the  most  obvious  and  striking  change 
in  public  psychology  since  the  end  of  World  War 
II,  and  more  particularly  in  the  past  decade,  has 
been  a great  increase  in  expectation.  The  people 
expect  better  housing,  education,  environmental 
conditions,  transportation,  and  health  services. 
The  problems  involved  in  improving  facilities 
and  services  in  these  categories  are  so  complex 
and  interrelated  that  simultaneous  solutions  cov- 
ering broad  geographic  areas  are  often  needed. 
In  addition,  since  the  programs  must  be  massive, 
the  costs  are  correspondingly  great.  As  a result, 
local  voluntary  agencies,  professional  associa- 
tions, management,  labor,  and  all  other  groups 
and  organizations  comprising  the  private  sector 
discovered  that  they  have  neither  the  funds  nor 
the  authority  to  plan  and  implement  the  pro- 
grams that  are  required  if  public  aspirations  are 
to  be  met.  Local  and  municipal  governments 
found  themselves  similarly  limited  and  turned  to 
their  states  for  financial  support.  The  latter,  hard 
pressed  as  they  are  for  funds,  have  sought  help 
from  the  federal  government. 

In  response  to  these  appeals  from  lower 
echelons  of  government  and  inspired  by  the  pub- 
lic clamor  for  better  living  conditions,  more  and 
better  services,  and  greater  security,  Congress 
created  a number  of  social  welfare  programs. 
There  are  those  who  will  argue  that  the  demand 
for  these  was  not  spontaneous  but  was  deliber- 
ately aroused  and  nurtured  by  those  in  govern- 
ment whose  political  philosophies  incline  toward 
the  creation  of  a paternalistic,  or  even  a social- 
ist, state.  There  may  be  some  truth  in  this  be- 
lief, but  it  is  idle  to  speculate  on  where  the  rise 
in  expectations  originated.  The  fact  is  that  the 
public  appetite  has  been  whetted  and,  more  sig- 
nificantly, that  the  majority  of  the  people  look  to 
government  for  its  satisfaction.  They  will  sup- 
port, or  at  least  not  oppose,  the  expenditure  of 
large  sums  of  tax  money  on  broad  programs  for 
social  welfare.  As  time  goes  on,  this  attitude 
will  become  progressively  more  important  as  a 
determinant  of  public  policy.  The  mere  existence 
of  the  poverty  program  and  of  new  and  ex- 
panded grants-in-aid  for  transportation,  housing, 
education,  research,  hospital  construction,  and 
health  services  represents  a concrete  though  un- 
expressed decision  on  the  part  of  the  federal  gov- 


ernment to  intervene  more  directly  in  the  lives 
of  Americans  by  guaranteeing  them  many  ser- 
vices and  commodities  that  they  hitherto  were 
expected  to  provide  for  themselves.  Although  the 
involvement  of  the  United  States  in  extra-terri- 
torial military  operations,  foreign  aid,  and  other 
commitments  of  money  and  manpower  have  lim- 
ited the  scope  of  some  of  these  plans,  the  limita- 
tion is  likely  to  be  temporary.  The  principle  has 
taken  root,  and  as  this  country’s  external  obli- 
gations diminish  or  its  exuberant  economy  yields 
greater  tax  income,  old  programs  will  be  expand- 
ed and  new  ones  will  be  established. 

This  trend  will  be  curbed  only  by  the  refusal 
of  a sufficiently  large  portion  of  the  population 
to  be  taxed  for  services  they  do  not  individually 
need.  However,  since  most  of  the  social  legisla- 
tion enacted  to  date  has  been  poverty  oriented 
and  represents  aid  to  the  needy  and  underpriv- 
ileged, this  type  of  resistance  is  only  now  be- 
coming evident.  The  short  term  endpoint  of  fed- 
eral, state  and  local  government  activity  in  the 
area  of  social  welfare  in  unpredictable.  Never- 
theless, it  is  safe  to  say  that  unless  the  private 
sector  can  propose  effective  solutions  to  existing 
problems,  the  next  decade  will  see  us  moving  in 
the  direction  of  vastly  broadened  assumption  of 
authority  and  responsibility  by  government,  with 
a concomitant  increase  in  public  dependence  on 
assistance  programs. 

Ironically,  the  organization  necessary  to  satisfy 
the  newly  aroused  public  impatience  for  better 
living  conditions,  more  government  guarantees, 
and  greater  security  is  almost  totally  lacking. 
Most  federal  government  programs  of  recent  vin- 
tage, since  they  were  created  in  response  to  pres- 
sure or  crisis,  were  hastily  enacted  with  insuffi- 
cient regard  for  their  cost  or  their  feasibility  in 
terms  of  facilities,  administrative  mechanisms, 
and  professional  manpower.  In  addition,  partly 
because  differences  in  local  conditions,  needs, 
and  facilities  dictated  that  planning  begin  on  a 
local  level,  partly  out  of  deference  to  states’ 
rights,  and  partly  because  central  administration 
of  massive  new  programs  was  not  immediately 
practical,  recent  social  welfare  laws  have  been 
limited  by  Congress  to  the  provision  of  grants- 
in-aid  or  matching  funds.  Implementation  of  the 
programs  has  been  left  to  the  states  within  fairly 
loose  frameworks  of  conditions,  standards,  and 
criteria.  Usually,  to  stimulate  the  states  into 
prompt  compliance,  the  laws  set  time  limitations 
on  program  activation.  Most  states,  anxious  not 
to  lose  their  share  of  federal  largesse,  passed 
hasty,  and  often  ill-conceived,  implementing  leg- 
islation and  then  placed  their  reliance  on  local 
and  municipal  governments  to  put  the  programs 


212 


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into  operation.  The  resulting  confusion  has  seri- 
ously impaired  the  new  programs  and  has  brought 
about  frictions  and  damaging  waste  of  limited 
human  and  financial  resources.  In  the  general 
confusion,  state  and  local  legislators,  administra- 
tors, and  a new  corps  of  government  advisors 
have  busily  elaborated  a great  variety  of  favorite 
theories,  plans  and  procedures,  which,  when 
translated  into  action,  have  proved  to  be  costly 
and  ineffective. 

If  our  present  social  and  political  climate  had 
to  be  described  in  a few  words,  it  would  be 
characterized  by  high  aspirations,  poor  organiza- 
tion for  achieving  them,  great  but  finite  national 
wealth,  high  and  rapidly  rising  costs,  and  an  al- 
most total  absence  of  the  comprehension  needed 
to  solve  complex  and  interdigitating  social  prob- 
lems. Nevertheless,  those  problems  must  be  over- 
come, and  the  new  laws,  despite  their  glaring 
deficiencies,  constitute  at  least  a primordial  soup, 
containing  all  the  ingredients  necessary  for  the 
generation  of  viable  programs  if  only  the  proper 
catalysts  can  be  found.  Those  catalysts  are  lead- 
ership and  cooperation. 

Clearly,  the  problems  in  the  field  of  health 
alone,  in  their  entirety,  are  beyond  the  influence 
and  competence  of  the  AMA  to  solve  without  as- 
sistance. Nevertheless,  if  the  AMA  were  to  take 
the  initiative  in  devising  plans  for  the  improved 
organization  and  delivery  of  health  services,  it 
would  not  only  be  contributing  to  the  attainment 
of  its  stated  objectives  relating  to  public  health, 
but  would  also  be  leading  the  way  to  effective 
action  in  other  fields.  Specific  recommendations 
to  that  end  will  be  made  later  in  this  report. 

RECENT  LEGISLATION:  EFFECTS  ON 
HEALTH  CARE  AND  IMPLICATIONS 
FOR  THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION 

Having  considered  the  general  characteristics 
of  social  welfare  legislation,  let  us  turn  to  the 
examination  of  recent  laws  that  have  profound 
implications  specifically  for  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine. 

Public  Law  89-97  established  Medicare  and 
Medicaid.  It  has  since  been  amended  only  in  rel- 
atively unimportant  details.  Title  18  of  the  law 
establishes  hospital  and  health  service  benefits  for 
those  over  65  years  of  age.  Title  19  provides  fed- 
eral matching  funds  to  encourage  the  states  to 
create  programs  for  the  ultimate  provision  of  a 
broad  spectrum  of  health  services  to  the  indigent. 

In  its  entirety,  PL  89-97  has  already  had  a 
protean  effect  on  medical  practice  although  its 
full  impact  is  not  yet  generally  appreciated. 

Public  Law  89-239,  the  so-called  ‘'Heart  Dis- 
ease, Cancer,  and  Stroke”  law,  is  concerned  with 


hastening  the  diffusion  of  the  knowledge  gained 
from  abstract  and  clinical  research  from  the  med- 
ical centers  to  the  practitioners  who  are  in  inti- 
mate and  daily  contact  with  patients. 

Public  Law  89-749,  the  “Partnership  for  Health 
Amendments  to  the  Public  Health  Service  Act,” 
was  subsequently  amended  by  PL  90-174.  The 
law  is  directed  toward  creating  agencies  for  area- 
wide, comprehensive  health  planning  at  the  local, 
regional,  and  state  levels.  It  is  now  only  in  its 
early  organizational  phases  but  will  increase  in 
importance  as  planning  agencies  are  activated. 

It  is  beyond  the  scope  of  this  report  to  go  into 
the  details  of  these  laws  since  they  constitute  a 
study  in  themselves.  Suffice  it  to  say,  however, 
that,  either  implicitly  or  as  they  have  been  im- 
plemented, they  firmly  establish  the  following 
concepts  as  public  policy: 

(1)  Every  citizen  has  the  right  to  the  health 
services  he  needs. 

(2)  The  services  he  receives  must  be  of  high 
quality  and  readily  available. 

(3)  The  responsibility  for  the  quality  and 
availability  rests  with  the  agency  administering 
the  program. 

(4)  Health  services  of  high  quality  are  de- 
fined as  services  that  are  “comprehensive,”  “pa- 
tient-oriented,” or  represent  a “continuum  of  ser- 
vices,” in  contradistinction  to  “episodic,”  or  “dis- 
ease-oriented,” as  our  present  system  is  alleged 
to  be. 

(5)  Government,  when  necessary,  will  pay  for 
health  services  either  from  the  premiums  of  so- 
cial insurance  as  it  does  in  Medicare,  or  from 
general  tax  funds,  as  it  does  in  the  Medicaid 
program. 

If  we  examine  these  concepts,  each  of  them 
brings  a number  of  questions  and  problems  in  its 
wake. 

ABRUPTLY  INCREASED  DEMAND  FOR 

HEALTH  SERVICES 

The  thesis  that  every  human  being  has  a right 
to  all  needed  health  services  is  disarmingly  sim- 
ple and  is  now  generally  accepted.  The  fact  re- 
mains that  in  the  past  one  either  paid  for  medical 
services  or  received  them  from  government.  In 
the  latter  case,  the  indignities  of  welfare  process- 
ing and  the  frequently  low  quality  of  care  were 
powerful  deterrents  to  utilization.  These  deter- 
rents have  almost  disappeared  and,  while  no  one 
mourns  their  passing,  it  is  evident  that  their  re- 
moval, coupled  with  more  widespread  health  ed- 
ucation, is  creating  an  insatiable  demand  for 
health  services,  far  in  excess  of  that  experienced 
when  self-pay,  insurance,  or  welfare  allowances 
were  the  only  sources  of  reimbursement  for  them. 


APRIL  1970 


213 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

SHORTAGES  IN  ALL  CATEGORIES  OF 

HEALTH  SERVICE 

The  increase  in  demand  has  been  more  than 
the  health  professions  and  the  voluntary,  proprie- 
tary, and  government  hospital  systems  could 
meet.  A dismaying  shortage  of  medical  and  para- 
medical personnel  has  become  increasingly  ap- 
parent. 

Absolute  Shortage  of  Physicians:  The  overall 
scarcity  can  be  alleviated  by  increasing  training 
capacity  and  efforts  are  being  made  to  do  that. 
The  AMA  has  very  properly  supported  greater 
registration  at  existing  medical  schools  and  the 
founding  of  new  ones.  This  encouragement,  de- 
signed to  increase  the  output  of  physicians, 
should,  of  course,  continue.  The  Association 
should  also  continue  to  explore  the  possibilities 
of  shortening  the  total  duration  of  medical  edu- 
cation by  a judicious  combination  of  college  and 
medical  school  curricula,  lengthening  of  the  aca- 
demic year  at  the  expense  of  vacation  time,  and 
specializing  undergraduate  education  to  corre- 
spond more  closely  to  the  specific  field  chosen  by 
the  student. 

In  the  area  of  graduate  education,  considera- 
tion should  be  given  to  the  shortening  of  resi- 
dency requirements  for  specialty  board  certifica- 
tion since  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  the  ab- 
breviation need  not  adversely  affect  the  quality 
of  training. 

Area  Specific  Shortages  of  Physicians  and  Oth- 
er Health  Professionals — The  Slums:  If  across- 
the-board  scarcity  were  the  full  extent  of  the 
manpower  problem,  its  solution  would  be  rela- 
tively simple  by  the  use  of  the  above  expedients, 
although  there  would  necessarily  be  a few  years 
of  lag  time  before  the  effect  of  increasing  training 
capacity  became  appreciable.  Unfortunately,  it  is 
evident  that  there  will  be  a continuing  shortage 
of  health  care  personnel  for  some  segments  of  the 
population  regardless  of  the  total  supply.  The 
poor  and  underprivileged  who  inhabit  the  urban 
slums  and  ghettos  are  most  deprived  of  essential 
health  services  and  are  least  likely  to  receive 
adequate  care  in  the  near  future. 

It  would  be  too  facile  to  assume  that  they  lack 
health  care  simply  because  they  cannot  pay  phy- 
sicians and  other  health  professionals,  and  that 
the  latter,  for  that  reason,  do  not  establish  prac- 
tices in  their  communities.  If  that  were  true,  gov- 
ernment subsidy  of  their  health  care  would  even 
now  be  mitigating  the  shortage.  The  poverty 
pockets  are  unattractive  to  health  professionals 
for  other  reasons.  They  are  characterized  by  a 


high  degree  of  racial  tension,  by  lack  of  respect 
for  private  property,  and  by  periodic  outbursts  of 
violence.  To  complete  the  picture,  the  few  phy- 
sicians who  practice  in  such  localities  are  subject 
to  abnormally  heavy  workloads,  poor  compensa- 
tion for  the  services  they  render,  inadequate  hos- 
pital facilities,  and  lack  of  assistance.  Under  these 
circumstances,  the  penalties  of  practice  far  out- 
weigh the  few  rewards,  and  it  is  small  wonder 
that  there  is  an  intolerable  shortage  of  health 
manpower  in  these  neighborhoods. 

But  the  deficiencies  of  care  for  the  underpriv- 
ileged are  not  the  most  important  reason  for 
their  generally  poor  state  of  health.  Poor  nu- 
trition, inadequate  housing,  lack  of  education 
with  its  attendant  joblessness,  and  the  frustrations 
of  adverse  discrimination  and  segregation  are 
probably  much  more  important  as  causative 
agents.  The  correction  of  these  inequities  is  a 
social  rather  than  a medical  problem.  It  depends 
on  ethnic  and  racial  adjustments  which  will  re- 
quire almost  infinite  cooperation,  patience,  and 
mutual  understanding.  Unfortunately,  these  com- 
modities, like  everything  else,  are  currently  in 
short  supply.  The  final  remedy  for  the  health 
care  ills  of  the  ghettos  will  be  the  elimination  of 
the  influences  that  make  them  what  they  are. 
Although  the  medical  profession  has  neither  the 
capacity  nor  the  responsibility  to  resolve  these 
larger  issues,  it  must  be  prepared  to  take  an  ac- 
tive part  in  doing  so.  The  deficiencies,  however, 
are  too  pressing  to  await  the  beneficial  effects  of 
long  term  planning,  education,  and  racial  and 
ethnic  accommodation.  Substantial  numbers  of 
health  personnel  are  needed  urgently. 

Clinics  financed  by  the  Office  of  Economic 
Opportunity  have  as  yet  done  little  to  meet  this 
need.  Relatively  few  groups  have  been  estab- 
lished and,  if  complaints  from  a number  of  local 
medical  societies  are  accurate,  not  all  of  these  are 
in  the  deprived  areas  for  which  this  type  of  fed- 
eral financial  support  was  intended. 

Interestingly  enough,  there  is  no  unanimity  of 
opinion  that  the  OEO  concept  of  hospital-based 
multispecialty  clinics  is  the  answer  to  the  health 
care  problems  of  the  slums.  The  National  Medi- 
cal Association,  comprised  largely  of  Negro  phy- 
sicians, many  of  whom  have  an  intimate  knowl- 
edge of  the  people  and  the  unique  needs  and 
characteristics  of  the  poverty  areas,  does  not  be- 
lieve that  it  is.  Health  services,  if  they  are  to  be 
effective,  must  not  only  be  available,  they  must 
be  acceptable  to  those  for  whom  they  are  in- 
tended. There  is  some  question  whether  the  med- 
ical schools  and  centers  that  dominate  the  OEO 
clinics  are  attuned  to  the  nuances  of  the  manner 
in  which  health  services  must  be  offered  in  poor 


214 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


communities.  The  cultural  determinants  of  the 
utilization  of  health  services  are  poorly  under- 
stood by  most  medical  center  faculties  and  staffs. 
The  NMA  makes  the  point  that  more  of  the  care 
should  be  rendered  by  physicians  who  have  their 
origin  and  roots  in  the  underprivileged  areas  and 
represent  predominant  ethnic  or  racial  groups. 
This  would  not  only  result  in  better  mutual  un- 
derstanding between  patients  and  physicians  but 
would  also  permit  the  self-sustaining  to  seek  their 
health  services  from  the  same  source  and  under 
the  same  conditions  as  do  the  indigent. 

Historically,  the  health  needs  of  the  ghettos 
have  been  left  to  the  voluntary  and  municipal 
hospitals  and  government  at  various  levels  to 
meet,  while  private  practice  excluded  itself  as  a 
delivery  mechanism.  The  belief  has  been  grow- 
ing among  legislators  and  public  officials  that  if 
hospital-based,  closed  panel  clinics  are  most  ef- 
fective in  meeting  the  requirements  of  the  poor, 
they  are  equally  applicable  to  other  segments  of 
the  population.  The  obvious  fallacy  of  this  be- 
lief does  not  diminish  the  danger  it  poses  to  pri- 
vate solo  and  group  practice  as  government  pays 
an  ever  increasing  portion  of  the  national  bill  for 
health  services. 

It  is  therefore  essential  that  the  medical  profes- 
sion at  least  attempt  to  meet  the  medical  care 
needs  of  the  ghettos  in  the  context  of  individual 
or  private  group  practice  with  freedom  of  choice 
for  both  physicians  and  patients.  If  such  an  at- 
tempt is  to  be  successful,  financial  assistance  must 
be  secured  for  physicians  who  are  willing  to 
establish  group  practices  in  these  areas  and  who 
present  organizational  plans  that  assure  a high 
quality,  variety,  and  continuity  of  care.  Such  as- 
sistance, if  not  available  from  the  Office  of  Eco- 
nomic Opportunity  with  its  known  penchant  for 
hospital-based  practice,  might  be  available  under 
the  provisions  of  PL  89-754,  which  amends  the 
National  Housing  Act  to  permit  the  Secretary  of 
Housing  and  Urban  Development  to  insure 
mortgages  for  the  construction  of  facilities  for 
medical  practice  groups. 

Community  leaders  will  have  to  cooperate  by 
providing  police  protection  necessary  to  permit 
the  free  movement  of  personnel.  They  may  also 
be  called  on  to  devise  financial  incentives  of  vari- 
ous types  to  attract  physicians  to  their  areas. 

If  no  physicians  can  be  found  who  are  willing 
to  devote  their  full  time  to  practice  in  under- 
privileged areas,  there  may  be  some  who  would 
practice  in  groups  on  a part-time,  rotating  basis 
given  the  proper  incentives  and  technical  assist- 
ance in  structuring  and  financing  their  groups. 

None  of  these  expedients  will  fully  rectify 
present  conditions,  but  a beginning  must  be  made. 


It  must  be  recognized  that  from  a purely  ad- 
ministrative point  of  view  closed-panel,  prepaid 
practice  offers  advantages  to  government.  This 
type  of  practice  may  become  the  major  or  sole  de- 
livery system  for  government-supported  pro- 
grams if  the  privately  practicing  sector  of  the 
medical  profession  does  not  rise  to  the  occasion 
by  providing  demonstrably  superior  care  to  the 
underprivileged.  The  proliferation  of  such  pro- 
grams would  subject  medicine  to  ever  increasing 
regimentation  and  government  control. 

It  should  be  noted  that  only  a very  small  per- 
centage of  medical  students  are  drawn  from  low 
income  families  and  the  underprivileged  areas.  It 
might  be  a practical  expedient  to  select  properly 
motivated,  intelligent  individuals  from  these  back- 
grounds and  finance  their  medical  education,  in 
the  hope  that  they  would  return  to  practice  med- 
icine in  the  areas  from  which  they  came.  An- 
other, and  less  attractive  possibility  would  be  to 
require  such  physicians  to  practice  in  certain 
areas  in  facilities  provided  for  them  for  a speci- 
fied period  of  time,  as  a quid  pro  quo  for  the 
assistance  they  have  received.  This  is  commonly 
done  in  poor  countries,  in  Latin  America  and 
elsewhere  where  the  purely  voluntary  distribu- 
tion of  physicians  would  leave  large  gaps  in 
medical  services. 

Area  Specific  Shortages  of  Physicians  and  Oth- 
er Health  Professionals — Rural  Communities: 
The  problems  of  the  rural  communities  have 
some  similarity  to  those  of  the  poverty  pockets. 
Again,  heavy  patient  loads  and  poor  reimburse- 
ment are  often  factors.  In  addition,  the  rural 
environment  is  unattractive  to  most  young  phy- 
sicians and  their  families.  They  find  it  deficient 
in  opportunity  to  engage  in  social  and  cultural 
activities,  to  educate  their  children,  and  to  find 
entertainment.  Rural  practice  generally  does  not 
afford  the  physician  either  the  time  or  the  fa- 
cilities to  continue  his  own  professional  educa- 
tion, and  young  physicians,  in  choosing  a site  to 
practice,  are  reluctant  to  forego  the  intellectual 
stimulation  they  experienced  at  the  medical  cen- 
ters in  which  they  trained.  The  relative  impor- 
tance of  these  factors  varies  with  the  individual 
and  the  location  but  it  is  evident  that  as  the  older 
MD’s  die  in  rural  communities,  they  are  replaced 
with  great  difficulty  or  not  at  all. 

In  this  situation,  again,  some  answers  may  be 
found  in  the  development  of  inducements  to  at- 
tract physicians  to  the  rural  areas.  Similar  ef- 
forts, usually  made  by  the  communities  them- 
selves, have  not  been  notably  successful  in  the 
past  but  it  is  entirely  possible  that  with  state  and 
local  medical  society  assistance,  more  effective 
programs  for  recruitment  can  be  devised.  This  is 


APRIL  1970 


215 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

important  because,  while  rapid  transportation  of 
patients  to  urban  centers  may  compensate  for 
some  of  the  deficiencies  of  rural  health  care, 
there  is  ultimately  no  substitute  for  the  day-by- 
day services  rendered  by  the  local  physician. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends: 

( 1 ) That  an  appropriate  committee  or  divi- 
sion of  the  Association  secure  data  from  all  the 
state  medical  societies  on  the  adequacy  of  health 
services  and  the  manner  in  which  they  are  being 
provided  in  their  rural  and  underprivileged  areas, 
and  the  practice  mechanisms,  if  any,  that  are 
being  considered  or  developed  to  correct  existing 
deficiencies.  Based  on  this  information,  the  same 
committee  should  devise  delivery  systems  con- 
sonant with  the  Association’s  principles  and  in- 
centives for  physicians  to  settle  in  medically  de- 
prived localities. 

(2)  That  the  Association,  in  conjunction  with 
state  and  county  medical  societies,  establish  a 
service  of  consultation  and  assistance  for  such 
physicians  to  facilitate  the  planning  and  financ- 
ing of  their  projects. 

(3)  That,  in  those  instances  in  which  phy- 
sicians cannot  be  found  to  develop  health  care 
facilities  with  the  capability  of  providing  needed 
services,  the  AMA  urge,  encourage,  and  assist 
the  state  and  local  medical  societies  to  do  so  on 
an  operational  basis. 

(4)  That  the  Association  study  the  possibility 
of  establishing  a corporation  for  this  purpose, 
with  subsidiary  corporations  at  state  and  local 
levels.  All  such  corporations  should  be  legally 
empowered  to  receive  payments  for  services 
rendered  and  would  apply  surplus  income  over 
expenditures  to  activities  designed  to  improve 
health  care  in  their  areas,  both  quantitatively  and 
qualitatively. 

(5)  That  the  AMA  and  the  constituent  and 
component  medical  societies  seek  the  active  in- 
volvement of  medical  centers  and  voluntary 
hospitals  in  health  service  projects  for  the  med- 
ically underprivileged. 

The  Committee  emphasizes  that  the  provision 
of  health  services  in  rural  areas  and  in  poverty 
zones  must  not  be  abandoned  to  the  government 
by  default. 

SHORTAGES  OF  SPECIFIC  CATEGORIES 
OF  HEALTH  PERSONNEL  BY 
PROFESSION  AND  SPECIALTY 

To  consider  further  the  matter  of  medical  man- 
power, the  short  supply  of  generalists  or  family 
physicians  represents  another  major  deficiency. 
Again,  new  incentives  must  be  created  to  reverse 
the  inexorable  diminution  of  those  who,  in  addi- 


tion to  providing  basic  care,  serve  the  important 
function  of  coordinating  medical  services  for  their 
patients.  Not  the  least  of  these  new  attractions 
would  be  the  assurance  of  a higher  professional 
standing  than  these  physicians  have  enjoyed  in 
the  past  and  the  admission  of  generalists  into 
hospital  practice  on  an  equal  prestige  footing 
with  the  specialists.  The  Association  has  moved 
in  this  direction  by  recognizing  family  practice  as 
a specialty.  This  action,  coupled  with  widespread 
establishment  of  general  practice  sections  in  hos- 
pitals, could  slow  or  reverse  the  trend  away  from 
general  practice.  These  questions  have  been  dis- 
cussed at  such  length  in  medical  circles  that  they 
hardly  require  further  elaboration  in  this  report. 

The  Association’s  public  pronouncements  on 
manpower  deficiencies  to  date  have  emphasized 
the  general  shortage  of  health  personnel  and 
have  highlighted  suggestions  and  efforts  to  in- 
crease training  facilities  and  enrollment.  This  is 
an  oversimplification  since  these  measures  alone 
will  not  suffice  to  overcome  current  deficits  and 
meet  new  demands.  When  this  fact  becomes  ap- 
parent, the  AMA  will  again  be  criticized  for  hav- 
ing failed  to  recognize  the  true  dimensions  of  the 
problem. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends: 

(1)  That  the  AMA,  through  its  Council  on 
Health  Manpower,  in  conjunction  with  other  pro- 
fessional, educational,  and  lay  associations,  con- 
tinue to  explore  and  develop  expedients  to  over- 
come health  manpower  shortages. 

(2)  That  the  Association,  in  its  future  dec- 
larations and  activities  directed  toward  the  al- 
leviation of  shortages  in  health  services  and  per- 
sonnel, underscore  the  fact  that  these  shortages 
are  not  due  merely  to  an  insufficient  number  of 
health  professionals  across-the-board,  and  em- 
phasize that  maldistribution  of  practitioners  geo- 
graphically, by  profession,  and  by  specialty  is  an 
equally  important  factor  in  depriving  communities 
of  an  adequate  supply  and  spectrum  of  health 
services. 

(3)  That  the  Association  publicize  the  reasons 
for  the  maldistribution,  as  outlined  in  this  sec- 
tion, and  stress  that  the  voluntary  correction  of 
these  deficiencies  requires  public  cooperation  and 
community  action  in  addition  to  the  measures 
taken  by  the  health  professions. 

The  limitations  of  the  service  capacity  of  the 
health  professions  will  be  a matter  of  increasing 
concern  for  the  public  as  well  as  the  professions. 
Overcoming  relative  and  absolute  manpower 
shortages  will  take  time,  possibly  a decade  or 
more.  During  this  time,  the  demand  for  health 
services  will  multiply  as  the  population  grows, 
urbanization  and  personal  incomes  increase,  the 


216 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


proportion  of  the  aged  rises,  health  education  is 
more  widely  disseminated,  and  more  govern- 
ment funds  are  allocated  for  health  programs. 
This  trend  will  aggravate  the  present  dispropor- 
tion between  the  supply  of  health  professionals 
and  the  increasing  demand  for  their  services. 
Any  reasonable  device  must  therefore  be  ex- 
plored to  conserve  the  time  of  overworked  phy- 
sicians. One  expedient  would  be  to  limit  the  ser- 
vices they  perform  to  those  that  require  the  ex- 
ercise of  their  special  skills. 

Use  of  “Doctors’  Assistants”  to  Augment  Med- 
ical Service  Capacity:  One  proposal  designed  to 
stretch  the  service  capacity  of  the  medical  profes- 
sion with  the  present  supply  of  physicians  has 
been  that  less  highly  trained  individuals  be  spe- 
cifically educated  and  utilized  to  perform  rou- 
tine examinations  and  treatments.  Several  experi- 
ments in  the  training  and  use  of  doctors’  assist- 
ants are  now  in  progress.  The  University  of  Colo- 
rado is  conducting  a project  for  training  regis- 
tered nurses  to  do  some  procedures  in  pediatric 
practice,  particularly  well-baby  and  routine  care. 
The  plan  operating  at  Duke  University  is  in- 
tended to  train  modern  and  improved  versions 
of  army  medical  corpsmen.  In  a number  of 
areas,  proposals  have  been  made  to  revive  the 
use  of  nurse-midwives  for  uncomplicated  obstet- 
rics. Many  pursuasive  arguments  have  been  ad- 
vanced in  support  of  utilizing  personnel  with  a 
medium  level  of  training  to  relieve  the  pressures 
on  more  highly  skilled  physicians  and  thereby 
meet  the  demand  for  services.  To  a limited  de- 
gree, and  in  chosen  localities,  this  device  may  in- 
deed be  necessary  and  useful.  The  entire  con- 
cept, however,  is  heavily  booby-trapped  and  be- 
fore it  is  enthusiastically  adopted  by  the  medical 
profession,  some  caveats  are  in  order. 

Physicians  who  are  too  busy  to  render  com- 
plete medical  care  to  their  patients  may  well  be 
too  busy  to  supervise  the  services  rendered  by 
their  assistants.  This  could  result  in  a significant 
deterioration  of  services.  Furthermore,  since  the 
legal  responsibility  for  patients  rests  with  their 
physicians,  the  use  of  assistants  on  a large  scale 
opens  a wide  and  unappetizing  vista  of  ever  in- 
creasing malpractice  litigation.  Another  and  rath- 
er obvious  disadvantage  of  employing  assistants 
in  this  new  and  expanded  sense  is  that  it  would 
further  depersonalize  medical  care  precisely  when 
the  profession,  to  preserve  some  of  the  positive 
values  of  current  medical  practice  methods,  is 
endeavoring  to  strengthen  the  personal  relation- 
ship between  physicians  and  their  patients. 

This  expedient,  if  generally  adopted,  would  be 
applied  to  a great  number  of  specialties  and 
would  result  in  the  creation  of  a number  of  sub- 


professions which  would  be  a nightmare  to  li- 
cense, limit,  audit  and  supervise.  Understand- 
ably, but  inevitably,  the  new  assistant  groups 
would  seek  to  widen  the  permissible  scope  of 
their  services  and  to  increase  their  responsibility, 
authority,  remuneration,  and  independence  of 
action.  This  could  seriously  compromise  physi- 
cians’ responsibility  for  the  care  of  their  patients, 
and  materially  increase  the  cost  of  that  care.  The 
medical  profession  must  not  fall  into  the  error 
of  accepting  the  principle  of  creating  corps  of 
“doctors’  assistants”  except  with  stringent  safe- 
guards and  provision  for  their  close  supervision. 

The  Committee  recognizes  that  the  productiv- 
ity of  physicians  must  be  increased  if  shortages 
in  health  care  are  to  be  overcome,  and  that  one 
method  of  doing  so  is  to  utilize  the  services  of 
doctors’  assistants.  While  not  wishing  to  discour- 
age the  adoption  of  this  general  principle,  the 
Committee  reemphasizes  the  need  for  appropri- 
ate guidelines  and  safeguards. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends: 

( 1 ) That  an  appropriate  Committee  of  the 
AMA  immediately  begin  to  formulate  a policy 
on  doctors’  assistants,  particularly  with  regard  to 
their  responsibilities,  limitations  on  their  practice, 
and  supervision  of  their  services  by  qualified 
physicians. 

(2)  That  the  AMA  reaffirm  the  principle  that 
the  basic  responsibility  for  the  care  and  welfare 
of  patients  lies  with  their  physicians  of  record 
and  that  that  responsibility  cannot  and  should 
not  be  delegated. 

(3)  That  the  Association’s  Law  Division  assist 
the  state  medical  societies  in  identifying  and 
avoiding  any  legal  hazards  that  may  accompany 
the  employment  of  doctors’  assistants. 

DELIVERY  SYSTEMS  FOR  HEALTH  CARE 

Partly  because  of  manpower  deficits  and  part- 
ly because  of  the  rapidly  rising  costs  of  health 
care,  the  Department  of  Health,  Education,  and 
Welfare  has  exhibited  a keen  interest  in  delivery 
mechanisms  for  health  services.  A National  Cen- 
ter for  Health  Service  Research  and  Development 
has  been  created  in  the  department.  The  center, 
not  yet  in  full  operation,  will  conduct  field  studies 
to  evaluate  programs  in  being,  develop  pilot 
projects  and  demonstration  programs,  and  gather 
data  on  all  known  methods  of  providing  health 
services.  Ultimately  its  recommendations  will 
probably  establish  HEW  policy  on  the  programs 
under  its  jurisdiction.  Ideally,  the  center  will  ac- 
cumulate detailed  information  on  the  effective- 
ness, cost,  and  acceptability  by  the  public  of 
various  health  service  mechanisms  and  make  ob- 
jective recommendations  based  on  that  informa- 


APRIL  1970 


217 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

tion.  indications  are  that  the  major  focus  of  its 
interest  will  be  group  practice. 

In  many  ways  that  need  not  be  enumerated 
here,  group  practice,  as  compared  to  solo  prac- 
tice, has  substantial  advantages  for  both  physi- 
cians and  patients.  As  a result,  the  percentages 
of  physicians  engaged  in  private,  fee-for-ser- 
vice,  group  practice  has  been  rising  steadily. 
Most  groups  are  of  the  multispecialty  type  and 
offer  a reasonably  broad  range  of  services.  Less 
commonly,  they  are  composed  of  physicians  in  a 
single  specialty.  Characteristically,  they  are  re- 
imbursed on  a fee-for-service  basis  and  all  the 
members  are  partners,  which  gives  them  a direct 
stake  in  maintaining  high  standards. 

The  other  main  type  is  the  so-called  closed 
panel  group  which  accepts  patients  for  all  the 
care  they  may  need  on  a prepaid,  capitation  ba- 
sis rather  than  fee-for-service.  This  requires  the 
interposition  of  an  insurance  carrier  between  the 
patients  and  the  providers  of  service.  In  some 
instances  the  physicians  are  partners  in  the  group 
but  the  majority  are  employed  on  either  salary 
or  per-session  payments. 

The  major  exponents  of  this  arrangement  are 
the  Health  Insurance  Plan  of  Greater  New  York 
in  the  east,  and  Kaiser-Permanente  Plan  on  the 
west  coast.  In  addition  to  the  advantages  of  group 
practice  in  general,  both  have  claimed  lower  hos- 
pital utilization  and  morbidity  rates  than  are  ex- 
perienced in  insured  groups  that  have  a reim- 
bursement type  of  health  insurance  and  pay  fee- 
for-service.  They  attribute  these  claims  to  more 
effective  preventive  care  and  treatment,  but  such 
claims,  of  course,  are  almost  impossible  to  sub- 
stantiate. It  can  be  argued,  for  instance,  that  low 
rates  of  hospital  admission  and  short  duration  of 
stay  may  well  represent  inadequate  rather  than 
optimum  utilization.  Morbidity  rates  are  difficult 
to  compare  because  of  the  differences  inherent  in 
the  two  systems.  The  patients  of  a prepayment 
group  are  largely  members  of  a consumer  orga- 
nization of  one  type  or  another.  In  the  majority 
of  instances,  the  contract  is  negotiated  between 
an  insurance  company  distinct  from  the  medical 
group  and  a labor  union  or  other  consumer  agen- 
cy. The  patients  resulting  from  this  type  of  se- 
lection often  have  group  characteristics  that  in- 
validate comparison  with  the  randomly  selected 
clientele  of  fee-for-service  individual  or  private 
group  practice.  In  addition,  the  differences  in  the 
manner  in  which  the  two  systems  render  services 
and  the  tendency  of  patients  of  a prepayment 
group  to  seek  the  services  of  a personal  physi- 


cian outside  the  group  for  grave  illnesses  makes 
the  comparison  of  statistics  very  misleading. 

Aside  from  these  considerations,  closed  panel, 
prepaid  practice  has  several  definite  disadvan- 
tages for  patients.  Once  families  or  individuals 
have  enrolled  in  a plan  that  provides  this  type  of 
care,  they  have  lost  the  right  to  choose  their  own 
physician.  In  theory,  they  can  select  any  mem- 
ber of  the  group,  but  the  actual  choice  is  almost 
nil  because  of  the  relatively  small  numbers  of 
physicians  in  the  groups  and  their  limited  avail- 
ability. The  patient’s  freedom  to  join  another 
group  in  the  same  plan  is  hypothetical  rather 
than  actual  since  distance  and  convenience  al- 
most forbid  such  transfers.  Those  patients  who 
want  treatment  or  consultation  outside  the  plan 
must  pay  a penalty  for  doing  so  since  there  is  no 
provision  for  reimbursing  them  for  their  expendi- 
tures. 

Whatever  the  reasons,  insurance  programs 
based  on  closed  panel  practice  have  not  been  re- 
motely comparable  in  growth  to  those  that  pay 
fee-for-service  benefits  and  allow  free  choice  of 
physician,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  the  former  of- 
fer a complete  spectrum  of  care  while  the  latter 
have  varying  limitations,  exclusions  and  co-pay 
features.  There  must  therefore  be  some  element 
in  closed  panel  practice  that  militates  against  its 
general  and  enthusiastic  acceptance  by  the  pub- 
lic. 

The  Committee  does  not  propose  to  advocate 
any  particular  type  of  practice.  It  is  disquiet- 
ing, however,  to  learn  that,  after  establishing  a 
center  supposedly  intended  to  evaluate  the  vari- 
ous systems,  high  officials  of  HEW  have  already 
reached  their  own  conclusions  and  openly  favor 
prepaid  health  care  delivered  by  closed  panel 
groups.  They  are  probably  influenced  by  the  ease 
with  which  the  distribution  of  personnel  and  the 
range  of  services  can  be  controlled  in  closed  panel 
practice.  In  addition,  cost  control,  via  negotiation 
for  capitation  rates,  is  certainly  simpler  and 
more  predictable  than  it  is  with  the  usual,  cus- 
tomary, prevailing,  and  reasonable  method  of  re- 
imbursement (hereafter  abbreviated  to  UCPR). 
In  spite  of  the  simplicity  in  negotiating  and 
predicting  costs  in  the  prepaid  group  practice  sys- 
tem, however,  the  cost  economies  such  groups 
claim  have  yet  to  be  proven.  Whatever  the  rea- 
sons, the  attitude  of  the  officials  of  HEW  is  the 
antithesis  of  the  impartial  analysis  and  objective 
decision  that  were  hoped  for  and  that  are  neces- 
sary to  determine  the  relative  merits  of  the  dif- 
ferent practice  mechanisms.  This  type  of  preju- 
dice could  not  only  result  in  costly  and  harmful 
errors  in  the  administration  of  tax  supported 


218 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


programs,  but  could  affect  the  private  sector  ad- 
versely. 

The  House  of  Delegates,  at  the  1968  Annual 
Convention,  recognized  this  and  adopted  a reso- 
lution that  “The  AMA  strongly  disapproves  the 
provision  of  funds  by  the  federal  government  for 
subsidizing  any  one  form  of  organization  of  medi- 
ical  practice.”  Unfortunately,  the  same  resolution 
went  on  to  state,  “Resolved,  That  the  AMA  con- 
tinue to  espouse  the  private,  fee-for-service  prac- 
tice of  medicine.”  It  is  hardly  logical  for  the  As- 
sociation to  call  for  objective  experimentation  in 
the  organization  of  medical  services  and  in  the 
same  breath  to  express  its  preference  for  private, 
fee-for-service  practice.  It  is  equally  inconsistent 
to  call  the  Department  of  HEW  to  task  for  giving 
preferential  support  to  one  form  of  medical  prac- 
tice and  simultaneously  express  the  Association’s 
prejudice  for  another. 

It  is  well  to  remember  that  the  Association 
represents  members  who  are  engaged  in  all  types 
of  medical  practice  and  that  they  must  be  repre- 
sented impartially.  Furthermore,  there  are  many 
possible  variations  and  combinations  of  solo  prac- 
tice, fee-for-service  group  practice,  prepaid  capi- 
tation practice  and  even  physician  employment 
that  may  be  useful  in  providing  care  under  cer- 
tain circumstances.  Combinations  of  fee-for-ser- 
vice payment  and  prepayment  are  also  possible. 
It  is  well  known,  for  instance,  that  one  of  the  ma- 
jor obstacles  to  the  development  of  voluntary  in- 
surance coverage  for  out-of-hospital  services  has 
been  the  prohibitively  high  cost  of  processing 
large  numbers  of  small  claims.  In  many  cases  the 
processing  cost  is  almost  equal  to  the  payment, 
which  almost  prevents  such  services  from  being 
insurable  and  which  may  in  part  be  responsible 
for  the  high  cost  of  Medicare.  One  possibility  for 
overcoming  this  disadvantage  is  to  establish  a pre- 
paid pool  on  which  physicians,  individually  or  in 
groups,  could  draw  for  certain  types  of  individual 
services,  thereby  eliminating  the  costly  process- 
ing of  small  claims.  Fee-for-service  payments 
could  be  retained  for  larger  and  more  readily 
identifiable  items  of  care.  Similarly,  it  is  possible 
that  pediatricians  would  accept  capitation  fees 
for  well-baby  care  while  retaining  fee-for-ser- 
vice for  the  balance  of  their  practice.  The  Com- 
mittee does  not  wish  to  suggest  specific  types  of 
organization  or  payment.  It  merely  wishes  to 
point  out  that  there  are  many  possible  combina- 
tions and  permutations  that  may  be  useful  in 
the  future  and  that  the  Association  should  not  be 
on  record  as  being  opposed  to  any  of  them  until 
they  have  been  fairly  tried. 

The  immediate  needs  to  be  met  are  enormous 


and  are  creating  proportionate  pressures.  The 
virtually  uncontrollable  rise  in  the  public’s  bill 
for  health  care  will  dictate  the  most  stringent 
evaluations  of  cost  effectiveness.  Under  these  cir- 
cumstances, all  varieties  of  organization  for 
health  care  and  many  methods  of  payment  will 
be  put  to  the  test  of  competition  regardless  of  the 
position  the  Association  may  take.  Rather  than 
support  particular  kinds  of  organization  and  pay- 
ment for  health  services  and  oppose  others,  the 
AMA  should  devote  its  energies  to  establishing 
the  criteria  by  which  they  are  judged.  These 
standards  should  transcend  the  mere  logistics  of 
delivery  and  the  cost  of  care.  They  should  in- 
clude considerations  of  the  quality  of  care,  the 
dignity  of  the  circumstances  under  which  it  is 
provided,  and  the  choice  of  options  that  the  plan 
allows  for  providers  and  consumers. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends: 

( 1 ) That  the  Association  take  no  public  po- 
sition for  or  against  private  solo  practice,  private 
group  practice,  closed  panel  group  practice,  fee- 
for-service  payment,  or  prepayment  by  capita- 
tion. 

(2)  That  an  appropriate  committee  of  the 
AMA  be  charged  with  the  task  of  establishing 
the  basic  criteria  which  any  proposed  system  of 
delivery  of  health  services  or  mechanism  for 
payment  must  satisfy  to  be  acceptable. 

(3)  That  the  Association,  in  all  public  state- 
ments, emphasize  the  concept  that  differences  in 
education,  culture  and  income  levels  create  prob- 
lems that  may  necessitate  different  systems  of 
delivering  medical  care  for  different  population 
groups. 

(4)  That  the  state  and  local  medical  societies 
be  encouraged  and  assisted  in  devising  and  pro- 
posing practice  expedients  suited  to  their  local- 
ities and  their  problems. 

(5)  That  the  Association,  in  conjunction  with 
the  state  and  county  medical  societies,  establish 
a consultation  and  assistance  service  for  physi- 
cians or  groups  of  physicians  who  wish  to  de- 
velop organizations  or  programs  for  the  render- 
ing of  health  services. 

(6)  That  the  AMA  endeavor  to  be  informed 
of  the  pilot  projects  that  are  proposed  by  other 
sources  and  that  it  request  the  Department  of 
HEW  to  discuss  those  projects  with  the  Associa- 
tion before  they  are  put  into  effect. 

(7)  That  the  Association  seek  to  insure  that 
the  value  judgments  made  by  the  Department  of 
HEW  on  plans,  programs,  pilot  projects  and  pay- 
ment mechanisms  are  firmly  based  on  the  cri- 
teria and  standards  the  AMA  has  developed  for 
that  purpose. 


APRIL  1970 


2 19 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

MEDICAL  SOCIETY  NEGOTIATION  OF 
CONDITIONS,  REGULATIONS  AND 
FEES  IN  GOVERNMENT  PROGRAMS 

Another  manifestation  of  the  government’s  in- 
terest in  costs  has  been  a careful  scrutiny  of  pro- 
fessional fees,  particularly  those  of  physicians. 
The  acceptance  by  government  of  the  usual,  cus- 
tomary, prevailing,  and  reasonable  (UCPR) 
principle  of  payment  for  the  Medicare  program 
was  encouraging  as  an  indicator  that  there  would 
be  no  direct  attempt  to  dictate  physicians’  fees 
beyond  keeping  reimbursement  in  line  with  cur- 
rent cost  levels.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind,  how- 
ever, that  the  adoption  of  the  UCPR  concept  is 
provisional  rather  than  final  and  that  it  has  yet  to 
prove  itself  as  an  economical  method  of  payment 
for  health  services.  Physicians’  fees  have  been 
rising  and,  in  the  past  few  years,  they  have  done 
so  at  a rate  exceeding  the  rise  in  the  various  cost 
indices.  There  has  also  been  an  appreciable  in- 
crease in  physicians’  incomes  since  1966  while, 
during  the  same  time,  the  medical  profession  has 
been  unable  to  bring  about  a material  expansion 
of  its  capacity  to  deliver  health  services.  In  the 
face  of  the  unexpectedly  high  cost  of  new  health 
service  programs  and  on  the  basis  of  these  su- 
perficial observations,  the  right  of  physicians  to 
augmented  incomes  is  being  questioned  in  many 
quarters. 

Aside  from  using  fee  levels,  which  are  now 
showing  signs  of  levelling  off,  there  are  two  major 
factors  that  brought  about  increases  in  physician 
income.  The  first  of  these  was  the  abandonment 
by  government  of  the  charity  and  “welfare  dis- 
count” concepts  in  the  provision  of  health  care  to 
the  indigent.  Quite  correctly,  the  decision  was 
made  that  cut-rate  or  charitable  services  did  not 
result  in  a high  quality  of  care  for  the  medically 
needy,  and  the  principle  of  payment  at  the  “going 
rate”  was  therefore  established.  As  a result,  many 
physicians  are  now  being  reimbursed  for  services 
they  previously  rendered  gratis,  which  others  are 
being  paid  at  a higher  rate. 

The  second  factor  contributing  to  the  rise  in 
physician  income  is  the  upsurge  in  demand  that 
has  been  created  by  expanded  government  fund- 
ing of  health  care  for  the  indigent.  Although  the 
capacity  of  the  medical  profession  as  a whole  to 
meet  this  demand  may  have  been  insufficient, 
many  physicians  did  accept  heavier  work  loads 
which  increased  their  incomes  correspondingly. 

The  Committee  does  not  wish  to  justify  the  in- 
come and  fee  increments  in  this  report,  but  it  is 
important  to  recognize  that  rising  costs  and  fees 
have  already  been  responsible  for  one  congres- 


sional investigation  and  are  causing  rumblings 
from  consumer  groups,  labor  unions,  and  govern- 
ment agencies  that  fee-for-service  and  UCPR 
merely  enrich  physicians  and  encourage  the  con- 
tinuous escalation  of  charges  without  correspond- 
ing improvements  in  services.  If,  therefore,  these 
methods  of  payment  are  to  survive,  it  is  impera- 
tive that  the  medical  profession  be  able  to  dem- 
onstrate that  fee  levels  are  reasonable  and  that 
they  are  not  permitted  to  increase  without  good 
cause.  In  order  to  do  this,  the  medical  societies 
at  all  levels  must  have  access  to  data  that  are 
unbiased,  accurate  and  beyond  challenge. 

The  Committee  heartily  supports  the  UCPR 
concept  and  urges  that  the  AMA  and  the  state 
and  local  medical  societies  do  everything  in  their 
power  to  widen  its  application.  Nevertheless, 
there  are  many  programs  which  are  still  based  on 
negotiated  fee  schedules  such  as  some  state  plans 
implementing  Title  19  and  most  Workmen’s 
Compensation  programs.  The  possibility  cannot 
be  overlooked  that  the  government  may  turn 
from  the  UCPR  concept  at  some  future  date  in 
spite  of  the  efforts  of  the  medical  profession.  The 
societies  must  therefore  be  prepared  to  achieve 
usual  and  customary  fees  by  negotiation  as  well 
as  to  negotiate  the  conditions,  regulations,  and 
procedures  that  apply  to  physicians  participating 
in  government  programs. 

There  are  two  essentials  to  effective  negotia- 
tion. The  first  is  a complete  and  accurate  body  of 
information  on  all  aspects  of  program  operation. 
The  second  is  a corps  of  seasoned  and  know- 
ledgeable negotiators. 

It  is  understood  that  fee  negotiations  do  not 
fall  within  the  province  of  the  AMA  since  most 
of  these  take  place  at  the  state  or,  rarely,  at  the 
county  level.  On  the  other  hand,  the  Association 
could  very  well  serve  a useful  function  at  the 
federal  level  by  negotiating  all  other  aspects  of 
tax-supported  health  programs.  It  must,  there- 
fore, have  access  to  data.  In  addition,  most  state 
and  local  societies  are  hampered  in  their  discus- 
sions with  government  by  lack  of  knowledge  of 
conditions  and  developments  in  other  areas. 
Many  of  them  do  not  have  effective  machinery 
for  gathering  information  or  have  not  yet  recog- 
nized the  importance  of  that  function.  They 
would  derive  great  benefits  from  analyses  and 
recommendations  made  by  the  AMA,  based  on 
data  which  the  Association  in  any  case  requires 
for  its  own  purposes. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends  that  the 
Association: 

( 1 ) Urge  state  medical  associations  to  under- 
take various  studies,  including  surveys  of  pre- 
vailing medical  fees. 


220 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


1(2)  Develop  a uniform  methodology  for  con- 
ducting such  studies  to  the  end  that  the  data  from 
the  various  states  and  localities  be  comparable. 

(3)  Serve  as  a clearing  house  for  the  material 
thus  obtained  and,  after  analysis,  redistribute  the 
data  to  the  state  medical  associations  with  sug- 
gestions and  conclusions. 

(4)  Urge  the  state  medical  associations  to  des- 
ignate negotiators  who  are  qualified  to  deal 
energetically  with  government  agencies  on  all 
matters  pertaining  to  tax-supported  programs. 
Such  individuals  or  groups  should  be  formally 
appointed  and  the  government  jurisdiction  in- 
volved should  be  notified  that  all  negotiations 
will  be  conducted  by  them. 

COST  CONTROL  OF  HEALTH  CARE: 
UTILIZATION  AND  MONITORING 
OF  PROFESSIONAL  FEES 

One  other  aspect  of  physicians’  fees  deserves 
consideration.  Over  the  past  two  or  three  years, 
Association  spokesmen  have  admitted  that  the 
medical  profession  has  a responsibility  in  help- 
ing to  keep  the  costs  of  health  services  within 
reasonable  limits.  They  accepted  for  the  pro- 
fession not  only  a responsibility  for  the  overall 
control  of  fee  levels  but  also  for  furthering  the 
optimum  utilization  of  facilities  and  ancillary 
personnel  as  a curb  on  hospital  costs.  With  re- 
gard to  the  latter,  the  medical  associations  can 
assume  only  an  educational  function.  The  direct 
control  of  hospital  utilization  must  devolve  on 
appropriate  professional  groups  within  the  hos- 
pitals themselves  since  such  policing  is  beyond 
the  scope  and  authority  of  medical  societies. 
This  makes  utilization  control  no  less  a medical 
function;  it  merely  places  supervision  and  au- 
thority where  they  can  be  effectively  exerted. 

Tn  accepting  the  responsibility  for  curbing 
costs  by  keeping  fees  within  reasonable  limits,  our 
spokesmen  were  wise  but,  under  the  circum- 
stances, over-optimistic.  It  must  be  remembered 
that  medical  societies  have  absolutely  no  juris- 
diction over  the  charges  made  by  their  mem- 
bers. Medical  society  grievance  committees,  in 
adjudicating  fee  disputes  between  physicians  and 
third  parties,  act  on  the  premise  that  they  are 
merely  limiting  the  financial  obligation  of  the  in- 
suror,  rather  than  setting  a value  on  a physician’s 
service  or  a ceiling  on  his  charges.  When  hear- 
ing disputes  on  fees  between  individuals  and 
their  physicians,  such  committees  either  rely  on 
the  exercise  of  moral  suasion  or  they  require  pre- 
liminary agreement  by  both  parties  to  accept  the 
outcome  of  arbitration.  In  no  case  do  grievance 
committees  or  the  societies  they  represent  have 
the  legal  power  to  require  a physician  to  reduce 


his  charges.  As  far  as  tax-supported  programs  are 
concerned,  there  are  other  means  that  can  be 
used  to  control  fees,  such  as  the  withholding  of 
payment  for  services  by  the  paying  agency  either 
on  its  own  decision  or  on  the  recommendation  of 
the  medical  society  concerned.  In  some  instances, 
physicians  have  been  excluded  from  programs 
they  were  allegedly  abusing  or  have  been  re- 
quired to  seek  authorization  prior  to  treatment. 
Again,  this  is  done  on  the  authority  of  the  pro- 
gram administrator,  with  or  without  the  advice 
and  consent  of  the  medical  society  of  the  area. 

The  medical  profession  must  now  decide 
whether  it  is  prepared  to  meet  the  obligation  it 
has  accepted  for  cost  control  through  the  mon- 
itoring and  containment  of  fee  levels.  If  the  an- 
swer to  that  question  is  in  the  affirmative,  a 
choice  must  be  made  between  relying  on  the 
powers  of  program  administrators  for  enforce- 
ment and  seeking  direct  authority  for  the  medi- 
cal societies  at  state  and  county  levels. 

The  Committee  is  of  the  opinion  that  fee  po- 
licing or,  indeed,  any  other  supervision  of  phy- 
sicians is  best  kept  in  the  medical  societies.  Peer 
judgments  are  much  more  likely  to  be  just  and 
equitable  in  these  matters  than  are  decisions 
made  by  outside  agencies.  At  the  same  time,  if 
the  societies  elect  to  make  only  the  judgments 
and,  by  agreement,  leave  enforcement  to  gov- 
ernment agencies,  they  may  at  some  future  time 
be  excluded  from  both  functions. 

Again,  the  monitoring  of  fees  does  not  fall 
within  the  province  of  the  AMA  but  the  Asso- 
ciation should  advise  the  state  and  county  medi- 
cal societies  to  assume  that  function  and  should 
assist  them  in  securing  the  necessary  powers. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends: 

( 1 ) That  the  AMA  urge  state  and  county 
medical  societies  to  assume  the  functions  of 
monitoring  fees  and  containing  the  costs  of  health 
care. 

(2)  That  the  Association,  in  cooperation  with 
the  constituent  societies,  determine  what  powers 
the  state  and  local  societies  require  to  serve  these 
functions  and  how  those  powers  can  be  best  ob- 
tained. 

AUDIT  AND  POSTGRADUATE  STUDY 

The  medical  profession  has  accepted  other  ob- 
ligations in  the  operation  of  tax-supported  pro- 
grams, particularly  Titles  18  and  19  of  PL  89-97. 
Written  into  this  law  are  requirements  for  med- 
ical audit  to  assure  the  government  that  it  is  pay- 
ing for  services  of  acceptable  quality.  In-hospital 
audits  are  being  conducted  by  the  hospital  pro- 
fessional staff  and  are  apparently  encountering 
no  major  difficulties  since  there  are  no  problems 


APRIL  1970 


221 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

of  authority  involved.  However,  it  should  be 
noted  that  the  science  or  art  of  evaluating  medi- 
cal services  on  a large  scale  is  in  its  infancy,  to 
say  the  least.  The  peer  judgment  method,  when 
limited  to  a few  randomly  selected  cases,  is 
crude,  time-consuming  and  relatively  uninforma- 
tive. The  conclusions  drawn  from  a few  well 
publicized  studies  of  this  type  in  the  early  1960’s 
demonstrate  their  inaccuracy  and  the  facility  with 
which  improper  selection  can  distort  the  findings. 

If  in-hospital  audit  of  medical  services  by  the 
peer  judgment  method  is  to  be  effective  and  if 
it  is  not  to  require  a prohibitive  expenditure  of 
physicians’  time,  mechanical  or  electronic  means 
of  pre-selection  must  be  developed  so  that  audi- 
tors are  given  high-yield  batches  of  cases  to  re- 
view. Both  the  pre-selection  methods  and  the 
audit  criteria  must  be  uniform  through  several 
counties,  a region,  or  even  a state,  so  that  mean- 
ingful comparisons  can  be  made.  It  would  even 
be  advantageous  to  develop  them  on  a nation- 
wide basis. 

If  in-hospital  audit  of  medical  services  is  in 
its  infancy,  the  audit  of  office  services  is  barely 
embryonic.  Nevertheless,  partly  as  an  outgrowth 
of  the  distorted  studies  previously  alluded  to,  the 
public  has  developed  a lack  of  confidence  in  the 
quality  of  medical  care.  In-hospital  audits  may 
ultimately  allay  their  fears  concerning  the  care 
they  receive  in  these  institutions  but,  since  office 
services,  unlike  hospital  services,  are  completely 
unsupervised,  demands  are  being  made  in  some 
localities  for  evaluation  of  the  quality  of  office 
practice. 

In  New  York  City,  for  instance,  the  adminis- 
trators of  the  Medicaid  Program  are  conducting 
on-site  surveys  of  some  physicians,  particularly 
those  who  bill  in  excess  of  certain  amounts  for 
services  rendered  to  assistance  recipients.  The 
basis  of  this  particular  selection  is  that  the  vol- 
ume of  services  rendered  precludes,  or  may  pre- 
clude, their  being  of  high  quality.  There  is  al- 
ready clear  evidence,  however,  that  the  adminis- 
trators intend  to  extend  this  procedure  to  the 
maximum  degree  possible.  Although  the  medical 
societies  have  protested  this  activity  on  grounds 
that  will  be  developed  in  this  report,  it  is  con- 
tinuing and  is  being  enforced  by  the  city’s  power 
to  withhold  payment  or  to  disqualify  individual 
physicians  from  Medicaid  practice.  The  situation 
in  New  York  is  as  yet  unique  but  it  does  serve  as 
an  example  of  what  may  happen  in  government 
programs. 

On  the  same  subject  of  office  audit,  the  Com- 
mittee reviewed  with  great  interest  the  report  en- 


titled “Continuing  Medical  Education — A New 
Emphasis,”  emanating  from  the  Association’s  Di- 
vision of  Medical  Education.  The  Committee  does 
not  wish  to  review  that  report  which,  incidentally, 
is  well  worth  reading,  but  a few  of  the  findings 
are  germaine  to  this  discussion. 

The  educational  process  described  in  the  re- 
port is  ingenious  and  stimulating  but  of  even 
greater  interest  is  the  motivation  of  the  physi- 
cians who  participated  and  the  implications  that 
motivation  has  for  the  quality  of  care. 

Essentially,  the  physicians  of  Utah  were  given 
a mechanism  whereby  they  could  evaluate  their 
skills  and  self-analyze  their  educational  deficien- 
cies. On  the  basis  of  their  analyses,  they  were 
given  an  opportunity  and  a time-economical 
method  to  update  their  skills  in  a priority  se- 
quence. 

What  is  of  the  utmost  significance  is  the  fact 
that  on  the  initial  contact  476  physicians  respond- 
ed out  of  a possible  907  for  a response  rate  of 
over  50  per  cent.  Many  of  the  non-respondents 
were  specialists  who  already  had  facilities  avail- 
able for  the  continuation  of  their  medical  educa- 
tion. Surely  this  pilot  project  indicates  that  much 
of  the  problem  of  continuing  medical  education 
can  be  solved  on  a voluntary  basis  if  the  proper 
programs  are  developed. 

The  great  advantage  of  the  voluntary  ap- 
proach is  that  the  individual  physician  is  likely 
to  spend  his  study  time  in  the  fields  that  have 
the  greatest  importance  to  his  own  practice  and 
in  which  he  may  need  additional  education  most 
urgently. 

If  we  compare  this  to  the  external-audit-by- 
officialdom approach,  it  becomes  obvious  that  the 
latter  is  punitive  and  regulatory  in  nature.  Un- 
der these  circumstances,  the  best  that  can  be  ex- 
pected of  physicians  is  minimum  compliance  and 
thus,  in  a very  real  sense  of  the  word,  the  external 
audit  is  self-defeating.  It  is  therefore  in  the  in- 
terest of  physicians  and  patients  alike  that  ef- 
forts to  perfect  and  widen  the  application  of 
voluntary  self-audit  and  postgraduate  study  be 
accelerated  and  that,  to  the  extent  possible,  gov- 
ernment health  officials  be  convinced  that  the  ob- 
jectives they  hope  to  attain  by  instituting  their 
own  audits  are  better  achieved  by  voluntary 
means. 

In  spite  of  these  arguments,  it  seems  necessary 
to  assume  that  the  demand  for  the  evaluation  of 
the  quality  of  office  medical  and  surgical  proce- 
dures will  increase,  especially  as  government  pro- 
grams and  insurance  plans  cover  more  of  these 
services.  Even  management  and  those  unions 
that  purchase  health  insurance  for  their  members 
are  beginning  to  demand  proof  of  the  quality  of 


222 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


the  care  for  which  they  are  paying  with  their 
premiums. 

In  their  present  state  of  under-development, 
however,  externally  conducted  office  audits  can 
do  little  but  hamper  physicians  in  their  work  and 
yield  data  that  are  impression  or  surmise  at  best. 
Methods  of  evaluation  must  therefore  be  de- 
veloped that  are  sparing  of  physicians’  time  and 
that  produce  factual  and  useful  conclusions.  It  is 
also  important  that  the  legality  of  such  audits  with 
regard  to  the  privacy  of  the  patients’  records 
be  determined. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends  that 
the  AMA: 

( 1 ) Endorse  the  principle  of  voluntary,  life- 
long postgraduate  study  for  all  physicians  and 
continue  and  accelerate  the  development  of  pro- 
grams and  incentives  for  such  study. 

(2)  Through  the  state  medical  societies,  in- 
vestigate the  current  status  of  in-hospital  audit 
methods  and  make  a similar  investigation  of  the 
state  of  development  of  the  evaluation  of  office 
services. 

(3)  Encourage  and  assist  the  state  medical 
societies  and  state  departments  of  health  and 
welfare  to  develop  uniform  and  effective  meth- 
ods of  audit  for  both  office  and  in-hospital  ser- 
vices, based  on  electronic  data  processing,  to  the 
maximum  possible  extent. 

(4)  Request  the  Law  Division  to  clarify  the 
extent  to  which  a physician's  responsibility  for 
the  privacy  of  his  patients’  records  will  permit 
him  to  cooperate  in  an  audit  of  his  office  prac- 
tice. 

SPECIAL  REQUIREMENTS  TO  PARTICIPATE 
IN  GOVERNMENT  PROGRAMS— LICENSURE 

If  we  assume  for  a moment  that  excellent 
evaluation  methods  have  been  developed,  what, 
then,  do  we  do  with  physicians  who  are  practic- 
ing demonstrably  poor  medicine?  To  revert  to 
New  York  City,  such  cases,  with  their  documen- 
tation, are  being  referred  to  the  county  medical 
societies  for  action.  Those  societies,  however, 
have  no  jurisdiction  over  the  quality  of  medicine 
practiced  by  their  members,  their  qualifications, 
or  their  efforts  to  keep  their  skills  current.  They 
can  admonish  but  not  act. 

This  lack  of  specific  authority  has  led  the 
New  York  State  Department  of  Health  to  ex- 
trapolate its  legal  responsibility  for  the  quality 
and  availability  of  health  services  into  a right  to 
demand  qualifications  of  specialists  and  postgrad- 
uate study  requirements  of  generalists  who  wish 
to  render  services  to  Medicaid  patients.  The  re- 
quirements themselves  are  not  unreasonable  but 
they  raise  the  difficult  and  important  question 


of  whether  a physician  requires  a second  license, 
other  than  that  granted  by  the  usual  state  licens- 
ing agency,  to  render  services  to  patients  under 
tax-supported  programs. 

The  mere  existence  of  a double  standard  is 
undesirable  and  it  seems  logical  that,  if  the  quali- 
ty of  practice  in  a state  is  poor  among  an  ap- 
preciable number  of  physicians,  the  state’s  re- 
quirements for  licensure  and  practice  are  inade- 
quate and  should  be  tightened.  Once  the  deter- 
mination has  been  made  that  this  is  the  case,  the 
drafting  of  new  standards  would  best  be  accom- 
plished by  the  cooperative  efforts  of  the  Board 
of  Regents,  the  State  Department  of  Health,  and 
the  State  Medical  Association. 

The  true  extent  of  this  problem  of  quality,  if 
it  is  a problem,  has  never  been  assessed.  Cer- 
tainly it  is  not  very  great  with  the  specialists.  Al- 
though their  associations  impose  no  postgraduate 
study  requirements  on  them,  their  certification  re- 
quires a certain  level  of  initial  training  and  the 
regulations  of  the  hospitals  in  which  they  must 
practice  insure  at  least  a degree  of  exposure  to 
the  advances  in  their  field. 

The  generalist,  on  the  other  hand,  can  be  li- 
censed in  most  states  with  little  graduate  training 
and  if  he  is  not  a member  of  a general  practice 
academy  or  a hospital  staff  member  he  may  nev- 
er attend  another  conference,  seminar,  or  lecture 
in  his  life.  Again,  the  Committee  has  no  con- 
crete evidence  that  this  happens  to  any  great  de- 
gree and  the  general  practice  academies,  as  they 
expand  their  memberships,  are  making  rapid 
strides  toward  making  postgraduate  study  for 
generalists,  on  a voluntary  basis,  more  universal. 

In  spite  of  the  fact  that  deficiencies  in  the 
quality  of  medical  care  have  not  been  demon- 
strated or  documented,  various  recommendations 
have  been  made  for  both  specialists  and  general- 
ists to  insure  that  they  are  maintaining  their 
skills.  These  include  compulsory  postgraduate 
study,  periodic  reexamination,  recertification  and 
relicensure. 

To  a degree,  most  of  these  proposals  are  over- 
reactive and  although  the  Committee  does  not 
oppose  their  general  intent,  their  heedless  appli- 
cation may  have  grave  consequences.  The  ques- 
tions must  be  asked  whether  these  expedients 
would  be  effective;  how  much  hardship  they 
would  create  for  the  hardest  working  and  most 
needed  segments  of  the  profession;  what  general 
and  regional  shortages  of  medical  manpower  they 
would  cause;  and  if  they  are  necessary,  by  whom 
should  they  be  promulgated  and  enforced? 

The  Committee  finds  it  difficult  to  advocate  or 
support  compulsory  requirements  until  the  volun- 
tary alternatives  have  failed.  Yet  it  is  aware  that 


APRIL  1970 


223 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

public  and  governmental  pressures  are  already 
being  exerted  for  compulsory  requirements,  at 
least  as  far  as  tax-supported  programs  are  con- 
cerned. State  medical  societies  have  generally 
taken  little  action  in  this  regard.  The  Oregon 
Medical  Association  has  adopted  an  interesting 
and  perhaps  unique  “shape  up  or  ship  out”  pol- 
icy on  postgraduate  study  that  may  well  be  ef- 
fective there  but  that  would  be  subjected  to  al- 
most immediate  legal  challenge  in  many  other 
states. 

In  general,  rather  than  accept  a double  stan- 
dard for  licensure,  it  would  seem  preferable  to 
revise  the  state  education  laws  or,  better  yet,  to 
develop  a national  professional  education  law 
that  would  modernize  and  update  undergraduate, 
graduate  and  postgraduate  requirements. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends: 

( 1 ) That  the  AMA  encourage  and  assist  all 
state  medical  associations  to  devise  programs  for 
voluntary  postgraduate  study  designed  to  main- 
tain medical  education  at  an  optimum  level  and 
to  be  least  disruptive  to  the  provision  of  medical 
services. 

(2)  That  the  Association  obtain  information 
from  each  state  medical  society  as  to  whether 
special  requirements  have  been  imposed  on  phy- 
sicians who  render  services  to  patients  under  the 
provisions  of  tax-supported  programs  and  obtain 
the  specifics  of  what  those  requirements  are. 

(3)  That  in  those  states  where  the  health  or 
welfare  departments  have  imposed  special  re- 
quirements on  physicians  to  participate  in  their 
programs,  the  medical  society  reject  those  re- 
quirements and  that,  if  the  need  for  such  regula- 
tion can  be  demonstrated,  the  state  medical  so- 
ciety, education  department,  and  health  depart- 
ment cooperatively  develop  standards  to  be  in- 
corporated into  the  education  law  and  enforced 
on  ail  physicians  of  that  state,  thereby  eliminat- 
ing double  standards  for  medical  practice  and 
restoring  the  licensing  authority  to  the  proper 
agency. 

HOSPITAL  BED  SHORTAGES;  UTILIZATION; 

PHYSICIAN-HOSPITAL  RELATIONSHIPS 

Before  the  enactment  of  PL  89-97,  one  third 
or  more  of  this  country’s  entire  bed  capacity  was 
obsolescent.  The  chronically  underfinanced  vol- 
untary hospitals  were  forced  to  postpone  capital 
improvements  and  construction  to  meet  steadily 
rising  operational  costs.  Rapid  advances  in  medi- 
cal technology  brought  the  obsolescence  rate  to 
a point  where  the  entire  national  hospital  plant 


was  in  a state  of  gradual  but  steady  deterioration 
and  shortages  of  hospital  beds  became  progres- 
sively more  acute  and  more  widespread. 

Although  the  implementation  of  Medicare  and 
Medicaid  did  not  increase  hospital  utilization  as 
much  as  had  been  feared,  it  did  augment  the  de- 
mand considerably.  This,  coupled  with  grave  de- 
ficiencies in  extended  care  facilities  and  a con- 
sequent misuse  of  hospital  beds,  has  further  ag- 
gravated hospital  bed  shortages.  It  is  question- 
able that  construction  of  hospitals  and  extended 
care  facilities  will  catch  up  with  these  deficiencies 
in  the  next  five  or  ten  years. 

To  minimize  the  effect  of  the  short  supply  of 
beds,  the  Medicare  Law  requires  utilization  re- 
view procedures  in  all  approved  hospitals.  The 
problems  inherent  in  utilization  review  are  not  as 
great  as  those  in  medical  audit,  but  the  same 
general  comments  apply.  The  methods  adopted 
by  the  hospitals  lack  uniformity  and  the  data 
adduced  in  the  hospitals,  cities,  regions,  and 
states  are  not  comparable.  The  shortages  of  beds 
in  all  categories,  however,  is  an  enormous  in- 
centive to  physicians  and  hospitals  alike  to 
achieve  optimum  utilization.  Until  those  short- 
ages are  eased,  the  misuse  of  hospital  facilities  is 
not  likely  to  be  tolerated. 

There  are  some  aspects  of  hospital  utilization, 
nevertheless,  which  still  merit  study.  As  extend- 
ed care  beds  and  home  care  personnel  become 
more  available,  the  choice  of  the  correct  facility 
will  become  an  important  factor  in  proper  utili- 
zation, and  guidelines  should  be  developed  to  as- 
sist physicians  in  making  their  choice.  The  use  of 
x-ray  departments  and  laboratories  on  a more  or 
less  continuous  basis  should  be  explored  with  the 
object  of  cutting  down  preoperative  waiting  time 
and  eliminating  the  week  end  hiatus  syndrome. 
The  improved  use  of  OPD  facilities  both  for  pre- 
operative work-up  and  to  avoid  admissions  is 
another  example  that  comes  to  mind. 

A thorough  discussion  of  utilization  is  beyond 
the  scope  of  this  report  but  the  Committee  notes 
that  physicians,  as  individuals,  have  a major 
responsibility  and  role  in  achieving  the  best  pos- 
sible utilization  of  hospital  facilities,  a responsi- 
bility they  are  rapidly  learning  to  meet.  Many 
medical  societies  have  studied  utilization  prob- 
lems in  some  detail  and  are  ready  to  assist  and 
cooperate  with  hospitals  if  they  find  the  welcome 
mat  out.  The  achievement  of  goals  in  utilization 
will  require  the  efforts  of  all  three  groups  and  the 
establishment  of  the  necessary  relationships  is 
the  responsibility  of  all  three. 

The  lack  of  an  adequate  number  of  hospital 
beds  has  also  had  a profound  effect  on  the  re- 
lationships between  physicians  and  their  hospitals 


224 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


as  well  as  the  relationships  between  salaried  and 
voluntary  staff  members.  As  teaching  programs 
are  expanded,  the  salaried  staff  grows  in  size  and 
influence  while  more  and  more  beds  are  pre- 
empted for  teaching  purposes.  Accommodations 
available  for  patients  of  voluntary  staff  physi- 
cians have  dwindled  progressively  and  the  wait- 
ing period  for  admission  of  such  patients  is  now 
six  weeks  or  more  in  some  cities.  Since  the  avail- 
ability of  hospital  beds  is  a matter  of  survival  for 
private  practitioners,  this  situation  has  given  rise 
to  much  rancor. 

Admittedly,  there  are  pressing  problems  on  the 
academic  side  as  well  and  it  would  seem  that 
both  groups  have  a great  stake  in  reconciling 
their  differences.  Actually,  in  most  hospitals  ma- 
jor disagreements  still  exist.  The  recommenda- 
tion has  often  been  made  that  all  patients  be  part 
of  the  teaching  program  and  that  hospitals  and 
physicians  work  together  to  eliminate  the  legal 
and  social  barriers  that  may  exist.  Yet  the  teach- 
ers wish  to  retain  control  of  their  services  and 
the  private  attendings  their  authority  over  the 
care  of  their  patients  and,  except  in  a very  few 
hospitals,  no  solutions  have  been  forthcoming. 

In  addition  to  these  sources  of  friction,  the  dis- 
tribution of  funds  earned  for  services  rendered  to 
patients  for  whom  there  is  government  reim- 
bursement available  has  created  ethical,  legal, 
financial,  and  organizational  problems.  These 
questions  have  too  many  implications  and  rami- 
fications to  be  considered  thoroughly  in  this  re- 
port. The  Committee  merely  wishes  to  note  that 
the  House  of  Delegates,  in  adopting  Resolution 
40  in  November  1967,  recognized  the  existence 
of  these  trouble  spots  in  hospital  staff  relations 
and  laid  down  guidelines  intended  to  eliminate 
those  having  to  do  with  the  distribution  of  in- 
come. The  guidelines  are  insufficient  to  solve 
even  this  one  facet  of  the  total  problem  but  they 
are  a beginning  and  can  be  further  broadened 
and  refined. 

The  “town  and  gown”  stress  syndrome  war- 
rants much  more  than  mere  academic  interest. 
Its  importance  grows  as  hospitals  expand,  merge, 
and  reorganize  and  as  hospital  care  patterns  are 
modified  and  staffs  are  reconstructed.  The  medi- 
cal associations  have  no  direct  authority  over 
hospitals  and,  generally  speaking,  the  attending 
physicians  at  each  institution  must  work  out  then- 
own  formula  for  their  relationships  with  each 
other  and  with  their  hospital.  The  hospital  asso- 
ciations are  similarly  limited  in  their  authority 
over  member  hospitals.  Nevertheless,  in  some 
areas  the  medical  societies  and  the  correspond- 
ing hospital  associations  have  been  able  to  agree 
on  some  basic  principles  that  apply  to  these  staff 


situations  and  are  gradually  prevailing  on  hos- 
pital administrations  to  accept  them.  This  is  a 
slow  and  roundabout  process  but  it  seems  to  be 
the  only  way  to  regularize  these  complex  rela- 
tionships and  restore  peace  and  stability  to  hos- 
pital staff  functions. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends : 

( 1 ) That  the  Association  secure  data  from 
state  and  county  medical  societies  on  problems 
in  physician-hospital  relationships  in  their  areas 
and  the  measures,  if  any,  that  are  being  taken  to 
solve  them. 

(2)  That,  on  the  basis  of  these  data,  the  As- 
sociation identify  the  basic  principles  that  apply 
to  staff-hospital  relationships  and  encourage  state 
and  county  medical  societies  to  do  the  same. 

(3)  That  the  Association  and  each  state  and 
county  medical  society  request  its  counterpart  in 
the  hospital  association  structure  to  assist  in  de- 
veloping guidelines  and  urge  their  member  asso- 
ciations and  hospitals  to  implement  them. 

EFFECTS  OF  MEDICARE  AND  MEDICAID 
ON  VOLUNTARY  HEALTH  INSURANCE 

No  discussion  of  PL  89-97  and  its  impact  on 
medical  practice  would  be  complete  without  an 
analysis  of  its  effect  on  voluntary  health  insur- 
ance and  the  voluntary  carriers.  One  aspect  of 
this  relates  to  the  manner  in  which  the  carriers 
are  functioning  as  intermediaries  in  Part  B of  Title 
18. 

Following  the  enactment  of  PL  89-97,  the 
medical  profession,  through  the  Association, 
strongly  supported  the  use  of  the  Blue  Shield 
Plans  in  the  administration  of  the  medical  por- 
tion of  Title  18  and,  where  possible,  that  of 
Title  19  as  well.  Although  the  Blues  were  not 
designated  the  sole  administrators  of  Title  18, 
they  did  succeed  in  being  selected  as  intermedi- 
aries in  the  majority  of  cases. 

It  is  interesting  and  informative  to  speculate 
on  precisely  why  physicians  were  so  anxious  to 
have  the  Blue  Plans  administer  the  Title  18  and 
Title  19  programs.  One  reason  was  that  the  Blue 
Shield  Plans  were  existing,  functioning  entities 
with  a known  capacity  for  program  administra- 
tion. Another  was  that  their  requirements,  forms 
and  procedures  were  familiar  to  the  physicians 
who  had  supported  their  programs  through  the 
years.  Most  physicians  believed  that  the  employ- 
ment of  the  Blue  Plans  in  an  administrative  ca- 
pacity would  lessen  the  confusion  and  delays  that 
might  be  experienced  in  the  transition  period 
during  which  beneficiaries  were  being  transferred 
from  their  old  coverage  or  being  enrolled  anew. 
By  this  time,  the  profession  had  expressed  a 
strong  preference  for  payment  on  the  basis  of 


APRIL  1970 


225 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

UCPR  fees.  The  National  Association  of  Blue 
Shield  Plans  was  already  advocating  payment  on 
this  basis  for  its  national  accounts  and  urging  the 
individual  plans  to  put  it  into  effect  in  their  other 
underwriting.  This  conformity  of  views  also  had 
its  effect  in  persuading  physicians  to  support 
utilization  of  the  Blue  Shield  Plans  wherever  pos- 
sible in  the  operation  of  federal  health  programs. 

The  final,  and  perhaps  most  significant  factor 
in  the  adoption  of  this  policy  by  the  profession, 
was  the  belief  that  the  Blue  Plans  were  receptive 
to  the  thinking  and  wishes  of  physicians  since, 
after  all,  the  medical  profession  had  majority 
representation  on  the  boards  of  directors  of  most 
plans.  Physicians  have  always  had  an  almost  ata- 
vistic distrust  and  fear  of  government  intrusion 
into  any  aspect  of  medical  practice.  Perhaps  sub- 
consciously they  hoped  that  the  Blue  Shield  Plans 
would  be  an  effective  buffer  between  them  and 
government. 

These  hopes  of  the  medical  profession  were 
unrealistic  to  some  extent  and,  as  a result,  they 
were  not  fulfilled.  Since  the  Blue  Shield  Plans  are 
employed  an  intermediaries,  rather  than  carriers, 
they  administer  but  have  no  fundamental  role  in 
policy  making.  While  the  Blue  Plans  and  other 
intermediaries  do  have  elaborate  committee 
structures  to  advise  the  government,  in  the  final 
analysis  all  policy  decisions  are  made  by  the  So- 
cial Security  Administration  and  the  Department 
of  Health,  Education,  and  Welfare.  The  influence 
that  the  medical  societies  hoped  to  exercise  over 
the  Title  18  and  Title  19  programs,  through  their 
close  association  with  the  Blue  Shield  Plans,  has 
therefore  proved  to  be  illusory. 

Program  administration  by  intermediaries  is 
itself  subject  to  certain  inherent  disadvantages. 
On  a national  scale  it  is  cumbersome,  since  the 
Social  Security  Administration  must  relate  and 
adapt  to  a large  number  of  carriers  which  vary 
greatly  in  their  methods,  capacities,  and  sophisti- 
cation of  equipment.  In  addition,  the  SSA,  after 
raising  Part  B premiums  by  33  V3  per  cent  on  one 
occasion,  recently  averted  another  increase  only 
by  making  several  administrative  adjustments.  Al- 
though the  SSA  has  publicly  announced  its  satis- 
faction with  the  performance  of  the  intermedi- 
aries, many  in  government,  for  these  and  other 
reasons,  consider  this  type  of  operation  to  be  in- 
effective. 

The  health  insurance  companies  are  dissatis- 
fied with  the  difficulties  and  restrictions  that  the 
intermediary  variety  of  administration  has  im- 
posed on  them  and  they  have  been  pressing  for  a 


true  carrier  relationship  with  the  program.  They 
believe  that  this  would  simplify  their  operations 
and  normalize  their  relationships  with  paying 
agencies,  subscribers,  and  physicians.  The  De- 
partment of  Health,  Education,  and  Welfare  has 
so  far  resisted  making  this  change  and  there  is 
mounting  speculation  that,  at  some  time  in  the 
not  too  distant  future,  the  intermediaries  may  be 
eliminated  and  the  entire  operation  shifted  to 
Baltimore. 

The  Committee  feels  that  the  elimination  of 
the  voluntary  and  commercial  carriers  would  be 
unfortunate  and  recommends  that  the  Associa- 
tion exert  what  influence  it  can  for  their  reten- 
tion. Nevertheless,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that 
in  their  present  role  they  have  limited  decision- 
making capacity  and  cannot  negotiate  directly 
with  providers  of  services  or  their  organizations. 
Present  attempts  by  medical  societies  to  modify 
the  Title  18  program  are  therefore  indirect,  un- 
wieldly,  and  generally  unsatisfactory.  In  addition, 
if  government  should  decide  to  take  over  the  op- 
eration of  the  Title  18  program  entirely,  the  As- 
sociation would  find  itself  without  any  established 
channel  of  communication  with  the  administra- 
tors of  Medicare  and  possibly  other  future  federal 
programs.  It  has  become  clear  that  what  Medicine 
hoped  to  use  as  a buffer  between  itself  and  gov- 
ernment has  become  an  insulator.  The  Commit- 
tee is  of  the  opinion  that  such  insulation  is  un- 
desirable and  that  all  medical  societies  should 
seek  to  establish  and  maintain  open,  direct  chan- 
nels of  communications  with  the  agencies  that  set 
policy  for  government  health  programs. 

Public  Law  89-97  is  also  having  a major  effect 
on  voluntary  health  insurance  programs,  which  is 
of  interest  and  significance  to  the  Association. 
Although  the  concept  of  limiting  health  insurance 
to  catastrophic  coverage  has  disappeared  almost 
entirely  from  voluntary  health  insurance,  Blue 
Shield  programs  still  have  substantial  limitations 
of  benefits  and  often  fall  far  short  of  providing 
full  reimbursement  for  medical  care  costs. 
Through  Medicare,  the  elderly  now  enjoy,  or  can 
enjoy,  a wider  spectrum  of  benefits  and  a higher 
level  of  reimbursement  than  are  normally  avail- 
able through  voluntary  programs.  Medicaid,  in 
spite  of  exclusions,  restrictions  placed  on  federal 
contributions,  and  frequently  substandard  reim- 
bursement for  suppliers,  still  requires  that  the 
indigent  ultimately  be  given  a complete  range  of 
supplies  and  services  at  no  cost  to  them. 

Since  public  and  private  programs  exist  side 
by  side,  comparisons  are  inevitable.  They  have 
not  been  flattering  to  the  plans  offered  by  volun- 
tary carriers  and  have  led  to  demands  by  both 


226 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


labor  and  management  that  the  plans  greatly  in- 
crease their  benefits.  Unfortunately,  the  voluntary 

I segment  of  the  health  insurance  industry  is  being 
called  on  to  match  the  generosity  of  the  federal, 
state,  and  local  governments  at  the  very  time  that 
health  care  costs  are  rising  most  steeply  and  pub- 
lic resistance  to  premium  increases  is  at  a maxi- 
mum. Caught  between  these  two  pressures,  the 
Blue  Plans  will  continue  to  run  behind  public  ex- 
pectation, which  will  augment  the  clamor  for 
more  government  supported  programs.  If  the 
populace  is  not  offered  voluntary  coverage  that 
is  reasonably  comprehensive  at  premium  rates 
that  are  not  excessive,  they  will  turn  to  govern- 
ment administered,  tax  financed  programs.  Even 
if  their  benefits  are  provided  predominantly 
through  prepayment  programs  which  limit  their 
choice  and  prohibit  a person-to-person  relation- 
ship with  their  physicians,  they  will  sacrifice  these 
features  to  minimize  or  eliminate  out-of-pocket 
payment.  This  is  a challenge  the  voluntary  health 
insurors  must  meet  and  they  are  hampered  in 
their  efforts  by  behavior  patterns  they  have  es- 
tablished. In  the  past.  Blue  Shield  Plans  have 
been  generally  unimaginative  in  devising  new 
benefits  and  have  extended  their  coverage  into 
new  areas  of  health  service  only  under  consumer 
pressure.  Policies  have  too  often  been  tailored  to 
the  premiums  that  could  be  charged  without  re- 
gard to  whether  they  met  basic  minimum  re- 
quirements. Such  marketing  practices  are  no 
longer  appropriate  in  dealing  with  sophisticated, 
well-informed  and  critical  consumer  groups,  but 
they  are  being  abandoned  slowly  and  reluctant- 
ly- 

The  National  Association  of  Blue  Shield  Plans 
(NABSP)  apparently  recognized  the  threat  posed 
by  these  deficiencies.  In  October  1968,  at  a spe- 
cial meeting,  its  membership  standards  were 
made  more  stringent  by  requiring  its  member 
plans  to  make  paid-in-full  programs,  based  on 
usual,  customary,  and  prevailing  rates,  available 
to  their  subscribers.  This  is  an  encouraging  step 
toward  the  goal  of  more  complete  reimbursement 
of  subscribers  for  their  health  care  expenditures. 
It  should  logically  be  followed  by  efforts  to  move 
the  individual  plans  toward  upgrading  their  bene- 
fits in  terms  of  the  range  of  services  they  cover. 
The  Association,  through  its  recently  formed  li- 
aison committee  with  the  NABSP,  should  en- 
courage and  stimulate  further  progress  along 
these  lines. 

The  reason  for  the  creation  of  the  Associa- 
tion’s liaison  committee  with  the  NABSP  calls 
for  one  more  comment.  For  a variety  of  reasons, 
some  Blue  Shield  Plans  have  been  showing  a 
tendency  to  deal  directly  with  the  physicians  in 


their  area  and  to  circumvent  the  medical  societies 
that  represent  those  physicians.  This  tendency 
found  expression  in  the  policy  which  was  adopt- 
ed at  the  1967  annual  meeting  of  the  NABSP 
and  which  led  to  the  formation  of  the  liaison 
committee.  The  Committee  is  of  the  opinion  that, 
at  this  time,  when  the  entire  system  of  providing 
and  paying  for  health  services  is  under  critical 
public  appraisal,  the  relationships  between  the 
medical  profession  and  the  Blue  Shield  and  Blue 
Cross  Plans  should  be  close,  cordial,  and  coop- 
erative. In  most  Blue  Shield  Plans,  the  medical 
profession  has  majority  representation  on  the 
board  of  directors.  These  board  members  are  di- 
rect links  between  the  plans  and  the  societies 
that  corresponds  to  them.  The  medical  societies 
would  do  well  to  reexamine  their  representatives 
at  this  time  to  insure  the  effective  exercise  of 
their  policies  and  their  influence. 

As  far  as  Blue  Cross  is  concerned,  the  in- 
fluence of  the  medical  profession  is  considerably 
less  pronounced.  Nevertheless,  an  effective 
strengthening  of  ties  between  the  medical  societies 
and  their  corresponding  Blue  Cross  Plans  is  de- 
sirable at  all  levels.  The  Committee  knows  of  no 
liaison  groups  with  the  Blue  Cross  national  or- 
ganization that  would  correspond  to  that  with  the 
NABSP.  Since  many  of  the  Association’s  con- 
cerns and  interests  in  health  care  are  directly  re- 
lated to  the  financing  of  hospital  services,  the 
establishment  of  such  a committee  would  seem  to 
be  indicated. 

To  summarize  this  topic,  the  Blue  Shield  Plans 
are  changing  in  their  fundamental  nature  in  re- 
sponse to  pressures  from  government,  from  con- 
sumers and  from  the  Blue  Cross  Plans  with  which 
they  are  associated.  Their  dependence  on  the 
medical  profession  has  diminished,  and  they  are 
generally  less  responsive  to  the  opinions  and  the 
guidance  of  the  medical  societies.  The  loosening 
of  ties  is  further  aggravated  by  the  long  tenure  of 
most  of  the  medical  members  of  the  boards  of  di- 
rectors who,  having  outgrown  their  society  ties,  no 
longer  reflect  current  medical  policy  and  often  fail 
to  alert  their  medical  societies  to  changes  in  Blue 
Shield  operations  and  their  significance.  The 
stresses  to  which  our  health  care  system  is  cur- 
rently being  subjected  call  for  new  and  imagina- 
tive approaches  to  the  utilization  and  distribu- 
tion of  our  total  pool  of  resources  in  terms  of 
manpower,  facilities  and  money,  if  voluntary  sys- 
tems are  to  survive.  Blue  Cross,  Blue  Shield, 
and  the  Association  all  have  a vital  interest  in 
voluntarism  in  health  care.  That  joint  interest 
calls  for  them  to  close  ranks  and  coordinate  their 
efforts  and  their  planning. 


APRIL  1970 


227 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 


The  Committee  therefore  recommends: 

( 1 ) That  the  Association,  through  its  current 
liaison  with  the  NABSP,  seek  the  obtain  con- 
tinuous and  current  information  on  the  Medicare 
Program;  that  it  secure  data  on  the  development 
of  additional  benefits,  new  fields  of  coverage,  and 
minimum  standards  of  benefits  in  voluntary 
plans;  and  that,  through  the  NABSP,  it  stimulate 
the  Blue  Shield  Plans  to  greater  efforts  in  up- 
grading their  programs. 

(2)  That  a similar  liaison  committee  be  de- 
veloped in  conjunction  with  the  Blue  Cross  Na- 
tional Association  for  similar  purposes. 

(3)  That  the  AMA  advise  state  and  county 
medical  societies  to  take  similar  action  at  their 
respective  levels  and  to  review  their  representa- 
tion on  the  boards  of  directors  of  their  local 
Blue  Plans  to  be  sure  that  their  representatives 
are  individuals  who  are  currently  active  in  society 
affairs  and  familiar  with  society  policy. 

(4)  That  the  Association  seek  a formal  and 
direct  channel  of  communication  with  the  De- 
partment of  Health,  Education,  and  Welfare, 
with  the  object  of  developing  its  own  capacity 
for  modifying  existing  and  new  programs  when 
such  modification  is  indicated,  rather  than  relying 
solely  on  the  NABSP  for  this  purpose. 

PRIORITIES  OF  HEALTH  SERVICES 

In  earlier  portions  of  this  report,  reference  was 
made  to  an  increasing  demand  for  “comprehen- 
sive” or  “patient-oriented”  health  care.  The  pa- 
rameters of  such  care  have  been  described  only 
in  generalities  and  nowhere  has  the  Committee 
been  able  to  find  an  authoritative  definition  of  the 
word  “comprehensive”  as  it  applies  to  health  ser- 
vices. Since  the  principle  of  comprehensive  care 
has  been  generally  accepted,  it  is  important  to 
determine  precisely  what  services  represent  mini- 
mum acceptable  and  optimum  levels.  If  the  re- 
sources are  available  to  supply  all  services  repre- 
senting optimum  care  simultaneously  and  imme- 
diately, there  is  no  major  problem.  If,  on  the 
other  hand,  those  resources  are  not  on  hand,  it 
becomes  necessary  to  evaluate  all  services  in 
terms  of  their  importance,  urgency,  and  cost  ef- 
fectiveness, and  to  establish  minimum  standards 
and  priorities  on  that  basis. 

The  following  is  a partial,  cumulative  list  of 
services  advanced  as  essential  elements  of  op- 
timum health  care,  culled  from  a number  of 
sources: 

( 1 )  Necessary  care  for  all  acute  illnesses,  so- 
matic or  mental,  of  high  quality,  immediate  avail- 


ability, and  rendered  in  a suitably  equipped  fa- 
cility. 

(2)  The  same  care  for  chronic  illness  without 
limitation  of  time  or  cost. 

(3)  A program  for  the  continuous  monitoring 
of  health,  growth,  and  development  from  birth 
to  adult  life. 

(4)  Periodic,  regular  health  inventory  of 
adults  to  prevent  disease  or  detect  it  in  its  early 
stages. 

(5)  Periodic  and  regular  evaluation  of  men- 
tal health. 

(6)  A formal  program  of  health  counselling 
to  function  in  conjunction  with  3,  4,  and  5 above. 

(7)  Disease  and  accident  prevention  pro- 
grams. 

(8)  Occupational  counselling  based  on  ap- 
praisals of  the  individual’s  background,  attitudes, 
aptitudes,  and  aspirations. 

(9)  Social  service  counselling  for  domestic,  be- 
havioral and  environmental  problems. 

(10)  A healthful  environment  in  terms  of 
housing,  control  of  air  and  water  pollution,  sani- 
tation, noise  abatement,  transportation,  education 
and  civil  rights. 

(11)  Central  maintenance  of  complete  and 
readily  retrievable  data  on  each  individual. 

HEALTH  BILL  OF  RIGHTS 

It  seems  almost  self-evident  that  a program  for 
more  or  less  complete  health  services  as  described 
above  is  not  immediately  possible,  even  for  se- 
lected population  groups.  The  Committee  there- 
fore recognizes  a need  for  the  identification  of 
both  short-term  and  long-term  goals  in  health 
care  for  all  individuals,  possibly  in  the  form  of  a 
“Health  Bill  of  Rights.”  Such  a statement,  cou- 
pled with  accurate  data  on  existing  human  and 
material  resources,  would  be  of  inestimable  value 
in  planning  public  programs  that  are  realizable, 
effective  and  make  most  advantageous  use  of 
money,  facilities  and  manpower.  The  statement 
would  also  serve  as  a yardstick  to  measure  the 
adequacy  and  the  progress  of  voluntary  health 
insurance  programs. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends  that: 

( 1 ) An  appropriate  committee  or  division  of 
the  Association  gather  information  from  the  state 
medical  societies  on  the  availability  of  physi- 
cians, ancillary  personnel,  hospital  beds  in  all 
categories,  laboratories,  public  health  nurses,  so- 
cial service  workers,  and  all  other  types  of  health 
professionals. 

(2)  The  Association  promulgate  a “Health 
Bill  of  Rights”  to  identify  the  services  that  com- 
prise comprehensive  health  care. 


228 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


(3)  On  the  basis  of  the  data  obtained  from 
the  state  medical  societies,  the  Association  es- 
tablish minimum  standards  for  health  care  and  a 
system  of  priorities  for  the  provision  of  services 
beyond  those  minima,  thus  creating  both  an  imme- 
diate and  a long  range  schedule  for  their  attainment. 

(4)  The  Bill  of  Rights,  the  data  and  the  stan- 
dards and  priorities  receive  wide  publicity. 

HEART  DISEASE,  CANCER,  AND 
STROKE— PL  89-239 

Public  Law  89-239,  known  as  the  Heart  Dis- 
ease, Cancer,  and  Stroke  legislation,  established 
and  funded  regional  medical  programs.  On  a na- 
tionwide basis,  these  programs  are  off  to  a patchy 
start.  In  some  sections  of  the  country,  medical 
educators  are  actively  perfecting  methods  of  rap- 
idly disseminating  the  information  derived  from 
research  with  the  object  of  reducing  the  time  be- 
tween the  discovery  or  development  of  new  prin- 
ciples, theories  and  techniques  and  their  clinical 
application.  Even  this  early  in  their  development, 
these  local  programs  promise  to  become  the  most 
important  single  vehicle  for  the  coordinated  in- 
struction of  practicing  physicians  through  radio, 
television,  and  mail  or  direct  testing  and  educa- 
tion sessions.  Many  such  programs  have  created 
channels  of  intercommunication  to  supplement  or 
enhance  the  scientific  content  of  their  material 
and  improve  their  didactic  methods. 

In  other  areas,  progress  has  been  disappoint- 
ingly slow.  This  has  in  part  been  due  to  the  fact 
that  some  medical  school  deans,  exercising  a dis- 
proportionate degree  of  control  over  the  Regional 
Medical  Programs,  have  been  reluctant  to  allow 
projects  in  postgraduate  education  to  dilute  the 
purity  of  their  graduate  teaching  and  research  ef- 
forts. 

In  spite  of  the  unevenness  of  its  growth  and 
development,  the  program  as  a whole  has  great 
potential  and  it  merits  the  continued  interest  and 
support  of  the  Association  and  the  constituent 
and  component  medical  societies. 

PARTNERSHIP  FOR  HEALTH— PL  89-749 

One  more  item  of  recent  health  legislation  de- 
serves comment  here  since  it  may  eventually 
have  a profound  influence  on  medical  practice. 
Public  Law  89-749  provides  federal  matching 
funds  for  the  development  and  operation  of 
Health  Planning  Commissions  under  which  the 
state  and  regional  agencies  for  comprehensive 
areawide  health  planning  will  function.  In  some 
areas,  where  good  relationships  prevail  among 
local  government,  the  health  professions,  volun- 
tary health  agencies,  community  groups,  and  the 
regional  hospital  planning  council,  their  organiza- 

APRIL  1970 


tion  is  proceeding  briskly.  In  other  regions,  plan- 
ning agencies  are  not  being  formed  because  of 
bickering  among  these  groups,  each  anxious  to 
secure  the  planning  function  as  its  own  exclusive 
property. 

In  many  localities,  officials  of  the  various  de- 
partments involved  in  the  provision  of  health 
services  are  not  accustomed  to  dealing  with  pro- 
fessional societies,  the  voluntary  health  agencies, 
and  community  groups.  Some  see  community- 
based  planning  agencies  as  a threat  to  their  own 
authority  and  their  empires.  The  local  govern- 
ment, in  these  instances,  attempts  to  gain  con- 
trol of  the  planning  council  and  exercises  its  veto 
power  over  other  proposals  for  agencies  with 
wide  community  representation. 

It  appears  to  be  the  intent  of  the  law  that  con- 
sumers, or  the  public,  play  a substantial  role  in 
planning  for  their  own  health  care.  The  law  spe- 
cifies, in  rather  loose  terminology,  that  either  the 
directors  of  the  planning  agency  or  its  advisory 
council  must  have  at  least  51  per  cent  consumer 
representation.  Many  consumer  and  community 
groups  do  not  yet  have  individuals  to  represent 
them  who  are  experienced,  well  informed,  and 
have  the  vision  to  look  beyond  immediate  factional 
interests.  Such  representation  takes  time  to  de- 
velop and  its  lack  will  delay  the  achievement  of 
effective  planning.  Nevertheless,  the  intent  of  the 
law  is  clear  and  these  groups  should  be  incor- 
porated into  the  planning  commissions  and  en- 
couraged and  assisted  in  every  way. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add  that  the  volun- 
tary health  agencies  and  the  professional  societies 
can  contribute  much  specialized  knowledge  and 
expertise  in  planning  for  health.  They  should  be 
amply  represented  on  the  executive  bodies  of  the 
regional  health  planning  councils. 

As  presently  projected,  the  planning  councils 
will  have  no  direct  authority.  They  will  merely 
study,  plan,  and  advise.  Since  they  will  be  plan- 
ning for  health  in  the  broadest  possible  sense, 
they  will  be  faced  with  an  awesome  array  of 
problems.  The  programs  and  plans  they  develop 
to  solve  these  will  depend  for  implementation  on 
the  administrations,  government  agencies,  and  of- 
ficials of  several  jurisdictions,  who  may  or  may 
not  cooperate  with  the  planning  body  or  each 
other.  It  appears  likely  that  the  early  stages  of 
the  comprehensive  areawide  health  planning 
councils  will  show  some  degree  of  confusion,  dis- 
organization and  ineffectiveness,  both  in  plan- 
ning and  execution.  Nevertheless,  as  the  popula- 
tion density  increases,  coherent  environmental 
planning  is  becoming  an  absolute  necessity  and 
some  means  will  have  to  be  found  to  minimize 
dissension  and  either  encourage  or  require  the 

229 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

various  legitimately  interested  groups  to  cooper- 
ate with  one  another  in  the  general  interest. 
The  only  body  with  the  requisite  authority  to  do 
this  under  the  provisions  of  PL  89-749  is  the 
state  health  planning  commission.  Many  such  com- 
missions have  refrained  from  exercising  that  au- 
thority to  the  detriment  of  their  programs. 

To  date,  PL  89-749  has  had  little  effect  on  the 
public  or  the  health  professions  since  the  pro- 
grams are  not  well  advanced.  The  Committee  is 
of  the  opinion,  however,  that  this  law  will  have 
the  most  far-reaching  consequences  as  the  plan- 
ning councils  mature  and  reach  their  full  power. 
Planning  agencies  are  generally  ineffective  un- 
less they  have  the  authority  to  impose  their  pro- 
grams on  those  who  must  put  them  into  effect. 
That  was  the  experience  with  many  regional  hos- 
pital planning  councils  which,  originally  limited 
to  advising  officials  and  departments  of  govern- 
ment, were  given  direct  control  over  hospital 
modernization  and  construction.  The  areawide 
comprehensive  health  planning  councils  will  prob- 
ably go  through  the  same  evolutionary  process. 
If  they  do,  in  all  likelihood  they  will  absorb  the 
regional  hospital  planning  councils  and  the  re- 
gional medical  programs.  Public  Law  89-749 
would  then  become  the  umbrella  law  under 
which  all  health  services  would  be  planned,  pro- 
grammed and  coordinated.  The  implications  of 
this  law  to  the  health  professions  is  clear. 

The  concepts  underlying  areawide  compre- 
hensive health  planning  are  too  well  known  and 
accepted  to  require  discussion  in  this  report.  The 
Committee  does,  however,  wish  to  direct  the  As- 
sociation’s attention  to  the  manner  in  which  the 
medical  profession,  through  the  medical  societies 
and  the  AMA,  should  relate  to  the  planning  coun- 
cils and  the  planning  effort.  There  are  several 
points  to  be  made: 

( 1 ) The  medical  societies  at  all  levels  should 
support  the  concept  of  PL  89-749  and  aid  in 
every  way  possible  to  establish  properly  consti- 
tuted planning  agencies. 

(2)  The  medical  societies  should  actively  sup- 
port and  promote  the  establishment  of  areawide 
comprehensive  health  planning  agencies,  at  lo- 
cal levels,  that  have  broad  community  represen- 
tation on  their  boards  of  directors,  in  contradis- 
tinction to  their  advisory  committees  or  councils. 
It  is  inadvisable  to  permit  local  governments, 
composed  as  they  are  of  elected  and  appointed 
officials  of  varying  capability  and  tenure,  to  dom- 
inate or  control  health  planning. 

(3)  State  and  county  medical  societies  should 
seek  or,  if  necessary,  demand  their  proper  rep- 


resentation on  the  executive  bodies  of  the  plan- 
ning councils.  The  societies  should  not  accept  a 
purely  advisory  function, 

(4)  To  this  end,  the  state  medical  societies 
should  make  every  effort  to  inform  physicians 
and  county  medical  societies  of  the  details  of  PL 
89-749,  the  role  they  should  seek  in  areawide 
planning,  and  their  legal  recourse  if  they  are  not 
accorded  proper  representation. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends: 

( 1 ) That  the  Association  request  the  state 
medical  societies  to  submit  information  on  the 
status  of  comprehensive  areawide  planning  in 
their  states  and  the  problems  that  are  being  en- 
countered. 

(2)  That  this  information  be  analyzed,  sum- 
marized, and  redistributed  to  the  state  societies, 
together  with  the  suggestions  made  in  the  pre- 
ceding paragraphs  and  a resume,  prepared  by  the 
Law  Division,  of  the  provisions  in  the  law  that  are 
pertinent  to  those  suggestions. 

(3)  That  the  implementation  of  comprehen- 
sive areawide  health  planning  be  reviewed  peri- 
odically and  that  the  state  and  county  medical 
societies  be  advised  of  the  problems  and  pitfalls 
in  this  difficult  but  important  area  of  endeavor. 

PART  II 

THE  NATURE  OF  THE  AMA  LONG 
TERM  RECOMMENDATIONS 

An  analysis  of  the  structure  of  the  AMA  and 
an  evaluation  of  how  suitable  that  structure  is  to 
effect  the  most  rapid  and  complete  attainment  of 
the  Association’s  objectives  can  best  be  made  in 
the  light  of  a projection  of  future  conditions.  Rec- 
ommendations regarding  organization  or  reorga- 
nization must  be  based  on  the  accurate  identifica- 
tion and  assessment  of  the  trends,  forces,  and 
agencies  with  which  the  Association  will  have  to 
deal  effectively  if  it  is  to  achieve  its  goals. 

SUMMARY  OF  PROBABLE  FUTURE 
ENVIRONMENT 

The  prediction  of  future  conditions  requires  a 
summary  and  partial  repetition  of  a number  of 
observations,  opinions,  and  value  judgments  that 
have  already  appeared  in  this  report. 

It  seems  safe  to  predict  that  the  cost  of  health 
services,  both  per  unit  and  overall,  will  continue 
to  rise,  although  not  as  spectacularly  as  they  have 
in  the  past  few  years.  The  need  and  effective  de- 
mand for  services  will  also  multiply  and,  although 
the  capacity  of  the  health  establishment  to  pro- 
vide services  will  expand  considerably,  it  will  con- 
tinue to  run  behind  public  expectations  and  re- 
quirements. The  interaction  of  increasing  costs, 
growing  demand,  and  scarcity  of  services  will  in- 


230 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


evitably  result  in  greater  government  expendi- 
tures for  health  care  programs,  as  well  as  for 
capital  construction  and  modernization  of  facil- 
ities. As  these  sums  constitute  a progressively 
larger  portion  of  the  budget,  they  will  insure  con- 
tinuing legislative  and  administrative  scrutiny  of 
costs,  delivery  systems,  and  the  distribution  of 
facilities  and  personnel.  In  the  private  sector  these 
same  trends,  plus  mounting  consumer  pressure  for 
a more  complete  spectrum  of  coverage,  will  ne- 
cessitate substantial  premium  increases;  and  will 
also  be  an  invitation  to  government  investigation, 
intervention,  and  control.  These  problem  areas 
are  not  amenable  to  immediate  or  complete  so- 
lution, and  since  they  have  awakened  individual 
and  group  consumer  interest,  they  will  create 
growing  pressure  for  government  financing  and 
for  public  control  of  health  services,  facilities, 
and  planning.  Much  attention  will  be  paid  to  the 
mechanics  of  delivering  health  services,  the  man- 
ner in  which  health  professionals  are  paid,  and 
the  levels  of  their  reimbursement. 

It  is  a matter  of  record  that  the  Department  of 
Health,  Education,  and  Welfare  is  strongly  in  fa- 
vor of  some  type  of  compulsory  federal  program 
for  financing  health  services.  Although  the  chief 
exponent  of  that  policy  is  no  longer  Secretary  of 
the  Department,  it  would  be  naive  to  expect  a 
complete  turnabout  in  philosophy,  or  to  under- 
estimate the  forces  that  will  be  exerted  to  bring 
about  a compulsory,  federal  health  insurance 
system.  While  cutbacks  in  the  federal  budget  can 
be  expected  to  limit  the  expansion  of  health  care 
programs  of  the  Medicaid  or  assistance  type,  at 
least  for  the  immediate  future,  there  is  no  reason 
why  the  Department  of  HEW  could  not  promote 
a contributory  program,  once  its  internal  prob- 
lems with  the  administration  of  Medicare  and 
Medicaid  have  been  contained. 

In  view  of  the  outcome  of  the  1968  presiden- 
tial election,  it  would  be  foolhardy  to  venture  an 
opinion  on  how  rapidly  government  at  the  fed- 
eral, state,  and  local  level  will  increase  its  finan- 
cial, organizational,  and  administrative  involve- 
ment in  the  delivery  of  health  services.  It  would 
be  equally  foolhardy,  however,  to  expect  a com- 
plete reversal  of  the  trend,  rather  than  a mere 
slowing  of  the  pace. 

The  ultimate  fate  of  public,  or  consumer,  par- 
ticipation in  health  care  planning,  as  embodied 
in  the  Partnership  for  Health  Amendments,  is  also 
difficult  to  foretell  at  this  early  date.  There  is 
growing  evidence,  however,  that  government 
health  agencies  will  resist  more  than  token  in- 
volvement of  the  public  in  planning,  as  they 
have  resisted  that  of  organized  medicine.  It  be- 
gins to  appear  that  the  so-called  Areawide  Com- 


prehensive Health  Planning  agencies  will  be  mere 
reshufflings  of  the  same  groups  and  individuals 
who  are  now  influential  with  government  health 
and  hospital  administrative  authorities.  If  the 
communities  and  the  medical  profession  permit 
this  to  happen,  planning  for  health  services  may 
be  dominated  or  completely  controlled  by  gov- 
ernment health  agencies  and  officials.  As  a con- 
sequence, strong  pressure  would  be  exerted  for 
the  expansion  of  prepaid  group  practice  while 
private  solo  and  group  practice,  based  as  they 
are  on  fee-for-service  payments,  would  become 
the  targets  for  regulation  and  fee  control.  The 
importance  of  properly  balanced  representation 
of  all  competent  and  interested  segments  of  the 
population  on  comprehensive  health  planning 
bodies  is  quite  clear,  since  only  such  broadly 
based  organizations  will  permit  the  various 
health  service  delivery  systems  to  prove  their 
worth  in  coompetition  with  one  another.  Specific 
recommendations  on  this  matter  will  be  made  in 
a later  portion  of  this  report.  At  this  time,  the 
Committee  merely  wishes  to  identify  a trend 
which  may  affect  the  course  of  medical  practice 
in  the  future. 

It  is  worth  noting  that  government  officials  in 
the  health  field  are  frequently  unresponsive  to 
the  policies,  opinions,  and  advice  of  organized 
medicine.  Whether  or  not  they  succeed  in  domi- 
nating health  planning  councils,  their  attitudes 
and  recommendations  will  be  given  much  weight 
in  the  framing  of  legislation  relating  to  health 
services.  Organized  medicine,  to  counter  or  con- 
tain their  effect,  will  find  it  necessary  to  devise 
ways  of  exercising  its  own  influence  in  the  forma- 
tive stages  of  health  legislation.  In  addition, 
since  health  and  welfare  officials  administer  gov- 
ernment programs,  medical  societies,  at  their  re- 
spective levels,  must  develop  a capacity  for 
prevailing  on  them  to  modify  their  administrative 
policies  and  regulations  when  such  modification 
is  indicated. 

HOW  A PROFESSIONAL  ASSOCIATION 
CAN  EXERT  INFLUENCE  ON  LEGISLATION 
AND  ADMINISTRATION 

At  this  juncture,  it  is  pertinent  to  consider  how 
influence  can  be  brought  to  bear  by  an  organiza- 
tion such  as  ours,  the  points  at  which  it  can  be 
applied,  and  the  conditions  necessary  for  it  to 
produce  the  desired  results.  It  is  clear  that  no 
medical  society  or  other  professional  association 
can  be  a prime  mover  in  the  socio-economics  of 
the  health  service  system,  since  it  can  neither 
legislate  in  this  field  nor  administer  government 
programs.  The  Association  can  therefore  expect 
to  exert  an  effect  directly  proportional  to  its  ca- 
pacity for  influencing  legislation  on  the  one  hand, 

23  1 


APRIL  1970 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

and  the  administration  of  existing  programs  on 
the  other. 

INITIATION  OR  MODIFICATION  OF 
HEALTH  LEGISLATION 

With  regard  to  health  legislation,  there  are 
three  useful  modalities  for  the  application  of  the 
medical  profession’s  influence.  The  first  of  these 
is  the  persuasion  of  legislators  to  adopt  one  par- 
ticular course  or  abandon  another.  Persuasion  is 
usually  exerted  through  the  instrumentality  of 
legislative  counsel  or  what  is  more  vulgarly  and 
colloquially  known  as  a lobby.  The  results 
achieved  by  this  means  depend  on  the  soundness 
of  the  Association’s  recommendations,  the  per- 
suasiveness and  validity  of  its  supporting  argu- 
ments, and  the  probable  impact  of  the  proposed 
action  on  public  welfare  and  public  opinion.  In 
addition,  the  outcome  depends  on  the  prestige  of 
the  organization  and  the  degree  of  friendship  and 
respect  its  representative  enjoys  among  influential 
legislators.  Generally,  when  the  issues  in  ques- 
tion are  highly  controversial,  persuasion,  in  its 
pure  form,  is  ineffective  and  either  gives  way  or 
shades  off  into  the  second  modality,  political  pres- 
sure. This  can  take  two  forms,  the  first  of  which 
is  direct  political  action  intended  to  affect  the  out- 
come of  elections  for  public  office.  In  theory,  such 
action  is  effective  because  it  can  exert  a favor- 
able or  unfavorable  influence  on  the  political  ca- 
reers of  individual  legislators.  The  actual  im- 
pact of  political  action  on  legislation  is  extreme- 
ly difficult  to  assess  but  it  must  be  proportionate 
to  the  legislators’  appraisal  of  the  weight  of  sup- 
port or  opposition  they  may  expect  as  a result  of 
the  positions  they  take  on  the  organization’s 
requests  and  recommendations.  Although  political 
action  of  this  type  is  neither  appropriate  nor  legal 
for  a tax  exempt  association  such  as  the  AMA,  it 
is  both  proper  and  legal  for  separate  organiza- 
tions of  physicians  such  as  the  national  and  state 
PAC  groups. 

Political  pressure  can  also  be  generated  by 
arousing  substantial  public,  i.e.,  voter,  support 
for  one  or  more  of  the  Association’s  policies  and 
clearly  demonstrating  the  strength  of  that  support 
to  legislators  and  public  officials. 

This  leads  to  the  third  and  final  modality,  pub- 
lic relations,  which  is  not  only  a principal  endeav- 
or in  itself  but  is  also  a powerful  support  mech- 
anism for  persuasion  and  political  pressure. 
Ideally,  PR  programs  should  create  the  general 
belief  that  the  objectives  of  the  Association  are 
unselfish  and  in  the  best  interest  of  the  public. 
They  should  also  establish  the  Association’s  com- 


petence in  general  and,  more  specifically,  on  the 
issue  immediately  in  question.  To  the  extent  that 
PR  programs  achieve  these  goals  and  enhance 
the  legislators’  appraisal  of  the  Association’s  mo- 
tivations and  effectiveness,  they  are  capable  of 
affecting  legislation  relating  to  health  care.  In 
addition,  insofar  as  public  relations  efforts  en- 
gender popular  support  for  a specific  measure 
advanced  or  supported  by  the  Association,  they 
augment  the  effects  of  persuasion  and  political 
pressure  for  its  adoption. 

MODIFICATION  OF  PROGRAM 
ADMINISTRATION 

If  we  turn  from  legislation  to  a consideration 
of  how  the  administration  of  existing  govern- 
ment health  programs  can  be  changed  or  modi- 
fied, we  find  that  at  least  one  new  modality  must 
be  added  to  the  Association’s  armamentarium. 

The  administrators  of  public  programs  are  usu- 
ally health  or  welfare  officials  who  are  appointed 
rather  than  elected,  and  who  are  therefore  not 
amenable  to  direct  political  pressure.  It  is  true 
that  this  type  of  influence  can  be  brought  to  bear 
on  the  elected  officials  who  determine  or  have 
ultimate  authority  over  program  operation,  but 
experience  has  shown  that  it  is  extremely  difficult 
to  achieve  desired  modifications  by  this  means. 
Except  under  very  special  circumstances,  political 
pressure  is  not  effective  in  the  general  area  of 
program  administration. 

Public  relations  measures  are  also  of  limited 
value  in  this  particular  application.  On  issues  of 
great  importance  that  are  easy  to  explain  to  the 
lay  public  and  that  command  good  coverage  by 
the  news  and  information  media,  it  is  possible  to 
raise  enough  public  support  to  cause  appointed 
officials  to  modity  their  regulations,  either  spon- 
taneously or  at  the  behest  of  the  administration 
that  controls  them.  Such  issues  are  exceptional, 
however,  and  public  relations  therefore  consti- 
tutes a weak  device  for  bringing  about  modifica- 
tions in  government  health  programs. 

Persuasion  is  the  last  of  our  previously  dis- 
cussed three  mechanisms  and  in  this  area  of  en- 
deavor it  is  the  poorest  instrument  of  all.  Be- 
cause of  the  very  nature  of  their  motivations,  in- 
terests, and  objectives,  there  is  almost  invariably 
some  degree  of  friction  and  antagonism  between 
health  and  welfare  officials  and  the  medical  so- 
cieties that  correspond  to  their  jurisdictions.  With 
few  exceptions,  program  administrators  have 
proven  to  be  refractory  to  the  arguments,  advice, 
and  even  to  the  demands  of  organized  medicine. 

Thus,  all  the  mechanisms  that  are  useful  in 
exerting  influence  over  legislation  are  of  limited 
efficacy,  or  completely  ineffective,  when  applied 


232 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


"All  Interns  are  Alike" 


: stands  to  reason.  They  all  go  through  the  same  train- 
lg;  they  all  have  to  pass  the  same  tests;  they  all  have 
} measure  up  to  the  same  standards;  they  all  are 
nderpaid,  too.  Therefore,  all  interns  are  alike. 

That's  utter  nonsense,  of  course.  But  it's  no  more 
onsensical  than  what  some  people  say  about  aspirin, 
lamely:  since  all  aspirin  is  at  least  supposed  to  come 
p to  certain  required  standards,  then  all  aspirin 
ib lets  must  be  alike. 

Bayer's  standards  are  far  more  demanding.  In  fact, 
lere  are  at  least  nine  specific  differences  involving 
urity,  potency  and  speed  of  tablet  disintegration. 


These  Bayer®  standards  result  in  significant  product 
benefits  including  gentleness  to  the  stomach,  and 
product  stability  that  enables  Bayer  tablets  to  stay 
strong  and  gentle  until  they  are  taken. 

So  next  time  you  hear  someone  say  that  all  aspirin 
tablets  are  alike,  you  can  say,  with  confidence,  that  it 
just  isn't  so. 

You  might  also  say  that  all  interns  aren't  alike, 
either. 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

to  the  modification  of  program  operation.  A new 
dimension  must  therefore  be  added  to  medical 
society  activities  in  their  relationships  with  the 
administrative  branches  of  government.  That  di- 
mension is  negotiation. 

Negotiation  applies  to  all  aspects  of  program 
operation  including  not  only  professional  fees  but 
also  the  rules,  regulations,  and  procedures  that 
establish  the  conditions  under  which  physicians 
render  their  services.  Several  factors  determine 
the  success  of  the  medical  societies  in  negotiating 
agreements.  The  terms  and  conditions  they  seek 
must  be  justifiable  and  reasonable  as  far  as  fees 
are  concerned,  and  they  must  be  consistent  with 
the  public  interest  and  the  interests  of  the  bene- 
ficiaries with  regard  to  regulations  and  proce- 
dures. Another  extremely  important  determinant 
is  timing.  Administrative  modifications  must  be 
sought  early  in  the  development  of  a program, 
preferably  before  it  is  put  into  effect.  Ideally,  the 
request  for  such  changes  should  also  be  made  at 
a time  when  their  implementation  is  not  political- 
ly embarrassing  to  the  administration  in  power. 

Even  if  they  meet  all  these  conditions,  how- 
ever, the  medical  societies’  arguments  and  re- 
quests are  rarely  accorded  serious  consideration 
unless  the  negotiators  can  deal  from  a position  of 
strength.  One  possible  source  of  that  strength  is 
manifest  public  sympathy  for  the  Association’s 
position.  Such  support  is  only  rarely  attainable 
because  the  issues  at  stake  are  often  technical 
in  nature  and  of  no  immediate  interest  to  the 
public.  The  principal  and  basic  source  of  strength 
for  negotiators  lies  in  their  being  able  to  demon- 
strate that  they  have  the  backing  of  the  majority 
of  the  members  they  represent  and  that,  on  their 
recommendation,  those  members  will  refrain 
from  participating  in  the  program,  thereby  im- 
pairing its  usefulness  or  defeating  its  purpose.  It 
is  both  distasteful  and  self-defeating,  however,  for 
a medical  society  to  use  threat  as  a weapon  when 
dealing  with  matters  that  impinge  directly  on  the 
public  health  and  welfare.  Recent  rounds  of  wage 
discussions  and  strikes  among  civil  service  work- 
ers, particularly  in  the  State  of  New  York,  have 
made  it  evident  that  in  the  public  or  private  do- 
main, negotiations  based  on  the  threat  of  pub- 
lic inconvenience  or  peril  are  intolerable.  It 
would  certainly  be  useless,  as  well  as  contrary  to 
the  medical  profession’s  tradition,  for  physicians 
or  their  representatives  to  adopt  the  trade  union 
“bargaining”  approach. 

This  does  not  mean,  however,  that  negotiation 
is  useless  as  a means  of  promoting  or  securing 


suitable  conditions  and  reimbursement  for  phy- 
sicians. It  merely  means  that  we  must  find  an 
alternative  to  force  or  pressure  to  reinforce  our 
claims.  The  only  logical  alternative  is  to  estab- 
lish a climate  in  which  medical  associations  and 
government  agencies  may  agree  to  negotiate  with 
mutual  respect  and  a recognition  of  the  communi- 
ty of  their  goals.  Government  has  a powerful  in- 
centive to  establish  a smooth  and  cooperative  re- 
lationship with  the  medical  profession  since  phy- 
sicians are  required  to  implement  all  health  pro- 
grams and  control  the  utilization  of  facilities  and 
non-medical  health  personnel.  There  is  therefore 
no  reason  why  government  should  raise  obstacles 
to  negotiation  once  it  is  convinced  that  the  so- 
cieties, with  the  full  backing  of  their  members, 
are  prepared  to  negotiate  seriously  on  the  basis 
of  accepted  principles  and  sound  data.  If  this 
type  of  relationship  is  to  be  established  success- 
fully, it  will  be  necessary  for  the  medical  societies 
to  create  and  train  groups  for  that  purpose  and 
for  counterpart  groups  or  agencies  to  be  formed 
by  government.  These  must  then  meet  to  lay 
down  the  principles,  ground  rules  and  procedures 
that  will  govern  their  relationship  and  to  de- 
fine their  objectives.  The  process  will  take  time 
and  it  is  for  that  reason  that  the  Committee  has 
emphasized  the  importance  of  organizing  teams 
and  the  urgency  of  making  a beginning. 

Physicians  sometime  have  difficulty  in  under- 
standing why,  if  the  usual,  customary,  prevailing 
and  reasonable  concept  is  preserved,  there  should 
be  a need  for  negotiation.  Nevertheless,  the  fact 
that  they  shy  away  from  the  term  “prevailing” 
and  prefer  to  omit  it  from  their  writings  and  dis- 
cussion indicates  that  there  is  either  a conscious 
or  instinctive  recognition  that  the  prevailing  fee 
is  actually  an  unpublished  maximum  fee  schedule 
which  can  be  set  at  any  percentage  of  customary 
fees.  It  therefore  follows  that  at  some  time  ne- 
gotiations to  set  the  percentile  of  prevailing  fees 
will  become  necessary.  The  parting  remarks  of 
the  outgoing  Secretary  of  Health,  Education, 
and  Welfare  substantiate  this  belief.  If  existing 
medical  societies  fail  to  prepare  themselves  for 
negotiation,  other  groups  will  inevitably  take  over 
that  function  and  thereby  undermine  the  societies’ 
membership  and  influence. 

Obviously,  the  need  at  the  AMA  level  is  not 
nearly  as  acute  at  it  is  in  the  lower  echelons  of 
medical  society  organization,  but  even  national- 
ly it  is  quite  conceivable  that  the  Association  will 
find  it  necessary  to  make  agreements  with  gov- 
ernment on  the  operation  of  health  programs. 
That  necessity  should  be  anticipated  and  provid- 
ed for. 


234 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


LEGISLATION:  ESSENTIAL  CONDITIONS 
FOR  SUCCESSFUL  PUBLIC  RELATIONS 
AND  LEGISLATIVE  PROGRAMS 

Having  examined  the  general  mechanics  of  ex- 
erting influence  on  legislation,  the  major  area  in 
which  the  Association  must  function,  let  us  con- 
sider how  our  public  relations  and  legislative  ex- 
perts must  be  armed  and  what  must  be  the  char- 
acteristics of  the  policies  and  programs  they  are 
required  to  promote. 

The  most  important  single  requirement  is  that 
the  organization  they  represent  be  respected  for 
its  motivations  and  purposes.  This  can  happen 
only  if  the  AMA  has  a general  policy  or  avowed 
purpose  that  is  clearly  stated,  is  understood  by 
legislators  and  the  public  alike,  and  is  demon- 
strably in  the  public  interest.  The  Committee 
proposed  the  adoption  of  such  a statement  in  the 
first  section  of  this  report,  i.e.: 

“To  endeavor,  by  all  appropriate  means,  to 
make  health  services  of  high  quality  available 
to  all  individuals,  in  a dignified  and  acceptable 
manner,  regardless  of  their  ability  to  pay  for 
those  services,  the  source  of  the  payment,  their 
social  status,  or  their  ethnic  origin.  The  Amer- 
ican Medical  Association  has  the  duty  to  guide 
and  assist  the  medical  profession  in  the  at- 
tainment of  this  objective.” 

The  adoption  of  this  or  a similar  statement  is 
the  first  step  toward  an  action  program  for  the 
Association.  Subsequent  policies  on  more  specif- 
ic issues  must  also  have  certain  characteristics  if 
they  are  to  be  successfully  promoted.  They  should 
be  innovative  to  the  greatest  extent  possible  and 
should  be  directed  toward  solving  problems  and 
correcting  deficiencies  in  health  care  that  have 
been  identified  by  the  Association  itself.  They 
must  be  based  on  objective  analyses  of  factual 
information  rather  than  be  subjective  and  emo- 
tional responses  to  proposals  made  by  officials  or 
legislators.  All  policy  statements  must  be  con- 
sistent with  one  another  and  with  the  objectives 
set  forth  in  the  statement  of  the  Association’s 
purposes. 

Even  if  the  policies  meet  all  these  criteria, 
however,  they  will  not  necessarily  be  received  fa- 
vorably by  legislators.  Since  it  is  important  to  the 
AMA’s  public  stature  that  it  be  associated  with 
as  few  failures  as  possible,  each  of  its  statements, 
policies,  and  actions  in  the  field  of  health  ser- 
vice legislation  should  be  judged  by  the  follow- 
ing four  tests: 

( 1 ) Is  it  in  the  public  interest  or  interpretable 
as  such? 

(2)  Is  it  politically  advantageous,  or  at  least 
innocuous,  for  the  legislators  to  adopt? 

(3)  Will  it  have  public  support  or,  if  contro- 


versial, is  it  likely  to  have  the  support  of  a ma- 
jority of  politically  influential  groups? 

(4)  Is  it  consistent  with  the  previous  policies 
and  pronouncements  of  the  Association  on  the 
same  or  similar  issues? 

The  relative  weight  ascribed  to  these  tests  will 
vary  with  the  issue  in  question  but  all  are  op- 
erative to  some  degree.  It  is  true  that  from  time 
to  time  the  Association  may  be  impelled  to  pro- 
pose a course  of  action  that,  while  in  the  public 
interest,  does  not  qualify  for  support  by  the  other 
three  criteria.  This  should  be  done  only  in  those 
instances  when,  after  careful  deliberation,  the  im- 
portance of  the  matter  seems  to  justify  taking  a 
calculated  risk. 

It  is  instructive  to  examine  the  AMA’s  course 
of  action  on  Medicare  in  the  light  of  these  ob- 
servations. The  Association’s  opposition  was  more 
emotional  than  objective  and  was  at  least  partial- 
ly predicated  on  an  underestimation  of  the  prob- 
lems faced  by  the  elderly  in  the  financing  of 
health  care.  In  spite  of  its  honest  motivation,  the 
Association’s  position  was  easily  distorted  to  give 
the  impression  that  physicians  were  opposed  to 
the  provision  of  needed  aid  to  the  elderly  for 
selfish  reasons,  obviously  not  in  the  public  inter- 
est. In  addition,  the  AMA’s  policy  did  not  have 
the  support  of  a majority  of  the  populace  and 
would  therefore  have  been  a liability  for  any 
legislator  to  espouse.  About  the  only  criterion  it 
did  meet  was  that  of  consistency  with  earlier 
positions  on  the  same  subject. 

This  is  not  to  say  that  the  policy  of  the  Asso- 
ciation at  that  time  was  necessarily  wrong  in  the 
light  of  the  few  facts  that  were  then  available  or 
that  it  should  not  have  been  adopted.  It  is  mere- 
ly to  point  out  that  failure  was  predictable.  In 
retrospect,  a more  useful  and  practical  approach 
might  have  been  to  investigate  more  thoroughly, 
accept  the  principle  involved,  as  we  ultimately 
did,  and  then  act  to  modify  the  program  as  in- 
novators rather  than  critics  and  opponents.  Since 
the  formulation  of  sound  policy  by  the  organiza- 
tion is  the  very  essence  of  successful  legislative 
activity,  let  us  now  examine  the  structure  of  the 
Association  to  determine  how  well  it  is  suited  for 
this  function. 

STRUCTURE  OF  THE  ASSOCIATION 

The  AMA  is  a rather  loose  federation  of  fifty 
state  medical  societies  and  the  medical  societies 
of  the  District  of  Columbia,  U.  S.  Virgin  Islands, 
Canal  Zone,  and  the  Associated  Commonwealth  of 
Puerto  Rico.  These  societies  are  known  as  the 
constituent  or  state  associations.  They  are  as- 
signed one  or  more  delegates  to  the  House  of 


APRIL  1970 


235 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

Delegates  of  the  AMA  in  proportion  to  the  size 
of  their  memberships.  In  addition,  Scientific  Sec- 
tions of  the  Association  are  allotted  one  delegate 
each,  as  are  the  Armed  Services,  the  Public 
Health  Service,  and  the  Veterans  Administration. 
These  members  of  the  House  are  voting  dele- 
gates. Other  ex-officio  members  have  voice  but  no 
vote. 

THE  HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES 

The  House  of  Delegates  is  the  final  authority 
on  all  actions  and  policies  of  the  Association. 
When  it  is  in  session,  it  acts  on  all  resolutions  in- 
troduced by  member  delegates,  reports  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  and  Standing  Committees  of 
the  House.  Finally,  the  House  of  Delegates  elects 
the  Officers  and  Trustees  of  the  AMA.  This  body 
is  therefore  the  supreme  authority  and,  if  it  met 
continuously,  would  exclusively  govern  all  of  the 
organization’s  policies  and  functions.  Since  it  is 
not  in  continuous  session,  however,  it  is  the  ma- 
jor rather  than  the  sole  determinant  of  AMA 
policy. 

The  House  of  Delegates  meets  twice  a year  in 
working  sessions  of  approximately  three  days, 
during  which  time  it  decides  the  Association’s  re- 
sponses to  the  important  issues  and  situations  it 
faces.  In  spite  of  meticulous  advance  prepara- 
tion by  staff  and  an  excellent  reference  commit- 
tee system,  this  is  too  short  a time  for  it  to  digest, 
evaluate  and  act  on  myriad  complex  matters, 
most  of  which  vitally  affect  the  health  of  the  pub- 
lic and  the  practice  of  medicine.  In  the  time 
available,  individual  members  cannot  consider 
each  issue  that  comes  before  the  House  in  the 
depth  that  its  importance  may  require.  At  the 
best  a delegate  can  attend  one  or  two  reference 
committee  hearings  and  can  therefore  become 
thoroughly  informed  on  only  a portion  of  the  is- 
sues on  which  he  will  be  required  to  vote.  The 
effect  of  this  on  the  quality  of  policy  making  is 
obvious. 

The  AMA’s  essentially  political  and  demo- 
cratic nature  also  has  an  influence  on  the  actions 
of  the  House.  Aside  from  staff  and  appointed 
committee  members,  the  Association  consists  of 
office  holders  who  are  elected  to  represent  the  en- 
tire membership  and  take  action  in  their  name. 
The  delegates  are  elected  by  their  own  state  as- 
sociations, while  the  Officers  and  Trustees  are 
elected  by  the  House  of  Delegates. 

If  delegates  deviate  too  frequently  from  po- 
sitions taken  by  their  state  associations,  they  are 
likely  to  lose  their  support  at  home  and  fail  to  be 
re-elected.  In  addition,  if  they  oppose  the  major- 


ity in  the  House  too  often,  especially  on  certain 
vital  issues,  they  may  incur  the  penalty  of  being 
denied  further  advancement  in  the  Association. 
In  either  case,  they  lose  the  opportunity  of  con- 
tinued or  increased  participation  in  a field  of  ac- 
tivity that  is  of  profound  interest  to  them,  to 
which  they  have  devoted  much  time  and  be- 
lieve they  can  make  significant  contributions. 
Under  these  conditions,  they  may  be  swayed  to 
vote  as  they  are  mandated  or  to  be  influenced  by 
the  majority  opinion  against  their  personal  judg- 
ment. 

To  fully  appreciate  the  factors  that  shape  the 
policies  adopted  by  the  House  of  Delegates,  it  is 
also  necessary  to  understand  the  characteristics 
of  the  delegates  themselves,  insofar  as  a complex 
group  such  as  this  can  be  considered  to  have 
group  characteristics.  In  general,  most  of  them 
have  successful  practices  with  patients  derived 
from  the  middle  and  upper  income  brackets.  The 
majority  tend  to  be  conservative  in  their  political 
and  social  philosophies  and,  almost  without  ex- 
ception, are  deeply  concerned  with  preserving  the 
traditions  of  their  profession  and  their  time-hon- 
ored relationships  with  their  patients.  They  there- 
fore resent  criticism  of  present  methods  of  ren- 
dering medical  care  and  programs  that  permit  in- 
dividuals or  agencies  to  intrude  between  them 
and  their  patients. 

These  characteristics  must  be  equated  with 
current  trends  if  the  reactions  of  the  delegates  are 
to  be  fully  understood.  The  public  and  the  vari- 
ous legislatures,  spurred  by  the  enormous  strains 
created  by  the  disparity  between  limited  health 
facilities  and  personnel  and  unprecedented  in- 
creases in  demand,  are  inclined  to  place  great 
emphasis  on  such  considerations  as  cost,  quality 
of  services,  and  the  logistics  of  delivery.  They  are 
attempting  to  control  these  factors  by  intervening 
more  frequently  and  more  directly  in  the  plan- 
ning and  regulation  of  health  care,  often  to  the 
exclusion  of  medical  and  other  health  profes- 
sional associations. 

Under  these  circumstances,  issues  in  the  socio- 
economics of  health  care  and  the  organization  of 
delivery  systems  for  health  services  have  a high 
emotional  content  for  the  delegates.  The  House 
has  on  occasion  reacted  to  matters  of  this  nature 
in  a reflex  fashion,  rather  than  deliberately,  with 
considered  and  dispassionate  judgment.  As  a re- 
sult, positions  have  been  assumed  that  were  in- 
consistent with  the  medical  profession’s  overall 
objectives  and  that  were  widely  misinterpreted  as 
being  a guild  type  of  response  motivated  by  self- 
ish interests.  The  adoption  of  such  policies  trau- 
matizes the  Association’s  public  relations  and  di- 
lutes the  effect  of  its  legislative  activities.  The 


236 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Remember  how  great 
milk  of  magnesia  tasted  ? 


Almost  as  good  as  castor  oil. 

But  now  you  can  spare  the 
taste  buds  and  spoil  the  patient  with  a 
modern  Dulcolax  tablet  or  suppository. 

And  Dulcolax  works  so  pre- 
dictably that  the  time  of  bowel  move- 
ment can  often  be  predicted.  Tablets 
taken  at  night  usually  produce  a bowel 
movement  the  following  morning. 
Suppositories  generally  work  in  15 
minutes  to  an  hour. 


For  preoperative  preparation, 
a combination  of  tablets  at  night  and  a 
suppository  the  next  morning  usually 
cleans  the  bowel  thoroughly. 

Dulcolax  suppositories  may 
be  particularly  helpful  when  straining 
should  be  avoided,  as  in  postoperative 
care.  Keep  in  mind,  however,  that  the 
drug  is  contraindicated  in  theacute  sur- 
gical abdomen. 

Dulcolax8. . . it’s  predictable 

bisacodyl 


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DU-7015 


A once-popular  treatment  for  back  pains 
was  to  have  the  seventh  son  of  a seventh  son 
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For  headache,  a sovereign  remedy  was 
to  wear  a snakeskin  round  one's  head. 


The  pain  of  earache  was  allegedly  relie' 
by  holding  a hot  roasted  onion  to  the  ear 


A realistic 
approach 

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relief 


‘Empirin’* 

Compound  with  Codeine 

Phosphate  gr.  1/2  No.  3 


Each  tablet  contains: 

Codeine  Phosphate  gr.  1/2  (Warning- 
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Aspirin  gr,  3 1 / 2,  Caffeine  gr.  1 / 2. 

keeps  the  promise 

oi  pain,  relief 


'B.W.  & Co.'  narcotic  products  are 

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I N ASTH  M A JL  optional 

in  emphysema  f i r therapy 

■ 


All  Mudranes  are  bronchodilator-mucolytic  in  action,  and 
are  indicated  for  symptomatic  relief  of  bronchial  asthma, 
emphysema,  bronchiectasis  and  chronic  bronchitis.  MU- 
DRANE  tablets  contain  195  mg.  potassium  iodide;  130  mg. 
aminophylline;  21  mg.  phenobarbital  (Warning:  may  be 
habit-forming);  16  mg.  ephedrine  HC1.  Dosage  is  one  tablet 
with  full  glass  of  water,  3 or  4 times  a day.  Precautions  are 
those  for  aminophylline-phenobarbital-ephedrine  combina- 
ations.  Iodide  side-effects:  May  cause  nausea.  Very  long 
use  may  cause  goiter.  Discontinue  if  symptoms  of  iodism 
develop.  Iodide  contraindications:  Tuberculosis;  preg- 
nancy (to  protect  the  fetus  against  possible  depression  of 
thyroid  activity).  MUDRANE-2  tablets  contain  195  mg. 
potassium  iodide;  130  mg.  aminophylline.  Dosage  is  one  tablet 
with  full  glass  of  water,  3 or  4 times  a day.  Precautions  are 
those  for  aminophylline.  Iodide  side-effects  and  contra- 
indications are  listed  above.  MUDRANE  GG  tablets 
contain  100  mg.  glyceryl  guaiacolate;  130  mg.  aminophylline; 
21  mg.  phenobarbital  (Warning:  may  be  habit-forming); 
16  mg.  ephedrine  HC1.  Dosage  is  one  tablet  with  full  glass  of 
water,  3 or  4 times  a day.  Precautions  are  those  for  amino- 
phylline-phenobarbital-ephedrine  combinations.  MUDRANE 
GG-2  tablets  contain  100  mg.  glyceryl  guaiacolate;  130  mg. 
aminophylline.  Dosage  is  one  tablet  with  full  glass  of  water, 
3 or  4 times  a day.  Precautions:  Those  for  aminophylline. 
MUDRANE  GG  Elixir.  Each  teaspoonful  (5  cc)  contains 
26  mg.  glyceryl  guaiacolate;  20  mg.  theophylline;  5.4  mg. 
phenobarbital  (Warning:  may  be  habit-forming);  4 mg.  ephe- 
drine HC1.  Dosage:  Children,  1 cc  for  each  10  lbs.  of  body 
weight;  one  teaspoonful  (5  cc)  for  a 50  lb.  child.  Dose  may 
be  repeated  3 or  4 times  a day.  Adult,  one  tablespoonful,  4 
times  daily.  All  doses  should  be  followed  with  Yi  to  full  glass 
of  water.  Precautions:  See  those  listed  above  for  Mudrane 
GG  tablets. 


MUDRANE— original  formula 

First  choice 

MUDRANE-2 

When  ephedrine  is  too  exciting 
or  is  contraindicated 

MUDRANE  GG 

During  pregnancy  or  when  K.I.  is 
contraindicated  or  not  tolerated 

MUDRANE  GG-2 

A counterpart  for  Mudrane-2 

MUDRANE  GG  ELIXIR 

For  pediatric  use 

or  where  liquids  are  preferred 

Clinical  specimens 
available  to  physicians. 


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According  to  the  Framingham  Heart  Study, 
the  obese  face: 

86%  greater  risk  of  angina  pectoris, 

82%  greater  risk  of  diabetes, 

71%  greater  risk  of  coronary  heart  disease. 

Obesity  may  aiso  aggravate  osteoarthritis, 
fiat  feet,  intertriginous  dermatitis,  varicose 
veins,  and  ventral  or  diaphragmatic  hernias 


tou  are  considering  weight  reduction,  consider 

phenmetrazine  hydrochloride 
Endurets® 

prolonged-action  tablets 

Often  effective 

Controlled  studies  in  a general  patient  popu- 
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with  diet,  the  rate  of  weight  loss  exceeds 
that  obtained  by  placebo  and  diet. 

Long  acting 

Slow,  even  release  of  the  active  principle 
usually  suppresses  appetite  continuously  for 
about  12  hours. 

Once-a-day  dosage 

One  Endurets  tablet  after  breakfast.  It  helps 
reduce  weight  and  costs,  conveniently. 

For  contraindications,  warning,  precautions, 
and  adverse  reactions,  please  see  the  full 
prescribing  information. 

It  is  summarized  on  this  page. 

Where  there’s  no  will  there’s  a therapeutic  way. 


*Among  persons  20%  or  more 
overweight  as  compared  with 
median  weight  for  persons  of 
like  height  and  sex. 

1.  Kannel,  W.B.,  et  at.:  Circula- 
tion 35:734,  1967. 

2.  Thomas,  H.E.,  Jr.,  et  at.:  Med. 
Times  95:1099,  1967. 

3.  Albrink,  M.J.,  in:  Beeson, 

P.B.  & McDermott,  W.  (eds.): 
Cecii-Loeb  Textbook  of  Medicine, 
ed.  12,  Phila.:  W.B.  Saunders 
Co.,  1967. 

Preludin® 

phenmetrazine  hydrochloride 

Preludin  is  indicated  only  as  an 
anorexigenic  agent  in  the  treat- 
ment of  obesity.  It  may  be  used  in 
simple  obesity  and  in  obesity 
complicated  by  diabetes,  mod- 
erate hypertension  (see  Pre- 
cautions), or  pregnancy  (see 
Warning). 

Contraindications:  Severe 
coronary  artery  disease,  hyper- 
thyroidism, severe  hypertension, 
nervous  instability,  and  agitated 
prepsychotic  states.  Do  not  use 
with  other  CNS  stimulants, 
including  MAO  inhibitors. 
Warning:  Do  not  use  during  the 
first  trimester  of  pregnancy  un- 
less potential  benefits  outweigh 
possible  risks.  There  have  been 
clinical  reports  of  congenital  mal- 
formation, but  causal  relation- 
ship has  not  been  proved.  Animal 
teratogenic  studies  have  been 
inconclusive. 

Precautions:  Use  with  caution  in 
moderate  hypertension  and 
cardiac  decompensation.  Cases 


involving  abuse  of  or  depend- 
ence on  phenmetrazine  hydro- 
chloride have  been  reported.  In 
general,  these  cases  were 
characterized  by  excessive 
consumption  of  the  drug  for  its 
central  stimulant  effect,  and  have 
resulted  in  a psychotic  illness 
manifested  by  restlessness,  mood 
or  behavior  changes,  hallucina- 
tions or  delusions.  Do  not  exceed 
recommended  dosage. 

Adverse  Reactions:  Dryness  or 
unpleasant  taste  in  the  mouth, 
urticaria,  overstimulation, 
insomnia,  urinary  frequency  or 
nocturia,  dizziness,  nausea,  or 
headache. 

Dosage:  One  25  mg.  tablet  b.i.d. 
or  t.i.d.  Or  one  75  mg.  Endurets 
tablet  a day,  taken  by  mid- 
morning. 

Availability:  Pink,  square,  scored 
tablets  of  25  mg.  for  b.i.d.  or 
t.i.d.  administration,  in  bottles  of 
100  and  1000. 

Pink,  round  Endurets®  prolonged- 
action  tablets  of  75  mg.  for 
once-a-day  administration,  in 
bottles  of  100  and  1000. 
(B)R3-46-560-B 

For  complete  details,  please  see 
full  prescribing  information. 

Under  license  from 
Boehringer  Ingelheim  G.m.b.H. 


Geigy  Pharmaceuticals  ( 
Division  of 

Geigy  Chemical  Corporation 
Ardsley,  New  York  10502 


n*TiM 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

periodic  occurrence  of  this  type  of  reaction,  how- 
ever, is  almost  inevitable,  given  the  composition 
of  the  House  and  the  nature  of  its  operation. 

THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

In  order  that  the  Association  may  function  be- 
tween the  sessions  of  the  House  of  Delegates,  a 
fifteen  member  Board  of  Trustees  is  given  interim 
powers.  Twelve  Trustees  are  elected  by  the 
House  of  Delegates,  in  annual  groups  of  four, 
for  three  year  terms.  The  other  three  voting  mem- 
bers are  the  President,  the  President-Elect,  and 
the  Immediate  Past  President. 

By  the  nature  of  its  powers  and  responsibil- 
ities, the  Board  of  Trustees  exerts  a second  and 
potent  influence  on  the  formulation  of  policy,  in 
spite  of  the  fact  that  its  decisions  are  technically 
subject  to  ultimate  ratification  by  the  House.  The 
Board  meets  periodically  to  act  for  the  AMA  on 
routine  matters  and  on  special  call  of  the  chair- 
man to  decide  more  urgent  and  immediate  ques- 
tions. As  background,  the  Trustees  have  a con- 
stant flow  of  information  and  reports  from  the 
Councils,  Committees,  commissions,  and  divi- 
sions, and  they  usually  have  sufficient  time  for 
thorough  exploration  of  issues  before  taking  ac- 
tion. In  this  they  have  some  advantage  over  the 
House  of  Delegates  in  policy  making. 

The  Trustees,  however,  share  the  general  char- 
acteristics of  the  delegates  as  far  as  political  and 
social  philosophy  are  concerned.  In  addition,  the 
Board,  in  its  interregnun,  cannot  help  but  con- 
sider and  be  influenced  by  the  probable  attitude 
of  the  House  of  Delegates  on  its  actions.  This 
concern  is  reinforced  by  the  political  reality  that 
twelve  of  the  Trustees,  or  as  many  as  are  eligible, 
are  re-elected  by  the  House,  on  the  nomination 
of  the  delegations  from  their  home  state  societies. 

A final  determinant  of  the  nature  of  the 
Board’s  actions  and  policies  lies  in  the  internal 
relationships  and  balances  of  power  among  the 
individual  Trustees.  These,  of  course,  are  impos- 
sible to  categorize  or  measure,  but  the  extent  of 
their  effect  becomes  apparent  from  time  to  time. 

THE  PRESIDENT 

The  office  of  the  President  is  a third  source  of 
policy  determination  for  the  Association.  Since 
the  President  is  elected  for  a term  of  one  year,  it 
is  rare  for  him  to  make  a major  change  in  the 
organization’s  directions  and  goals,  though  he 
could  conceivably  do  so  by  exerting  enough  lead- 
ership to  prevail  on  the  Trustees  and  the  House 
of  Delegates.  On  the  other  hand,  the  President  is 
generally  considered  to  be  the  spokesman  for  the 


Association  and  although  by  custom  and  tacit 
agreement  he  usually  adheres  to  the  positions 
taken  by  the  House  and  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
he  is  under  no  compulsion  to  do  so.  He  is  subject 
to  no  external  influence  and,  since  he  is  a free 
agent  in  enunciating  his  own  beliefs  and  prin- 
ciples, he  can  exert  an  appreciable  effect  on  the 
Association’s  policy  from  the  public  relations 
standpoint,  especially  if  he  departs  from  previous 
positions  the  AMA  has  taken.  Finally,  of  course, 
the  President  does  have  the  additional  influence 
of  being  one  member  of  the  fifteen  member 
Board  of  Trustees. 

THE  EXECUTIVE  STAFF 

It  is  traditional  for  executives  of  an  organiza- 
tion such  as  ours  to  disavow  any  desire  to  play  a 
role  in  policy  making.  There  is,  however,  no 
question  that  the  Executive  Vice  President  and, 
to  a lesser  extent,  the  Assistant  Executive  Vice 
President,  can  have  a profound  influence  on  the 
process.  The  magnitude  of  that  influence  depends 
on  the  motivations  of  the  individuals,  the  nature 
of  their  relationships  with  each  other  and  with 
the  Officers,  Trustees,  and  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates, their  leadership  qualities,  and  their  aggres- 
siveness. Since  they  usually  have  tenure  over  a 
number  of  years,  they  have  the  opportunity  to  be 
influential  in  decision  making  without  overtly 
over-stepping  their  authority.  Again,  the  precise 
determination  of  the  importance  and  effect  of  so 
impalpable  force  is  impossible,  but  no  student  of 
the  AMA’s  history  can  doubt  its  existence  and 
potential. 

It  is  evident,  therefore,  that  the  AMA’s  pol- 
icies come  into  being  as  the  result  of  a constant 
interplay  of  the  authorities  and  decisions  of  four 
separate  groups  or  individuals,  rather  than  from 
a single  source.  This  decentralization  of  function 
introduces  an  element  of  uncertainty  and  incon- 
sistency into  the  Association’s  position  statements. 

Many  statements  about  the  Association,  ema- 
nating from  the  news  media,  labor  unions,  econ- 
omists, and  even  some  physicians,  attest  to  a be- 
lief that  the  AMA  places  the  financial  welfare  of 
its  members  above  the  interests  of  the  public. 
Similarly  these  same  sources  have  branded  the 
AMA  as  reactionary  and  of  having  purely  guild 
objectives.  Ill-founded  though  they  are,  the  mere 
existence  of  such  attitudes  hampers  the  organiza- 
tion in  the  attainment  of  its  legitimate  goals.  At 
this  point  therefore  it  is  appropriate  to  decide 
whether  the  AMA  can  reverse  these  public  opin- 
ions and  meet  its  obligations  to  its  members  and 
the  public  as  it  is  presently  organized,  or  whether 
it  must  undergo  a fundamental  alteration  in  struc- 
ture. 


238 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


THE 

COST  OF 

AM  BAR 
EXTENTABS 


FAT  PEOPLE  ARE  FAR 
MORE  APT  TO  DIE 
SUDDENLY  THAN 
THIN  PEOPLE  I A \ 


IS  APPROXIMATELY  10%T040% 

LESS  THAN  THAT  OF  OTHER  LEAD- 
ING APPETITE  SUPPRESSANTS 

AN  IMPORTANT  FACTOR 
IN  LONGTERM 


LEVI  STRAUSS  SCO.  WILL 
GIVE  A FREE  PAIR  OF  LEVI’S 
TO  ANYONE  WHO  MEASURES 

OUT  TO  A . 

(INCH  WAIST) 


DRINKING  TOA 
LADY'S  HEALTH, 
QUAFFED  ONECUP 
OF  WINE  FOR  EVERY 
LETTER  OF  HER  NAME) 


Control  food  and  mood 
all  day  long  with 
a single  morning  dose 


AMBAFT2 


EXTENTABS’ 


methamphetamine  HCI 15  mg., 
phenobarbital  64.8  mg.  (1  gr.) 
(Warning:  may  be  habit  forming). 


A.  H.  ROBINS  COMPANY 
RICHMOND,  VA.  23220 


4-H-POBINS 


One  Ambar  Extentab  before  break- 
fast can  help  control  most  patients’ 
appetites  for  up  to  12  hours.  Metham- 
phetamine, the  appetite  suppressant, 
gently  elevates  mood  and  helps 
overcome  dieting  frustrations.  Phe- 
nobarbital, the  sedative  in  Ambar, 
controls  irritability  and  anxiety  . . . 
helps  maintain  a state  of  mental 
calm  and  equanimity.  Both  work  to- 
gether to  ease  the  tensions  that 
erode  the  will  power  during  periods 
of  dieting. 

BRIEF  SUMMARY/Indications:  Am- 
bar suppresses  appetite  and  helps 
offset  emotional  reactions  to  dieting. 


Contraindications:  Hypersensitivity 
to  barbiturates  orsympathomimetics; 
patients  with  advanced  renal  or 
hepatic  disease.  Precautions:  Ad- 
minister with  caution  in  the  presence 
of  cardiovascular  disease  or  hyper- 
tension. Side  Effects:  Nervousness 
or  excitement  occasionally  noted, 
but  usually  infrequent  at  recom- 
mended dosages.  Slight  drowsiness 
has  been  reported  rarely.  See  pack- 
age insert  for  further  details. 

Also  available:  Ambar  #1  Extentabs® 
— methamphetamine  hydrochloride 
10  mg.,  phenobarbital  64.8  mg.  (1  gr.) 
(Warning:  may  be  habit  forming). 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

MANAGEMENT  SURVEY 

The  Committee  was  aware  of  the  management 
survey  being  conducted  by  the  firm  of  Cresap, 
McCormick  and  Paget.  At  the  time  of  this  writ- 
ing, its  preliminary  report  has  just  been  distribut- 
ed. 

As  anticipated,  the  report  does  not  call  for  a 
fundamental  or  drastic  reorganization  of  the  As- 
sociation. It  is  interesting  to  note,  however,  that 
the  survey  team,  as  the  Committee  has  done, 
identifies  the  weaknesses  inherent  in  a division  of 
responsibility  and  authority  in  policy  making  and 
programming.  The  report  emphasizes  the  neces- 
sity for  centralized  planning  in  accordance  with 
established  priorities,  again  a matter  of  major 
concern  to  the  Committee.  Finally,  the  defini- 
tions of  the  Association’s  aims  and  objectives,  as 
developed  on  pages  10  and  11  of  the  preliminary 
report,  are  in  general  agreement  with  the  Com- 
mittee’s own  thinking  and  recommendations. 

The  Committee  does  not  at  this  time  wish  to 
comment  further  on  the  preliminary  survey  re- 
port. Knowing  that  a professional  management 
study  was  in  the  process,  and  assuming  that  the 
consultants  would  concern  themselves  chiefly  with 
the  administrative  branch  of  the  Association,  our 
group  saw  no  reason  to  evolve  its  own  recom- 
mendations on  internal  administrative  balances. 
It  preferred  to  place  emphasis  on  the  Associa- 
tion’s external  relationships  with  various  seg- 
ments of  the  public  and  with  the  constituent  and 
component  medical  associations. 

Furthermore,  since  both  the  current  manage- 
ment survey  group  and  the  previous  survey  com- 
mittees of  the  Board  of  Trustees  have  devoted 
considerable  attention  to  the  number  of  councils, 
commissions,  and  committees  and  the  duplication 
of  some  of  their  activities,  the  Committee  on 
Planning  and  Development  refrained  from  going 
over  that  ground  again.  This  report  and  the  man- 
agement study  report  therefore  have  different 
orientations  but,  in  the  few  areas  in  which  they 
overlap,  there  is  no  fundamental  conflict  in  the 
recommendations  made. 

CONSIDERATIONS  FOR  AND  AGAINST 
STRUCTURAL  REORGANIZATION 

OF  THE  AMA 

The  diminution  of  effectiveness  imposed  by 
the  Association’s  democratic  and  political  nature 
was  discussed  earlier  in  this  report.  Any  plan  for 
reorganization  designed  to  eliminate  these  de- 
ficiencies, however,  would  of  necessity  curtail 
or  eliminate  the  autonomy  of  constituent  asso- 
ciations, proportional  representation  and  majori- 
ty rule  in  the  House  of  Delegates,  and  the  priv- 


ilege of  free  expression  in  an  open  forum.  These 
positive  values,  which  are  basic  elements  of  the 
Association’s  present  structure,  would  be  difficult 
or  impossible  to  duplicate  in  any  other  system. 
The  Committee  is  of  the  opinion  that  it  is  im- 
portant that  they  be  preserved.  It  therefore  seems 
necessary  to  accept  some  of  the  penalties  of  our 
present  organization  and  to  minimize  them,  inso- 
far as  possible,  by  improved  operations  and  more 
effective  working  relations  with  the  constituent 
medical  associations.  This  does  not  preclude  the 
adoption  of  the  recommendations  of  the  manage- 
ment survey  team  or  rearrangements  of  the  ad- 
ministrative staff  and  reallocations  of  responsi- 
bility. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends: 

That  the  present  structure  of  the  Association 
be  retained  and  that  it  be  strengthened  by  im- 
provements and  modifications  in  its  function. 

CHANGES  IN  ASSOCIATION  ATTITUDE 

Improvements  in  the  AMA’s  performance  will 
require  that  it  alter  its  approach  to  the  public 
and  to  its  constituent  associations.  At  the  risk  of 
being  repetitious,  the  Committee  would  again 
emphasize  that  the  Association  must  abandon  its 
public  and  exclusive  support  for  existing  delivery 
systems  and  avoid  use  of  the  terms  “private  prac- 
tice,” “fee-for-service  payment,”  and  “free 
choice.”  The  Committee  is  keenly  aware  of  the 
virtues  of  many  of  our  present  methods  of  prac- 
tice but  their  importance  has  not  yet  been  proven 
to  the  public.  Arguments  directed  toward  estab- 
lishing what  has  become  almost  a medical  mys- 
tique fall  on  deaf  ears  in  an  era  when  a sub- 
stantial number  of  our  population  depend  on  gov- 
ernment assistance  to  buy  health  services  and 
must,  with  the  benefits  provided,  compete  with 
other  segments  of  society  for  services  that  are 
costly  and  in  short  supply.  Until  and  unless  the 
Association  addresses  itself  publicly,  actively,  and 
objectively  to  the  resolution  of  the  very  concrete 
problems  that  exist  in  health  care,  its  attempts  to 
justify  present  delivery  systems  and  payment 
mechanisms  will  be  incomprehensible  both  to  the 
public  and  government  and  will  be  interpreted  as 
self-seeking  on  the  part  of  the  profession.  The 
Association  can  and  should  strive  to  preserve 
those  features  of  medical  practice  that  it  consid- 
ers important,  but  the  justification  for  so  doing 
must  be  based  on  proofs  of  value  that  are  mean- 
ingful to  the  lay  public.  To  this  end,  it  has  al- 
ready been  recommended  that  the  Association 
actively  identify  problem  areas  in  health  care  and 
make  positive  and  realistic  recommendations  for 
the  achievement  of  immediate  and  long  range 
improvements. 


240 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


THE  ASSOCIATION’S  ATTITUDE  TOWARD 
THE  CONSTITUENT  ASSOCIATIONS 

Within  the  limitations  of  the  AMA’s  Constitu- 
tion, Bylaws,  and  ethics,  the  state  medical  asso- 
ciations are  completely  autonomous.  This  auton- 
omy, coupled  with  the  fact  that  the  members  of 
the  House  of  Delegates,  which  is  the  ruling  body 
of  the  organization,  are  elected  by  the  constituent 
societies,  has  made  the  AMA  hesitant  in  offering 
positive  action  programs  and  suggestions  on  re- 
organization to  the  states.  Nevertheless,  the  state 
associations  do  need  expansion  and  reorganiza- 
tion along  lines  that  will  be  developed  later  in 
this  report  and  the  AMA  must  assume  the  lead- 
ership in  bringing  it  about. 

The  recommendation  has  appeared  repeatedly 
in  this  report  that  the  Association  gather  data 
from  the  state  and  county  societies  on  one  aspect 
or  another  of  health  care  with  the  purpose  of 
identifying  problems  and  formulating  recommen- 
dations for  their  solution.  The  point  has  been 
made  that  all  medical  society  activities,  at  the 
national,  state,  and  local  level,  are  dependent  on 
accurate  information  and  statistics  on  all  factors 
influencing  health  care.  At  the  1968  Clinical 
Convention,  the  House  adopted  a resolution 
mandating  the  Board  of  Trustees  to  expedite  and 
expand  programs,  and  where  necessary,  to  create 
new  ones  to  analyze  health  care  costs  and  ex- 
penditures and  to  disseminate  the  data  so  col- 
lected. This  was  directed  at  administrative  costs, 
only  one  small  facet  of  the  total  problem,  but  it 
did  represent  the  recognition  by  the  House  of  the 
Association’s  need  for  data. 

Studies  of  the  type  called  for  in  the  resolution 
can  be  accomplished  in  one  of  two  ways.  They 
can  be  purchased  from  management  consultant 
organizations  on  a fee-for-service  basis,  or  they 
can  be  self-conducted.  For  the  general  purposes 
of  the  AMA,  the  management  consultant  route 
is  excessively  costly  and  is  of  limited  value  be- 
cause studies  conducted  in  this  manner  are  di- 
rected toward  a single  issue  and,  even  then,  are 
episodic  rather  than  continuous.  The  only  advan- 
tage offered  by  survey  team  studies  is  that  they 
are  deemed  to  be  objective  and  uninfluenced  by 
the  interests  of  the  profession.  They  certainly  can- 
not begin  to  provide  the  constant,  current,  and 
comprehensive  substrate  of  information  that  the 
Association  requires.  The  second  alternative  is 
for  the  AMA  itself  to  conduct  one  or  more  studies 
from  headquarters.  Since  it  is  not  presently  or- 
ganized to  do  so,  it  would  have  to  establish  a 
data  center  and  send  out  research  teams  to  in- 
dividual states  and  regions.  Either  the  costs  of 
such  an  endeavor  would  be  prohibitive  or  it 
would  fall  short  of  its  purpose. 


The  most  effective  and  least  costly  means  of 
accumulating  data  on  a continuous  basis  would 
be  to  utilize  the  personnel  and  facilities  of  the 
state  and  county  medical  societies  which  would 
have  to  be  organized  for  that  purpose.  This  would 
not  be  as  difficult  as  it  might  seem  at  first  glance. 
State  and  local  medical  societies  have  demon- 
strated a growing  awareness  of  the  necessity  for 
involving  themselves  more  deeply  in  the  investi- 
gation and  planning  of  health  care.  It  is  signifi- 
cant that  some  of  the  larger  medical  societies 
have  already  formed  divisions  for  research  into 
the  fundamental  problems  of  the  socio-economics 
of  medicine,  medical  education,  and  environmen- 
tal factors  that  affect  health.  The  current  climate 
will  probably  make  medical  societies  at  lower 
echelons  receptive  to  the  concept  of  investing  sig- 
nificant amounts  of  money  and  time  for  this  type 
of  social  research,  especially  if  their  efforts  are 
coordinated  through  a central  agency.  Those 
states  that  have  too  small  a membership  to  do 
this  alone  could  join  forces  on  a regional  basis  to 
achieve  these  ends. 

In  any  event,  properly  organized,  the  societies 
would  form  a nationwide  network  devoted  to 
data  accumulation  and  analysis.  The  Associa- 
tion’s function  should  be  to  promote  the  forma- 
tion of  these  resources  and  to  establish  uniform 
standards  as  to  the  manner  in  which  data  are 
accumulated,  reported,  and  forwarded.  Even 
those  county  and  state  societies  that  are  most 
jealous  of  the  prerogatives  and  autonomy  will 
recognize  the  advantages  offered  by  this  course  of 
action  and  will  not  consider  it  an  invasion  of 
their  rights. 

An  obvious  corollary  to  this  thesis  is  that  the 
AMA  must  become  more  aggressive  in  its  lead- 
ership and  work  actively  to  create  and  coordinate 
the  facilities  and  capabilities  of  these  units  of  or- 
ganized medicine  so  that  they  may  serve  a group 
function  while  retaining  their  individual  identities 
and  purposes.  In  essence,  the  AMA  must  become 
a much  tighter  and  more  effective  federation  than 
it  has  been  hitherto  and  the  stimulus  for  such  re- 
organization must  be  applied  from  above  down- 
ward. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends: 

(1)  That  an  immediate  survey  be  conducted 
of  the  state  medical  societies  and,  through  them, 
of  the  component  county  medical  societies  to  de- 
termine what  arrangements  they  have  made,  if 
any,  for  the  regular  collection  of  data  on  the  so- 
cio-economics of  health  care. 

(2)  That,  on  the  basis  of  the  information  re- 
ceived, the  AMA  develop  tables  of  organization 
for  research  divisions  at  the  state  levels  and 
methods  of  participation  for  county  societies  that 


APRIL  1970 


241 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

are  in  keeping  with  their  resources.  The  plan- 
ning should  be  developed  along  lines  that  are 
compatible  with  the  concept  of  a tight  federation 
of  societies  and  are  least  disruptive  to  research 
divisions  that  are  already  in  existence. 

(3)  That  the  plans  and  tables  of  organization 
in  their  initial  form  be  circularized  among  the 
state  and  county  medical  societies  with  the  rea- 
sons for  their  development  and  strong  recom- 
mendations for  affirmative  action. 

(4)  That  the  association  hold  a series  of 
working  meetings  with  state  and  county  medical 
society  executives,  individually  or  in  groups,  to 
further  refine  the  organizational  patterns  and  pro- 
cedures that  will  best  serve  them  in  this  collective 
endeavor. 

The  mere  possession  of  information  is  not  tan- 
tamount to  wisdom,  however.  When  this  reor- 
ganization is  accomplished  or  while  it  is  being 
carried  out,  the  AMA  must  establish  an  internal 
mechanism  for  analyzing  data,  identifying  prob- 
lems, and  recommending  policy.  The  Board  of 
Trustees  could  be  responsible  for  this  function, 
although  it  is  doubtful  that  the  Board  could,  with 
all  its  other  duties,  devote  enough  time  to  it.  The 
Committee  is  of  the  opinion  that  a planning  coun- 
cil, divided  into  committees  for  the  various  fields 
of  inquiry,  would  suit  the  purpose  better.  The 
planning  council  would  be  required  to  report  and 
make  recommendations  to  the  Board  of  Trustees 
and  the  House  of  Delegates. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends : 

That  on  implementation  of  the  program  for 
organization  and  reorganization,  a planning  coun- 
cil with  appropriate  subcommittees  be  formed  for 
the  purpose  of  processing  data  and  formulating 
policy  recommendations  for  the  consideration  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  and  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates. 

ACADEMY  OF  THE  PROFESSIONS 

If  all  the  recommendations  in  the  foregoing 
portion  of  this  report  were  implemented  success- 
fully, the  AMA  would  find  itself  in  a greatly  im- 
proved position  to  discharge  its  responsibilities. 
It  would  be  possible,  therefore,  and  might  be 
prudent  to  conclude  the  report  at  this  point.  The 
Committee,  however,  is  influenced  by  the  knowl- 
edge that,  even  with  the  proposed  improvements 
in  communication  and  function,  the  Association 
would  continue  to  suffer  from  an  adverse  public 
appraisal  that  would  hamper  its  efforts  and  might 
take  years  of  assiduous  public  relations  to  over- 
come. In  addition,  since  the  Association  repre- 
sents a single  health  profession,  it  would  prove 


unequal  to  the  task  of  formulating  policies  and 
programs  for  the  multiple  disciplines  involved  in 
health  care  as  the  Committee  has  defined  it.  The 
AMA  could  therefore  still  not  assume  the  role 
that  was  claimed  for  it  in  the  planning  and  de- 
velopment of  health  services: 

“That  the  AMA  adopt  an  active  role  and 
take  the  initiative  in  developing  all  plans  and 
programs  for  health  care  in  all  their  ramifica- 
tions, and  that  it  encourage  and  assist  the  state 
and  county  medical  societies  to  do  the  same 
at  their  respective  levels.” 

If  the  Association  were  to  attempt  to  meet  the 
above  objectives  as  a single  organization,  the 
data  and  deductions  arising  from  its  self-con- 
ducted  studies,  although  they  might  be  entirely 
accurate  and  objective,  would  still,  in  the  public 
eye,  bear  the  stigmata  of  professional  prejudice 
and  self-seeking.  The  volume  and  range  of  the 
data  would  be  limited  in  spite  of  the  participa- 
tion and  cooperation  of  the  constituent  and  com- 
ponent societies,  unless  a prohibitively  large  and 
costly  surveying  agency  were  established.  Finally, 
as  a result  of  the  complexities  of  modern  health 
care,  the  policies  evolved  would,  of  necessity, 
require  a number  of  professions,  disciplines,  and 
agencies  for  their  implementation.  These  groups 
would  be  unlikely  to  accept  or  take  affirmative 
action  on  policies  they  had  no  part  in  develop- 
ing. The  AMA  has  recognized  the  advantages  of 
coordinating  its  efforts  with  those  of  other  pro- 
fessional associations  but  has  not  been  able  to 
bring  those  associations  under  the  umbrella  of 
its  leadership.  The  liaison  committees  and  other 
arrangements  that  it  has  created  to  improve  com- 
munications and  bring  about  cooperation  with 
other  professional  organizations  have  been  un- 
satisfactory at  best  and  have  not  resulted  in  the 
necessary  multi-professional  approach  to  the  di- 
rection of  health  care.  It  is  quite  apparent  that 
no  single  professional  group  can  influence  the 
public  or  government  on  any  aspect  of  health 
services,  not  even  on  those  that  most  vitally  af- 
fect it  individually.  The  health  professional  or- 
ganizations together,  on  the  other  hand,  could 
have  a very  weighty  influence.  It  therefore  seems 
logical  for  them  to  unite  in  a formal  organization 
to  play  their  part  in  the  planning,  legislation,  and 
delivery  of  health  services,  a goal  they  cannot 
achieve  individually. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommends: 

That  the  AMA  sponsor,  promote  the  forma- 
tion of,  and  participate  in,  a “National  Academy 
of  the  Health  Professions  for  Research  and  Pol- 
icy.” 


242 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


...to  reduce 

the  hemodynamic  “bind” 
of  constipation 
in  congestive  heart  failure 


Constipation  in  the  chronic  heart  failure  patient 
carries  with  it  the  ever-present  threat  of  acute 
cardiac  decompensation  while  straining  at  stool. 
In  the  already  weakened,  distended  heart,  a sud- 
den influx  of  blood  on  termination  of  the  Valsalva 
maneuver  is  considered  to  be  the  mechanism  of 
some  of  the  deaths  occurring  in  these  cardiac 
patients  during  straining  efforts.* 


Doxidan  is  a gentle  laxative  designed  to  free  your 
patient  from  the  hemodynamic  consequences  of 
straining  at  stool.  With  a fecal  softening  agent  to 
keep  the  stool  soft  and  easy  to  evacuate,  and  with 
just  enough  peristaltic  stimulation  to  urge  the 
sluggish  bowel,  Doxidan  reduces  the  hemody- 
namic “bind”  of  constipation. 

Composition:  Each  capsule  contains  50  mg.  dan- 
thron  N.F.  and  60  mg.  dioctyl  calcium  sulfosuc- 
cinate. 

Dosage:  Adults  and  children  gver  12 — one  or  two 
capsules  daily.  Children  6 to  12 — one  capsule 
daily.  Give  at  bedtime  for  two  or  three  days  or 
until  bowel  movements  are  normal. 

Supplied:  Bottles  of  30,  100  (FSN  6505-074-3169) 
and  1000  (FSN  6505-890-1247). 


est,  C.  H.  and  Taylor,  N.  B.:  The  Physiolog- 
al  Basis  of  Medical  Practice,  7th  edition, 
Mlliams  and  Wilkins,  Baltimore,  1961,  p.  480. 


HOECHST 

PHARMACEUTICAL  CO. 
Div.  American  Hoechst  Corp. 
Cincinnati,  Ohio  45229  U.S.A. 


C-124 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

The  concept  of  pooling  the  resources  of  sever- 
al organizations  to  serve  functions  that  are  useful 
to  them  all  is  certainly  not  new.  The  joining  to- 
gether of  individual  agencies  into  a single  entity 
to  lend  their  collective  weight  to  their  programs, 
statements,  and  opinions  is  also  well  established. 
In  commerce  and  industry,  a number  of  founda- 
tions have  been  formed  for  just  such  purposes. 
The  proposed  academy  would  be  a similar  or- 
ganization for  the  health  professions. 

The  Committee  is  aware  that  the  health  scene 
in  already  overcrowded  with  advisory  councils, 
commissions,  panels,  task  forces,  academies  and 
ad  hoc  committees.  These  have  a variety  of  spon- 
sorships and  are  usually  composed  of  eminent  in- 
dividuals, expert  in  one  aspect  or  another  of 
health  care.  These  serve  without  pay  and  meet 
from  time  to  time  to  ponder,  discuss,  and  ulti- 
mately to  report  to  and  advise  the  agency  or  de- 
partment of  government  that  created  their  group. 
The  overlap  of  interest  of  these  groups,  the  dis- 
continuity of  their  efforts,  and  the  limited  time 
their  non-paid  experts  can  devote  to  them  all 
militate  against  their  being  productive.  The  net 
yield  of  this  type  of  activity  in  terms  of  useful  pol- 
icy and  direction  is  difficult  to  assess,  but  it  seems 
fair  to  say  that  it  is  disproportionately  small  when 
compared  to  the  time  and  effort  involved.  The 
Committee  emphatically  does  not  wish  to  add 
yet  another  voice  to  the  babel  of  confusion  that 
is  already  arising  from  these  bodies.  Instead,  it 
wishes  to  propose  a continuing,  viable  organiza- 
tion. geared  to  the  collection,  storage,  and  re- 
trieval of  data  and  their  conversion  into  useful, 
effective  programs  and  recommendations  for  the 
improvement  of  health  and  health  services.  For 
this  purpose,  the  academy  must  have  certain  spe- 
cific characteristics  and  relationships  with  its 
sponsors.  The  following  organizational  structure 
is  offered  to  illustrate  some  of  these  characteris- 
tics and  relationships  rather  than  as  a direct  rec- 
ommendation, since  the  Committee  is  aware  that 
there  are  many  other  possibilities.  If  and  when 
the  Academy  concept  is  adopted,  its  sponsors  will 
undoubtedly  expect  to  develop  the  specific  de- 
tails of  an  organization  that  best  meets  their 
requirements. 

ONE  POSSIBLE  STRUCTURE  FOR 
THE  ACADEMY 

(1)  That  it  be  a non-profit  membership  cor- 
poration with  the  sponsoring  professional  asso- 
ciations as  members; 

(2)  That  the  member  organizations  be  limit- 
ed to  (a)  national  associations  in  the  fields  of 
medicine,  nursing,  dentistry,  osteopathy,  medi- 


cal education,  hospital  administration,  health  and 
hospital  insurance;  (b)  national  associations  rep- 
resenting ancillary  workers,  such  as  optometrists, 
psychologists,  pharmacists,  and  laboratory  and 
x-ray  technicians;  and  (c)  national  public  health 
agencies. 

(3)  That  the  academy  have  a board  of  direc- 
tors numbering  approximately  forty  or  fifty  mem- 
bers, drawn  from  the  participating  organizations 
partly  on  the  basis  of  their  membership.  It  is  ob- 
vious, however,  that  the  number  of  members 
alone  is  not  a sufficient  criterion  to  determine 
representation  since  the  different  health  profes- 
sions do  not  exert  the  same  influence  over  the 
planning,  delivery,  and  cost  of  health  care.  It 
will  therefore  be  necessary  to  apply  an  addition- 
al weight  or  factor  to  the  various  organizations 
in  determining  their  representation  on  the  board 
of  directors.  This  may  well  be  the  subject  of  ne- 
gotiation. 

(4)  That  initially  the  directors  be  appointed 
by  their  respective  member  professional  associa- 
tions for  terms  of  one,  two,  and  three  years,  so 
that  the  board  will  ultimately  consist  of  three 
classes  of  directors,  each  serving  terms  of  three 
years. 

(5)  That  tenure  on  the  board  of  directors  be 
limited  to  three  terms  or  10  years. 

( 6 ) That  the  board  of  directors  elect  a chairman 
from  among  its  members  triennially  and  that  he 
be  paid  a salary  commensurate  with  the  claims 
made  on  his  time  and  effort. 

(7)  That  a voting  member  group  be  orga- 
nized for  the  purpose  of  electing  directors  once 
the  first,  appointed  directors  have  served  their 
terms.  The  voting  member  group  should  be  com- 
posed of  sixty  to  seventy-five  individuals,  thirty- 
five  to  fifty  of  them  to  be  distributed  among  the 
sponsoring  agencies  in  a proportionate  manner, 
with  the  remaining  number  to  be  chosen  from  in- 
terested branches  of  government  and  appropriate 
individuals  from  the  public  at  large. 

(8)  That  each  year  a slate  of  nominees  for  di- 
rectors be  proposed  by  a nominating  committee 
of  the  board  of  directors  and  that  further  nomi- 
nations, if  any,  be  made  from  the  floor  at  the  an- 
nual meeting  by  any  single  member  of  the  voting 
member  group. 

(9)  That  the  directors  not  be  employees,  ac- 
tive officers,  or  trustees  of  their  own  professional 
associations. 

(10)  That  the  academy  retain  an  executive 
officer  and  indicated  supportive  staff  on  a full- 
time salaried  basis. 

(11)  That  there  be  the  usual  division  of  func- 
tion and  responsibility  between  the  executive  of- 
ficer and  the  board  of  directors. 


244 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


To  repeat,  the  preceding  description  is  intend- 
ed to  convey  the  broad  organizational  outlines  of 
the  proposed  academy.  More  specific  details  can 
be  worked  out  by  the  sponsoring  associations, 
once  they  have  accepted  the  general  concept  and 
agreed  to  participate.  It  should  be  noted,  how- 
ever, that  the  type  of  organization  recommended 
is  designed  to  preclude  domination  of  the  acad- 
emy by  one  or  more  of  its  member  associations. 
It  eliminates  the  possibility  of  interlocking  di- 
rectorates and,  in  general,  divorces  the  academy 
completely  from  the  politics  of  its  parent  societies. 
This  is  an  essential  condition  without  which  the 
academy  could  not  command  the  prestige  and 
public  confidence  it  must  have  to  serve  the  pur- 
poses for  which  it  is  founded. 

PURPOSES  AND  FUNCTION 

The  academy  shall  collect  data  relating  to 
health  care  on  a continuous  basis  and  make  pro- 
vision for  their  efficient  storage  and  retrieval.  It 
shall  analyze  the  import  of  those  data,  suggest 
policy,  and  make  recommendations  on  all  as- 
pects of  health  care  as  broadly  defined  by  the 
Committee.  To  accomplish  this,  it  shall  identify 
weaknesses  and  deficiencies  in  health  services  and 
relate  them  to  available  funds,  facilities,  and  per- 
sonnel to  develop  specific,  practical  solutions  on 
a priority  basis.  Its  reports  shall  be  made  to  the 
parent  organizations  and  all  appropriate  public 
and  governmental  agencies.  They  shall  be  made 
public  and  require  only  the  prior  approval  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  Academy. 

SCOPE  OF  ACTIVITY 

The  following  is  a partial  list  of  the  academy’s 
areas  of  interest,  research,  and  study: 

(1)  Distribution  of  health  care  personnel — 
deficiencies  in  number  and  type  by  area. 

(2)  Distribution  and  adequacy  of  health  care 
facilities  by  area,  to  include  hospitals,  hospital 
based  or  free  standing  clinics,  extended  care  fa- 
cilities, home  care  services,  and  clinical  labora- 
tory services. 

(3)  Costs,  to  include  medical  and  other  pro- 
fessional fees  by  area  or  region,  hospital  and  ex- 
tended care  facility  rates,  charges  for  other  ser- 
vices, drugs,  and  sick  room  supplies. 

(4)  Available  health  insurance  programs,  cash 
or  service  indemnity,  scope  of  benefits,  complete- 
ness of  coverage,  cost. 

(5)  Delivery  mechanisms  by  area,  private  so- 
lo practice,  fee-for-service  group  practice,  pre- 
paid group  practice,  hospital  practice  in-hospital 
and  clinic,  full  or  part-time. 

(6)  Morbidity  and  mortality  statistics  by  area 
or  region. 


(7)  Professional  education  and  training  at  the 
undergraduate,  graduate,  and  postgraduate  levels. 

The  above  list  is  obviously  incomplete  but  it 
does  serve  to  indicate  the  range  and  type  of  in- 
vestigation the  academy  will  be  required  to  un- 
dertake and  the  problems  with  which  it  must  be 
equipped  to  deal. 

STAFFING  OF  THE  ACADEMY 

The  organization  of  the  working  echelons  must 
be  left  to  the  executive  officer  and  the  board  of 
directors  to  determine,  but  a few  comments  are 
pertinent  at  this  point.  Earlier  in  this  report  it 
was  recommended  that  the  Association  encourage 
and  assist  constituent  and  component  medical  so- 
cieties to  organize  divisions  for  socio-economic 
studies  at  their  respective  levels.  It  was  suggested 
that  when  the  size  of  component  societies  did  not 
warrant  such  a department,  the  division  be  based 
on  a region  or  a district  branch,  rather  than  in- 
dividual counties.  The  function  of  these  divisions 
would  be  to  accumulate  the  information  previous- 
ly outlined,  in  a uniform  manner,  preferably  suit- 
able for  central  electronic  data  processing.  The 
formation  of  these  divisions  would  meet  the  im- 
mediate need  of  the  AMA  and  the  societies  at 
the  state  and  local  levels  for  current  data  and 
would  be  worthwhile  on  that  score  alone. 

If  the  academy’s  other  member  professional  as- 
sociations could  be  motivated  to  form  similar  lo- 
cal and  state  bodies  in  their  own  fields,  the  health 
professions  would  have  at  their  disposal  a com- 
plete data  harvesting  network,  with  horizontal 
and  vertical  channels  or  coordination  and  com- 
munication. The  academy  could  then  serve  as  an 
apical  nerve  center,  equipped  to  analyze  the  data 
it  receives,  synthesize  policy,  and  redisseminate 
processed  information  for  the  benefit  of  its  sub- 
groups. The  divisions  would  remain  with  their  re- 
spective societies  at  least  until  the  academy  is 
well  established  and  has  proved  its  viability.  At 
that  time,  any  duplication  of  function  could  be 
eliminated  by  transferring  individuals,  or  even 
entire  divisions,  from  the  professional  societies  to 
the  academy,  with  corresponding  adjustments  in 
financial  contributions. 

FUNDING  OF  THE  ACADEMY 

The  funding  of  the  academy  should  be  the 
responsibility  of  the  participating  associations. 
Their  initial  investment  should  be  proportionate 
to  their  representation  on  the  board  of  directors 
and  should  not  be  large  since,  at  the  beginning, 
the  academy  staff  will  rely  on  the  mechanisms 
established  by  the  member  organizations  for  data 
accumulation.  Some  investment  will  be  required 
for  data  processing  equipment,  and  assessments 


APRIL  1970 


245 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

of  member  organizations  will  be  necessary  to  de- 
fray continuing  expenses. 

The  availability  of  federal  grants  for  establish- 
ing the  academy  should  be  investigated,  but  at 
no  time  should  such  grants  constitute  a major  por- 
tion of  the  academy’s  income.  Once  the  academy 
is  formed  and  is  functioning  satisfactorily,  it  may 
be  allowed  to  undertake  limited  research  proj- 
ects on  a grant  or  fee-for-service  basis,  provided 
that  such  activities  do  not  interfere  with  the  ful- 
fillment of  its  primary  functions  or  conflict  with  its 
basic  purposes. 

THE  ACADEMY— PROS  AND  CONS 

Disadvantages 

( 1 ) It  will  be  difficult  and  time  consuming  to 
bring  the  associations  representing  different  dis- 
ciplines together  in  this  type  of  cooperative  ef- 
fort. This  is  undeniable  and,  if  the  academy  were 
the  sole  thrust  of  the  Committee’s  recommenda- 
tions, the  entire  concept  would  be  unsatisfactory. 
While  the  process  of  organizing  the  academy  is 
in  process,  however,  the  Committee  would  ex- 
pect that,  by  implementing  its  short-term  propos- 
als, the  AMA  and  the  state  and  county  medical 
societies  will  improve  their  own  functions  suffi- 
ciently to  meet  their  interim  needs. 

(2)  The  AMA  would  relinquish  its  control 
over  policy  making.  Such  loss  of  authority  is 
imaginary  rather  than  real.  To  begin  with,  policy 
formed  by  the  academy,  based  on  valid  data, 
and  developed  in  a continuous  and  logical  man- 
ner, should  almost  invariably  be  acceptable  to 
the  House  of  Delegates  and  the  Board  of  Trustees. 
In  addition,  since  the  AMA’s  structure  would  re- 
main intact,  its  control  over  internal  policy  for- 
mulation would  be  undiminished  and  it  would 
retain  the  right  to  reject  any  or  all  of  the  acade- 
my’s recommendations. 

(3)  By  adopting  the  academy  concept,  the 
AMA  would  admit  to  inadequacy  in  the  field  of 
health  care  planning.  It  is  the  Committee’s  opin- 
ion that,  far  from  detracting,  the  Association 
would  add  to  its  stature  by  assuming  the  initiative 
in  establishing  a truly  competent  research  and 
development  organization  among  the  health  pro- 
fessions. 

Advantages 

(1)  The  academy  would  bring  together  all  or 
most  of  the  disciplines  involved  in  the  delivery 
of  health  services  and  thereby  make  coordinated 
and  effective  planning  possible. 

(2)  The  academy  would  free  the  framers  of 
policy  recommendations  from  political  repercus- 
sions in  their  own  professional  associations.  It  will 


therefore  be  free  of  the  stigma  of  trade  unionism 
and  its  recommendations  will  be  more  acceptable 
to  the  public  than  those  made  individually  by 
the  member  associations. 

(3)  The  present  political  structure  of  the 
AMA  and  all  other  member  associations  will  be 
preserved  intact  and  hopefully  improved.  Should 
the  proposed  academy  fall  short  of  its  objectives, 
there  would  be  no  disruption  of  continuity  or 
function  among  its  sponsors. 

(4)  The  academy  would  not  interfere  with 
continuing  legislative  or  public  relations  activities 
by  the  AMA  or  any  of  the  member  organizations. 

(5)  The  academy  would  not  interfere  with 
continued  political  action  by  any  organization  of 
health  care  professionals. 

SUMMARY 

It  may  seem  visionary  and  impractical  to  ex- 
pect professional  organizations  to  unite  in  a ven- 
ture of  this  sort  since  their  past  history  does  not 
indicate  a pervasive  spirit  of  cooperation  among 
them.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  time  that  all  pro- 
fessional societies  realize  that  they  have  new  and 
important  functions  to  serve  in  an  increasingly 
complex  environment.  They  will  be  required  to 
render  services  to  their  members  in  terms  of  in- 
forming them  of  current  trends,  advising  them  on 
the  courses  of  action  they  should  take,  and  rep- 
resenting them  in  negotiations  with  insurance  car- 
riers, consumer  groups,  government,  and  a num- 
ber of  other  agencies.  To  be  effective  in  this,  they 
must  enjoy  the  best  possible  public  image,  be 
meticulously  informed  on  all  aspects  of  health 
care,  and  have  the  complete  support  and  con- 
fidence of  their  members.  The  joint  type  of  or- 
ganization proposed  herein  will  contribute  to- 
ward the  realization  of  all  these  conditions. 

The  alternative  to  the  formation  of  an  Acad- 
emy of  Health  Professions  is  the  continuation  of 
the  present  and  demonstrably  futile  endeavors  of 
individual  associations  to  secure  data,  formulate 
policy,  and  gain  acceptance  of  that  policy  by  gov- 
ernment and  the  consumer  public.  There  is  little 
reason  to  expect  this  type  of  activity  to  be  more 
successful  in  the  future  than  it  has  been  in  the 
past. 

The  health  professions  have  much  to  contribute 
to  health  planning  that  is  currently  being  lost. 
This  is  not  only  an  immediate  detriment  to  plan- 
ning but,  by  diminishing  the  stature  and  influence 
of  the  professional  associations,  it  deprives  the 
public  of  their  future  advice  and  assistance.  The 
pooled  expertise  and  planning  capacity  of  the 
health  professions  is  a public  asset  that  should 
not  be  allowed  to  go  to  waste.  The  Committee 
believes  that  the  proposals  contained  herein  will 
facilitate  the  full  development  of  that  potential. 


246 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


MINORITY  REPORT 

COMMITTEE  ON  PLANNING 
AND  DEVELOPMENT 

Submitted  by  John  H.  Budd,  M.D. 

As  a member  of  the  AMA  Committee  on 
Planning  and  Development  I am  deeply  con- 
cerned with  the  Committee  Report  in  its  present 
form.  Many  of  the  viewpoints  expressed  and  the 
recommendations  advanced  differ,  sometimes 
sharply,  from  my  own  and  from  what  I consider 
to  be  the  sentiments  of  the  House  of  Delegates. 
I therefore  feel  impelled  to  make  my  reactions 
and  opinions  known. 

The  Committee  Report  is  extremely  impor- 
tant. Some  of  its  proposals  would  lead,  if  adopted, 
to  far-reaching  and  epochal  changes  in  the  phi- 
losophy, policy,  responsibility,  scope  of  activity 
and  commitment  of  AMA. 

I also  find  a good  deal  of  the  basic  tone  unac- 
ceptable to  me,  and,  I expect,  to  the  House  of 
Delegates,  notably  the  air  of  apology  and  self- 
denunciation which  pervades  some  of  the  Re- 
port. 

After  receiving  the  final  edited  version  of  the 
Report,  and  prior  to  its  submission  to  the  Board 
of  Trustees,  I sent  to  the  Committee  Chairman 
an  annotated  critique  of  the  document,  which  he 
graciously  acknowledged,  and  from  which  he 
stated  he  adopted  a number  of  my  suggestions.  I 
also  wrote  to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  urging  that 
precipitate  action  be  avoided  and  that  the  Re- 
port be  returned  to  the  Committee  for  recon- 
sideration and  revision. 

In  support  of  the  latter  recommendation  I of- 
fered a partial  list  of  passages  which  I consid- 
ered unacceptable  to  my  own  philosophy  and 
which  I believe  the  House  of  Delegates  should 
weigh  very  seriously.  These  passages  still  appear 
in  what  I understand  to  be  the  final  edited  ver- 
sion and  I am  troubled. 

Among  the  points  of  disagreement  and  the 
declarations  which  I am  disinclined  to  support, 
and  which  prompt  this  Minority  Report  are  the 
following: 

( 1)  Page  4,  line  40  et  seq.  “Further  encroach- 
ments (on  the  time  honored  privileges,  prerog- 
atives and  authorities  of  physicians)  seem  in- 
evitable if  the  public  is  to  get  the  health  services 
it  needs  at  a price  that  it  is  able,  or  willing  to 
pay.” 

Comment:  the  “soaring  demand  for  health 
services”  and  the  reasons  for  it,  as  well  as  the 
predictions  of  demand  outstripping  capabilities, 
rising  costs,  depersonalization  of  physician-patient 
relationship  are  thoughtfully  and  accurately  ex- 


pounded; likewise  the  need  to  attract  into  medi- 
cine the  best  qualified  individuals  in  increasing 
numbers.  However,  on  page  5,  line  20  et  seq.  I 
see  no  need  for  supporting  further  restriction  of 
traditional  privileges  and  freedom;  in  line  33,  in- 
stead of  the  term  “minimal  regimentation”  I pre- 
fer “maximum  professional  independence  and 
freedom  of  choice”  for  both  physicians  and  pa- 
tients. Regimentation  in  any  degree  is  not  an  in- 
centive. 

(2)  Page  6,  line  6.  The  WHO  definition  of 
health  as  it  pertains  to  the  field  of  medicine  and 
the  responsibility  of  the  physician  is  extremely 
broad.  It  is,  of  course,  Utopian  and  thus  doubt- 
less desirable,  but  “complete  social  well  being” 
which  involves  satisfaction  in  financial,  political, 
esthetic,  climatic,  transportational,  recreational 
and  endless  other  areas  seems  to  me  beyond  the 
responsibility,  expertise  and  limits  of  time  and 
physical  capability  of  the  medical  profession. 

Assuming  responsibility  for  conditions  which 
appear  well  beyond  the  influence  and  control  of 
AMA  is  to  invite  more  criticism  of  the  medical 
profession  when  their  impossibility  of  attainment 
becomes  evident. 

(3)  Page  6,  lines  43-44.  I do  not  like  the  sug- 
gestion that  “restraints  on  the  authority  and  scope 
of  activity  of  public  health  officials”  precluded 
their  success  and  leadership  in  the  planning  and 
implementation  of  health  care  programs,  thus  im- 
plying that  their  authority  and  scope  of  activity 
be  extended  (while  those  of  physicians  will,  as 
warned,  be  abridged). 

A major  contribution  of  AMA  in  “bringing 
order  to  this  chaotic  field  (page  6,  line  48)  would 
be  to  encourage  prudence  in  political  promises, 
careful  selection  of  achievable  priorities  in  health 
goals,  and  restraint  in  committing  taxpayers’ 
money. 

(4)  Page  7,  line  51.  “people  will  support,  or 
at  least  not  oppose,  the  expenditure  of  large  sums 
of  tax  money  on  broad  programs  for  social  wel- 
fare.” 

I believe  the  enthusiasm  for  such  expenditures 
is  cooling,  and  will  continue  to  wane.  Rejection 
of  proposed  levies  for  school  bonds,  police  and 
fire  department  salary  increases  and  similar 
worthy  purposes  is  increasingly  common. 

(5)  Page  10,  line  32.  “In  the  past  one  either 
paid  for  medical  services  or  received  them  from 
government.”  This  is  neither  a factual  or  fair 
statement.  The  alternatives  to  paying  for  medical 
services  have  not  been  limited  to  governmental 
bounty.  True,  government  to  some  extent  (and 
often  in  inadequate  and  penurious  degree)  fi- 
nanced some  care  but  much  has  been  furnished 
by  the  personal  benevolence  of  physicians  and 


APRIL  1970 


247 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

other  philanthropic  individuals.  It  should  also  be 
remembered  that  government  does  not  provide 
“Medical  Services”;  it  only  exacts  taxes  to  pay  for 
such  care. 

(6)  Page  13,  line  30.  That  the  shortage  of 
physicians  in  rural  communities  is  real  and  seri- 
ous is  agreed  but  I do  not  believe  that  “heavy 
patient  loads  and  poor  reimbursement,”  especial- 
ly the  latter,  are  substantial  reasons  for  the  short- 
age in  these  communities  and  I think  such  refer- 
ence is  unjust  and  may  offend  many  such  prac- 
titioners. 

(7)  Page  15,  paragraph  2.  This  section,  re- 
garding manpower  deficiencies  is  well  done;  the 
points  made  are  good.  I suggest  it  should  be  ex- 
panded to  make  clear  the  fact  that  the  basic 
shortage  is  in  the  number  of  physicians  provid- 
ing direct  patient  care  because  of  the  many  who 
are  attracted  into  (a)  research,  and  (b)  educa- 
tion (both  admittedly  vitally  necessary,  always 
alluring,  exalting  and  intellectually  rewarding, 
free  of  the  obligation  and  inconvenience  of  deal- 
ing directly  with  sick  people,  and  now  more  ade- 
quately reimbursed),  (c)  administrative  medi- 
cine (insurance,  industry,  hospital  operation,  etc.) 
with  paid  vacations,  sabbaticals,  retirement  pen- 
sions, etc.  and  (d)  the  government,  including  of 
course  those  appropriated  by  the  military  ser- 
vices. 

Much  capricious,  arbitrary  and  unfair  criticism 
has  been  directed  at  AMA  as  being  responsible 
for  the  shortage  of  physicians.  The  reasons  just 
recited  are  beyond  the  influence  and  control  of 
AMA  and  this  fact  should  be  brought  to  public 
attention. 

(8)  Page  18,  line  43  and  in  all  places  from 
here  on  where  “usual,  customary  prevailing  and 
reasonable”  are  referred  to,  especially  where 
AMA  policy  is  concerned,  the  phrase  should  read 
only  “usual,  customary  and  reasonable”  even 
though,  by  implication,  the  “prevailing”  concept 
is  included  over  the  objection  of  a number  of 
State  Delegations,  including  Ohio’s. 

(9)  Page  19,  line  5.  I am  unable  to  agree  that 
it  is  illogical  for  AMA  to  “call  for  objective  ex- 
perimentation in  the  organization  of  medical  ser- 
vices and  in  the  same  breath  express  its  prefer- 
ence for  private,  fee-for-service  practice.”  I do 
not  believe  it  inconsistent  to  call  HEW  to  task  for 
giving  preferential  financial  support  and  subsidy 
to  one  form  of  medical  practice  and  simultane- 
ously express  the  Association’s  partiality  for  an- 
other. There  is  a difference,  in  my  judgment,  be- 


tween providing  funds  (from  taxpayers)  to  sub- 
sidize one  form  of  organization  for  medical  prac- 
tice (HEW  action)  and  expressing  a preference 
(AMA  action)  while  still  advocating  objective 
investigation  and  experimentation. 

(10)  Page  20,  paragraph  1.  That  other  sys- 
tems of  practice  are  in  some  circumstances  ac- 
ceptable, appropriate,  advisable,  or  even  neces- 
sary, is  undeniable,  but  private  practice  should 
not  be  disparaged  nor  its  support  abandoned. 

I would  be  pleased  to  see  the  paragraph  re- 
stated— “in  seeking  as  its  goal  the  highest  quality 
of  patient  care,  the  most  effective  use  and  broad- 
est availability  of  the  science  and  art  of  medicine, 
the  Association  advocates  factual  investigation 
and  objective  experimentation  in  new  methods  of 
delivery  of  health  care,  while  still  maintaining 
faith  and  trust  in  the  private  practice  of  medi- 
cine and  pride  in  its  accomplishments.” 

(11)  Page  21.  line  3.  “There  has  been  an  ap- 
preciable increase  in  physicians’  incomes  since 
1966  while,  during  the  same  time,  the  medical 
profession  has  been  unable  to  bring  about  a ma- 
terial expansion  of  its  capacity  to  deliver  health 
services.” 

One  of  the  reasons  for  increased  income  is  in- 
deed increased  productivity  and  output  by  phy- 
sicians working  longer  hours.  It  is  true  that  use 
of  automation,  data  processing,  computer  tech- 
niques in  history  recording  and  differential  diag- 
nosis, etc.  are  only  beginning  and  offer  great  pos- 
sibilities; however,  I consider  gratuitous  support 
of  the  frequently  unwarranted  criticism  of  phy- 
sicians’ incomes  unnecessary  and  offensive. 

(12)  Page  23,  line  3.  “Medical  societies  have 
absolutely  no  jurisdiction  over  the  charges  made 
by  their  members.” 

Medical  societies  have  indeed  rather  severe 
jurisdiction  over  charges  made  by  members  when 
excessive.  Peer  review,  honestly  used,  is  a potent 
instrument  and  grossly  excessive  fees  may  be  con- 
sidered unethical,  and  thus  the  offending  mem- 
ber may  be  subject  to  discipline  by  censure,  sus- 
pension or  expulsion.  Though  not  legal  power, 
this  is  effective  if  used.  Furthermore,  in  Ohio  at 
least  (and  maybe  in  other  states  as  well),  viola- 
tion of  the  ethics  of  a professional  society  by  a 
member  can  result  in  withdrawal  of  the  offender’s 
license  by  the  State  Board.  This  is  legal  power. 

(13)  Page  26,  paragraphs  2,  3,  4.  The  mer- 
its, legality,  feasibility  and  attainable  benefits  of 
audit  of  physicians’  office  performance  are  com- 
plex questions.  I am  well  aware  of  the  risks,  and 
sometimes  the  existence  of  incompetence,  neg- 
ligence, exploitation,  over-utilization,  mal-utiliza- 
tion  and  other  defects  and  deficiencies  in  the  of- 


248 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


fice,  and  it  is  true  that  the  policing  procedures 
usually  present  in  the  hospital  are  missing  in  the 
office.  Whether  the  proposals  for  office  audit  are 
the  most  effective  and  least  harmful  I am  not  pre- 
pared to  say.  My  only  plea  in  this  complex  prob- 
lem is  for  caution  and  dispassionate  judgment. 

(14)  Page  31,  line  8.  The  distrust  and  fear  of 
government  intrusion  into  medical  practice,  de- 
scribed as  “atavistic”  is  indeed  well  founded  and 
as  justifiable  as  most  primitive  instincts.  When 
politicians’  promises  become  impossible  to  fulfill, 
the  medical  profession  is  usually  held  to  blame. 
The  current  vilification  of  physicians  generally  for 
those  Medicare  inequities,  costs  and  abuses  for 
which  the  medical  profession  has  little  or  no  re- 
sponsibility is  disheartening. 

(15)  Page  37,  line  12.  I do  not  approve  the 
51  per  cent  consumer  representation  included  in 
PL  89-749  and  I agree  with  the  well-stated  reasons 
in  this  paragraph.  However,  I would  delete  the  last 
sentence  in  paragraph  2,  page  37,  line  17  be- 
ginning— “Nevertheless,  the  intent  of  the  law  is 
clear.  . . Compliance  with  the  law  is  proper 
but  offering  gratuitous  endorsement  is  unneces- 
sary. 

(16)  Page  38  beginning  at  line  15.  I would 
prefer  the  following  construction: 

(1)  Medical  societies  at  all  levels  should  sup- 
port the  concept  of  PL  89-749  and  the 
establishment  of  properly  constituted  plan- 
ning agencies,  provided, 

(a)  the  areawide  comprehensive  health 
planning  agencies  at  local  levels 
have  broad  community  representa- 
tion on  their  boards  of  directors,  in 
contradistinction  to  their  advisory 
committees  and  councils.  It  is  inad- 
visable to  permit  local  governments, 
composed  as  they  are,  of  elected  and 
appointed  officials  of  varying  capa- 
bility and  tenure  to  dominate  or  con- 
trol health  planning. 

(b)  that  medical  societies  have  proper 
representation  on  the  executive 
bodies  of  the  planning  councils.  The 
societies  should  not  accept  a purely 
advisory  function. 

(2)  “To  this  end.  . . This  paragraph  to  be 
retained  as  in  the  text. 

(17)  Page  42,  line  2.  Rather  than  “create  the 
general  belief,”  which  sounds  like  promoting  de- 


ception, I prefer  “make  it  clear”  as  a more  posi- 
tive and  accurate  statement. 

(18)  Page  45,  lines  41-42.  “The  Associa- 
tion’s opposition  to  Medicare  was  more  emotional 
than  objective.  . . .” 

I consider  this  a shocking  denunciation.  The 
accuracy  and  objectivity  of  AMA’s  arguments  in 
opposition  to  Medicare  are  clear  to  me.  AMA 
warned  of  abuses,  over-utilization,  costs  exceed- 
ing estimates,  misunderstandings,  inequities  and 
failures  which  are  now  very  evident.  Most  testi- 
mony before  the  House  of  Delegates  1965  An- 
nual Convention  was  in  fact  more  objective  than 
emotional.  All  AMA  testimony  before  Congres- 
sional Committees  was  consistently  objective. 

(19)  Page  47,  line  20  et  seq.  I deem  this  an 
unjust  appraisal  of  the  physicians  who  comprise 
the  House  of  Delegates.  Having  successful  prac- 
tices, with  patients  derived  mostly  from  mid- 
dle and  upper  income  brackets  (though  this  is 
frequently  not  the  case),  being  conservative  in 
political  and  social  philosophies,  and  being  con- 
cerned with  preserving  the  traditions  of  their 
profession  and  their  time-honored  relationships 
with  their  patients  are  not  derogatory  qualities 
and  I do  not  believe  they  preclude  objective  judg- 
ment by  honorable  men.  Criticism,  to  be  sure,  is 
offensive  when  unwarranted,  but  I don’t  think 
most  physicians  are  resentful  of  legitimate  criti- 
cism. 

This  list  is  partial,  and  represents  a sampling. 
My  purpose  is  not  to  destroy  a comprehensive 
document  of  good  intent,  or  to  malign  a commit- 
tee on  which  it  was  a privilege  to  serve.  My 
criticisms  are  intended  to  be  constructive. 

There  is  merit  in  much  of  the  Report’s  com- 
mentary, and  in  many  of  its  analyses  and  recom- 
mendations. To  point  out  just  a few,  the  depic- 
tion of  the  present  social  and  political  climate, 
(page  9,  line  1),  exposition  of  the  varying  non- 
medical reasons  for  poor  health  of  the  under- 
privileged (page  11,  line  38),  and  evaluation  of 
delivery  systems  of  health  care,  including  closed 
panel  groups,  are  perceptive,  relevant  and  ac- 
curate. 

The  document  deserves  fair  hearing  and  calm 
judgment.  In  my  opinion  it  needs  modification; 
precipitate  action  should  be  avoided. 

I hope  that  my  dissenting  opinions  will  be 
given  serious  consideration,  my  suggested  changes 
adopted,  and  my  motives  understood. 


APRIL  1970 


249 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 


RESOLUTION  NO.  2,  AMENDMENT  OF 
ABORTION  LAWS,  BY  J.  PURVES 
MCLAURIN,  DELEGATE  FROM  THE 
SCIENTIFIC  ASSEMBLY  (OB-GYN) 

Whereas,  Mississippi  law  prohibits  abortion 
except  where  continuation  of  the  pregnancy  poses 
a threat  to  the  life  of  the  patient  or  where  the 
pregnancy  results  from  forcible  or  statutory  rape, 
and 

Whereas,  A significant  number  of  states  have 
recognized  that  abortion  may  be  lawfully  per- 
formed when  one  of  the  foregoing  conditions 
prevails  or  when  the  pregnancy  results  from  in- 
cest, when  continuation  of  the  pregnancy  poses  a 
threat  to  the  health  of  the  patient,  and/or  when, 
in  cognizant  medical  opinion,  there  is  a probabil- 
ity that  the  infant  will  be  born  deformed,  and 

Whereas,  The  American  Medical  Association 
and  the  American  College  of  Obstetricians  and 
Gynecologists  have  respectively  approved  abor- 
tion under  any  one  of  the  foregoing  conditions, 
and 

Whereas,  There  is  strong  opinion  among  citi- 


zens of  the  state  and  the  medical  profession  that 
the  Mississippi  law  should  be  amended  to  re- 
flect these  additional  socially  and  medically  ac- 
ceptable conditions  under  which  this  procedure 
may  be  performed,  now,  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  policy  of  the  Mississippi 
State  Medical  Association  be  that  abortion  should 
not  be  performed  except  when  (1)  the  preg- 
nancy results  from  forcible  or  statutory  rape  or 
from  incest,  (2)  continuation  of  the  pregnancy 
poses  a threat  to  the  life  or  health  of  the  patient, 
or  (3)  when,  in  cognizant  medical  opinion,  there 
is  a probability  that  the  infant  will  be  born  de- 
formed and  that  the  procedure  be  undertaken 
by  a physician  only  (1)  when  consultation  has 
been  obtained  in  writing  from  another  physician 
and  (2)  the  procedure  is  performed  in  a licensed 
hospital,  and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  this  policy  in  no  way  alters 
the  association’s  long-standing  view  that  criminal 
or  illicit  abortion  be  vigorously  prosecuted  under 
applicable  criminal  law,  and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  amendments  in  existing  Mis- 
sissippi law  be  sought  to  implement  this  policy 
during  the  1971  Regular  Session  of  the  Mississip- 
pi Legislature. 


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Hynson,  Westcott  and  Dunning  3 


A.  H.  Robins  14B,  192D,  204A,  204B,  239 

Roche  Laboratories  7,  159,  fourth  cover 

Julius  Schmid  16,  17 

Searle  192B,  192C 

Smith,  Kline  and  French  10 


Kay  Surgical 


251  Thomas  Yates  and  Company 


third  cover 


APRIL  1970 


251 


A state-wide  peer  review  system  is  being  organized  by  the  Illinois 
State  Medical  Society  and  will  be  operational  in  June.  Plan  calls 
for  searching  review  of  care,  including  physicians'  services  and 
private  and  governmental  care  programs.  Objectives  are  conserva- 
tion of  patients'  health  dollar,  proper  use  of  M.D. 's  and  hospi- 
tals, and  high  standards  of  practice.  State  government  and  major 
insurance  carriers  have  agreed  to  abide  by  society's  decisions. 


Small  cars  are  the  killers , says  the  University  of  North  Carolina 
in  study  report  of  270,000  auto  accidents.  Worst  record  was  made 
b£_  the  Volkswagen  bus,  followed  by  Volkswagen  sedans,  Chevy  llf 
Corvair,  Plymouth  Valiant,  small  Dodge,  and  Ford  Fairlane.  Study 
also  showed  that  American  Motors  Hornet  is  costliest  car  to  fix 
after  low  speed  crash  and  1970  Volkswagen  is  cheapest. 


First  multiphasic  screening  services  for  children  under  Mississippi 
Medicaid  was  initiated  in  Vicksburg.  Pilot  program  was  carried  oul 
by  State  Board  of  Health  which  will  be  paid  by  Medicaid.  An  esti- 
mated  l,ti00  Warren  County  children  on  welfare  were  eligible  for 
exams  to  find  heart,  vision,  and  hearing  defects,  tuberculosis, 
anemia,  and  congenital  anomalies.  Children  with  problems  are  refei 
red  to  private  physicians  or  to  county  health  department. 


United  Medical  Laboratories  of  Portland,  Ore.,  has  filed  suit  for 
$24  million  and  injunctive  relief  against  discriminatory  practices 
by  medical  organization.  Named  as  defendants  were  AMA,  College  of 
American  Pathologists,  California  tae&ical  Association  and  its  com- 
ponent medical  societies,  and  California  Blue  Shield.  UML  asks 
court  to  rule  that  M.D. -clients  may  mark  up  lab  charges  to  patients 


Joint  Commission  on  Accreditation  of  Hospitals  will  accredit  ap- 
proved  institutions  for  only  two  years  instead  of  former  three. 
Accreditation  may  be  for  only  one  year  when  JCAH  finds  that  re- 
quired improvements  have  not  been  made.  Fees  for  surveys  are  high- 
er with  prime  surveyor  (M.D.)  costing  $240  per  day  and  $150  per  daj 
for  other  survey  team  members.  ECF  survey  fees  are  $220  per  day* 


Volume  XI 
Number  5 
May  1970 


• EDITOR 

William  M.  Dabney,  M.D. 

• ASSOCIATE  EDITORS 
George  H.  Martin,  M.D. 
Thomas  W.  Wesson,  M.D. 

• MANAGING  EDITOR 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 

• EDITORIAL  CONSULTANT 
Betty  M.  Sadler 

• EDITORIAL  ASSISTANT 
Nola  Gibson 

• PUBLICATIONS  COMMITTEE 
Lawrence  W.  Long,  M.D. 

Chairman 

Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr.,  M.D. 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
and  the  editors 

• THE  ASSOCIATION 
James  L.  Royals,  M.D. 

President 

Paul  B.  Brumby,  M.D. 

President-elect 
Walter  H.  Simmons,  M.D. 

Secretary-Treasurer 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
Speaker 

John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Vice  Speaker 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 
H.  C.  Harrell 
Executive  Assistant 


The  Journal  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  is  owned  and  pub- 
lished by  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association,  founded  1856.  Editorial,  ex- 
ecutive, and  business  offices,  735  Riverside 
Drive,  Jackson,  Mississippi  39216;  office 
of  publication,  1201-5  Bluff  Street,  Fulton, 
Missouri  65251.  Subscription  rate,  $7.50 
per  annum;  $1  per  copy,  as  available.  Ad- 
vertising rates  furnished  on  request. 
Second-class  postage  paid  at  the  post  office 
at  Fulton,  Missouri. 


CONTENTS 


original  papers 

The  Management  of  Early 
Invasive  Carcinoma  of  the 
Cervix:  Surgery  or 

Irradiation?  253  Bernard  T.  Hickman, 
M.D.,  and  John  Y. 
Gibson,  M.D. 

New  Dimensions  in 
Emergency  Medical 

Rescue  Services  257  B.  J.  Shell,  Ph.D., 

J.  E.  Clark,  Ph.D.,  and 
P.  Y.  Nicholas 


SPECIAL  ARTICLES 


Clinicopathological 

Conference  XCVI  262  Alvin  E.  Brent,  Jr., 

M.D.,  and  Louis 
Schiesari,  M.D. 


Radiologic  Seminar  XCV 

Multiple  Myeloma  268  June  G.  Blount,  M.D. 


EDITORIALS 


The  Family  Practice 
Specialist:  Medicine’s 
New  Man 
Part  1-B  Is  a 
Two-way  Street 
The  Nelson  Syndrome  and 
Pill  Complications 
Medical  Corpsmen, 
New  Manpower  Pool 

The  Cost  Dilemma 
of  Hospital  Services 

THIS 

The  President  Speaking 
Medical  Organization 


273  Key  to  Delivery? 

275  Distress  and  Protest 

276  Insidious  Doubt 

276  Salvaged  Health  Careers 

277  Up,  Up,  and  Away! 

MONTH 

272  Past  and  Future: 

The  Task  Ahead 

283  Building  Addition 
Open  House 


Copyright  1970.  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


6 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  MAY  1970 


Southern  Ob-Gyn  Seminar 

Set  for  July 

The  16th  annual  Southern  Obstetric  and  Gyne- 
cologic Seminar  is  scheduled  for  July  27-31  at 
Grove  Park  Inn  in  Asheville,  N.  C. 

A wide  variety  of  obstetric  and  gynecologic 
subjects  will  be  covered  including  cryosurgery, 
vaginal  surgery,  cervical  dysplasia  and  carci- 
noma, obstetrical  anesthesia,  infertility  and  hor- 
monal and  pituitary  ovarian  balance  studies. 

Faculty  for  the  seminar  includes  Dr.  Bayard 
Carter  of  Duke  University,  Dr.  Robert  Barter 
of  Washington,  Dr.  Raymond  Kaufman  and  Dr. 
Robert  Franklin  of  Baylor  University,  Dr.  Rob- 
ert Greenblatt  of  Georgia,  Dr.  Duane  Townsend 
of  California,  and  Dr.  Charles  Hendricks  of  the 
University  of  North  Carolina. 

Registration  is  limited  to  the  first  fifty  appli- 
cants. For  information  and  registration  contact 
Dr.  George  T.  Schneider,  Ochsner  Clinic,  1514 
Jefferson  Highway,  New  Orleans,  Louisiana 
70121. 


Dr.  P.  C.  Zamecnik 
Receives  Passano  Award 

The  Passano  Foundation  announced  the  se- 
lection of  Dr.  Paul  C.  Zamecnik  to  receive  the 
$7,500  Passano  Award  for  1970,  one  of  the 
highest  awards  in  American  medicine. 

The  Passano  Foundation  is  a Maryland  non- 
profit corporation  with  the  sole  purpose  of  en- 
couraging medical  science  and  research,  espe- 
cially that  having  a clinical  application.  Of  the 
30  Passano  laureates  sharing  in  the  award  since 
1945,  six  have  subsequently  received  the  Nobel 
Prize. 

Dr.  Zamecnik,  57,  is  professor  of  oncologic 
medicine  at  the  Harvard  University  Medical 
School  and  director  of  J.  Collins  Warren  Labora- 
tories of  Huntington  Memorial  Hospital  at  Mas- 
sachusetts General  Hospital  in  Boston. 

His  research,  on  which  the  award  is  based, 
centers  on  the  chemical  processes  in  both  normal 
and  tumor  cancer  cells,  particularly  the  incorpo- 
ration of  amino  acids  into  proteins — the  building 
of  proteins  by  body  cells. 


HOSPITAL 

( Formerly  Hill  Crest  Sanitarium j 


7000  5TH  AVENUE  SOUTH 
Box  2896,  Wood  lawn  Station 
Birmingham,  Alabama  35212 

Phone:  205-836-720! 


A patient  centered 
independent  hospital  for 
intensive  treatment  of 
nervous  disorders . . . 

Hill  Crest  Hospital  was  estab- 
lished in  1925  as  Hill  Crest 
Sanitarium  to  provide  private 
psychiatric  treatment  of  ner- 
vous or  mental  disorders.  Indi- 
vidual patient  care  has  been 
the  theme  during  its  44  years 
of  service. 

Both  male  and  female  pa- 


tients are  accepted  and  depart- 
mentalized care  is  provided  ac- 
cording to  sex  and  the  degree 
of  illness. 


In  addition  to  the  psychiatric 
staff,  consultants  are  available 
in  all  medical  specialities. 


MEDICAL  DIRECTOR: 

James  A.  Becton,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 

CLINICAL  DIRECTORS: 

James  K.  Ward,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 
Hardin  M.  Ritchey,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 


HILL  CREST  is  a member  of: 


AMERICAN  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
. . . NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  PRI- 
VATE PSYCHIATRIC  HOSPITALS  . . . 
ALABAMA  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
BIRMINGHAM  REGIONAL  HOSPITAL 
COUNCIL; 

Hill  Crest  is  fully  accredited  by  the  Joint 
Commission  on  Accreditation  of  Hospitals 
and  is  also  approved  for  Medicare  pa- 
tients. 


SMC  Os t 

HOSPITAL 

BIRMINGHAM,  ALABAMA 


May  1970 

3 c Doctor: 

is  pressing  for  equal  time  to  rebut  slanted,  editorializing  CBS 
a svision  series  making  pitch  for  compulsory  health  insurance.  The 
7 hour-long  documentaries  attacked  delivery  system  and  care  costs, 
ist  program,  "The  Promise  and  the  Practice,"  underscored  out-of- 
: text  examples  to  allege  unavailability  of  medical  services,  long 
■ ts  by  patients,  and  difficulty  of  getting  into  a hospital. 

Second  segment,  "Don't  Pet  Sick  in  America,"  used  far- 
fetched  examples  on  bankruptcy  in  illness.  One  was 
dialysis  case  and  other  was  private  patient  with  no  in- 
surance coverage  which  seven  out  of  eight  Americans  have. 

AMA  seeks  hour  in  prime  time  to  give  facts  and  figures. 

cutive  session  vote  in  powerful  House  Ways  and  Means  Committee 
ures  that  effort  to  get  chiropractic  into  Medicare  has  failed. 
Assures  were  brought  on  Congressmen  from  states  licensing  cul-fcis ts 
put  chiropractic  in  Part  1-B,  and  more  than  100  Representatives 
liked  such  bills.  Word  is  out  that  committee  is  also  about  to  de- 
it  HEW  proposed  Part  C which  would  put  closed-panel  or  prepaid 
act ice  options  in  Medicare. 

iliminary  hearings  have  been  held  on  $24  million  lawsuit  by  United 
lical  laboratories  against  medical  organization  and  Blue  Shield, 
aplaint  against  AMA,  California  Medical  Association,  College  of 
Brican  Pathologists,  and  others  seeks  treble  damages  and  injunction 
Leging  antitrust  practices  in  clinical  laboratory  field.  Plaintiff 
so  seeks  setting  aside  1969  CRVI  codes  on  certain  lab  procedures. 

3 nationts  biggest  state  medical  society.  New  York,  has  endorsed 
program  of  national  health  insurance"!  Program  would  be  tailored 
Dng  lines  of  Medicare,  utilizing  co-insurance  but  no  deductibles. 

3 of  private  carriers  is  urged,  and  plan  calls  for  financial  parti- 
pation  by  employers  and  states.  There  is  similarity  between  N.Y. 
Dgram  and  that  proposed  by  state's  Gov.  Nelson  Rockefeller. 

srican  Academy  of  General  Practice  has  endorsed  AMA's  Medi credit 
an  for  voluntary,  tax-credit  health  coverage.  Action  was  announced 
AAGP  Board  Chairman  Robert  Quello  who  said  that  "we  believe  an 
septable  alternative  is  provided  by  insurance  through  tax  credits." 
support  is  expected  to  give  proposal  new  impetus. 


Syntfirnid 

(sodium  levothyroxine) 


1 o 

Educational  Cassettes 
Developed  for  Nurses 

A new  nursing  service  education  program 
using  audio-tape  cassettes  has  been  announced 
by  the  National  League  for  Nursing,  New  York. 
Designed  for  inservice  education  of  nurses,  nurse 
administrators  and  other  health  professionals, 
the  NLN  Nursing  Service  Cassettes  features  lec- 
tures and  discussions  packaged  in  60-minute  cas- 
settes suitable  for  group  or  individual  use. 

Two  initial  NLN  nursing  service  cassette  se- 
ries are  devoted  to  staff  development  and  the 
nursing  audit.  These  were  adapted  from  NLN’s 
1969-70  hospital  nursing  service  continuing  edu- 
cation workshops.  The  League  has  produced  these 
cassettes  to  meet  the  needs  of  hospitals,  nursing 
homes,  extended  care  facilities,  public  health  agen- 
cies, and  schools  of  nursing  to  study  nursing  top- 
ics of  current  interest  with  nursing  authorities. 

The  staff  development  cassette  series  has  been 
recorded  by  Myrtle  Kitchell  Aydelotte,  Ph  D.,  di- 
rector of  nursing  services.  University  of  Iowa  Hos- 
pitals, Iowa  City.  This  series  is  intended  to  help 
nurse  administrators  stretch  their  professional  de- 
velopment, and  suggest  ways  nursing  depart- 
ments can  improve  staff  development  programs 
or  create  new  programs  where  the  need  exists. 
The  series  of  four  cassettes  highlights  the  factors 
affecting  performance  of  nurses,  behavior  pat- 
terns of  personnel,  case  histories,  and  evalua- 
tion of  staff  development  program.  The  cost  is 
$25.00. 

The  nursing  audit  cassette  series  by  Helen  W. 
Dunn,  director  of  nursing.  University  of  Illinois 
Research  and  Educational  Hospitals,  Chicago, 
is  designed  to  help  health  service  institutions 
improve  techniques  of  evaluating  nursing  care 
through  effective  management  of  the  nursing 
record,  and  to  develop  skills  in  auditing  meth- 
ods. This  series  is  on  two  cassettes  accompanied 
by  a Nursing  Audit  Workbook  which  includes 
documents  and  forms  for  supplementary  listener 
instruction.  The  cost,  including  the  Workbook,  is 
$20.00. 

Instructions  for  use  of  the  cassettes  in  inser- 
vice education  seminars,  group  listening,  by  in- 
dividuals, and  as  a library  resource  are  included 
with  each  series. 

The  NLN  Nursing  Service  Cassettes  have  been 
produced  in  collaboration  with  Instructional  Dy- 
namics, Inc.,  Chicago,  leaders  in  the  field  of 
audio-education  techniques.  Easily  played  on  por- 
table playback  units,  the  cassettes  offer  versatility 
and  low  cost  for  institutions  and  individuals  in- 
terested in  keeping  abreast  of  recent  thought  and 
developments  in  health  care. 


Indications : SYNTHROID  (sodium  levothyroxine)  is  specific  re| 
ment  therapy  for  diminished  or  absent  thyroid  function  res1'' 
from  primary  or  secondary  atrophy  of  the  gland,  congenital  d 
surgery,  excessive  radiation,  or  antithyroid  drugs.  Indication 
SYNTHROID  (sodium  levothyroxine)  Tablets  include  myxei, 
hypothyroidism  without  myxedema,  hypothyroidism  in  pregr 
pediatric  and  geriatric  hypothyroidism,  hypopituitary  hypoth1 
ism,  simple  (non-toxic)  goiter,  and  reproductive  disorders  assoc 
with  hypothyroidism.  SYNTHROID  (sodium  levothyroxine)  lnj( 
is  indicated  in  myxedematous  coma  and  other  thyroid  dysfum 
where  rapid  replacement  of  the  hormone  is  required.  When 
tient  does  not  respond  to  oral  therapy,  SYNTHROID  (sodium; 
thyroxine)  injection  may  be  administered  intravenously  to  avoi 
question  of  poor  absorption  by  either  the  oral  or  the  intramu; 
route. 

Precautions:  As  with  other  thyroid  preparations,  an  overdi 
may  cause  diarrhea  or  cramps,  nervousness,  tremors,  tachyci 
vomiting  and  continued  weight  loss.  These  effects  may  begin' 
four  or  five  days  or  may  not  become  apparent  for  one  to  three  \a  i 
Patients  receiving  the  drug  should  be  observed  closely  for  sic 
thyrotoxicosis.  If  indications  of  overdosage  appear,  discor, 
medication  for  2-6  days,  then  resume  at  a lower  dosage  lev- 
patients  with  diabetes  mellitus,  careful  observations  should  be  jj 
for  changes  in  insulin  or  other  antidiabetic  drug  dosage  ret" 
ments.  If  hypothyroidism  is  accompanied  by  adrenal  insufficien 
Addison's  Disease  (chronic  subcortical  insufficiency),  Simmo; 
Disease  (panhypopituitarism)  or  Cushing’s  syndrome  (hypera, 
alism),  these  dysfunctions  must  be  corrected  prior  to  and  d" 
SYNTHROID  (sodium  levothyroxine)  administration.  The! 
should  be  administered  with  caution  to  patients  with  cardiovasj 
disease:  development  of  chest  pains  or  other  aggravations  o 
diovascular  disease  requires  a reduction  in  dosage. 

Contraindications:  Thyrotoxicosis,  acute  myocardial  infarctioi 

Side  effects:  The  effects  of  SYNTHROID  (sodium  levothyrc 
therapy  are  slow  in  being  manifested.  Side  effects,  when  th ' 
occur,  are  secondary  to  increased  rates  of  body  metabolism:  si 
ing,  heart  palpitations  with  or  without  pain,  leg  cramps,  and  v\ 
loss.  Diarrhea,  vomiting,  and  nervousness  have  also  been  obsq 
Myxedematous  patients  with  heart  disease  have  died  from  a1 
increases  in  dosage  of  thyroid  drugs.  Careful  observation  c 
patient  during  the  beginning  of  any  thyroid  therapy  will  ale 
physician  to  any  untoward  effects. 

In  most  cases  with  side  effects,  a reduction  in  dosage  follow: 
a more  gradual  adjustment  upward  will  result  in  a more  acc, 
indication  of  the  patient's  dosage  requirements  without  the  ap1 
ance  of  side  effects. 

Dosage  and  Administration:  The  activity  of  a 0.1  mg.  SYNTH 
(sodium  levothyroxine)  TABLET  is  equivalent  to  approximate!! 
grain  thyroid,  U.S.P.  Administer  SYNTHROID  tablets  as  a i\ 
daily  dose,  preferably  after  breakfast.  In  hypothyroidism  wi1 
myxedema,  the  usual  initial  adult  dose  is  0.1  mg.  daily,  and  m 
increased  by  0.1  mg.  every  30  days  until  proper  metabolic  balai 
attained.  Clinical  evaluation  should  be  made  monthly  anc 
measurements  about  every  90  days.  Final  maintenance  dosag 
usually  range  from  0.2-0. 4 mg.  daily.  In  adult  myxedema,  stz 
dose  should  be  0.025  mg.  daily.  The  dose  may  be  increased  t 
mg.  after  two  weeks  and  to  0.1  mg.  at  the  end  of  a second  two  v\ 
The  daily  dose  may  be  further  increased  at  two-month  intervz 
0.1  mg.  until  the  optimum  maintenance  dose  is  reached  (0.1-1. 
daily). 

Supplied:  Tablets:  0.025  mg.,  0.05  mg.,  0.1  mg.,  0.15  mg.,  0.2  m 
mg.,  0.5  mg.,  scored  and  color-coded,  in  bottles  of  100  and  500. 
tion:  500  meg.  lyophilized  active  ingredient  and  10  mg.  of  Mar 
N.F.,  in  10  ml.  single-dose  vial,  with  5 ml.  vial  of  Sodium  Ch 
Injection,  U.S.P.,  as  a diluent. 

SYNTHROID  (sodium  levothyroxine)  INJECTION  may  be  adr 
tered  intravenously  utilizing  200-400  meg.  of  a solution  conta 
100  meg.  per  ml.  If  significant  improvement  is  not  shown  the  f< 
ing  day,  a repeat  injection  of  100-200  meg.  may  be  given. 

FLINT  LABORATORIES 

DIVISION  OF  TRAVENOL  LABORATORIES.  INC. 

Morton  Grove,  Illinois  60053 


3x  Data  Makes  Jackson  - "Medex  Data,”  or  M.D. , a new  billing 
at  Biloxi  and  practice  management  service  for  Mississippi 

physicians  will  debut  at  the  102nd  Annual  Ses- 
n with  a special  exhibit.  Presentation  seeks  determination  of 
. interest  in  low-cost  computer  billing,  receivables  analysis, 
ctice  analysis,  and  other  reports.  Medex  Data  is  wholly  owned 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  and  will  cost  less  than 
mercial  services.  Phase-in  will  be  on  first-come,  first-served 
is  over  next  12  months. 


t Taste  Good  Kalamazoo,  Mich.  - An  Upjohn  research  scientist, 

e an  Rx  Should  Louis  Schroeter,  has  published  a new  book,  "In- 

gredient X,"  with  fascinating  disclosures  about 
ional  preferences  in  medicines  and  problems  of  drug-making.  Ger- 
s,  Italians,  South  Americans,  and  some  Asians  want  orange-flavored 
icines,  but  Norwegians  prefer  anise.  Americans  have  no  particular 
ference,  but  cherry-flavored  liquids  remain  in  good  demand.  He 
s flavor  is  just  one  of  many  acceptability  problems  in  drugs. 


w Acceptance  Is  Chicago  - AMA  has  published  the  second  edition 
dieted  for  CPT  of  "Current  Procedural  Terminology"  designed  to 

assist  in  preparing  claims  for  medical  services 
h insurance  and  government  programs.  But  acceptance  is  likely  to 
slow,  because  five-digit  codes  will  not  initially  replace  current 
r-digit  designations  used  by  Blue  plans,  CHAMPUS,  Medicare,  and 
ers.  Estimates  are  that  conversion  costs  to  fiscal  administrators 
Id  be  substantial  and  out  of  proportion  to  benefits. 


h Court  Nominee  St.  Louis  - New  Supreme  Court  nominee  Harry  A. 

Mayo  Lawyer  Blackmun,  current  member  of  the  8th  Circuit 

Court  of  Appeals,  is  no  stranger  to  medicolegal 
ters.  The  native  of  Rochester,  Minn. , once  served  for  eight  years 
private  practice  as  legal  counsel  to  the  Mayo  Clinic.  Judge 
ckmun  has  published  papers  and  studies  on  medicolegal  matters,  and 
is  considered  expert  in  the  field. 


lup  Poll  Says  Raritan,  N.J.  - A special  Gallup  Poll  made  for 
1 Is  Coming  Back  Ortho  shows  that  The  Pill  is  coming  back.  Hear- 
ings conducted  in  Congress  gave  Pill  setback,  but 
poll  says  that  just  13  per  cent  of  women  have  gone  off  oral  con- 
ceptives,  while  69  per  cent  said  they  would  continue  to  take  them, 
ut  17  per  cent  of  the  "dropouts"  have  gone  back,  and  other  26  per 
t are  undecided  about  returning. 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  MAY  1970 


1 4 


Charles  Caffey 
Field  Representative — 
Northern  Mississippi 
1 1 1 Lilac  Drive 
Leland,  Mississippi 
Phone:  686-4753 


Warren  Edwards 


Field  Representative — 
Central  Mississippi 
530  E.  Woodrow  Wilson 
Jackson,  Mississippi 
Phone:  366-1422,  Ext.  42 


These 

Blue  Shield 

men  are  just  a 

phone  call  away 

Contact  them  and  they’ll . . . 

□ Render  assistance  to  you  or  to  your  medical  assistant 
or  bookkeeper. 

□ Assist  in  training  your  new  personnel  in  the  use  of  claims 
forms. 

□ Interpret  Blue  Shield  contracts  so  there  will  be  complete 
understanding  regarding  coverage  and  payment. 

□ Discuss  any  new  benefit  areas  into  which  Blue  Shield 
may  be  moving. 

□ Help  with  unusual  cases,  especially  when  there  is  an 
unforeseen  delay  for  various  reasons. 


Max  Gilliland 
Field  Representative — 
Southern  Mississippi 
620  South  28th  Avenue  #422 
Flattiesburg,  Mississippi 
Phone:  582-0479 


□ Check  your  Blue  Shield  physician’s  manual  to  make  sure 
that  it  is  current. 

□ Serve  as  a liaison  between  you  and  the  Blue  Shield  Plan. 


BLUEftCROSS. 

BfUFffSHIFl  D 

Mississippi  Hospital  and  Medical  Service 
P.  O.  Box  1043  / Jackson,  Mississippi  39205 


Symptoms  subside 
in  48  to  72  hours! 

Itching,  burning,  discharge, 
and  malodor  disappear  rapidly... 
patient's  embarrassment,  too. 

Avoids  the 
disappointment 
of  “the  cure 

that  didn’t  take.” 

Candeptin  is“cidal"as  well  as“static," 
it  is  100  times  more  potent  in  vitro 
than  nystatin,2  and  it  has  achieved 
culture-confirmed  cure  rates  of 
90%  and  more3  (even  in  notoriously 
d iff icu It-to-treat  pregnant  patients)?'3-4 

And  two  weeks  does  it. 

Usually,  Candeptin  cures  in 
a single  14-day  course  of  therapy.3 


the  fortnight  fungicide 

Candeptin 

candicidin 

Vaginal  Tablets/Ointment 

Formula:  CANDEPTIN  Vaginal  Ointment  con- 
tains a dispersion  of  candicidin  powder  equiva- 
lent to  0 6 mg.  per  gm.  or  0.06%  candicidin  activity 
in  U.S.P.  petrolatum.  3 mg.  of  candicidin  is  con- 
tained in  5 gm.  of  ointment  or  one  applicatorful. 
CANDEPTIN  Vaginal  Tablets  contain  candicidin 
powder  equivalent  to  3 mg.  (0.3%)  candicidin  ac- 
tivity dispersed  in  starch,  lactose  and  magnesium 
stearate. 

Indications:  Vaginal  moniliasis  due  to  Candida 
albicans  and  other  Candida  species. 

Contraindications:  Patient  sensitivity  to  any 
of  the  components.  During  pregnancy  manual 
tablet  insertion  may  be  preferred  since  the  use  of 
the  ointment  applicator  or  tablet  inserter  may  be 
contraindicated. 

Caution:  Clinical  reports  of  sensitization  or  tem- 
porary irritation  with  CANDEPTIN  Vaginal  Oint- 
ment or  Vaginal  Tablets  have  been  extremely 
rare.  To  avoid  reinfection,  it  is  recommended  that 
the  patient  refrain  from  sexual  intercourse  during 
treatment  or  the  husband  wear  a condom. 
Dosage:  One  vaginal  applicatorful  of  CAN- 
DEPTIN Ointment  or  one  Vaginal  Tablet  is 
inserted  high  in  the  vagina,  twice  a day,  in  the 
morning  and  at  bedtime,  for  14  days.  Treatment 
may  be  repeated  if  symptoms  persist  or  reappear. 
Dosage  forms:  CANDEPTIN  Vaginal  Ointment 
is  supplied  in  75  gm.  tubes  with  applicator  (14- 
day  regimen  requires  2 tubes).  CANDEPTIN  Vag- 
inal Tablets  are  packaged  in  boxes  of  28,  in  foil, 
with  inserter— enough  for  a full  course  of  treat- 
ment. Store  under  refrigeration. 

Federal  law  prohibits  dispensing  without  pre- 
scription. CANDEPTIN  is  a registered  trade-mark 
of  Julius  Schmid,  Inc. 


References:  1.  Olsen,  J.  R.:  Journal-Lancet 
85:287  (July)  1965.  2.  Lechevalier,  H : Antibiotics 
Annual  1959-1960,  New  York,  Antibiotica,  Inc., 
1960,  pp.  614-618  3.  Giorlando,  S.  W„  Torres,  J.  F„ 
and  Muscillo,  G Am.  J.  Obst.  & Gynec.  90  370 
(Oct.  1)  1964  4.  Friedel,  H.  J.:  Maryland  M.  J. 
75  36  (Feb.)  1966. 


Julius  Schmid  Pharmaceuticals 
423  West  55th  Street 
New  York,  N.Y.  10019 


SKF  Announces 
New  Drug 

Smith  Kline  & French  Laboratories  have  an- 
nounced that  a new  prescription  drug  for  control 
of  the  manic  episodes  of  manic-depressive  psy- 
chosis is  now  available  to  physicians. 

It  is  called  “Eskalith,”  SK&F’s  brand  of  lith- 
ium carbonate. 

Use  of  lithium  in  manic-depressive  psychosis 
has  been  studied  in  the  United  States  and  many 
other  countries.  The  results  of  these  studies  have 
been  reported  in  numerous  published  papers 
and  have  shown  that  lithium  produced  clinical 
improvement  in  a large  percentage  of  the  manic 
patients  treated. 

Manic  episodes  in  manic-depressive  psychosis, 
one  of  the  most  difficult  treatment  problems  fac- 
ing the  psychiatrist,  has  not  responded  satisfac- 
torily to  conventional  psychopharmaceuticals. 
Certain  anti-depressants  have  been  valuable  in 
managing  depressive  episodes,  and  electroshock 
treatments  sometimes  provide  temporary  remis- 
sion. However,  tranquilizers  with  calming  action 
have  been  only  partially  successful  in  treating 
manic  episodes. 

“Eskalith,”  however,  when  given  to  a patient 
experiencing  a manic  episode,  calms  the  patient 
and  controls  acute  symptoms,  usually  within  a 
matter  of  days.  “Eskalith”  is  not  recommended 
for  use  in  depressive  episodes. 

Toxicity  may  develop  with  lithium  carbonate 
at  doses  near  therapeutic  levels.  For  this  reason, 
patients  on  lithium  carbonate  must  be  maintained 
under  close  clinical  supervision.  Blood  levels 
should  be  monitored  regularly,  especially  during 
the  initial  stabilization  period. 

It  is  essential  for  the  patient  to  maintain  a 
normal  diet,  including  salt,  and  an  adequate 
fluid  intake.  Early  symptoms  of  lithium  toxicity 
— such  as  diarrhea,  vomiting,  drowsiness,  muscu- 
lar weakness,  lack  of  coordination — mean  the 
patient  should  stop  the  drug  and  contact  his 
physician.  Such  symptoms  can  usually  be  treated 
by  reducing  dosage  or  stopping  the  drug  and  re- 
suming it  at  a lower  dosage  24  hours  later.  Other 
adverse  effects  can  include  confusion,  dizziness, 
restlessness,  rash,  and  transient  visual  disturbance. 

The  drug  is  contraindicated  in  patients  with 
significant  cardiovascular  or  renal  disease,  or  evi- 
dence of  brain  damage. 

Information  regarding  the  safety  and  effec- 
tiveness of  the  drug  in  children  under  12  is  not 
available  and  its  use  in  them  is  not  recommended 
at  this  time. 


1 8 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  MAY  1970 


Additional  information  available  upon  request  • Eli  Lilly  and  Company,  Indianapolis,  Indiana  46206 


Now 

available  for  your 
prescribing 
eds 


Cordrarf  Tape 

Flurandrenolidelape  (4  meg.  per  sq.  cm.) 


000108 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

May  1970,  Vol.  XI,  No.  5 


The  Management  of  Early  Invasive 

Carcinoma  of  the  Cervix: 
Surgery  or  Irradiation? 


BERNARD  T.  HICKMAN,  M.D.,  and  JOHN  Y.  GIBSON,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


The  correct  management  of  cervical  carci- 
noma is  a controversial  subject  at  best,  and  dis- 
cussions have  been  known  to  become  heated. 
All  physicians  want  to  do  the  best  thing  for  their 
patients;  the  problem  is  finding  out  what  is  the 
best  thing  to  do.  As  has  often  been  said,  “one  can 
prove  (or  disprove)  anything  with  statistics.” 
For  this  reason,  it  is  fallacious  to  compare  the 
statistics  from  one  institution  treating  a certain 
type  cancer  by  one  form  of  therapy  with  those  of 
a different  institution  treating  the  same  type  can- 
cer by  some  other  modality.  Also,  the  ability  of 
the  operator  must  certainly  be  considered.  The 
statistics  from  M.  D.  Anderson  Hospital  would 
certainly  be  expected  to  be  more  valid  and  su- 
perior to  those  from  Smalltown  Hospital. 

With  this  in  mind,  it  was  decided  to  compare 
two  separate  methods  of  therapy  for  early  in- 
vasive carcinoma  of  the  cervix  in  one  institu- 
tion.1 This  involved  several  problems  in  order  to 
be  as  unbiased  as  possible.  One  person  had  to  su- 
pervise all  of  the  surgery,  and  one  person  had  to 
supervise  all  of  the  radiotherapy.  As  uniform  as 
practicable  selection  for  surgery  patients  and  as 

From  the  Department  of  Radiology,  University  of  Mis- 
sissippi School  of  Medicine. 


uniform  as  possible  radiation  dose  and  method 
of  dose  delivery  for  radiotherapy  patients  had  to 
be  maintained.  All  patients  had  to  be  jointly 


A comparison  is  made  of  the  surgical 
versus  radiotherapy  management  of  129 
cases  of  early  invasive  cervical  carcinoma 
treated  at  the  University  Medical  Center. 
Cure  rates  are  similar  but  complications  dif- 
fer. 


staged  by  the  two  supervisors,  and  the  stage  of 
the  lesion  agreed  upon.  Then  a random  card  se- 
lection of  patients  had  to  be  made  so  that  satis- 
factory and  difficult  cases  would  be  randomly 
distributed. 

There  were  a total  of  129  patients  with  In- 
ternational Stage  I carcinoma  of  the  cervix  treat- 
ed at  University  Medical  Center  between  Septem- 
ber 1958  and  September  1965.  Sixty-six  were 
treated  with  irradiation  and  63  were  treated  sur- 
gically. All  of  the  patients  have  been  followed  for 


MAY  1970 


253 


CARCINOMA  / Hickman  et  al 

over  three  years  but  only  99  have  been  followed 
over  5 years;  49  of  these  being  treated  surgically 
and  50  receiving  radiation  therapy. 

None  but  Stage  I cases  were  included  in  this 
random  study.  This  staging  refers  to  those  le- 
sions which  are  frankly  invasive  but  which  are 
limited  to  the  cervix  itself  with  no  extension  into 
the  parametrium  or  onto  the  vagina.  The  stage 


0 or  carcinoma-in-situ  type  of  cases  were  not  in-  i 
eluded  in  this  series.  Those  patients  were  gen- 
erally treated  with  conization  or  simple  hyster- 
ectomy depending  upon  the  patient’s  age  and  de- 
sire for  a family.  The  clinical  Stage  II  and  III 
cases  and  most  of  the  clinical  Stage  IV  (or  far 
advanced)  cases  were  treated  solely  by  irradia- 
tion therapy.  Those  patients  that  presented  with 
recurrent  carcinoma  after  therapy  were  individ- 
ualized as  to  the  type  of  therapy  which  was  best 


/SOSOSf  CMnS 

ANTERIOR 


2ci  iat  from  cintet  U cirvii 

5c*  out  (rani  cantar  af  canrii  T?- 

^ = car vii 

Figure  1.  This  diagramatically  illustrates  the  The  central  black  dot  represents  the  cervix,  the 

dosage  distribution  through  a cross-section  of  a paracervical  area  is  represented  by  point  A and 
patient’s  pelvis  from  opposing  anterior  and  the  parametrial  area  is  represented  by  point  B. 

posterior  split  ports  from  Cobalt-60  teletherapy. 


254 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Figure  2.  The  Ernst  radium  applicator  is  seen 
in  place  at  the  cervix.  The  darkened  rectangular 
ports  represent  the  area  treated  with  the  external 
Cobalt-60  beam.  The  pelvic  lymph  node  chains 


are  superimposed  and  it  is  seen  that  they  are  treated 
mainly  with  external  irradiation  while  the  cervix 
is  treated  mainly  with  radium. 


suited  to  their  particular  case.  In  general,  those 
patients  that  had  been  treated  with  irradiation 
were  considered  for  surgical  management  and 
those  that  had  been  previously  treated  surgically 
were  considered  for  radiotherapy. 

The  type  of  surgical  therapy  offered  was  a 
modification  of  the  Wertheim  procedure  which 
consisted  of  a radical  hysterectomy  with  removal 
of  a generous  portion  of  the  vaginal  cuff  and  a 
dissection  of  the  pelvic  lymph  nodes. 

The  radiation  therapy  was  administered  with 
two  modalities.  Using  Cobalt  60  teletherapy,  ra- 
diation was  delivered  through  opposing  split  an- 
terior and  posterior  pelvic  ports  measuring  14  x 
6 cm.  until  a parametrial  dose  of  3500r  was 
given.  This  delivered  approximately  3200r  to  the 
paracervical  area.  (See  Figure  1.) 

This  was  immediately  followed  by  the  single 
insertion  of  intrauterine  and  intravaginal  radium 
in  the  form  of  an  Ernst  applicator.  (See  Figure 


2.)  Usually  80  mg.  of  radium  was  left  in  for  72 
hours,  delivering  a paracervical  radium  dose  of 
4520r.  This  contributed  an  additional  dose  of 
1600r  to  the  pelvic  wall  for  a combined  para- 
metrial dose  of  5100r.  The  total  combined  thera- 
py was  administered  in  40  days. 

Only  the  severe  complications  are  considered. 
Nearly  all  of  the  patients  treated  surgically  had 
granulomatous  scarring  of  the  shortened  vaginal 
apex  and  most  of  the  patients  treated  with  ir- 
radiation had  vaginal  narrowing  and  scarring. 
Of  the  66  patients  treated  with  irradiation,  3 had 
fistulae  and  5 had  severe  proctitis  (considered 
severe  complications).  (See  Table  1.)  Of  the  63 
patients  treated  surgically,  31  had  severe  com- 
plications (renal  nonfunction,  hydronephrosis  or 
bladder  atony)  while  there  were  8 fistulas.  (See 
Table  2.)  Where  the  patients  had  more  than  one 
complication,  they  are  counted  in  each  cate- 
gory. All  of  the  patients  are  included  in  this 


MAY  1970 


255 


CARCINOMA  / Hickman  et  al 


TABLE  1 

SEVERE  COMPLICATIONS  SEEN  IN  PATIENTS 
TREATED  WITH  RADIOTHERAPY 
(66  Patients) 


I.  Fistulae 

Rectovaginal  2 

Rectovaginal  & uretero  vaginal 1 

Total  3 

II.  Severe  diarrhea  without  proctitis  1 

III.  Radiation  Proctitis 5 

IV.  Cystitis  3 

V.  Severe  vaginal  radiation  reaction  1 


group.  Although  30  of  them  have  been  followed 
only  3 years,  we  feel  that  most  of  the  complica- 
tions will  have  occurred  within  that  interval. 

Of  the  50  patients  that  were  treated  with  ir- 
radiation that  have  been  followed  for  more  than 
5 years,  35  are  living  with  no  evidence  of  dis- 
ease. Of  the  49  patients  that  were  treated  sur- 
gically, more  than  five  years  ago,  31  are  living 

TABLE  2 

SEVERE  COMPLICATIONS  SEEN  IN  PATIENTS 
TREATED  SURGICALLY 
(63  Patients) 


I.  Fistulae 

Vesicovaginal  4 

Ureterovaginal  3 

Urethrovaginal  1 

Total  8 

II.  Urinary  Tract  complications: 

Nonfunction  of  kidney  not  due  to  tumor  . 4 

Hydronephrosis  and/or  hydroureter  10 

Infection  30 

Bladder  atony 18 

Incontinence  10 

(These  complications  occurred  in  47  patients) 

III.  Surgical  damage  to  bladder,  ureter  or  bowel  . . . 8 

IV.  Excessive  operative  blood  loss  (more  than  1000 

cc)  and/or  shock  11 

V.  Pelvic  hematoma  6 

VI.  Miscellaneous  (includes  incisional  hernia,  wound 

dehiscence,  pulmonary  emboli,  post  op  atelec- 
tasis, etc.)  10 


Note:  Where  patients  have  more  than  one  complica- 
tion, they  are  counted  in  each  category. 


with  no  evidence  of  disease.  These  figures,  how-  1 II. III. IV. V. VI. 
ever,  do  not  reflect  the  effectiveness  of  therapy. 
Fourteen  patients  have  either  been  lost  to  follow- 
up or  died  of  unknown  causes,  and  in  an  overall 
group  of  this  limited  size,  such  a segment  can  al- 
ter statistics  drastically.  A truer  picture  might  be 
obtained  if  this  group  is  eliminated,  and  only  the 
results  obtained  in  the  groups  with  adequate  fol- 
low-ups are  analyzed.  As  can  be  seen  from  Table 
3,  the  numbers  of  patients  living  with  disease, 
and  the  number  who  died  without  evidence  of 
cancer  and  those  who  died  with  evidence  of  can- 

TABLE  3 

FIVE  YEAR  SURVIVAL  RESULTS  OF  PATIENTS 
TREATED  SURGICALLY  AND 
WITH  RADIOTHERAPY 
(99  Patients) 


Radiation  Surgery 
rx  rx 


Died  with  evidence  of  disease 5 4 

Died  without  evidence  of  disease  3 3 

Died  of  unknown  causes  3 0 

Living  with  evidence  of  recurrence  ...  2 2 

Lost  to  follow-up  2 9 

Total  dead  or  lost  to  follow-up  13  16 


cer  are  almost  identical  in  both  the  radiation 
treated  group  and  the  surgically  treated  group. 
It  is  felt  that  this  reflects  an  actual  five-year  sur- 
vival rate  of  approximately  85-90  per  cent  for 
both  groups  of  patients. 

Although  the  number  of  patients  in  this  study 
is  small  and  doesn’t  lend  itself  to  statistical  ac- 
curacy, several  things  have  been  learned.  This  is 
a random  study  done  in  a single  institution  and 
supervised  by  the  same  investigators  throughout. 
The  size  of  the  two  groups  of  patients  is  almost 
identical  and  the  survival  rates  are  almost  iden- 
tical. The  one  striking  difference  in  the  two 
groups  is  the  complication  rate.  The  complication 
rate  in  the  surgically  treated  group  is  nearly  four 
times  as  great  as  in  the  group  receiving  irradia- 
tion. This  in  itself  may  make  one  select  irradia- 
tion therapy  as  the  treatment  modality  of  choice. 

★★★ 

2500  N.  State  St.  (39216) 

REFERENCE 

1.  Newton,  M.;  Hickman,  B.  T.;  and  Bolten,  K.  A.: 
Carcinoma  of  the  Cervix:  Treatment  and  follow-up, 
JMSMA  2:279  (June)  1961. 


256 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


New  Dimensions  in  Emergency 
Medical  Rescue  Services 


B.  J.  SHELL,  Ph.D.;  J.  E.  CLARK,  Ph.D.;  and  P.  Y.  NICHOLAS 

State  College,  Mississippi 


Thirty-eight  Mississippi  counties  are  now  cov- 
ered by  the  life-saving  network  of  the  Coordinat- 
ed Accident  Rescue  Endeavor-State  of  Mississip- 
pi (Project  CARE-SOM).  This  project  utilizes 
three  helicopters  that  are  manned  by  trained  at- 
tendants and  pilots  working  in  conjunction  with 
ground  ambulances,  and  it  employs  the  latest  in 
communications  advancements.  Funded  by  the 
National  Bureau  of  Highway  Safety,  Project 
CARE-SOM  is  directed  by  Mississippi  State  Uni- 
versity. 

The  overall  purpose  of  any  emergency  medi- 
cal care  system  is  to  save  lives  and  reduce  the 
probability  of  disabling  injuries.  The  elements  in- 
volved are  transportation,  communications,  and 
treatment.  To  date,  attempts  to  improve  emer- 
cency  medical  care  systems  have  been  directed 
toward  the  elements  rather  than  toward  improve- 
ments to  the  total  system. 

The  great  loss  of  life,  the  widespread  injury, 
and  the  total  economic  loss  to  the  nation  make 
highway  crashes  a pressing  national  problem. 
Highway  crashes  are  the  most  common  cause  for 
death  in  the  age  group  of  15  to  35  years  and  are 
among  the  first  three  causes  of  death  of  all  age 
groups  from  the  first  year  of  life  to  middle  age. 

Project  CARE-SOM  focuses  upon  the  post- 
crash scene  since,  in  spite  of  the  efforts  to  pre- 

B.  J.  Shell,  Ph.D.,  P.E.,  Acting  Vice-President  for  Re- 
search at  Mississippi  State  University,  is  project  direc- 
tor of  CARE-SOM;  J.  E.  Clark,  Ph.D.,  P.E.,  Assistant 
Professor  of  Civil  Engineering  at  the  University,  is 
principal  investigator,  and  Patricia  Y.  Nicholas  is 
Editor  for  the  Engineering  and  Industrial  Research 
Station  at  the  University. 


vent  them,  crashes  still  occur  in  ever-increasing 
numbers.  The  National  Research  Council  states 
that  many  accident  victims  die  needlessly  be- 
cause most  ambulances  in  the  United  States  lack 


Utilizing  three  helicopters,  Project  CARE- 
SOM  (Cooordinated  Accident  Rescue  En- 
deavor-State of  Mississippi)  now  covers  38 
counties.  The  authors  discuss  the  operation 
and  results  of  the  project,  which  is  funded 
by  the  National  Bureau  of  Highway  Safety, 
U.  S.  Department  of  Transportation  and 
operated  by  the  Engineering  and  Industrial 
Research  Station  of  Mississippi  State  Uni- 
versity. 


the  equipment,  supplies,  and  trained  attendants 
for  quick,  adequate  emergency  care  to  the  criti- 
cally injured.  The  council  says  that  one-third  of 
the  more  than  53,000  traffic  deaths  a year  oc- 
cur at  the  scene,  in  the  ambulance,  or  within 
minutes  after  arrival  at  a hospital.  Safety  ex- 
perts estimate  that  if  the  same  speed  of  evacua- 
tion in  Vietnam  were  adapted  to  highway  or 
other  accidents  in  the  United  States,  it  could 
mean  a 20  per  cent  reduction  in  deaths. 

Several  doctors  who  work  in  emergency  rooms 
were  recently  asked,  “If  you  could  request  one 
change  in  the  present  system  of  receiving  accident 
victims,  what  would  you  request?”  Their  unani- 
mous reply  was  that  they  would  like  to  be  in- 


MAY  1970 


257 


EMERGENCY  SERVICE  / Shell  et  al 

formed  that  casualties  were  coming  in  and  the  na- 
ture of  their  injuries.  Project  CARE-SOM  pro- 
vides this  vital  communication  link.  Communica- 
tion between  the  hospital  and  ambulance,  as  well 
as  properly  and  adequately  trained  attendants, 
must  be  a part  of  any  emergency  medical  care 
system. 

A letter  dated  January  29,  1970,  received  at 
the  CARE-SOM  office  is  representative  of  many 
received  since  the  beginning  of  this  demonstration 
project.  The  letter  expresses  the  happy  thankful- 
ness of  a teen-age  boy’s  parents  at  his  full  re- 
covery. The  son  had  been  in  an  automobile  ac- 
cident and  was  taken  to  a small  central  Missis- 
sippi hospital  for  observation  of  head  injuries. 
In  a short  time,  he  became  delirious  and  went 
into  a coma.  He  was  immediately  sent  to  the 
University  Medical  Center  by  helicopter.  His  rapid 
transfer  to  the  Medical  Center  where  he  re- 
ceived immediate  treatment  is  credited  with  his 
recovery  with  no  permanent  brain  damage. 

The  inter-hospital  transfer  is  only  one  phase  of 


Project  CARE-SOM  covers  in  the  Emergency  Med- 
ical Rescue  Service. 


Project  CARE-SOM.  The  vital  role  of  the  heli- 
copter is  to  provide  the  most  rapid  aid  possible 
— whether  it  be  from  the  accident  scene  to  the 
receiving  hospital  or  from  one  hospital  to  another. 
Project  CARE-SOM  is  seeking  to  determine  the 
extent  to  which  helicopter  ambulance  service  can 
be  coordinated  with  existing  ground  ambulance 
service  in  rural  areas  to  provide  a more  com- 
prehensive and  effective  emergency  rescue  and 
treatment  capability. 


TABLE  1 

MISSISSIPPI  COUNTIES  PARTICIPATING 
IN  PROJECT  CARE-SOM 


Southern  Zone 

Central  Zone 

Northern  Zone 

Jasper 

Smith 

Humphreys 

Jones 

Simpson 

Sharkey 

Covington 

Copiah 

Washington 

Wayne 

Claiborne 

Holmes 

Jefferson  Davis 

Warren 

Sunflower 

Marion 

Hinds 

Bolivar 

Lamar 

Rankin 

Tallahatchie 

Forrest 

Scott 

Leflore 

Perry 

Leake 

Montgomery 

Greene 

Madison 

Grenada 

Pearl  River 

Yazoo 

Yalobusha 

Stone 

Carroll 

George 

Attala 

Harrison 

Helicopters  and  coordinated  communication 
systems  have  been  demonstrated  with  excellent 
results  in  urban  areas  as  rescue  and  evacuation 
vehicles  for  highway  accident  victims.  In  rural 
areas,  the  paucity  of  accidents  and  the  vast  area 
in  which  they  might  occur  team  together  to  pre- 
sent a formidable  challenge  to  the  helicopter  and 
ground  ambulance  system.  Mississippi  was  chosen 
as  a rural  area  for  testing  the  demonstration 
project. 

A demonstration  grant  from  the  National  Bu- 
reau of  Highway  Safety,  U.  S.  Department  of 
Transportation,  is  funding  the  Coordinated  Acci- 
dent Rescue  Endeavor-State  of  Mississippi.  Rep- 
resentatives of  the  Governor's  Highway  Safety 
Program  are  cooperating  in  an  advisory  function. 

DEMONSTRATION  AREAS 

Three  demonstration  areas  containing  38  coun- 
ties were  selected.  See  Table  1 for  a listing  of  the 
counties  for  each  zone.  A 50-mile  radius  zone 
was  selected  for  each  area  based  upon  the  op- 
erating capabilities  of  the  helicopter.  Headquarters 
for  the  zones  are  as  follow:  Northern  Zone — 
Greenwood;  Central  Zone — Jackson;  Southern 
Zone — Hattiesburg.  One  helicopter,  capable  of  ac- 


258 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Figure  3.  Emergency  helicopter  air  and  ground 
crews  demonstrate  technique  of  boarding  patient  in 
specially  designed  litters.  High  position  of  rotary 


wing  permits  loading  with  poM-er  or:  for  immediate 
takeoff. 


commodating  a pilot,  medical  attendant,  and  two 
litters,  is  on  alert  in  each  of  the  zones  during  a 14- 
hour  period  each  day.  The  14-hour  period  was 
statistically  determined  and  covers  the  time  peri- 
od during  which  about  $5  per  cent  of  the  traffic 
accidents  in  the  selected  zones  occur.  The  project 
is  designed  so  that  the  helicopter  will  serve  as  a 
supplement  to  the  ground  ambulance  service.  An 
effective  emergency  medical  care  system  cannot 
exclude  provisions  for  ground  service.  Weather 
conditions  are  recorded  on  each  flight,  and  the 
helicopter  performance  is  evaluated. 

CONCEPT  OF  OPERATION 

H ere  is  an  outline  of  the  general  concept  of 
operation  that  Project  CARE-SOM  employs: 

1.  Participating  ground  ambulance  companies 
with  trained  crews  and  coordinated  communica- 
tion systems  are  on  alert  at  all  times  in  each  of 
the  zones.  The  helicopter  team  is  on  alert  during 
selected  hours  of  the  day  and  night. 

2 When  an  accident  occurs,  either  the  heli- 
copter or  ground  ambulance,  according  to  plan 


and  location,  is  dispatched  by  the  highway  pa- 
trol. 

3.  The  trained  attendants  rescue  and  perform 
triage  upon  arrival  at  the  scene  and  then  evacuate 
the  injured  to  the  nearest  facility  capable  of  pro- 
viding definitive  treatment. 

Two-way  radio  communications  are  essential, 
and  the  radio  communication  needs  of  this  proj- 
ect include : 1 ) two-way  radio  communication  be- 
tween helicopter  dispatcher  and  helicopter:  2 
two-way  radio  communications  between  helicop- 
ter. ground  ambulances,  and  emergency  sendee 
wards  of  hospitals  participating  in  the  project:  3 > 
two-way  radio  communications  between  the  heli- 
copter and  highway  patrol  vehicles  at  the  ac- 
cident scene:  and  4)  two-way  radio  communica- 
tions between  the  helicopter  and  surrounding  air- 
pons. 

In  addition,  the  section  of  U.  S.  Highway  49 
between  Collins.  Mississippi,  and  W iggins.  Mis- 
sissippi. is  equipped  'with  roadside  emergency 
telephones  spaced  approximately  five  miles  apart. 
These  telephones  are  located  at  interchanges  or 
crossover  points  so  that  they  are  available  to 

259 


MAY  1970 


EMERGENCY  SERVICE  / Shell  et  al 

motorists  approaching  from  either  direction.  The 
phones  are  trunked  to  three  main  lines;  the  re- 
moval of  the  handset  from  any  one  of  these  tele- 
phones will  place  the  calling  party  in  voice  con- 
tact with  the  dispatcher  at  the  Hattiesburg  High- 
way Patrol  Station. 

UMC  TRAINING  COURSE 

Before  initiating  operations,  all  participating 
ambulance  and  helicopter  attendants  received  a 
training  course  organized  and  taught  by  the  Uni- 
versity Medical  Center  under  the  direction  of  Dr. 
William  A.  Neely.  The  purpose  of  this  training 
course  was  to  teach  ambulance  personnel  resusci- 
tative  techniques  and  to  train  personnel  in  the 
correct  procedure  to  minimize  injury  during  trans- 
port of  the  injured  to  medical  care.  The  medical 
aspects  of  the  course  were  covered  in  approxi- 
mately 17  one-hour  periods  and  presented  to 
small  groups  of  students. 

Data  is  being  collected  by  participating  hos- 
pitals and  ambulance  services  for  the  evaluation 
of  several  areas  of  the  emergency  medical  sys- 
tem. Time  and  distance  records  are  being  com- 


Figures 3 and  4.  Highway  Patrol  trainees  simulate 
emergency  patient  transportation  in  near-real-life  ex- 
ercise on  Interstate  Bypass  at  Jackson.  Helicopter  is 
seen  in  background  with  Patrol  unit  and  auto  wreck 


piled  to  evaluate  the  time-response  characteris- 
tics of  the  emergency  medical  system. 

NUMERICAL  SCALES 

With  the  aid  and  advice  of  cooperating  physi- 
cians, numerical  scales  have  been  devised  which 
(a)  indicate  the  casualty’s  condition  at  the  time 
he  arrived  at  the  hospital,  and  (b)  indicate,  for 
helicopter  transported  casualties,  the  seriousness 
of  a delay  in  reaching  emergency  facilities.  These 
two  scales  when  used  in  conjunction  with  the  time 
history  of  the  accident  (from  1 above)  indicate 
the  benefit  which  might  result  from  the  use  of  a 
helicopter. 

The  attendant  on  each  mission  is  required  to 
file  a report  and  the  doctor  receiving  the  case  at 
the  hospital  also  provides  a report  that  includes 
a description  of  the  actual  injuries  suffered  in  the 
accident.  It  is  expected  that  from  a comparison 
of  these  reports  (a)  the  relevance  of  the  attend- 
ant training  program  to  the  actual  practice  may 
be  evaluated  and  (b)  subject  areas  in  the  train- 
ing program  needing  modification  will  be  identi- 
fied. 

After  three  months  of  operation,  over  1600 
data  forms  have  been  returned  and  are  in  the 


positioned  on  scene  with  “injured’  manikin.  Right, 
wide  access  port  shows  litter  configuration  for  multi- 
patient transportation  in  helicopter. 


260 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


process  of  being  evaluated.  Over  400  life-saving 
missions  were  flown  during  the  same  period.  With 
115  radio  units  installed  and  operating  in  hos- 
pitals, ambulances,  helicopters,  and  Highway  Pa- 
trol Stations,  the  communications  network  is  being 
evaluated  and  improved. 

Through  Project  CARE-SOM,  the  Engineer- 
ing and  Industrial  Research  Station  of  Missis- 
sippi State  University  is  fulfilling  its  obligation  of 


service  to  the  populace  of  the  state.  It  is  hoped 
that  this  demonstration  project  will  serve  as  a 
model  for  greater  effectiveness  in  emergency 
medical  care,  benefiting  not  only  the  people  of 
Mississippi,  but  the  people  of  the  entire  United 
States  as  similar  programs  are  put  into  effect  in 
other  areas  of  the  nation.  *** 

P.  O.  Drawer  DE  (39762) 


NOT  BY  BREAD  ALONE 

The  CHAMPUS  Department  at  the  state  medical  association 
headquarters  office  sometimes  finds  it  necessary  to  write  program 
beneficiaries  for  supplemental  information  to  substantiate  claims 
payment.  One  such  letter  went  to  the  wife  of  a serviceman  at 
Meridian. 

Replying  tardily  with  the  information,  the  lady  apologized  for 
a delay  explaining  that  “apparently,  my  four-year-old  son  or  two- 
year-old  daughter  ate  your  form  letter  but  with  no  apparent  ill 
effects.” 


MAY  1970 


261 


Clinicopathological  Conference  XCVI 


ALVIN  E.  BRENT,  JR.,  M.D.,  and  LOUIS  SCHIESARI,  M.D. 

The  Department  of  Pathology 
Mississippi  Baptist  Hospital 
Jackson,  Mississippi 


A 51 -year-old,  white  man  was  admitted  to  the 
Baptist  Hospital  because  of  fever.  He  had  been 
well  until  two  months  prior  to  admission  when  he 
injured  the  gum  of  the  right  maxilla  with  a den- 
ture. He  had  not  been  able  to  eat  satisfactorily 
since.  He  consulted  an  oral  surgeon  who  detected 
a red  spot  in  the  gum  of  the  right  maxilla.  A 
culture  taken  from  this  area  yielded  B.  coli  and 
beta  hemolytic  streptococcus  organisms.  The  le- 
sion cleared  up  on  Neomycin  treatment.  At  this 
time  the  patient  developed  severe  diarrhea, 
thought  to  be  gastroenteritis,  which  was  com- 
pletely controlled  after  a week  of  treatment. 
Since  then  the  patient  had  continued  to  run  fever 
periodically,  usually  higher  in  the  late  afternoon. 
He  felt  weak,  and  a few  days  before  admission 
he  was  noted  to  be  slightly  jaundiced.  Past  history 
was  not  remarkable  and  not  contributory. 

On  admission  the  temperature  was  101.4°, 
the  pulse  76,  and  blood  pressure  140  systolic, 
80  diastolic.  The  physical  examination  revealed 
a well-developed,  well-nourished,  white  man  with 
a slightly  icteric  color  of  skin  and  conjunctivae. 
There  was  a raw,  whitish,  sore  area  on  the  right 
upper  gum  and  soft  palate.  The  heart  and  lungs 
were  not  remarkable.  The  abdomen  was  protu- 
berant. No  definite  liver  edge  was  palpable  al- 
though the  patient  was  extremely  tender  over 
this  area.  No  masses  or  other  organs  were  pal- 
pable. There  was  suggestion  of  free  fluid  in  the 
abdomen. 

The  hemoglobin  was  9 gm.  per  cent  and  the 
WBC  8,000,  with  72  polys,  23  lymphocytes, 
and  5 per  cent  monocytes.  The  urine  was  nega- 


tive. Serum  chemistry  gave  the  following  results: 
glucose  105  mg.  per  cent;  BUN  13  mg.  per  cent; 
calcium  9.4  mg.  per  cent;  cholesterol  185  mg.; 
phosphorus  4.1  mg.  per  cent;  uric  acid  2.7  mg. 


The  patient  in  this  month’s  CPC  is  a 
5 1 -year-old  white  man  admitted  because  of 
fever.  He  had  been  well  until  two  months 
before  admission  when  he  injured  the  gum 
of  the  right  maxilla  with  a denture.  He  had 
not  been  able  to  eat  satisfactorily  since.  Oth- 
er symptoms  included  severe  diarrhea,  weak- 
ness and  slight  jaundice. 


per  cent;  total  protein  6.3  gm.  per  cent;  albumin 
3.25  gm.  per  cent;  LDH  200  mU.  (Normal  90- 
200);  SGOT  125  mU.  (10-50);  alkaline  phos- 
phatase 465  mU.  (30-85);  total  bilirubin  1.6  mg. 
per  cent;  direct  bilirubin  0.74  mg.  per  cent  (nor- 
mal less  than  0.26  mg.  per  cent);  ammonia  68 
meg.  per  cent  (18-48  meg.  per  cent). 

X-ray  studies  revealed  normal  lungs  and  GI 
tract,  a moderately  enlarged  heart,  and  failure  of 
the  gallbladder  to  concentrate  the  dye.  No  stones 
were  found.  The  patient  was  discharged,  im- 
proved, after  12  days. 

While  at  home  he  consulted  an  internist  who 
felt  that  the  patient  had  cirrhosis  of  the  liver 
and  treated  him  accordingly.  At  this  time  the  pa- 
tient stated  that  his  alcohol  intake  had  always 
been  very  moderate,  and  that  his  dietary  routine 


262 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Figure  1 


had  not  been  good  in  that  he  had  eaten  very 
little  of  high  protein  foods. 

He  was  admitted  to  the  Baptist  Hospital  three 
months  after  discharge  because  of  progressive 
weakness  and  worsening  of  his  oral  lesions.  The 
temperature,  which  on  admission  was  102°, 
maintained  an  intermittent  character  during  the 
entire  hospitalization.  Examination  of  mouth  by 
the  oral  surgeon  revealed  a large  area  in  the 
right  maxilla  and  posterior  soft  palate  that  ap- 
peared very  much  to  be  a malignancy.  A biopsy 
was  to  be  performed  as  soon  as  the  patient’s 
condition  permitted. 

LABORATORY  FINDINGS 

The  WBC  was  12,300,  with  68  segmenters 
and  13  bands.  The  serum  chemistry  showed  ap- 
proximately the  same  abnormalities  found  in 
the  previous  admission.  The  BSP  retention  was 
24  per  cent,  and  serum  electrophoresis  re- 
vealed a normal  pattern.  The  overall  appearance 
of  a liver  scan  was  believed  to  be  quite  com- 
patible with  either  cirrhosis  or  fat  infiltration  of 
the  liver.  X-rays  of  upper  GI  tract  and  chest  were 
within  normal  limits.  The  spleen  was  seen  to  be 
enlarged. 

The  patient  complained  of  dizziness,  of  cramps 
in  arms  and  legs;  he  was  frequently  nauseated, 
and  vomited  occasionally.  The  attending  physi- 
cian thought  the  patient  was  on  an  impending 
hepatic  encephalopathy  although  no  foetor  he- 


paticus  could  be  detected.  The  patient  expired  1 1 
days  after  admission. 

DISCUSSION 

Dr.  Alvin  E.  Brent,  Jr.:  ‘This  case  is  some- 
what confusing.  I am  not  at  all  certain  of  the 
diagnosis.  We’ll  review  the  protocol  for  anyone 
who  might  not  have  read  it.  This  is  a 51-year- 
old,  white  male  who  was  admitted  here  because 
of  fever.  He  had  been  well  until  two  months  be- 
fore admission  when  he  had  some  type  of  injury 
to  his  right  maxillary  area.  Since  that  time  he  had 
had  some  difficulty  eating.  An  oral  surgeon  de- 
tected a lesion,  and  this  area  was  cultured.  A 
coliform  organism  and  hemolytic  streptococcus 
was  isolated.  I think  likely  that  these  two  or- 
ganisms were  not  of  too  much  importance  in  his 
overall  illness.  This  lesion  cleared  on  Neomycin 
treatment.  I assume  this  was  oral  therapy. 

“He  developed  a severe  diarrhea,  and  this  was 
probably  due  to  Neomycin  which  can  cause  di- 
arrhea either  due  to  suppression  of  the  normal 
bacterial  flora  or  through  direct  toxicity  to  the 
mucosa  of  the  bowel.  The  diarrhea  cleared  after 
some  type  of  treatment,  not  specified  in  the  pro- 
tocol. Following  this  he  continued  to  be  febrile. 
He  developed  some  weakness,  and  was  stated  to 
have  become  jaundiced  several  days  before  ad- 
mission here.  His  history  was  said  to  be  other- 
wise unremarkable. 


MAY  1970 


263 


CPC  / Brent  et  al 

“At  the  time  of  admission  his  temperature  was 
101.4,  pulse  76,  and  blood  pressure  140/80.  This 
pulse  represents  a relative  bradycardia  which  at 
least  would  make  us  consider  several  possibilities. 
One  of  these  would  be  some  type  of  Salmonella 
infection  such  as  typhoid  fever;  also,  tularemia 
and  brucellosis.  A number  of  viral  illnesses  are 
associated  with  relative  bradycardia.  Also,  any 
disease  which  is  associated  with  increased  intra- 
cranial pressure  could  cause  this. 

PHYSICAL  EXAMINATION 

“On  physical  examination,  he  was  noted  to  be 
well  developed  and  to  be  icteric.  We  have  a le- 
sion in  the  right  upper  gum  and  soft  palate  de- 
scribed as  erythematous  and  ulcerative.  Heart 
and  lungs  were  negative.  The  abdominal  exami- 
nation revealed  tenderness  over  the  liver  area 
and  was  felt  to  have  some  ascites.  No  masses  were 
noted.  Laboratory  data  showed  that  he  was  ane- 
mic; his  white  count  was  normal,  and  he  had  a 
normal  differential.  This  would  tend  to  lead  us 
away  from  some  type  of  bacterial  infection. 

“Urinalysis  was  negative.  Chemistries  were: 
glucose  105  mg.  per  cent,  BUN  13  mg.  per  cent, 
calcium  9.4  mg.  per  cent,  cholesterol  185  mg. 
per  cent,  phosphorus  and  uric  acid  both  normal. 
Proteins  were  normal.  Then  we  are  given  several 
abnormal  liver  tests.  The  LDH  was  at  the  upper 


Figure  2 


limits  of  normal.  He  had  some  moderate  elevation 
of  the  SGOT,  and  a fairly  marked  elevation  of 
alkaline  phosphatase.  His  total  bilirubin  was  1.6, 
with  a slight  elevation  of  the  direct  reacting  frac- 
tions. It  is  interesting  that  with  a total  bilirubin 
of  1.6  that  he  clinically  was  described  as  being 
jaundiced.  Usually  this  can't  be  detected  until 
2.5  or  3 mg.  per  cent  or  so,  but  perhaps  the  little 
elevation  of  bilirubin  and  the  anemia  together,  at 
least,  made  him  appear  jaundiced. 

“The  blood  ammonia  was  elevated.  There  is 
very  little  other  than  liver  disease  that  would 
elevate  the  blood  ammonia.  On  looking  into  this, 
about  the  only  other  things  to  consider  would  be 
therapy  with  ammonium  chloride  and  use  of  the 
diuretic,  Diamox. 

“X-rays  of  the  lungs  and  GI  tract  were  es- 
sentially normal.  He  is  described  here  as  having 
moderate  cardiomegaly.  Later  this  was  not  men- 
tioned. The  gallbladder  did  not  concentrate  the 
dye,  and  then  it  is  mentioned  that  there  were  no 
stones  found.  I’m  not  sure  whether  later  maybe 
it  was  visualized  or  just  what,  but  you  wouldn’t 
expect  to  find  stones  if  the  gallbladder  didn’t 
pick  up  the  dye  anyway. 

“After  12  days  he  was  discharged  and  said  to 
be  improved.  Then  he  saw  another  physician, 
and  this  physician  apparently  made  a diagnosis  of 
cirrhosis  and  treated  him  ‘accordingly.’  Then  we 
are  given  additional  history  and  told  that  his  al- 
cohol intake  had  been  moderate  and  his  pro- 


Figure  3 


264 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


tein  intake  apparently  had  not  been  very  good. 
Three  months  after  his  discharge  he  was  readmit- 
ted to  this  hospital.  He  was  still  febrile  and  re- 
mained febrile  during  hospitalization.  From  the 
description  there  had  been  some  worsening  of  the 
oral  lesions,  and  apparently  they  were  suspicious 
of  a malignancy.  A biopsy,  as  the  protocol  says, 
was  to  be  done. 

“His  serum  chemistries  were  said  to  be  the 
same  as  on  his  previous  admission.  His  BSP 
was  markedly  abnormal  at  24  per  cent,  but  then 
it  is  said  that  the  serum  electrophoresis  showed 
a normal  pattern  which  is  perplexing  since  we 
are  considering  some  type  of  chronic  infectious 
problem  and  considering  some  type  of  liver  dis- 
ease, both  of  which  would  give  an  abnormal 
electrophoretic  pattern.  A liver  scan  was  said  to 
be  compatible  with  cirrhosis  or  fatty  infiltration. 
X-rays  of  the  gastrointestinal  tract  and  chest  were 
normal.  He  was  said  to  have  splenomegaly.  He 
then  developed  nausea  and  vomiting.  He  was 
felt  to  be  in  impending  hepatic  coma,  and  ex- 
pired some  11  days  after  his  admission  to  the 
hospital. 

DISEASE  POSSIBILITIES 

“So,  we  are  presented  with  the  case  of  a mid- 
dle-aged male  with  an  illness  which  totals  ap- 
proximately some  five  months.  This  illness  is 
characterized  by  a febrile  course  and  by  involve- 
ment of  the  oropharynx  and,  also,  probably  the 
liver  and  questionably  the  central  nervous  sys- 
tem. It  would  seem  that  the  main  thing  then  to 
consider  in  the  differential  would  be  some  type  of 
destructive  process  involving  the  oropharynx  and 
either  a liver  disease  related  to  this  or  possibly 
two  separate  diseases;  one  of  the  oropharynx  and 
another  disease  of  the  liver. 

“We  are  at  somewhat  of  a disadvantage  in  that 
we  don’t  have  a lot  in  the  way  of  positive  infor- 
mation which  makes  a differential  somewhat 
large.  I think  we  have  to  consider  a chronic  in- 
fectious process  as  the  number  one  choice.  First, 
let’s  consider  the  fungal  diseases  which  could  pro- 
duce this  picture.  Actinomycosis  would  seem  to 
be  a good  choice.  I’ll  mention  some  more  about 
this  later.  Nocardia  is  another  fungal  disease  that 
conceivably  could  give  this  picture;  however,  we 
would  expect  to  have  pulmonary  involvement, 
and  we  have  a negative  chest  x-ray  in  this  case. 
I think  we  also  would  have  to  consider  blastomy- 
cosis; however,  the  absence  of  skin  lesions  and, 
again,  the  negative  chest  x-ray  would  be  against 
this  diagnosis.  Coccidioidomycosis  could  give  this 
picture;  however,  this  is  the  wrong  area  of  the 
country,  and  we  aren’t  given  a history  of  his 
traveling  West,  and  again  the  negative  chest  x-ray 


would  be  against  this.  Histoplasmosis,  I think  we 
would  also  have  to  consider;  however,  again,  the 
big  thing  against  this,  I believe,  would  be  the 
negative  chest  x-ray.  I think  we  would  also  have 
to  consider  tuberculosis  as  a possibility.  The  area 
of  involvement  in  the  orapharynx  would  make 
you  think  of  bovine  tuberculosis;  however,  the 
rarity  of  this,  I think,  would  be  just  about  ex- 
clusive in  itself. 


Figure  4 

“Now,  another  big  group  of  diseases  to  con- 
sider would  be  malignancies.  A squamous  cell 
carcinoma  arising  in  the  oropharynx  with  hem- 
atogenous spread  to  the  liver  would  be  possible; 
however,  this  would  be  a very  unusual  mode  of 
spread  for  this  type  tumor.  Another  malignancy, 
I think,  to  consider  would  be  an  adenocarcinoma 
perhaps  arising  in  one  of  the  nasal  sinuses  with 
both  local  recurrence  and  hematogenous  spread. 

GRANULOMATOUS  DISEASES 

“Then,  the  last  group  of  diseases  to  consider 
would  be  one  of  the  destructive  granulomatous 
diseases  which  we’ll  mention  a little  bit  more  of 
later.  Each  of  these  categories  could  be  associat- 
ed with  liver  involvement,  or  he  could  have  any 
one  of  these  diseases  and  a separate  disease  of 
the  liver. 

“I  believe  I would  favor  an  infectious  process 
as  the  number  one  choice,  and  of  the  infectious 
diseases  I would  favor  actinomycosis.  I’ll  try  to 
support  that  a little  bit.  The  febrile  nature  of 
his  illness  would  fit  well  the  non-healing  oral  le- 
sion, and  the  abdominal  involvement  all  would 
fit  well  with  actinomycosis.  Actinomycosis  is  a 
normal  inhabitant  of  the  oral  cavity  and  gastro- 


MAY  1970 


265 


CPC  / Brent  et  al 

intestinal  tract.  Infection  usually  follows  some 
type  of  trauma,  and  in  this  case  we  are  given  a 
history  of  trauma  secondary  to  apparently  poor- 
fitting dentures.  Another  common  way  for  it  to 
occur  is  following  dental  extractions. 

“Actinomycosis  does  spread  to  bone,  with  pro- 
duction of  osteomyelitis,  and  this  could  explain 
the  elevated  alkaline  phosphatase  as  could  acti- 
nomycosis involving  abdominal  organs  or  the  liv- 
er. Actinomycosis  also  could  involve  the  medias- 
tinum, the  lung,  and  chest  wall.  Also,  as  I have 
mentioned,  there  is  frequently  abdominal  involve- 
ment. Abdominal  actinomycosis  often  follows  an 
appendicitis  or  perforation  of  an  abdominal  vis- 
cus.  Abdominal  involvement  usually  presents  with 
an  abdominal  mass  and  draining  sinuses  over  the 
abdominal  wall,  so  that  it  bothers  me  that  in 
this  case  there  is  no  description  of  masses  and 
certainly  no  draining  sinuses  over  the  abdominal 
wall. 

“Central  nervous  system  involvement  with  ac- 
tinomycosis also  occurs,  and  involvement  of 
heart  valves  also  can  occur.  You  can  suspect  the 
diagnosis  of  actinomycosis  by  the  finding  of 
granules  termed  sulfur  granules  which  drain  from 
the  lesion.  They  have  a characteristic  microscop- 
ic appearance.  The  diagnosis  should  always  be 
confirmed,  however,  by  culture.  At  this  time  there 
are  no  good  skin  tests  for  actinomycosis. 

ACTINOMYCOSIS 

“I  would  favor  actinomycosis  as  the  number 
one  choice,  probably  with  abdominal  involve- 
ment, possibly  with  central  nervous  system  involve- 
ment, and  possibly  with  some  other  widespread 
dissemination.  As  a second  choice,  perhaps  acti- 
nomycosis involvement  of  the  oropharynx  and  an 
unrelated  liver  disease  such  as  Laennec’s  cir- 
rhosis. As  a third  choice,  I would  favor  one  of 
the  malignancies  which  were  mentioned. 

“As  for  the  last  group  of  the  diseases,  the  de- 
structive granulomatous  diseases — I’ll  just  men- 
tion these.  Lethal  mid-line  granuloma  is  a dis- 
ease of  unknown  etiology,  characterized  by  a 
chronic  course  with  gradual  destruction  of  fascial 
structures.  Glanders  is  a bacterial  disease  trans- 
mitted to  man  from  horses  which  also  is  char- 
acterized by  a chronic  cellulitis  and  destruction 
of  fascial  structures.  Other  diseases,  which  should 
be  mentioned  but  are  less  likely,  are  syphilis, 
systemic  lupus,  and  lymphoma.  Any  one  of  these 
could  be  associated  with  chronic  destruction  of 
mucous  membranes.  If  anyone  has  any  further 
thoughts,  I would  be  happy  to  hear  them.” 


Dr.  Louis  Schiesari:  “At  the  autopsy  table  a 
large  piece  of  tissue  was  removed  for  microscopic 
study  from  the  widely  ulcerated  area  involving 
the  right  maxilla  and  palate.  The  liver  weighed 
3,000  gm.  It  was  pale  gray,  with  a smooth,  shiny 
capsule.  The  cut  surface  was  again  pale  gray,  not 
remarkable,  nothing  suggesting  fatty  changes,  pas- 
sive congestion,  cirrhosis,  or  metastatic  disease. 
The  spleen  weighed  500  gm.  It  was  very  soft, 
friable,  with  a dark  red  cut  surface,  characteristic 
changes  of  acute  passive  congestion.  The  adre- 
nals (Figure  1)  weighed  75  gm.  each.  They  were 
symmetrically  enlarged,  hard  in  consistency,  a 
tannish-pale  color,  again  not  suggesting  metastatic 
disease.  These  were  the  main  changes  found  at 
the  autopsy  table. 

LYMPH  INVOLVEMENT 

“There  was,  in  addition,  moderate  edematous 
enlargement  of  abdominal  lymph  nodes,  and  the 
wall  of  the  large  intestine  was  slightly  thickened 
and  edematous.  The  microscopic  examination 
(Figure  2)  of  the  mouth  lesion  showed  an  over- 
whelming proliferation  of  histiocytes  character- 
ized by  large  cytoplasm.  A large  number  of  these 
cells  contained  in  their  cytoplasms  minute  pin- 
point bodies  which  on  the  routine  H and  E sec- 
tion appeared  of  a purple-red  color.  These  were 
diagnosed  as  histoplasma  organisms. 

“In  order  to  confirm  the  diagnosis  on  H and 
E sections  the  Gomori’s  methenamine  silver  spe- 
cial stain  was  applied.  This  method  (Figure  3), 
which  stains  specifically  the  capsules  of  the  histo- 
plasma capsulatum  and  of  many  other  fungi  be- 
cause of  the  rich  amount  of  mucopolysaccharide 
in  the  capsules,  is  extremely  useful  for  the  ulti- 
mate diagnosis  in  tissue  sections.  A microscopic 
section  of  one  of  the  adrenal  glands  (Figure  4) 
showed  the  profound  destruction  brought  about 
by  the  invasion  of  this  organism.  Only  here  and 
there  a thin  rim  of  cortical  adrenal  tissue  was  en- 
countered. 

LIVER  CHANGES 

“The  liver  deserves  special  mention  because  of 
its  anatomical  and  functional  changes.  The  micro- 
scopic examination  of  the  liver  sections  showed 
massive  inflammatory  infiltration  of  the  portal 
areas,  the  inflammatory  cells  being  chiefly  lym- 
phocytes with  a light  sprinkling  of  polys  and 
eosinophils.  There  were  also  patchy  infiltrations 
of  the  same  type  of  cells  in  the  lobules,  but  the 
hepatocytes  were  well  preserved.  In  spite  of  the 
multiple  sections  taken,  no  necrosis  or  granu- 
lomatous reactions  were  encountered  and  no  or- 
ganisms detected  by  special  stains. 


266 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


“In  summary,  the  diagnosis  was  a severe,  non- 
specific hepatitis,  a result  of  portal  drainage  from 
the  large  intestine  which  was  severely  inflamed, 
with  organisms  also  being  found.  It  is  interesting 
to  note  the  peculiar  behavior  of  the  enzymes  in 
this  case.  The  LDH  was  within  normal  limits  and 
was  again  in  successive  determinations;  the  SGOT 
was  moderately  increased  which  is  not  diagnostic 
since  in  many  types  of  liver  damage  we  expect 
such  a rise.  But  the  alkaline  phosphatase  was  ex- 
tremely high,  even  higher  than  in  any  type  of 
complete  extrahepatic  biliary  obstruction.  In  this 
case  the  direct  bilirubin  was  only  slightly  elevat- 
ed, and  from  this  finding  we  can  rule  out  com- 
pletely a biliary  obstruction. 

“This  peculiar  pattern  of  slightly  increased  di- 
rect bilirubin  and  marked  rise  of  the  alkaline 


phosphatase  is  very  characteristic  of  a discrete, 
patchy,  nodular  lesion  in  the  liver,  either  meta- 
static or  granulomatous.  But  this  was  not  the 
case.  It  is  now  well  established  that  of  the  four 
fractions  of  alkaline  phosphatase  (hepatic,  in- 
testinal, placental,  osseous)  the  liver  fraction  is 
produced  in  the  liver  itself  chiefly  by  the  cells 
lining  both  the  small  and  large  biliary  ducts.  In 
this  liver,  because  of  the  massive  inflammatory 
reaction  in  the  portal  spaces  immediately  sur- 
rounding and  infiltrating  the  biliary  ducts,  there 
was  inevitably  also  some  disruption  of  the  lining 
cells  with  spilling  of  their  enzymes  into  the  blood 
stream.  The  result  was  then  a high  level  of  al- 
kaline phosphatase  in  the  patient’s  serum.”  *** 

1190  N.  State  St.  (39201) 


LIKE  FATHER,  LIKE  SON 

A fifth  grader  was  caught  reading  a “girlie  magazine,”  and  the 
teacher  marched  him  off  for  a talk  with  the  principal.  The  principal 
gave  the  boy  a severe  talking  to.  “Now,”  he  commanded,  “you  sit 
right  down  and  write  a letter  to  your  mother  telling  what  you’ve 
done.”  The  kid  sat  down  and  started  his  letter.  “Dear  Mother: 
This  morning  I took  Dad’s  magazine  to  school  and.  . . .” 


MAY  1970 


267 


Radiologic  Seminar  XCV 
Multiple  Myeloma 


JUNE  G.  BLOUNT,  M.D. 
Jackson,  Mississippi 


Multiple  myeloma,  or  plasma  cell  myeloma, 
is  the  most  common  malignant  primary  bone 
tumor.  This  tumor  of  bone  marrow  is  usually  of 
multicentric  origin,  and  occasionally  develops  in 
extraskeletal  sites.  Plasma  cell  myeloma  may 
initially  appear  as  a localized  lesion,  but  even- 
tually becomes  widespread  throughout  the  skele- 
tal system.  Microscopically,  the  involved  marrow 
is  replaced  by  the  abnormal  plasma  cells,  and 
as  the  myelomic  process  expands,  it  destroys 
the  adjacent  tissue. 

The  entity  is  usually  seen  in  individuals  over 
forty  years  of  age,  and  bone  pain  is  the  most 
frequent  complaint.  Pathologic  fracture,  anemia, 
weakness,  neuropathy,  paraplegia  due  to  com- 
pression of  the  spinal  cord,  and  recurrent  pneu- 
monia may  be  frequent. 

The  multiple  bone  lesions,  Bence-Jones  pro- 
teinuria, hyperproteinemia,  and  the  character- 
istic plasma  cells  in  the  bone  marrow  form  a 
diagnostic  combination.  Paper  electrophoresis  of 
serum  and  urine  detects  protein  abnormalities 
characteristic  of  multiple  myeloma.  Associated 
findings  may  include  anemia,  hypercalcemia, 
renal  function  impairment,  atypical  amyloidosis, 
and  increased  serum  uric  acid. 

Prognosis  is  variable  in  the  individual  case, 
but  the  mean  survival  in  patients  with  multiple 


Sponsored  by  the  Mississippi  Radiological  Society. 
From  the  Department  of  Radiology,  University 
Medical  Center. 


myeloma  is  only  nine  and  a half  months  from 
the  time  of  diagnosis,  and  19  Vi  months  from  the 
onset  of  the  first  symptom  (2).  Single  focus  mye- 
lomas live  longer,  but  eventually  die  of  dissemi- 
nated disease. 

RADIOLOGIC  FEATURES 

Myeloma  usually  presents  as  multiple  areas 
of  discrete,  round,  punched-out  osteolytic  de- 
fects with  no  reactive  sclerosis  or  periosteal  re- 
action. Less  frequent  manifestations  include  a 
single  lesion,  or  diffuse  osteoporosis,  or  rarely, 
sclerotic  foci.  Occasionally,  a myeloma  lesion 
may  cause  expansion  of  the  cortex  or  appear 
honeycombed.  Typical  defects  may  be  absent 
during  the  early  phase  in  25  per  cent.  Ultimately, 
90  per  cent  will  demonstrate  one  or  more  osseous 
changes. 

Bones  most  frequently  involved  are  the  skull, 
thoracic  cage,  spine,  pelvis  and  proximal  ex- 
tremities. Multiple  osteolytic  defects  are  com- 
monly found  in  the  parietal  and  frontal  bones 
of  the  skull  (Fig.  1).  Ribs  may  appear  honey- 
combed, or  expansile,  with  soft  tissue  masses 
bulging  into  the  lung  fields.  The  outer  end  of  the 
acromion  is  frequently  involved,  even  when  re- 
maining portions  of  the  clavicle  and  scapula  are 
uninvolved.  Diffuse  osteoporosis  may  lead  to  col- 
lapse of  vertebral  bodies  (Fig.  2).  Multiple  ver- 
tebrae may  present  a bubble-like  appearance, 
with  extension  into  the  vertebral  processes,  and 


268 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Figure  1.  The  skull  in  multiple  mye- 
loma presents  multiple  punched-out  os- 
teolytic defects  with  no  reactive  sclerosis. 
This  5 2 -year-old  female  had  widespread 
skeletal  lesions. 


Figure  2.  The  entire  cervical  spine  is  in- 
volved with  diffuse  osteolytic  lesions.  The  body 
of  the  fourth  cervical  vertebra  has  collapsed 
and  there  is  sharp  angulation  of  the  spine  in 
this  44-year-old  male. 


MAY  1970 


269 


RADIOLOGIC  SEMINAR  / Blount 

associated  paraspinous  soft  tissue  masses.  In  the 
long  bones  the  lesions  may  enlarge,  coalesce  and 
lead  to  pathologic  fracture  of  the  femur  or  hu- 
merus. In  the  pelvis,  small  and  large  lytic  defects 
are  common  (Fig.  3). 

The  radiographic  findings  may  be  indistinguish- 
able from  metastatic  carcinomatosis  or  hyper- 
parathyroidism. 


Figure  3.  A pathological  fracture  extends  through 
the  large  osteolytic  lesion  in  the  left  iliac  wing.  The 
pubic  rami  and  femoral  neck  are  involved.  This  73- 
year-old  male  presented  with  a pathological  fracture 
through  a lytic  lesion  in  the  distal  humerus  the  pre- 
vious year. 


Excretory  urography  is  generally  considered 
to  carry  some  risk  in  patients  with  myeloma, 
with  the  occasional  development  of  acute  renal 
failure  following  the  procedure.  This  complica- 
tion is  attributed  to  tubular  obstruction  result- 
ing from  the  aggregation  of  protein,  maximal 
precipitation  occurring  between  pH  of  4.5  and 
and  6.0  (4).  Dehydration  in  preparation  for 
urography  predisposes  to  the  precipitation  of 
myeloma  protein  in  the  tubules.  Although  copious 
hydration  may  help  prevent  the  development  of 
anuria,  the  need  for  urography  should  be  care- 
fully evaluated  in  patients  with  known  myeloma, 
as  it  is  impossible  to  determine  prior  to  roentgen- 
ography which  patient  will  develop  anuria.  (3). 

★★★ 

2500  North  State  Street  (39216) 

REFERENCES 

1.  Ackerman  and  del  Regato:  Cancer,  3rd  Edition.  St. 
Louis,  The  C.  V.  Mosby  Co.,  1962,  pp.  1142-1170. 

2.  Craver,  L.  F.,  and  Miller,  D.  G.:  Multiple  Myeloma. 
Cancer  16:142-155,  July-Aug.  1966. 

3.  Gross,  Melvin,  McDonald,  Harold,  Jr.,  and  Water- 

house,  Keith:  Anuria  Following  Urography  with 

Meglumine  Diatrizoate  (Renografin)  in  Multiple 
Myeloma.  Radiology  90:780-781,  1968. 

4.  Lasser,  E.  C.,  Lang,  J.  H.,  and  Zawadzki,  Z.  A.:  Con- 
trast Media:  Myeloma  Protein  Precipitation  in  Urog- 
raphy. J.A.M.A.  198:945-947,  Nov.  21,  1966. 

5.  Meschan,  Isadore:  Roentgen  Signs  in  Clinical  Prac- 
tice, Vol.  I.  Philadelphia,  W.  B.  Saunders  Co.,  1966, 
pp.  278-280,  393,  508-510. 

6.  Paul  and  Juhl:  The  Essentials  of  Roentgen  Interpre- 
tation, 2nd  Edition.  Hoeber  Medical  Division,  Harper 
and  Row,  Publisher,  49  East  33rd  St.,  New  York, 
N.  Y.  10016,  1965,  pp.  160-161. 


VENGEANCE  IS  MINE 

Three  motorcycle  bums,  replete  with  leather  jackets,  boots,  and 
beards,  swaggered  into  a truck  stop  restaurant  and  ordered  beer. 
Noticing  a truck  driver  eating,  they  snatched  his  steak  away, 
grabbed  his  bread,  and  threw  his  cup  of  coffee  on  the  floor. 

The  truck  driver  said  nothing,  got  up  from  his  seat,  and  paid 
his  bill  with  a smile.  When  the  three  cycle  bums  finished  their 
beer,  they  commented  to  the  cashier:  “That  truck  driver  isn’t 
much  of  a man,  is  he?” 

“No,”  replied  the  cashier,  “and  he  isn’t  much  of  a truck  driver, 
either.  When  he  left,  he  ran  over  those  three  motorcycles  parked 
outside.” 


270 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


NATIONAL  AND  REGIONAL 

American  Medical  Association,  Annual  Conven- 
tion, June  21-25,  1970,  Chicago,  Clinical  Con- 
vention, Nov.  29-Dec.  2,  1970,  Boston.  Ernest 
B.  Howard,  Executive  Vice  President,  535  N. 
Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111.  60610. 

Southern  Medical  Association,  64th  Annual 
Meeting,  Nov.  16-19,  1970,  Dallas.  Mr.  Rob- 
ert F.  Butts,  Executive  Director,  2601  High- 
land Ave.,  Birmingham,  Ala.  35205. 

STATE  AND  LOCAL 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association,  102nd  An- 
nual Session,  May  11-14,  1970,  Biloxi.  Mr. 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy,  Executive  Secretary, 
735  Riverside  Drive,  Jackson  39216. 

Amite-Wilkinson  Counties  Medical  Society,  Third 
Monday,  March,  June,  September,  December. 
James  S.  Poole,  Centreville,  Secretary. 

Central  Medical  Society,  First  Tuesday,  January, 
March,  May,  September,  November,  6:30  p.m., 
Primos  Northgate  Restaurant,  Jackson.  Robert 
P.  Henderson,  Suite  B-6,  Medical  Arts  Build- 
ing, Jackson,  Secretary. 

Claiborne  County  Medical  Society,  1st  Tuesday 
each  month,  6:00  p.m.,  Claiborne  County 
Hospital,  Port  Gibson.  D.  M.  Segrest,  Port 
Gibson,  Secretary. 

Clarksdale  and  Six  Counties  Medical  Society, 
Third  Wednesday,  April  and  First  Wednesday 
November,  2:00  p.m.,  Clarksdale.  Walter  T. 
Taylor,  P.O.  Box  1237,  Clarksdale,  Secretary. 

Coast  Counties  Medical  Society,  First  Wednesday, 
January,  March,  May,  September  and  Novem- 
ber. C.  Hal  Cleveland,  P.O.  Box  1018,  Gulf- 
port, Secretary. 

Delta  Medical  Society,  Second  Wednesday,  April 
and  October.  Howard  A.  Nelson,  308  Fulton 
St.,  Greenwood,  Secretary. 

DeSoto  County  Medical  Society,  Third  Thursday, 
February  and  August,  1:00  p.m.,  Kenny’s  Res- 
taurant, Hernando.  Malcolm  D.  Baxter,  Jr., 
Baxter  Clinic,  Hernando,  Secretary. 


East  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  First  Tuesday, 
February,  April,  June,  August,  October,  and 
December.  Reginald  P.  White,  East  Mississip- 
pi State  Hospital,  Meridian,  Secretary. 

Adams  County  Medical  Society,  First  Tues- 
day, April  and  October.  Cherie  Friedman, 
and  December,  Eola  Hotel  Roof,  Natchez. 
Walter  T.  Colbert,  Jefferson  Davis  Memorial 
Hospital,  Natchez,  Secretary. 

North  Central  District  Medical  Society,  Third 
Wednesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  De- 
cember. James  E.  Booth,  Eupora,  Secretary. 

Northeast  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second 
Tuesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. S.  Jay  McDuffie,  Nettleton,  Secretary. 

North  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  First  Thurs- 
day, April  and  October,  Cherie  Friedman, 
1004  Jackson  Ave.,  Oxford,  Secretary. 

Pearl  River  County  Medical  Society,  Second  Mon- 
day, March,  June,  September,  and  December. 
J.  M.  Howell.  139  Kirkwood  St.,  Picayune, 
Secretary. 

Prairie  Medical  Society,  Second  Tuesday,  March, 
June,  September,  and  December.  A.  Robert 
Dill,  1001  Main  Street,  Columbus,  Secretary. 

Singing  River  Medical  Society,  Third  Monday, 
January,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. Donald  E.  Dore,  Singing  River  Hospital, 
Pascagoula,  Secretary. 

South  Central  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second 
Tuesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. Julian  T.  Janes,  Jr.,  304  Clark,  McComb, 
Secretary. 

South  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  Thurs- 
day, March,  June,  September,  and  December. 
W.  B.  White,  Medical  Arts  Bldg.,  Laurel,  Sec- 
retary. 

West  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  Tues- 
day, January,  April,  July,  and  October,  7:00 
p.m.,  Old  Southern  Tea  Room,  Vicksburg. 
Martin  E.  Hinman,  the  Street  Clinic,  Vicks- 
burg, Secretary. 


MAY  1970 


271 


The  President  Speaking 


Past  and  Future:  The  Task  Ahead 

JAMES  L.  ROYALS,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


As  we  make  plans  for  the  state  convention  in  Biloxi  and  as  I 
write  this,  my  last  editorial  as  President  of  the  State  Medical 
Association,  it  seems  only  natural  to  reflect  on  the  events  of  the 
last  year. 

The  year  has  been  dominated  by  two  sessions  of  the  state 
legislature  which  considered  many  bills  of  major  importance  to 
medicine,  the  foremost  of  which  was  Medicaid.  While  in  general 
we  were  warmly  received  by  the  Legislature,  it  became  painfully 
apparent  during  the  year  that  we  have  lost  much  of  the  rapport 
that  we  formerly  enjoyed.  With  big  government,  both  state  and 
federal,  moving  massively  into  the  health  care  field,  it  is  urgently 
necessary  that  we  do  some  fence  mending  with  our  friends  in  the 
Legislature. 

The  second  reflection  which  comes  to  mind  is  that  controls  on 
medicine  were  on-rushing  from  outside  sources;  and  these  con- 
trols are  coming  in  large  part  because  of  our  own  reluctance  to 
exercise  a proper  police  of  our  own  ranks.  A mechanism,  through 
peer  review  committees,  is  being  set  up  to  correct  this.  Our  own 
self-interest  demands  that  it  be  effective.  If  we  are  to  retain  the 
free-enterprise  system  of  medical  care,  we  must  continue  to  prove 
it  to  be  worthy. 

In  order  to  successfully  meet  the  efforts  of  those  who  would 
make  the  health  care  team  a vassal  of  the  state,  it  is  necessary 
that  all  physicians  actively  participate  in  organized  medicine.  We 
have  a democratic  organization  which  needs  to  be  constantly  up- 
graded and  improved  so  that  the  unified  voice  of  medicine  will  be 
loud  and  clear.  We  have  a good  organization.  To  meet  our  re- 
sponsibility to  the  public,  let  us  work  to  make  it  better. 

Lastly,  it  is  with  deep  appreciation  that  I thank  the  members 
of  the  State  Medical  Association  for  the  warmth  with  which 
Mary  Alice  and  I have  been  received  in  our  travels  about  the 
state.  *** 


272 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


JOURNAL  OF  THE 
MISSISSIPPI  STATE 
MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

VOLUME  XI,  NUMBER  5 

May  1970 


The  Family  Practice  Specialist: 

Medicine’s  New  Man 


T 

My  husband  has  practiced  medicine  for  20 
years,”  the  wife  of  a Mississippi  family  physician 
recently  observed  with  whimsical  humor,  “and 
now  they  are  going  to  give  him  an  examination 
to  see  if  he  is  qualified  to  be  a general  prac- 
titioner.” 

This  is  not  an  unusual  reaction  to  the  concept 
of  medicine’s  newly-emerged  discipline,  family 
practice,  replete  with  certifying  board,  specialty 
society,  the  blessings  of  AMA,  and  a fistful  of 
credentials  which  may  change  the  organization 
of  care  delivery.  Some  have  scoffed  at  the  very 
idea  of  “certifying  a man  to  do  everything”  when 
it  takes  up  to  five  years  to  know  something 
about  a single  specialty.  It  is  in  this  critical  ap- 
praisal of  family  practice  that  the  key  to  under- 
standing of  the  concept  may  lie. 

For  one  first  thing,  the  diplomate  of  the  Amer- 
ican Board  of  Family  Practice  shall  not  have 
demonstrated  total  proficiency  in  the  19  other 
specialty  disciplines.  He,  above  all  physicians 
readily  recognizes  that,  and  he  will  depend  heav- 
ily on  his  fellow  specialists  in  the  care  of  his  pa- 
tient as  he  does  today.  Only  he  will  do  it  in  a 
different  manner  and  context  of  professional  ap- 
proach. His  is  an  inclusive  rather  than  exclusive 
specialty,  and  he  is  a sort  of  third-generation 


generalist.  Explaining  this,  Dr.  Vernon  Wilson, 
vice  president  for  Academic  Affairs  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Missouri,  says  that  “his  approach  to 
medicine  will  be  built  on  the  foundation  of  yes- 
terday’s country  doctor  and  today’s  general  prac- 
titioner, but  developed  from  that  foundation  in- 
to something  different.” 

That  something  different  is  what  we  must  un- 
derstand and  appreciate.  This  new  breed  of 
M.D.  could  be  the  answer  to  growing  problems 
in  organizing  the  delivery  of  medical  care. 

II 

Among  words  of  praise  flowing  from  the  elo- 
quent pens  of  today’s  writers  are  characterizations 
of  the  pathologist  as  medicine’s  indispensable 
man,  of  the  transplant  surgeon  as  the  scientist 
ahead  of  the  astronauts,  of  the  internist  as  medi- 
cine’s infallible  detective,  and  on  to  the  anes- 
thesiologist as  the  comforter  who  has  made  the 
surgeon  successful.  Frankly,  about  the  most  writ- 
ten of  late  about  the  general  practitioner  is  that 
he  is  the  vanishing  American.  Now  he  promises 
to  re-emerge  as  a vital,  exciting  quantity  with  a 
horizon  of  service  beyond  most  hopes:  He  in- 
tends to  treat  people  instead  of  things. 

The  new  specialty  board  came  to  full  term 
and  delivery  with  not  a few  antepartum  compli- 


MAY  1970 


273 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

cations.  The  AMA  House  of  Delegates,  whose 
endorsement  was  crucial,  didn't  buy  the  package 
without  knowing  the  contents.  The  Ad  Hoc  Com- 
mittee on  Education  for  Family  Practice,  a body 
of  AMA,  labored  long  and  hard  with  the  medi- 
cal educators,  the  Advisory  Board  to  the  Medi- 
cal Specialties,  the  AMA  Council  on  Medical 
Education,  and  state  medical  associations.  The 
American  Academy  of  General  Practice  made  a 
reasoned  decision  on  the  entire  idea,  not  with- 
out lively  and  even  stormy  debate. 

AAGP  defines  the  family  specialist  as  a phy- 
sician who: 

— Serves  his  patient  as  the  physician  of  pri- 
mary contact,  the  portal  of  entry  into  a better- 
organized  health  care  system. 

— Makes  an  evaluation  of  total  health  care 
need,  treating  some  conditions  himself  and  re- 
ferring the  patient  to  other  specialists  as  neces- 
sary while  maintaining  care  continuity. 

— Accepts  responsibility  for  continuous  and 
comprehensive  care  while  acting  as  the  coordi- 
nator of  services. 

— Views  the  patient’s  medical  requirements 
within  the  context  of  the  environment,  the  family 
unit  and  the  community. 

This  specialist,  then,  is  as  much  of  an  advocate 
as  a physician.  Dr.  Wilson  compares  the  family 
physician  to  an  attorney  on  continuing  retainer 
as  opposed  to  a source  of  one-time,  episodic 
service.  He  must  emphasize  preventive  services 
more  than  curative  services  within  the  family 
unit  if  his  new  role  is  to  become  more  than  words. 

Ill 

All  of  this  adds  up  to  a new  kind  of  medical 
education,  and  this  is  a knotty  problem  for  the 
specialty.  There  must  be  students,  competent 
teachers,  and  specialized  departments  in  medical 
schools.  Educators  must  be  won  over  to  the  cause, 
say  representatives  of  family  practice,  because 
too  few  of  the  schools  have  even  begun  to  shape 
a curriculum  meeting  the  residency  essentials.  A 
few  prophets  of  gloom  feel  that  an  insufficient 
number  of  students  will  be  interested,  even  when 
the  new  departments  are  established.  More  feel 
that  there  are  plenty  of  medical  students  in- 
clined toward  family  practice  and  that  all  they 
need  is  the  vehicle. 

Nor  can  the  nation’s  70,000  generalists  already 
in  practice  be  overlooked,  let  alone  relegated  to 
a lower  rung  on  the  medical  ladder.  There  is  a 
job  to  do  in  postgraduate  education,  including 
the  selling  of  the  new  concept,  if  the  discipline  is 
to  unite  rather  than  fragment.  Since  nobody  gets 


certification  under  a grandfather  clause,  today’s 
general  practitioner  has  the  dual  tasks  of  quali- 
fying himself  and  carrying  the  colors  forward  for 
a training  mechanism. 

The  family  practitioner,  already  established, 
has  10  years  to  achieve  certification,  but  if  he 
has  been  in  practice  for  at  least  six  years  and  can 
show  that  he  has  satisfactorily  completed  300 
hours  of  postgraduate  work  acceptable  to  the 
American  Board  of  Family  Practice,  he  is  deemed 
eligible  to  sit  for  the  examination.  A medical 
educator  who  has  been  on  the  job  for  six  years  is 
similarly  eligible.  The  first  examination  was  con- 
ducted in  February  of  1970,  a scant  year  after 
the  new  specialty  saw  the  light  of  day. 

IV 

Everybody  is  talking  and  writing  about  the 
delivery  of  medical  care,  the  system,  its  orga- 
nization, financing,  and  mostly,  its  problems. 
Some  go  so  far  as  to  say  that  there  isn’t  a deliv- 
ery system  at  all.  Many  mistake  medical  care 
financing  as  a delivery  system,  when  this  is  only 
a part.  Hard-line  proponents  of  prepaid  group 
practice — closed  panels  to  most  of  us — argue 
that  organization  is  everything  and  that  under 
group  practice,  financial  problems  take  care  of 
themselves. 


“ Doctor  Quigley? — About  that  sheep’s  kidney  you 
put  in  me  . . 


274 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Probably  nobody  is  entirely  correct  on  the 
matter.  There  is  a delivery  system,  but  anyone 
who  has  any  knowledge  of  it  understands  that  it 
is  straining  at  the  seams  with  manpower  short- 
ages, spiraling  costs,  overburdened  facilities,  and 
a growing  population  of  consumers  who  are  de- 
manding more  services.  The  extension  of  the 
financing  base  through  Medicare,  Medicaid,  and 
growth  of  health  insurance  and  prepayment  has 
exacerbated  these  woes,  and  now  supply  and 
demand  economics  are  getting  some  of  the  fi- 
nancing mechanisms  in  hot  water. 

Forward-thinking  medical  men,  not  necessar- 
ily the  liberal  left  decrying  traditional  delivery 
patterns,  believe  that  the  organization  of  care  is 
destined  to  change  in  the  1970’s.  We  shudder — 
not  for  ourselves  but  for  our  patients — when  we 
think  of  political  “solutions”  in  national  com- 
pulsory health  insurance,  because  the  inevitable 
squeeze  on  finances  must  influence  quality  and 
quantity  of  care. 

This  is  a roundabout  way  of  saying  that  a care 
organizer  within  the  private  practice  structure 
might  be  the  answer.  He  would  make  an  assess- 
ment of  need,  treat  what  he  can  and  should, 
and  call  in  another  specialist  where  and  when  in- 
dicated. But  he  would  maintain  the  continuity 
and  have  the  competence  to  do  so.  Moreover,  if 
he  did  his  job  in  preventive  care,  then  at  least 
some  need  for  drastic,  episodic  service  might  be 
avoided. 

This  is  admittedly  an  ideal  view,  but  the  new 
specialist  might  just  be  a key  to  organization,  pre- 
vention, and  the  safety  valve  on  rising  costs.  But, 
we  think  it  appropriate,  within  the  framework  of 
private  care  delivery.  Carried  to  the  logical  con- 
clusion, this  is  the  antithesis  of  bureaucracy,  the 
end  result  of  just  about  everything  the  govern- 
ment has  arrogated  unto  itself. 

Family  practice  in  this  new  perspective  has 
not  been  hastily  conceived,  and  it  makes  the 
most  of  the  useful  past  while  looking  ahead  to 
make  a good  thing  better.  The  medical  histo- 
rian may  someday  write  that  this  development  of 
the  1960’s  was  American  medicine’s  strongest 
forward  thrust  in  its  most  difficult  days. — R.B.K. 

Part  1-B  Is  a 
Two-way  Street 

Distress  and  unrest  is  growing  among  many 
physicians  who  care  for  patients  under  Part  1-B 
of  Medicare.  Some  are  beginning  to  wonder  how 
serious  the  government  is  about  paying  a just 
and  reasonable  fee  for  needed  medical  services. 


And  this  isn’t  an  infrequent  quirk,  either,  because 
a developing  pattern  clearly  indicates  otherwise. 

A respected  component  of  the  state  medical 
association,  the  Northeast  Mississippi  Medical  So- 
ciety, was  sufficiently  concerned  to  take  formal 
action  over  “arbitrary  treatment”  of  physicians’ 
claims  by  the  Tupelo  office  of  the  Travelers  In- 
surance Co.,  unanimously  adopting  a resolution 
of  protest  during  a regular  meeting. 

More  than  a handful  of  physicians  in  the  south 
and  southeastern  areas  of  the  state  have  raised 
their  voices  in  protest  over  the  handling  of  Part 
1-B  Medicare  claims  at  the  Hattiesburg  office. 
And  there  are  more — more  physicians  and  more 
instances  of  protest. 

Chief  among  complaints  recorded  is  imposi- 
tion of  limitations  on  care,  such  as  replying  that 
one  visit  to  a physician  every  two  weeks  is  suf- 
ficient for  treatment  of  a given  condition.  The 
squeeze  on  fees,  now  pegged  at  the  75th  per- 
centile of  1969  levels,  often  shows  up  in  strange 
contrast  to  the  initially  unctuous  policy  of  paying 
usual  and  customary  charges  based  on  prevail- 
ing levels  in  a community  or  socioeconomic  area. 

The  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  is 
firmly  on  record  as  condemning  overutilization 
of  any  medical  care  financing  mechanism.  It  sup- 
ports peer  review,  fair  and  impartial  application 
of  the  usual  and  customary  concept  under  which 
adjustments  of  fees  can  be  made,  and  profession- 
al judgment  implicit  in  professional  responsibil- 
ity. These  are  not  just  pretty  words,  empty  of 
content,  and  uttered  to  get  a high-sounding  but 
sterile  policy  on  the  record.  These  are  serious 
expressions  of  warranty  upon  care  delivery  as- 
surances, and  the  association  cannot  regard  light- 
ly any  action  by  a medical  care  financing  mecha- 
nism which  accepts  the  commitment  but  ignores 
the  judgment. 

Even  more  distressing  are  some  actions  in 
processing  unassigned  Part  1-B  claims  where  the 
carrier’s  obligation  ends  with  payment  of  the  al- 
lowable amount  to  the  beneficiary.  There  are 
recorded  instances  of  the  carrier’s  advising  bene- 
ficiaries that  their  responsibility  to  the  physi- 
cian has  been  satisfied. 

The  Journal  has  only  recently  observed  edi- 
torially that  the  government  is  inclined  to  strain 
at  a gnat  while  swallowing  a camel.  Most  of  the 
incidences  cited  are  gnats  compared  to  the  camel 
of  concomitant  hospital  charges.  But  then  again, 
the  physician  is  a single  entity,  devoting  long 
hours  to  care  of  his  patients,  and  the  easy  target 
for  the  claims  examiner’s  blue  pencil. 

The  association  has  no  reservations  about  in- 
terpreting “reasonableness”  in  care  delivery.  But 
this  is  a two-way  street  where  the  traffic  rules  do 


MAY  1970 


275 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

not  permit  a traveler  to  drive  on  both  sides.  This 
has  been  made  clear  in  meetings  of  the  associ- 
ation’s Health  Insurance  Benefits  Advisory  Com- 
mittee with  representatives  of  HEW,  the  Social 
Security  Administration,  fiscal  intermediaries,  and 
the  Part  1-B  carrier.  There  are  indications  that 
the  association  has  become  increasingly  concerned 
over  these  distressing  developments.  Physicians 
have  made  a sincere  commitment,  and  they  ex- 
pect others  to  do  no  less. — R.B.K. 

The  Nelson  Syndrome 
and  Pill  Complications 

Sen.  Gaylord  Nelson  (D.,  Wis.),  the  solon  ac- 
cused of  “causing  100,000  unwanted  pregnan- 
cies” with  the  one-sided  hearing  on  oral  contra- 
ceptives, may  have  triggered  another  series  of 
phenomena.  The  Association  for  Voluntary  Ster- 
ilization reports  that  100,000  persons  a year  are 
requesting  permanent  sterilization.  Three  out  of 
four  applicants  are  men. 

Blue  Cross  plans  in  30  states  pay  hospital  costs 
for  inpatient  sterilization  procedures,  mostly  for 
medical  reasons.  Medicaid  pays  in  35  states  on 
the  same  basis.  CHAMPUS  universally  pays  for 
sterilization  for  medical  reasons,  every  vasectomy 
for  husband  where  the  procedure  is  contraindi- 
cated but  necessary  for  the  wife.  The  state  medi- 
cal association’s  CHAMPUS  Department  reports 
that  vasectomy  is  becoming  more  frequent  under 
the  program. 

Still  another  development  growing  out  of  the 
Nelson  hearings  on  the  pill  is  an  upsurge  in  sales 
of  mechanical  contraceptives.  One  manufacturer 
of  diaphragms  said  that  demand  is  up  500  per 
cent  for  his  product.  Another  mechanical  contra- 
ceptive maker  announced  the  first  mass  market 
consumer  advertising  campaign  with  purchase  of 
space  in  Playboy , Ebony,  and  Modern  Bride. 

The  recently-ordered  package  insert  for  pa- 
tients in  oral  contraceptives  may  undermine  usage 
further,  bringing  more  unusual  developments.  All 
of  this  comes  in  the  face  of  compounded  prob- 
lems in  the  population  explosion,  growing  wel- 
fare programs,  and  strains  on  medical  resources. 

When  the  consensus  of  reasoned  medical  opin- 
ion holds  that  benefits  of  oral  contraceptives  far 
outweigh  any  risks  inherent  in  their  use,  Sen. 
Nelson  has  performed  a disservice  to  the  public. 


He  intensifies  many  of  the  toughest  problems  i 
confronting  the  Congress  of  which  he  is  a mem- 
ber. He  has  made  use  of  scare  tactics,  the  most 
unscientific  approach  possible  to  any  issue,  eroding 
scientific  credibility  and  public  confidence.  This 
is  the  Nelson  Syndrome  which  may  be  correctly 
described  as  an  insidious  entity  of  doubt  capable 
of  exacerbating  social  ills  and  accelerating  eco- 
nomic debilitation. — R.B.K. 

Medical  Corpsmen, 
New  Manpower  Pool 

Learn  a new  word:  MEDIHC.  It  is  an  acronym 
for  Military  Education  Directed  Into  Health  Ca- 
reers, and  it’s  all  about  medics  who  are  sepa- 
rated from  the  military  services.  Traditionally, 
hospitals  and  other  medical  institutions  have 
found  that  former  military  medical  corpsmen  leave 
the  service  with  useful  and  often  immediately 
applicable  skills.  The  manpower  shortage  is  mak- 
ing medicine  take  a closer  look  at  these  service- 
men. 

Operation  MEDIHC  is  a joint  program  of  the 
Departments  of  Defense  and  HEW  aimed  at  uti- 
lizing the  skills  of  former  service  personnel  who 
were  assigned  to  medical  duties.  A number  of 
medical  societies  have  expressed  the  belief  that 
former  medical  corpsmen  make  the  best  “physi- 
cian’s assistant,”  equal  to  the  baccalaureate  degree 


“It  all  depends  . . . What  type  of  hospitalization 
plan  do  you  have?" 


276 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


trainees  now  coming  out  of  Duke  and  the  Uni- 
versity of  Colorado. 

Nearly  30,000  medical  corpsmen  are  discharged 
by  the  armed  services  each  year.  Even  small 
utilization  of  this  significant  pool  will  be  immense- 
ly helpful  in  easing  the  health  service  manpower 
squeeze.  Last  year,  it  was  demonstrated  that  15 
per  cent  of  these  separatees  were  immediately 
employable  in  the  health  care  field.  Another  sur- 
vey discovered  that  60  per  cent  of  the  corpsmen 
were  interested  in  obtaining  additional  education. 
The  1969  scoreboard  shows  that  19  per  cent  of 
those  separated  went  into  health  service  jobs 
full  time,  while  22  per  cent  went  into  combina- 
tion work-training,  i.e.,  student  technologist,  situ- 
ations. This  is  an  impressive  salvage  of  scarce 
talent. 

The  program  is  a brainchild  of  AMA  which 
first  offered  the  Department  of  Defense  medical 
advisory  services  in  health  careers.  Now,  pre- 
separation counseling  is  being  offered  soon-to-be- 
discharged  medics  at  214  domestic  military  in- 
stallations. Clearinghouse  centers  have  been  es- 
tablished to  exchange  information  on  individual 
qualifications  and  educational  requirements  for 
higher  qualification  on  dischargees. 

The  program  promises  to  increase  the  number 
of  former  corpsmen  entering  the  civilian  health 
care  field  by  5 per  cent  per  year  through  1975. 
This  is  a meritorious  program,  deserving  of  med- 
icine’s support  and  assistance. — R.B.K. 

The  Cost  Dilemma  of 
Hospital  Services 

Ready  for  a shocker?  Then  try  this:  Hospital 
costs  in  1969  were  twice  as  much  as  Franklin 
D.  Roosevelt’s  national  budget  in  1940! 

Last  year,  according  to  the  American  Hospital 
Association,  the  nation’s  5,820  community  hos- 
pitals experienced  a cost  increase  of  17.2  per 
cent  over  1968  for  a total  of  $17  billion.  That’s 
just  under  a third  of  the  sum  total  of  health 
care  costs  and  a rise  of  $2.5  billion  over  the  pre- 
ceding year.  Informed  observers  had  predicted 
a rise  of  15  per  cent,  but  they  were  a little  con- 
servative. 

AHA  says  that  supplies  and  equipment  are 
the  villains,  rather  than  personnel,  although  the 
costs  of  people  went  up  12  per  cent  for  the  in- 
stitutions. Translated  into  costs  per  patient  day, 
this  means  that  the  average  was  up  $9.15  over 
1968  for  a whopping  national  mean  of  $68.41. 
But  translated  again  onto  the  patient’s  bill,  it  is 
nearer  $75  per  day. 


The  outlook  isn’t  bright,  either,  for  the  rate  of 
rise  is  seen  as  a constant  for  two  more  years 
“as  the  hospitals’  wage  scales  catch  up  with  other 
industries,”  according  to  AHA.  Back  in  the  mid- 
1960’s  when  economic  savants  predicted  that 
hospital  per  diem  costs  would  hit  $100  per  day 
by  1975,  most  folks  doubted  or  simply  laughed. 
Nobody  is  laughing  now  as  we  perceive  just  how 
much  the  economists  were  off.  Already,  many 
metropolitan  hospitals  have  exceeded  $100  per 
day. 

In  1969,  28.4  million  Americans  were  ad- 
mitted to  hospitals,  up  about  2 per  cent  over 
1968.  Medicare  admissions  increased  over  6 per 
cent,  an  understandable  outcome  of  the  grow- 
ing segment  of  seniors  and  of  the  longer  life.  The 
average  patient  stay  was  8.1  days,  the  same  as 
1968,  while  the  average  stay  for  Medicare  and 
other  over-65  patients,  decreased  to  13  days 
from  the  previous  13.4  days. 

Outpatient  departments  in  hospitals  are  grow- 
ing by  leaps  and  bounds,  racking  up  118  million 
visits  in  1969.  Hospital  employment  went  up 
by  100,000  workers  to  a record  1.8  million. 

Hospitals  are  challenged  to  discover  and  ap- 
ply management  innovations  to  put  the  brakes  on 
the  costs  of  care.  Gradients  of  care  intensity 
are  more  urgently  needed  than  ever  before, 
both  for  conservation  of  high-priced,  short-sup- 
ply manpower  and  for  the  sheer  economics  of  how 
the  bill  can  be  paid.  The  not-so-funny  joke  that 
only  the  very  rich  and  the  very  poor  can  afford 
to  be  in  the  hospital  is  a little  more  aphoristic 
than  facetious. — R.B.K. 


May  28,  1970 

CARDIOPULMONARY 
RESUSCITATION 
TRAINING  PROGRAM 

Limited  to  15  physicians,  this  one-day 
course  is  designed  to  train  MRMP-CPR 
instructors  in  cardiopulmonary  resuscitation 
techniques.  The  course,  presented  jointly  by 
the  Mississippi  Heart  Association  and  the  Uni- 
versity of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  will 
feature  individual  instruction  in  cardiac  and 
respiratory  resuscitation  using  the  manikins 
and  care  of  the  manikins.  An  attorney  will 
speak  on  laws  involving  cardiac  arrest.  Dr. 
Leonard  Fabian,  anesthesiology  chairman,  is 


MAY  1970 


277 


POSTGRADUATE  / Continued 

coordinator  for  the  seminar.  Registration  will 
be  at  8:30  a.m.  in  the  School  of  Nursing. 

CIRCUIT  COURSES 

Eastern  Circuit 

Meridian — May  5 — Session  3 

Briarwood  Country  Club,  6:30  p.m. 
Session  3 — Complications  Associated  with 
Saddle  Block  Anesthesia  in  Obstetrics, 
Dr.  Donald  Sherline 

The  Management  of  Edema  Related  to 
the  Kidney,  Dr.  Ben  B.  Johnson 

FUTURE  CALENDAR 
May  11-14 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 
May  28 

Cardiopulmonary  Resuscitation 
Training  Course 


John  K.  Abide  of  Cleveland  spoke  at  the  March 
meeting  of  the  North  Delta  District  Nurses’  As- 
sociation on  the  importance  of  the  doctor-nurse 
and  nurse-patient  relationships  for  quality  pa- 
tient care. 

George  Allard  of  Flora,  Paul  B.  Brumby  of 
Lexington,  William  H.  Parker  of  Heidelberg, 
Tom  Herron  Mitchell  of  Vicksburg,  Howard 
D.  Clark  of  Morton,  and  John  G.  Atwood  of 
Meridian  have  been  re-elected  to  active  mem- 
bership in  the  American  Academy  of  General 
Practice.  Re-election  signifies  that  the  physician 
has  successfully  completed  150  hours  of  accred- 
ited postgraduate  medical  study  in  the  last 
three  years. 

G.  Spencer  Barnes  of  Columbus  assumed  the 
presidency  of  the  Mississippi  Heart  Association 
at  the  annual  one-day  assembly  in  Jackson. 

F.  C.  Boren  of  Mantachie  was  honored  on  his 
93rd  birthday  by  the  Pilot  Club  of  Mantachie. 
Dr.  Boren  still  sees  patients  and  has  been  prac- 
ticing for  almost  60  years. 


Theresa  L.  R.  Buckley  of  Biloxi  has  been  re- 
elected president  of  the  Altrusa  Club  of  Biloxi. 
Dr.  Buckley  limits  her  practice  to  ophthalmology. 

R.  G.  Burman  and  D.  C.  Raines,  III,  of  Gulf- 
port announce  the  removal  of  their  offices,  The 
Woman's  Clinic,  to  Medical  Arts  Plaza  at  1213 
Broad  Avenue. 

L.  J.  Clark,  Jr.,  of  Vicksburg  announces  the 
removal  of  his  office  to  2837  Clay  Street.  Dr. 
Clark  limits  his  practice  to  internal  medicine. 

John  Downer  of  Lexington  is  heading  the  1970 
educational  and  fund-raising  Crusade  of  the 
American  Cancer  Society  in  Holmes  County. 

A.  P.  Durfey,  John  R.  Durfey,  and  A.  P. 
Durfey,  Jr.,  of  Canton  have  moved  into  their 
new  office  building  located  on  Country  Club 
Road  near  the  Madison  General  Hospital. 

Elizabeth  Ferrington  of  Jackson  has  received 
the  Service  Award  of  the  American  Legion  for 
many  years  of  faithful  service  to  hospitalized  vet- 
erans. Dr.  Ferrington  was  on  the  staff  of  the 
Jackson  VA  Center  for  many  years  before  re- 
cently retiring. 

Harry  Frye  of  McComb  has  been  elected  to 
another  term  on  the  South  Pike  School  Board. 
Dr.  Frye  won  handily  over  his  opponent  982-234. 

On  pages  18  and  67  of  the  1970  Mississippi  Di- 
rectory of  Physicians,  Luther  H.  Fulcher  of 
Jackson  was  listed  incorrectly  as  Luther  H. 
Fulton. 

Wendell  N.  Gilbert,  Sr.,  of  Taylorsville  an- 
nounces the  opening  of  his  office  for  family  prac- 
tice in  the  old  Smith  County  Bank  Building. 

H.  Lamar  Gillespie,  Marcus  Hogan,  Ramsay 
O’Neal,  and  William  R.  Raulston,  all  of  Hat- 
tiesburg, have  initiated  a scholarship  program  for 
two  nursing  students  at  the  University  of  Southern 
Mississippi  School  of  Nursing. 

John  N.  Harrington  and  James  T.  Doster  of 
Columbus  announce  the  formation  of  a partner- 
ship for  the  practice  of  obstetrics  and  gynecol- 
ogy at  the  Medical  Arts  Center,  221  7th  Street 
North. 

Elmer  J.  Harris,  James  M.  Packer,  Robert 
P.  Henderson,  and  Ottis  G.  Ball,  all  of 
Jackson,  announce  the  association  of  Fred  A. 
Lewis  in  the  practice  of  radiology  at  316  Med- 
ical Arts  Building  and  at  the  Mississippi  Bap- 
tist Hospital. 

Mary  E.  Hawkins  of  Jackson  announces  the 


278 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


removal  of  her  office  to  Suite  205,  Medical  Arts 
Building,  1151  North  State  Street  for  the  prac- 
tice of  obstetrics  and  gynecology. 

James  H.  Hendrix,  Jr.  of  Jackson  participated 
in  the  recent  annual  convention  of  the  South- 
eastern Society  of  Plastic  and  Reconstructive  Sur- 
geons in  New  Orleans.  Dr.  Hendrix  is  current 
president  of  the  society. 

Dan  Keel,  Jr.,  of  Brookhaven  was  among  the 
District  Chairmen,  Commissioners,  and  Execu- 
tives of  eight  districts  of  the  Andrew  Jackson 
Council,  Boy  Scouts  of  America,  who  met  in 
Jackson  recently. 

Dewey  Lane  of  Pascagoula  has  been  named 
Jackson  County’s  Outstanding  Citizen  of  the  Year. 
He  was  chosen  from  a field  of  17  outstanding 
citizens  nominated  for  the  annual  B&PW  award. 

William  A.  Long,  Jr.,  of  Jackson  addressed 
the  Central  Mississippi  Chapter  of  the  Missisippi 
Association  of  Medical  Assistants  on  adolescent 
medicine  recently.  Dr.  Long  limits  his  practice  to 
ephebiatrics. 

M.  S.  Love  of  Gulfport  has  been  elected  a mem- 
ber of  the  Salvation  Army  Advisory  Board  and 
was  installed  at  the  annual  banquet  and  awards 
presentation. 


The  following  physicians  have  been  elected  to 
membership  by  their  respective  component  med- 
ical societies  in  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association  and  the  American  Medical  Associ- 
ation. 

Durfey,  Allan  Percy,  Jr.,  Canton.  Born  Can- 
ton, Miss.,  Aug.  12,  1937;  M.D.,  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  1962; 
interned  Confederate  Memorial  Medical  Center, 
Shreveport,  La.,  one  year;  surgery  residency, 
same,  July  1,  1963-June  30,  1967;  elected 
Jan.  6,  1970,  by  Central  Medical  Society. 

Gifford,  William  Burton,  Eupora.  Born 
Prentiss  County,  Miss.,  March  20,  1930;  M.D., 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine, 
Jackson,  1960;  interned  University  Medical  Cen- 
ter, Jackson,  Miss.,  one  year;  pediatric  residency, 
same,  July  1,  1961-June  30,  1962;  elected  Dec., 
1969,  by  North  Central  District  Medical  Society. 

Gore,  Edward  Kirkham,  Houston.  Born  Hous- 
ton, Miss.,  July  17,  1938;  M.D.,  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  1964; 
interned  Carswell  APB  Hospital,  Pt.  Worth,  Tex., 
one  year;  elected  Dec.  3,  1968,  by  Northeast 
Mississippi  Medical  Society. 


James  L.  McLain  of  Tylertown  announces 
the  relocation  of  his  offices  in  the  Doctor’s  Clinic 
in  the  old  Walthall  Hospital  building. 

William  C.  Munn  of  Mendenhall  has  moved 
into  his  new  clinic  building. 

Joe  Glenn  Peeler,  Jr.,  of  Shaw  has  been  se- 
lected for  inclusion  in  the  1970  edition  of  Out- 
standing Young  Men  of  America. 

Antone  W.  Tannehill,  Jr.,  and  Lloyd  L. 
Lummus  of  Tupelo  announce  the  opening  of 
new  offices  at  806  W.  Garfield. 

James  Waites  of  Laurel  has  been  named  chair- 
man of  the  Public  Health  Committee  of  the 
Laurel  Chamber  of  Commerce’s  1970  “Lorward 
Laurel”  program. 

John  R.  Young,  Jr.,  of  Natchez  has  been  elected 
Sergeant- At- Arms  of  the  Natchez  Rotary  Club. 


Hamernik,  Robert  Joseph,  Jackson.  Born 
Elbowoods,  N.  D.,  Nov.  29,  1938;  M.D.,  Uni- 
versity of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson, 
1964;  interned  University  Hospital  and  Hillman 
Clinics,  Birmingham,  Ala.,  one  year;  surgery  res- 
idency, University  Medical  Center,  Jackson, 
Miss.,  1965-66;  anesthesiology  residency,  same, 
March  1,  1968-Peb.  28,  1975;  elected  March  3, 
1970,  by  Central  Medical  Society. 

Lynch,  William  Prederick,  Jr.,  Jackson.  Born 
Jackson,  Miss.,  Jan.  30,  1934;  M.D.,  University 
of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  1959; 
interned  San  Diego  Naval  Hospital,  Calif.,  one 
year;  radiology  residency,  St.  Albans  Naval  Hos- 
pital, Long  Island,  N.  Y.,  March  1,  1963-March 
1,  1966;  elected  Jan.  6,  1970,  by  Central  Medi- 
cal Society. 

McPadden,  John  Wilbur,  West  Point.  Born 
Monroe,  La.,  June  26,  1939;  M.D.,  University 
of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  1965; 
interned  University  of  Texas  Medical  Branch, 
Galveston,  one  year;  pediatric  residency,  same, 


MAY  1970 


279 


NEW  MEMBERS  / Continued 

July  1,  1966-June  30,  1968;  elected  March  10, 
1970,  by  Prairie  Medical  Society. 

Ozborn,  Charles  Allen,  Eupora.  Born  Union, 
Miss.,  May  26,  1939;  M.D.,  University  of  Mis- 
sissippi School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  1964;  in- 
terned Mississippi  Baptist  Hospital,  Jackson,  one 
year;  elected  Dec.,  1969,  by  North  Central  Dis- 
trict Medical  Society. 

Walker,  Billy  Lake,  Tupelo.  Born  Utica,  Miss., 
July  2,  1937;  M.D.,  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  1962;  interned 
University  Medical  Center,  Jackson,  Miss.,  one 
year;  pathology  residency,  same,  July  1,  1963- 
June  30,  1965;  pathology  residency,  University 
Hospital,  Lexington,  Ky.,  July  1,  1965-June  30, 
1967;  elected  Dec.  9,  1969,  by  Northeast  Mis- 
sissippi Medical  Society. 

Wilder,  Samuel  Jobe,  Jr.,  Jackson.  Born  Co- 
lumbus, Miss.,  Aug.  18,  1935;  M.D.,  University 
of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  1964; 
interned  Duval  Medical  Center,  Jacksonville, 
Lla.,  one  year;  orthopaedic  surgery  residency, 
Mississippi  Baptist  Hospital,  Jackson,  July  1, 
1965-June  30,  1967  and  University  Medical  Cen- 
ter, Jackson,  Miss.,  July  1,  1967-June  30,  1969; 
elected  Jan.  6,  1970,  by  Central  Medical  So- 
ciety. 


Cannon,  Russell  Howell,  Bruce.  M.D., 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medi- 
cine, Jackson,  1958;  interned  Moses  H.  Cone 
Memorial  Hospital,  Greensboro,  North  Carolina, 
one  year;  surgery  residency,  University  Medical 
Center,  Jackson,  Mississippi,  July  1,  1959-July 
15,  1963;  died  March  19,  1970,  age  37. 

Robertson,  Milton  Harold,  Corinth. 
M.D.,  University  of  Louisville  School  of 
Medicine,  Kentucky,  1942;  interned  Kosair  Crip- 
pled Children’s  Hospital,  one  year,  and  Norton 
Memorial  Hospital,  one  year;  died  March  13, 
1970,  age  58. 


MSBH  Screens  Greene 
County  for  Medicaid 

Greene  County  is  the  second  county  in  the 
state  to  come  into  a State  Board  of  Health  pro- 
gram for  the  screening  of  children  entitled  to 
medical  care  under  the  state’s  Medicaid  program. 

The  program  got  under  way  in  Greene  Coun- 
ty April  1 6 and  will  continue  with  screening 
clinics  each  first  Thursday  and  third  Thursday 
at  the  county  health  department  at  Leakesville. 

Dr.  Lrank  M.  Wiygul,  Jr.,  director  of  the  Di- 
vision of  General  PJealth  Services,  State  Board 
of  Health,  said  some  400  young  people,  most  of 
them  between  five  and  18  years  old,  will  be 
screened. 

He  said  the  children  will  be  screened  for  heart 
defects,  vision  defects,  hearing  defects,  tuber- 
culosis, anemia  and  other  abnormal  conditions. 

Dr.  James  Totten,  county  health  officer  for 
Greene  County,  and  Mrs.  Myrnis  McCoy,  R.N., 
public  health  nurse  for  the  county,  will  coordi- 
nate the  program  at  the  local  level. 

Terry  Beck,  coordinator  for  the  program  at 
the  state  level,  said  parents  of  eligible  children 
will  be  notified  in  advance  of  the  date  and  time 
for  them  to  bring  the  children  in  for  screening. 

“We  urge  all  parents  to  come  in  at  the  exact 
time  designated  in  the  notice,”  said  Beck.  “Be- 
cause of  space  limitations,  we  can  only  accommo- 
date a certain  number  of  people  at  any  one 
time.” 

The  State  Board  of  Health  began  the  pro- 
gram March  12  in  Warren  County  and  plans  ul- 
timately to  extend  the  program  statewide,  as  fast 
as  circumstances  permit. 

“We  selected  Greene  County  as  the  second 
county,”  said  Beck,  “on  the  basis  of  need,  and 
on  the  basis  of  the  county’s  good  nursing  service 
and  its  ability  to  follow  up  on  people  to  be 
screened.” 

The  State  Department  of  Public  Welfare  is 
working  with  the  State  Board  of  Health  in  the 
program,  since  screening  is  primarily  for  those 
receiving  “Aid  to  Dependent  Children”  assist- 
ance. 

Certification  for  Medicaid  is  made  through  the 
State  Department  of  Public  Welfare.  Most  of 
those  included  in  the  medical  screening  pro- 
gram will  be  under  18. 

State  Board  of  Health  officials  have  estimated 
that  approximately  90,000  children  are  eligible 
for  the  screening. 


280 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Book  Reviews 

Urinary  Tract  Infection  in  Childhood  and  Its 
Relevance  to  Disease  in  Adult  Life.  By  Victoria 
Smallpiece,  M.A.,  M.D.,  F.R.C.P.  142  pages  with 
illustrations,  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mosbv  Com- 
pany, 1969.  $9.50. 

This  concise  little  book  deals  with  problems 
of  recurrent  urinary  tract  infections  in  childhood 
and  its  sequelae  in  adult  life.  The  author  follows 
the  subject  in  chronological  order  dealing  first 
with  etiology,  then  diagnosis,  treatment,  course 
and  prognosis. 

Her  discussion  of  the  problems  of  vesicoureter- 
ic  reflux  is  interesting.  The  author  points  out  that 
the  correlation  between  reflux  and  infection  is 
well  documented  and  the  “incidence  of  reflux  in 
patients  with  pyelonephritis  tends  to  rise  with  im- 
provement in  diagnostic  techniques.” 

The  effects  of  hydration  and  of  osmolarity  on 
host  defence  is  discussed.  While  there  is  consid- 
erable volume  of  evidence  that  water  diuresis 
increases  the  resistance  of  the  kidney  to  infec- 
tion, there  are  varying  views  on  the  reasons  for 
this.  She  points  out  the  work  of  Schlegel  and 
Burden  who  believed  that  since  a dilute  urine 
will  also  reduce  the  concentration  of  sulphona- 
mides  and  of  urea,  this  is  contraindicated.  They 
consider  that  urea  as  found  in  concentrated  urine 
is  bactericidal.  Other  writers  are  in  favor  of  in- 
creasing urine  flow. 

The  author  points  out  that  urinary  tract  in- 
fection in  the  young  child  is  more  liable  than 
any  other  common  disease  to  be  overlooked  by 
the  parents  and  misdiagnosed  by  the  medical 
profession.  Reasons  for  this  include  paucity  of 
symptoms  in  some  cases.  “It  cannot  be  too  strong- 
ly emphasized  that  reinfection  in  the  course  of 
chronic  pyelonephritis  in  children  of  any  age  can 
be  completely  symptom  free.” 

Whether  every  child  should  have  a full  uro- 
logical investigation  including  pyelograms,  mictu- 
rating cystourethrogram,  pressure  studies  and 
ladoscopy  at  the  time  of  the  first  attack  is  a 
matter  of  discussion.  Most  workers  are  in  favor 
of  at  least  the  first  two  examinations. 


The  underlying  theme  throughout  this  book  is 
the  importance  of  diagnosis  and  treatment  of  re- 
current urinary  tract  infections  in  children  and. 
thus,  avoiding  the  future  sequelae  of  progressive 
renal  failure  and  death. 

Joel  L.  Alvis,  M.D. 

The  Practice  of  Refraction,  Eighth  Edition. 
By  Sir  Stewart  Duke-Elder,  M.D.,  Ph.D.,  F.A.C.S. 
329  pages  with  illustrations.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V. 
Mosby  Company,  1969.  $11.75. 

The  author  states  in  his  preface  that  no  revo- 
lutionary changes  have  appeared  in  the  art  of 
refraction  since  the  seventh  edition.  This  is  true 
and  is  best  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  the  preface 
and  indeed  each  and  every  chapter  is  practically 
identical  to  its  predecessor.  Several  new  tables 
of  a mathematical  nature  are  added. 

The  art  of  refraction  must  first  be  preceded  by 
a firm  grounding  in  the  principles  of  optics,  the 
refractive  system  of  the  eye  and  the  anomalies 
of  refraction.  The  present  text  continues  to  pro- 
vide clearly  this  essential  information. 

All  the  illustrations  continue  to  use  English 
(and  outmoded  English  at  that)  instruments. 
The  chapter  on  contact  lens  has  been  used  again 
without  a single  alteration.  This  is  unfortunate 
as  important  basic  advances  have  been  made  in 
this  particular  area. 

In  summary,  this  slim  text  provides  a good, 
inexpensive  and  generally  complete  introduction 
to  that  subject  which  occupies  necessarily  an  im- 
portant niche  in  the  opthalmologist's  life. 

Richard  L.  Blount,  M.D. 

New  Books  Received 

Manic  Depressive  Illness.  By  George  Winokur, 
M.D..  Paula  J.  Clayton.  M.D.,  and  Theodore 
Reich,  M.D.  161  pages  with  illustrations.  St. 
Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mosby  Company,  1969. 
$6.50. 

Crisis  Fleeting.  Original  Reports  on  Military 
Medicine  in  India  and  Burma  in  the  Second 
World  War.  Compiled  and  Edited  by  James  H. 
Stone.  Office  of  the  Surgeon  General.  Depart- 


MAY  19  70 


28  1 


LITERATURE  / Continued 

ment  of  the  Army,  Washington,  D.  C,  1969. 
$3.75. 

Symposium  on  Cancer  of  the  Head  and  Neck. 
Edited  by  John  C.  Gaist’ord,  M.D.  362  pages 
with  583  illustrations.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mosby 
Company,  1969.  $31.50. 

The  Vitreous  in  Clinical  Ophthalmology.  By 
Norman  S.  Jaffe,  M.D.,  F.A.C.S.,  F.I.C.S.  300 
pages  with  334  illustrations.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V. 
Mosby  Company,  1969.  $32.50. 

Personnel  Administration  and  Labor  Relations 
in  Health  Care  Facilities.  By  James  O.  Hepner, 
M.H.A.,  Ph.D.;  John  M.  Boyer,  M.A.;  and  Carl 

L.  Westerhaus,  M.S.  370  pages.  St.  Louis:  The 
C.  V.  Mosby  Company,  1969.  $15.00. 

Handbook  of  Psychiatry.  By  Philip  Solomon, 

M. D.,  and  Vernon  D.  Patch,  M.D.  589  pages. 
Los  Altos,  Calif.:  Lange  Medical  Publications, 
1969.  $7.00. 

Synopsis  of  Obstetrics.  Eighth  Edition.  By 
Charles  E.  McLennan,  M.D.  with  collaboration 
of  Eugene  C.  Sandberg,  M.D.  496  pages  with 
212  illustrations.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mosby 
Company,  1970.  $9.50. 

Current  Diagnosis  and  Treatment.  By  Henry 
Brainerd,  M.D.,  Marcus  A.  Krupp,  M.D.,  Milton 
J.  Chatton,  M.D.,  and  Sheldon  Margen,  M.D. 
884  pages.  Los  Altos,  Calif.:  Lange  Medical 
Publications,  1970. 

Synopsis  of  Clinical  Cancer.  Second  Edition. 
By  Condict  Moore,  M.D.  267  pages  with  37  il- 
lustrations. St.  Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mosby  Com- 
pany, 1970.  $ 1 1.75. 

Miss.  House 
Commends  MSMA 

The  House  of  Representatives  of  the  State  of 
Mississippi  has  commended  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  in  House  Resolution  No.  114. 

The  House  expressed  appreciation  to  MSMA 
members  for  services  rendered  during  the  1970 
regular  session  of  the  Legislature. 

In  the  resolution  adopted  March  30  and  signed 
by  Speaker  John  R.  Junkin,  the  legislators  ex- 
pressed special  thanks  for  services  doctors  ren- 
dered during  the  recent  siege  of  flu  and  colds 
and  various  other  illnesses. 

The  state  medical  association  operates  the 
Emergency  Medical  Care  Unit  in  the  Capitol 
building  with  a registered  nurse  on  duty.  Physi- 
cians throughout  the  state  volunteer  to  serve  as 
Doctor  of  the  Day  during  the  legislative  sessions. 


Diabetes  Association 
Reorganizes  in  State 

The  Diabetes  Association  of  Mississippi  has 
been  reorganized  to  include  lay  members.  Na- 
tional regulations  of  the  association  formerly 
limited  membership  to  physicians. 

Earl  E.  Lundy  of  Jackson  is  serving  as  first 
president  of  the  new  association  and  other  of- 
ficers include  Dr.  Karleen  C.  Neill  of  Jackson  as 
president-elect,  J.  H.  Sasser,  Jr.,  of  Carthage, 
vice-president,  and  Normer  L.  Gill  of  Jackson, 
treasurer. 

Members  of  the  board  of  directors  are:  Leslie 
L.  Wilkinson,  L.  N.  Sepaugh,  W.  Clif  Shirley, 
Dr.  Herbert  G.  Langford,  Dr.  Perrin  H.  Berry, 
Dr.  W.  Johnson  Witt,  Dr.  L.  Tate  Carl,  all  of  Jack- 
son,  and  Dr.  W.  J.  Huddleston  of  Hattiesburg. 

Jaycees  Collect  Drug 
Samples  for  Vietnam 

The  Mississippi  Jaycees  have  reported  a suc- 
cessful initial  drug  collection  in  their  Jaycee  In- 
ternational Medical  Supplies  (J.I.M.S.)  project 
for  Vietnam. 

A total  of  8,000  pounds  of  medical  supplies 
valued  at  between  $40,000-50,000,  was  collected 
from  throughout  the  state,  according  to  Dr.  Rob- 
ert L.  Donald,  Jr.,  of  Pascagoula,  J.I.M.S.  state 
chairman. 

The  drugs,  collected  from  doctors’  offices,  drug 
company  representatives,  hospital  medical  and 
surgical  supplies,  drug  stores,  and  surgical  sup- 
ply houses,  included  antibiotics,  vitamins,  infant 
formulas  and  food  supplements,  and  oral  contra- 
ceptives. 

A second  J.I.M.S.  drive  began  in  April.  Local 
Jaycees  will  collect  drug  samples,  excluding 
amphetamines  and  barbiturates,  from  physicians. 
Hospital  administrators  are  asked  to  contribute 
discarded  but  repairable  medical  and  surgical 
supplies. 

The  supplies  will  be  shipped  to  Project  Con- 
cern, Inc.,  P.  O.  Box  2468,  San  Diego,  Calif.  This 
organization,  headed  by  Dr.  James  Turpin,  main- 
tains hospitals  in  Vietnam  and  hospital  ships  in 
Hong  Kong  Harbor. 

The  Mississippi  Air  National  Guard  will  fly  the 
drugs  and  supplies  from  Jaycee  headquarters  in 
Jackson  to  the  San  Diego  headquarters  of  Proj- 
ect Concern  where  they  will  be  readied  for  ship- 
ment overseas. 


282 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


The  new  addition  to  the  headquarters 
building  was  opened  with  all  officers  and 
Board  members  present.  Upper  right,  Pres- 
ident James  L.  Royals,  center,  wields  geld 
suture  scissors  to  cut  ribbon  as  President- 
elect Paul  B.  Brumby,  left,  and  Virgil 
Priester,  general  contractor,  assist.  Bottom, 
W.  R.  Bob  Henry,  A. I. A.,  architect,  right, 
presents  keys  to  Building  Committee,  from 
left,  Drs.  William  O.  Barnett,  Mai  S.  Rid- 
dell, Jr.,  and  J.  T.  Davis. 


WE  OPEN  YOUR  ADDITION . . . 


MAY  1970 


283 


VIPs  GRACE  THE  OCCASION . . . 


Association  leaders,  VIP's,  and  just 
old  friends — they  saw  the  new  addition 
and  each  other.  Top  from  left,  Dr.  Roy- 
als greets  Lt.  Gov.  Charles  Sullivan;  Miss 
Louise  Lacey,  executive  secretary  of  GP 
Academy,  chats  with  Dr.  Ed  Moak 
against  background  of  receiving  line  with 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Royals  and  Dr.  Riddell; 
and  Dr.  William  E.  Lotterhos  describes 
new  offices  to  Mrs.  Gordon  Dees  (back), 
Auxiliary  past  president.  Left  top,  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Guy  T.  Vise  inspect  general 
office  area,  and,  bottom  left,  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  James  T.  Thompson  greet  Dr.  Louis 
C.  Lehmann. 


284 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


It  had  all  the  trappings  of  a reception 
with  the  receiving  line  and  silver  punch 
bowl.  Top  right.  Dr.  G.  Swink  Hicks 
shows  State  Health  Officer  Hugh  B.  Cot- 
trell around;  center,  Mrs.  John  B. 
Howell,  Jr.,  presides  over  punch  bowl 
with  obvious  approval  of  Dr.  Howell; 
and  lower  right,  Mrs.  William  O.  Barnett 
talks  with  Dr.  and  Mrs.  James  O.  Gil- 
more. Bottom,  the  ladies  like  their  new 
office  in  the  headquarters  building,  the 
first  permanent  Woman’s  Auxiliary  home. 
From  left,  Mrs.  Paul  B.  Brumby,  im- 
mediate past  president;  Mrs.  Mai  S. 
Riddell,  Jr.,  past  president;  Mrs.  Curtis 
W.  Caine,  president-elect;  and  Mrs.  Louis 
C.  Lehmann,  president. 


THE  LADIES  OPEN  AN  OFFICE . . . 


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AMA  and  state  association  staff  repre- 
sentatives were  on  hand  to  see  the  lead- 
ership. Top  left,  Dr.  Barnett  has  a word 
on  business  with  AMA  Field  Represent- 
ative Leon  J.  Swatzell,  and  center,  Dr. 
Howard  A.  Nelson  looks  over  records 
with  association’s  Membership  Director 
Cindy  Sanders. 


BETTER  PEA  CE  TO  DO  THE  JOB  . . . 


Allied  health  professions  were  well 
represented  among  special  guests.  Lower 
right,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Everett  Crawford 
show  Medical  Care  Plan  Department  to 
Physical  Therapist  J.  T.  Gilbert. 


286 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Heart  Association 
Holds  Annual  Meet 

The  Mississippi  Heart  Association’s  1970  An- 
nual Assembly  was  held  in  Jackson  April  2, 
concurrently  with  the  Mississippi  Heart  Associ- 
ation Cardiovascular  Seminar  at  the  Univer- 
sity Medical  Center.  The  yearly  event  and  Awards 
Banquet  were  attended  by  members,  volunteers 
and  physicians  from  across  the  state. 

Elected  officers  for  the  coming  year  were  Dr. 
G.  Spencer  Barnes  of  Columbus,  president;  Ern- 
est G.  Spivey  of  Jackson,  president-elect;  Dr. 
Frederick  Tatum  of  Hattiesburg,  vice-president; 
Aven  Whittington  of  Greenwood,  secretary;  and 
Ray  R.  McCullen  of  Jackson,  treasurer.  Don- 
ald Bartlett  of  Como  was  the  outgoing  president. 

Keynote  speaker  for  the  meeting  was  Dr.  Jack 
W.  Fleming  of  Pensacola,  Fla.,  who  spoke  on 
“Coronary  Care  in  the  Community  Hospital.”  Dr. 


Fleming  stressed  the  importance  of  the  coronary 
care  unit,  mobile  coronary  care  unit  and  emer- 
gency room  nursing,  and  cited  statistics  to  prove 
that  many  cardiovascular  disease  victims  can  be 
saved  through  the  employment  of  recent  medi- 
cal innovations. 

A panel  of  physicians  addressed  the  delegates 
on  high  blood  pressure.  Moderated  by  Dr.  J.  Man- 
ning Hudson  of  Jackson,  it  was  composed  of  Dr. 
T.  D.  Lampton,  assistant  coordinator  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi Regional  Medical  Program,  who  dis- 
cussed “The  Problem  in  Mississippi”;  Dr.  Herbert 
G.  Langford,  UMC  professor  of  medicine,  who 
summarized  the  “Status  of  Knowledge”;  and  Dr. 
John  D.  Wofford  of  Greenwood,  who  told  “How 
Heart  Volunteers  Can  Help.” 

Current  programs  in  Cardiopulmonary  Resus- 
citation were  cited  by  Dr.  W.  L.  Wood,  Jr.,  of 
Tupelo,  chairman  of  the  CPR  committee;  and 
in  “Heart  Information  for  the  Public”  by  John 
D.  Holland  of  Jackson,  newly  elected  member  of 
the  Mississippi  Heart  Board  of  Directors. 


success 
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Viewing  an  exhibit  on  cardiopulmonary  resusci- 
tation during  the  Mississippi  Heart  Association 
Annual  Assembly  in  Jackson  are  newly  elected  of- 
ficers Ernest  G.  Spivey  of  Jackson,  president-elect; 


Donald  Bartlett  of  Como,  outgoing  president;  Dr. 
G.  Spencer  Barnes  of  Columbus,  president;  and  Ray 
McCullen  of  Jackson,  treasurer. 


29  1 


MAY  1970 


Dr.  Magnuson  Gets 
IMA  Knudsen  Award 

Dr.  Harold  j.  Magnuson  was  accorded  the 
highest  honor  in  the  held  of  industrial  medicine 
when  the  Knudsen  Award  was  conferred  upon 
him  by  the  Industrial  Medical  Association,  inter- 
national society  of  physicians  in  industry.  The 
award,  which  was  established  in  1939  by  the  late 
General  William  S.  Knudsen,  then  President  of 
General  Motors  Corporation,  has  been  presented 
annually  since  that  time  in  recognition  of  a physi- 
cian who  has  attained  distinction  in  the  held  of 
occupational  medicine  and  hygiene.  A bronze 
plaque,  symbol  of  the  honor,  was  presented  to 
Dr.  Magnuson  at  the  business  session  of  the  as- 
sociation’s 55th  annual  meeting  held  at  The  Pal- 
mer House. 

The  presentation  was  made  by  Dr.  Duane  L. 
Block,  President  of  the  association,  and  Physician- 
in-Charge,  Rouge  Medical  Services,  Ford  Motor 
Company.  Dr.  Block  acclaimed  Dr.  Magnuson’s 
many  contributions  to  occupational  medicine  and 
cited  his  accomplishments  as  an  administrator, 
educator  and  writer. 

Dr.  Magnuson  is  Associate  Dean  of  the  School 
of  Public  Health  at  the  University  of  Michigan, 
Ann  Arbor.  Until  his  recent  appointment  as  As- 


sociate Dean,  he  was  chairman  of  the  University’s 
department  of  industrial  health  and  Director  of 
the  Institute  of  Industrial  Health.  He  hrst  joined 
the  University  in  1962  following  his  retirement 
from  the  U.  S.  Public  Health  Service  after  21 
years  as  a Public  Health  Service  Officer.  He  re- 
ceived his  medical  degree  in  1938  from  the  Uni- 
versity of  Southern  California  and  the  degree 
of  Master  of  Public  Health  in  1942  from  the 
Johns  Hopkins  School  of  Hygiene  and  Public 
Health. 

Among  appointments  Dr.  Magnuson  held  with 
the  Public  Health  Service  were  Director  of  the 
Venereal  Disease  Experimental  Laboratory  at 
Chapel  Hill,  N.  C.,  and  Chief  of  Operational  Re- 
search for  the  PHS  venereal  disease  program. 
For  the  two  years  prior  to  his  retirement  from 
the  service,  he  was  Chief  of  the  Division  of  Occu- 
pational Health  in  Washington,  D.  C. 

Dr.  Magnuson  is  author  or  co-author  of  nearly 
100  scientific  articles  published  in  medical  and 
professional  journals.  Among  his  memberships,  he 
is  a Fellow  of  the  Industrial  Medical  Association, 
the  American  College  of  Physicians,  the  Amer- 
ican Public  Health  Association  and  the  American 
Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science.  He 
is  a diplomate  of  the  American  Board  of  Pre- 
ventive Medicine  and  a member  of  the  Board  for 
occupational  medicine. 


—The  lowest  priced  tetracycline— nystatin  combination  available— 


292 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Wyeth  Introduces 
New  Packaging  Concept 

Wyeth  Laboratories  has  introduced  a new 
concept  in  unit  dose  packaging,  called  TUBEX® 
TAMP-R-TEL®,  which  discourages  tampering 
and  permits  greatly  improved  control  of  inject- 
able narcotics  and  barbiturates.  TAMP-R-TEL 
is  a major  improvement  in  TUBEX,  Wyeth's 
line  of  unit  dose  medications  in  pre -filled  sterile 
cartridge-needle  units. 

The  new  TAMP-R-TEL  package  will  soon  be 
released  for  commercial  use,  and  gradual  turn- 
over of  current  TUBEX  narcotics  and  bar- 
biturates into  TAMP-R-TEL  is  expected  to  be 
completed  within  the  next  few  months. 

The  main  features  of  the  tamper-resistant  pack- 
age are  transparent  plastic  packaging  and  in- 
dividual cartridge  slots  with  end-lock  tabs. 

According  to  L.  J.  Hymel,  vice  president, 
sales  and  promotion,  the  TUBEX  TAMP-R-TEL 
concept  is  the  result  of  extensive  study  and  eval- 
uation in  the  hospital  setting.  “Many  hospital 
personnel  have  stated  there  is  pressing  need  for 
better  packaging  and  control  of  injectable  nar- 
cotics and  barbiturates,”  Hymel  said.  “The 
TAMP-R-TEL  package  was  specially  designed 
to  provide  such  control.  After  months  of  clinical 
testing  and  analysis  of  TAMP-R-TEL  in  a num- 
ber of  hospitals,  we  are  convinced  it  is  a major 
innovation  in  unit  dose  packaging  which  will  en- 
able hospitals  to  significantly  increase  the  secur- 
ity of  these  pilferage-prone  injectables.” 

Key  benefits  of  TAMP-R-TEL,  Hymel  says, 
include  the  following: 

— When  the  end-lock  tab  is  pulled  off  to  re- 
lease medication,  the  manufacturer's  seal  is  per- 
manently broken.  This  feature  enhances  pack- 
age integrity  and  discourages  pilferage. 

— Individual  cartridge  slots  permit  release  of 
a single  TUBEX  for  unit  dose  dispensing.  When 
the  end-lock  tab  has  been  broken  off,  special 
design  makes  it  almost  impossible  to  replace. 

— The  clear  plastic  package  permits  immedi- 
ate visual  identification  (front  or  back),  and  im- 


proved control  through  “at-a-glance”  accounta- 
bility. 

— Hospital  personnel  can  be  almost  certain  no 
tampering  has  occurred  if  the  end-lock  tab  has 
not  been  removed. 

The  TAMP-R-TEL  features  that  discourage 
tampering  also  facilitate  drug  inventory  count. 
There  are  no  increased  storage  requirements  with 
TAMP-R-TEL,  since  incorporating  the  new  con- 
cept has  not  changed  the  dimensions  of  the 
TUBEX  package. 

Wyeth  injectable  narcotics  soon  to  be  avail- 
able in  TUBEX  TAMP-R-TEL  are  codeine 
phosphate,  hydromorphone  hydrochloride,  MEP- 
ERGAN®,  meperidine  hydrochloride,  and  mor- 
phine sulfate. 

Barbiturates  in  TAMP-R-TEL  are  pentobarbi- 
tal, sodium,  U.S.P.;  phenobarbital,  sodium,  U.S.P.; 
and  secobarbital,  sodium. 

Pioneer  in  supplying  drugs  in  unit  dose  forms, 
Wyeth  supplies  a broad  line  of  such  medications. 
Wyeth's  unit  dose  line  of  injectables  includes  33 
drugs  and  65  dosage  variations  in  TUBEX  ster- 
ile cartridge-needle  units.  In  addition,  Wyeth  sup- 
plies an  extensive  selection  of  oral  solids,  liquids 
and  suppositories  in  REDIPAK®  single-unit  pack- 
ages for  hospitals. 


Injectable  narcotics  and  barbiturates  in  Wyeth's 
new  TUBEX®  TAMP-R-TEL®  are  supplied  in  a 
transparent  plastic  package  with  each  cartridge- 
needle  unit  locked  into  an  individual  slot  within 
the  transparent  package  by  its  own  end-lock  tab. 


MAY  1970 


295 


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Pneumococcus*  J 
“Staph"*  “Strep”*  f 
H.  influenzae*  \ 
M.  pneumoniae  (PPLO)*  ^ 
N.  gonorrhoeae* 


low  incidence 
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f outstanding  record 
of  clinical  success 


therapeutic  blood  levels 
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Health  Leaders 
Met  in  Washington 

Dr.  Roger  O.  Egeberg,  Mrs.  Shirley  Temple 
Black,  and  Dr.  Walter  C.  Bornemeier,  were  prin- 
cipal speakers  for  the  Third  National  Voluntary 
Health  Conference  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  May  7. 

The  two-day  meeting  at  the  Statler-Hilton  Hotel 
was  sponsored  by  the  Council  on  Voluntary 
Health  Agencies  of  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation. About  400  attended  the  conference. 

Among  the  other  speakers  were  the  Hon. 
George  Romney,  secretary  of  Housing  and  Urban 
Development,  Dr.  Julius  W.  Hill,  president  of  the 
National  Medical  Association,  and  Dr.  Leroy 
Burney,  newly  named  executive  director  of  the 
Milbank  Memorial  Fund. 

Dr.  A.  Roy  Tyrer,  Memphis,  Tenn.,  chairman 
of  the  sponsoring  Council,  said  this  was  a na- 
tional leadership  conference  to  discuss  all  aspects 
of  voluntarism.  The  conferees  explored  the  roles, 
responsibilities,  and  relationships  of  governmental 
agencies,  voluntary  organizations,  and  professional 
associations,  in  providing  health  care. 

The  Conference  theme,  “Health  Team  Rela- 
tionships: Governmental  Agencies,  Voluntary  Or- 
ganizations, Professional  Associations,”  was  de- 


veloped during  the  opening  keynote  session. 

Speakers  included  Dr.  Egeberg,  assistant  secre- 
tary for  Health  and  Scientific  Activities  of  the 
Dept,  of  HEW;  Mrs.  Black,  member  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  the  National  Multiple  Scle- 
rosis Society;  Dr.  Bornemeier,  president-elect  of 
the  AMA. 

Afternoon  sessions  featured  concurrent  dis- 
cussion groups.  Leadoff  speaker  at  Saturday 
morning’s  closing  session  was  Dr.  Burney  dis- 
cussing the  “Role  of  Foundations  in  Voluntarism.” 

Continuing  Professional  Education  Today  was 
discussed  by  Dr.  David  A.  Wood,  past  chairman 
of  the  Committee  on  Continuing  Professional 
Education  Programs  of  Voluntary  Health  Agen- 
cies. 

Four  forum  sessions  were  given: 

— Session  I,  Utilizing  Medical  Advisory  Com- 
mittees, Dr.  Campbell  Moses,  medical  director, 
American  Heart  Association; 

— Session  II,  Voluntary  Health  Agencies  and 
Regional  Medical  Programs,  Dr.  Willard  A. 
Wright,  consultant  to  the  AMA  Committee  on 
Community  Health  Care; 

— Session  III,  Effective  Use  of  Volunteers  and 
Consumers,  Dr.  James  E.  Perkins,  managing  di- 
rector, National  Tuberculosis  and  Respiratory  Dis- 
eases Association. 


HIGHLAND  HOSPITAL 

Asheville,  North  Carolina 

FOUNDED  1904 

A DIVISION  OF  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  PSYCHIATRY  OF  DUKE  UNIVERSITY 

Accredited  by  the  Joint  Commission  on  Accreditation  and  Certified  for  Medicare 

Complete  facilities  for  evaluation  and  intensive  treatment  of  psychiatric  patients,  including  individual  psycho- 
therapy, group  therapy,  psychodrama,  electro-convulsive  therapy,  Indoklon  convulsive  therapy,  drugs,  social  ser- 
vice work  with  families,  family  therapy  and  an  extensive  and  well  organized  activities  program,  including  oc- 
cupational therapy,  art  therapy,  music  therapy,  athletic  activities  and  games,  recreational  activities  and  outings.  The 
treatment  program  of  each  patient  is  carefully  supervised  in  order  that  the  therapeutic  needs  of  each  patient  may 
be  realized. 

High  school  facilities  for  a limited  number  of  appropriate  patients  are  now  available  on  grounds.  The  School 
Program  is  fully  integrated  into  the  hospital  treatment  program  and  is  accredited  through  the  Asheville  School 
System. 

Complete  modern  facilities  with  85  acres  of  landscaped  and  wooded  grounds  in  the  City  of  Asheville. 

Brochures  and  information  on  financial  arrangements  available 
Contact:  (1)  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Harkins,  ACSW,  Coordinator  of  Admissions 

or 

(2)  Samuel  N.  Workman,  M.D.  (3)  Charles  W.  Neville,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Chief  of  Clinical  Services  Assistant  Professor  of  Psychiatry 

and  Medical  Director 
Area  Code  704-254-3201 


MAY  1970 


299 


Can  one 

prescription 


56th  ACS  Clinical 
Congress  to  Meet 

The  world’s  largest  meeting  of  surgeons,  the 
56th  annual  Clinical  Congress  of  the  American 
College  of  Surgeons,  will  be  held  in  Chicago 
Oct.  12-16.  Some  14,000  physicians  and  guests 
from  throughout  the  world  are  expected  to  attend. 

Headquarters  hotel  will  be  the  Conrad  Hil- 
ton. The  program  will  feature  1 8 postgraduate 
courses,  more  than  260  research-in-progress  re- 
ports, some  60  panel  discussions,  operative  tele- 
casts from  a leading  Chicago  hospital,  and  ap- 
proximately 450  scientific  and  industrial  exhib- 
its. 

There  will  be  major  addresses  by  the  incoming 
president  of  the  college  and  selected  guest  speak- 
ers. Convocation  ceremonies  for  initiates  becom- 
ing Fellows  (members)  of  the  College  will  be 
held  Oct.  15. 

The  College’s  Distinguished  Service  Award 
will  be  presented  to  an  outstanding  Fellow  of 
the  College  and  honorary  fellowships  will  be 
presented  Oct.  15. 

Fellows  of  the  College  whose  dues  are  paid 
to  December,  1969,  may  register  free.  Non-Fel- 
lows pay  $90.00.  Doctors  in  the  federal  services 
pay  $50.00.  Initiates,  members  of  the  candidate 
group,  and  surgical  residents  register  free. 

Everyone  taking  one  of  the  18  postgraduate 
courses  must  pay  the  fee  for  the  course  selected. 
These  courses  are  accredited  by  the  Council  on 
Medical  Education  of  the  American  Medical  As- 
sociation. 

Official  registration  forms  will  be  available  af- 
ter June  1.  For  official  forms  contact:  Mr.  T.  E. 
McGiunis,  American  College  of  Surgeons,  55  East 
Erie  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois  6061 1. 

Thoracic  Society 
Holds  Annual  Meeting 

Members  and  guests  of  the  Mississippi  Tho- 
racic Society,  medical  section  of  the  Mississippi 
Tuberculosis  and  Respiratory  Disease  Associa- 
tion, attended  the  society’s  16th  Annual  Meeting 
at  the  University  Medical  Center  on  Thursday, 
April  16,  1970. 

The  scientific  sessions  of  this  one-day  meeting 
featured  two  guest  lecturers,  Dr.  Joseph  Bates, 
chief  of  medicine,  V.  A.  Hospital  and  associate 


professor  of  medicine,  University  of  Arkansas, 
Little  Rock;  and  Dr.  John  Oschner,  chairman  of 
department  of  surgery,  Oschner  Foundation  Hos- 
pital and  clinical  associate  professor,  Tulane 
School  of  Medicine,  New  Orleans. 

Dr.  Bates  spoke  on  “Needle  Biopsy  for  Dif- 
fuse and  Localized  Lesions  of  the  Lungs,”  “Pneu- 
monia— ‘Yesterady  and  Today,’  ” and  “Pulmo- 
nary Tularemia.”  Dr.  Oschner  discussed  “Bron- 
chial Adenomas”  and  “Thoracic  Lesions  in  the 
Infant  Requiring  Urgent  Surgical  Care.” 

Other  speakers  included  Dr.  James  Hardy, 
UMC,  Jackson,  speaking  on  “Current  Status  of 
Lung  Transplants”;  case  presentations  were  pre- 
sented by  MTS  members,  including  Dr.  Robert 
Cole,  Amory,  Dr.  Benton  Hilbun,  Tupelo,  Dr. 
John  R.  Williams,  Greenville  and  Dr.  Fred 
Tatum,  Hattiesburg. 

Dr.  Roland  Robertson,  Jackson  and  Dr.  An- 
tone  Tannehill.  Tupelo,  co-chairmen  of  the  pro- 
gram for  this  meeting  served  as  moderators  for 
the  morning  and  afternoon  sessions.  Dr.  Wilfred 
Cole,  MTS  President,  presided  at  the  business 
session-luncheon  scheduled  at  Primos  Northgate 
Restaurant. 


Dr.  Frank  Butler 
Named  to  Committee 


Dr.  Lawrence  W . Long  of  Jackson,  chairman  of 
the  MSMA  Committee  on  Publications , welcomes 
Dr.  Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr.,  of  McComb,  newly  ap- 
pointed committee  member.  The  six-member  com- 
mittee guides  the  editorial  policy  of  the  Journal 
and  oversees  production. 


MAY  1970 


301 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Drs.  Hull,  Henderson 
Elected  ACOG  Fellows 

Dr.  Calvin  Travis  Hull  of  Jackson  and  Dr.  Wil- 
liam H.  Henderson  of  Oxford  will  be  installed 
as  Fellows  of  the  American  College  of  Obstetri- 
cians and  Gynecologists  at  its  annual  meeting, 
April  12-18,  in  New  York  City. 

The  College,  which  was  founded  to  promote 
the  health  and  medical  care  of  women,  accepts 
physicians  who  specialize  in  obstetrics  and  gyne- 
cology, who  have  demonstrated  clinical  ability  by 
successful  completion  of  an  examination,  and 
who  have  been  judged  by  their  colleagues  as 
competent  and  ethical  physicians. 

A Fellow  must  be  a graduate  of  an  approved 
medical  school  and  for  at  least  five  years  prior 
to  applying  for  membership  in  the  College,  he 
must  have  limited  his  practice  to  obstetrics  and 
gynecology. 


Charges  Dropped 
Against  Dr.  McCaskill 

Circuit  Court  Judge  E.  H.  Green  ordered 
pending  cases  against  Dr.  Luther  W.  McCaskill 
of  Clarksdale  “nolle  prosequi”  in  a wrap-up  of 
the  court’s  activities  this  term. 

Dr.  McCaskill  was  charged  with  an  alleged 
illegal  abortion  death  and  with  the  performance 
of  two  other  alleged  illegal  abortions.  These 
charges  have  been  dropped. 

District  Attorney  Hoke  Stone  passed  the  phy- 
sician’s capital  charge  as  nol  pros  after  uncover- 
ing evidence  which  he  termed  “not  good  for  the 
state’s  case”  in  Jackson  recently. 

County  Attorney  George  Fleming  recommend- 
ed that  trial  for  the  two  abortion  charges  be  con- 
tinued during  the  summer  term  of  court  because 
“so  far  a diligent  search  has  not  turned  up  the 
aborted  women.” 

Harvey  Ross,  Dr.  McCaskill’s  attorney,  con- 
tested a continuance  of  the  charges  and  demand- 
ed an  immediate  trial.  Judge  Green  agreed  that 
every  citizen  is  entitled  to  a speedy  trial  and 
discharged  the  defendant,  according  to  press  re- 
ports. 

The  Mississippi  State  Board  of  Health  re- 
stored Dr.  McCaskill’s  medical  license  on  March 
12,  1970,  according  to  Dr.  Hugh  B.  Cottrell, 
Secretary,  Medical  Licensure. 


Brief  Summary  of  Prescribing  Information- 

9-9/ 22/ 69.  For  complete  information  consult 
Official  Package  Circular. 

Indications:  Essential  hypertension.  Use  cau- 
tiously in  patients  with  renal  insufficiency, 
particularly  if  they  are  digitalized. 
Contraindications:  Anuria,  oliguria,  active 
peptic  ulceration,  ulcerative  colitis,  severe  de- 
pression or  hypersensitivity  to  its  components 
contraindicates  the  use  of  Salutensin. 
Warnings:  Small-bowel  lesions  (obstruction, 
hemorrhage,  perforation  and  death)  have 
occurred  during  therapy  with  enteric-coated 
formulations  containing  potassium,  with  or 
without  thiazides.  Such  potassium  formula- 
tions should  be  used  with  Salutensin  only 
when  indicated  and  should  be  discontinued 
immediately  if  abdominal  pain,  distension, 
nausea,  vomiting  or  gastrointestinal  bleeding 
occurs.  Use  cautiously,  and  only  when  deemed 
essential,  in  fertile,  pregnant  or  lactating  pa- 
tients. Use  in  Pregnancy:  Thiazides  cross  the 
placenta  and  can  cause  fetal  or  neonatal 
hyperbilirubinemia,  thrombocytopenia, 
altered  carbohydrate  metabolism  and  possibly 
electrolyte  disturbances.  Fatal  reactions  may 
occur  with  reserpine  during  electroshock 
therapy;  discontinue  Salutensin  2 weeks  be- 
fore such  therapy.  Increased  respiratory 
secretions,  nasal  congestion,  cyanosis  and 
anorexia  may  occur  in  infants  born  to  reser- 
pine-treated  mothers. 

Precautions:  Azotemia,  hypochloremia,  hypo- 
natremia, hypochloremic  alkalosis  and  hypo- 
kaliemia  (especially  with  hepatic  cirrhosis 
and  corticosteroid  therapy)  may  occur,  par- 
ticularly with  pre-existing  vomiting  and  diar- 
rhea. Potassium  loss  or  protoveratrine  A may 
cause  digitalis  intoxication.  Potassium  loss 
responds  to  potassium-rich  foods,  potassium 
chloride  or,  if  necessary,  discontinuation  of 
therapy.  Stop  therapy  if  protoveratrine  A 
induces  digitalis  intoxication.  Serum  am- 
monia elevation  may  precipitate  coma  in 
precomatose  hepatic  cirrhotics.  Discontinue 
therapy  2 weeks  before  surgery  or  if  myo- 
cardial irritability,  progressive  azotemia  or 
severe  depression  occur.  Exercise  caution  in 
patients  with  chronic  uremia,  angina  pec- 
toris, coronary  thrombosis  or  extensive  cere- 
bral vascular  disease  or  bronchial  asthma  and 
in  those  with  a history  of  peptic  ulceration  or 
bronchial  asthma;  in  post-sympathectomy  pa- 
tients; in  patients  on  quinidine;  and  in  pa- 
tients with  gallstones,  in  whom  biliary  colic 
may  occur.  Patients  who  have  diabetes 
mellitus  or  who  are  suspected  of  being  pre- 
diabetic should  be  kept  under  close  observa- 
tion if  treated  with  this  agent. 

Adverse  Reactions:  Hydroflumethiazide:  Skin 
rashes  (including  exfoliative  dermatitis),  skin 
photosensitivity,  urticaria,  necrotizing  angiitis, 
xanthopsia,  granulocytopenia,  aplastic 
anemia,  orthostatic  hypotension  (potentiated 
with  alcohol,  barbiturates  or  narcotics),  aller- 
gic glomerulonephritis,  acute  pancreatitis, 
liver  involvement  (intrahepatic  cholestatic 
jaundice),  purpura  plus  or  minus  throm- 
bocytopenia, hyperuricemia,  hyperglycemia, 
glycosuria,  malaise,  weakness,  dizziness,  fa- 
tigue, paresthesias,  muscle  cramps,  skin  rash, 
epigastric  distress,  vomiting,  diarrhea  and 
constipation.  Reserpine:  Depression,  peptic 
ulceration,  diarrhea,  Parkinsonism,  nasal  stuf- 
finess, dryness  of  the  mouth,  weight  gain, 
impotence  or  decreased  libido,  conjunctival 
injection,  dull  sensorium,  deafness,  glaucoma, 
uveitis,  optic  atrophy,  and,  with  overdosage, 
agitation,  insomnia  and  nightmares.  Proto- 
veratrine A:  Nausea,  vomiting,  cardiac  ar- 
rhythmia, prostration,  blurring  vision,  mental 
confusion,  excessive  hypotension  and  brady- 
cardia. (Treat  bradycardia  with  atropine  and 
hypotension  with  vasopressors.) 

Usual  Dose:  1 tablet  b.i.d. 

Supplied:  Bottles  of  60,  600,  and  1000  scored 
50  mg.  tablets. 

Salutensin9 

hydroflumethiazide,  50  mg./reserpine, 
0.125  mg.  protoveratrine  A,  0.2  mg. 


BRISTOL 


BRISTOL  LABORATORIES 
Division  of  Bristol-Myers  Company 
Syracuse,  New  York  13201 


fhe  anti  hypertensive  therapy 
that  is  easy  to  live  with. 


When  successive  blood  pressure  readings  confirm 
issential  hypertension,  consider  Salutensin  for: 
£asy-to-live-with  control.  Gradual  reduction  of 
Dlood  pressure  leading  to  decisive,  comfortable 
;ontrol  is  the  common  clinical  response. 

Salutensin  is  usually  well-tolerated  (however, 
;erious  side  effects  can  occur;  see  adjacent  column 
:or  brief  summary  of  prescribing  information). 


Easy-to-Iive  with  dosage.  Two  tablets  a day 
usually  achieves  control.  One  to  two  tablets  a day 
often  maintains  control  without  need  for  additional 
antihypertensive  agents. 

JEasy-to-Uve  with  cost  of  therapy.  The  one  to  two 
tablets  a day  maintenance  dose  makes  Salutensin 
economical  to  stay  with.  Important,  because  long- 
term control  calls  for  long-term  therapy. 


Salutensin 

umethiazide,50  mg./reserpine, 
g.  protoveratrine  A,  0.2  mg. 


UMC  Commencement 
Activities  Announced 

The  Honorable  James  P.  Coleman,  former 
governor  of  Mississippi,  will  give  the  graduation 
address  at  the  14th  Commencement  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Mississippi  at  the  Medical  Center  on 
Sunday,  June  7,  at  4:00  p.m.  in  the  Jackson 
City  Auditorium. 

Chancellor  of  the  University  of  Mississippi  Dr. 
Porter  L.  Fortune  will  award  degrees  to  candi- 
dates from  the  School  of  Medicine,  the  School  of 
Nursing  and  the  Graduate  School.  This  year 
candidates  from  the  School  of  Medicine  num- 
ber 75. 

Recipients  of  the  Leathers  Medal  and  Facul- 
ty Award,  highest  recognition  offered  by  the 
medical  and  nursing  schools,  will  be  announced 
during  the  ceremony. 

Commencement  activities  will  begin  with  a 
breakfast  for  the  graduates  and  their  families  on 
Sunday.  At  2:00  p.m.  Chancellor  and  Mrs.  For- 
tune will  entertain  at  a reception  honoring  gradu- 
ates, their  families  and  friends  in  the  School  of 
Nursing  Auditorium. 

Dr.  Charles  Tate 
Addresses  TB-RD  Ass’n. 

Dr.  Charles  F.  Tate,  Jr.,  associate  professor 
of  medicine,  University  of  Miami  School  of  Medi- 
cine, was  guest  speaker  at  the  58th  Annual  Meet- 
ing of  the  Mississippi  Tuberculosis  and  Respira- 
tory Disease  Association  in  Jackson  at  Primos 
Northgate  Convention  Center  on  April  15, 
1970. 

Dr.  Tate  presented  a paper  on  “The  Hazards 
of  Smoking — Kick  the  Habit.”  Dr.  Tate  is  an  ac- 
tive volunteer  board  member  of  the  Dade-Mon- 
roe  County  and  the  Florida  TB-RD  Associa- 
tions and  a Counselor-at-Large  of  the  American 
Thoracic  Society. 

Representative  delegates  of  the  more  than  4,000 
volunteers,  including  laymen  and  physicians,  of 
the  Mississippi  Tuberculosis  and  Respiratory  Dis- 
ease Association  assembled  for  this  luncheon- 
business  meeting. 

The  theme  of  the  MTRDA  Annual  Meeting 
was  “Kick  the  Habit.”  An  extensive  nationwide 
educational-public  information  project,  sponsored 
by  TB-RD  Associations  will  be  conducted  in  June 
1970.  The  MTRDA  and  its  87  affiliated  volun- 
teer county  associations  will  participate  in  the 
“Kick  the  Habit”  educational  project. 

304 


Dr.  Hardy  Awarded  I 
ACC  Fellowship 

A Mississippi  physician  has  been  granted  a 
Fellowship  in  the  American  College  of  Cardiolo- 
gy (ACC),  the  national  medical  society  for  spe- 
cialists in  cardiovascular  diseases.  The  doctor  is 
among  a group  of  181  from  the  United  States 
and  Canada  recently  admitted  to  the  College’s 
highest  membership  classification. 

Dr.  Harper  K.  Hellems,  Jackson,  ACC  Gover- 
nor for  Mississippi,  listed  the  new  Fellow  as  Dr. 
James  D.  Hardy,  Jackson. 

Dr.  Hardy,  as  well  as  the  other  new  Fellows, 
has  fulfilled  stringent  membership  requirements 
based  on  several  years  of  practice  and  specialty 
certification.  This  effort,  according  to  Dr.  Hel- 
lems, culminates  in  their  being  considered  by 
colleagues  in  their  communities  as  specialists  or 
consultants  in  cardiovascular  diseases. 


Governor  Signs  MSMA 
Corporation  Law 


Gov.  John  Bell  Williams  signs  the  state  medical 
association’ s professional  corporation  bill  into  law 
as  President  James  L.  Royals  observes . Bill  became 
law  in  March  and  makes  professional  corporations, 
with  all  benefits  of  commercial  corporations,  available 
to  Mississippi  physicians. 

JOURNAL  MSMA 


Burdick 

DIRECTED,  DEEP- 
TISSUE  HEATING 
WITH  THE  MW-200 
MICROWAVE  UNIT 

The  MW-200’s  simplicity 
of  operation  and  ease 
of  electrode  application 
have  contributed  much 
to  the  popularity  of  mi- 
crowave diathermy.  Mi- 
crowave radiations  can  be  reflected,  focused 
and  directed.  Treatment  intensities  may  be 
preset. 

Write  us  for  descriptive  literature  and  com- 
plete price  information. 

KAY  SURGICAL  INC. 

663  North  State  St.  • Jackson,  Miss. 


Dicarbosil 

ANTACID 


Your  ulcer  patients  and 
others  will  confirm  it.  Specify 
DICARBOSIL  144's-144  tab- 
lets in  1 2 rolls. 


ARCH  LABORATORIES 

319  South  Fourth  Street.  St.  Louis,  Missouri  63102 


Index  to  Advertisers 


Arch  Laboratories 307 

Blue  Cross,  Blue  Shield  14 

Breon  Laboratories  8 

Bristol  Laboratories  302,  303 

Burroughs-Wellcome  14B 

Campbell  Soup  Company 272A 

Conal  Pharmaceuticals  280A 

Dow  Chemical  Company  14A 

Flint  Laboratories 10,  11 

Geigy  Pharmaceuticals  14D,  15 

Highland  Hospital  299 

Hill  Crest  Hospital  6 

Hoechst  Pharmaceuticals  12 

Hynson.  Westcott  & Dunning  3 

Kay  Surgical  307 


Lederle  Laboratories  4,  287,  292,  306 

Eli  Lilly  and  Company  front  cover,  18 

Merck,  Sharp  and  Dohme  288,  289.  290 

William  S.  Merrell  Company  300 

National  Drug  Company  second  cover,  300A,  300B 

Chas.  Pfizer  & Co.,  Inc 296,  297.  298 

Wm.  P,  Poythress  14C,  272D 

Roche  Laboratories  7,  305,  fourth  cover 

Julius  Schmid,  Inc 16,  17 

G.  D.  Searle  Co 272B,  272C 

Stuart  Pharmaceuticals,  Division  of  Atlas 

Chemical  Industries,  Inc 280B 

Wyeth  Laboratories 293,  294 

Thomas  Yates  and  Company  third  cover 


MAY  1970 


307 


102nd  iinnual  oession,  a little  more  than  a week  away,  opens  May  11 
at  Biloxi  with  something  for  everybody*  Outstanding  essayists  are 
on  program,  biggest  scientific  exhibit  yet  will  be  presented,  a doze 
specialty  societies  will  meet,  and  four  medical  alumni  social  oc- 
casions are  in  offing.  University  of  Tennessee,  late  getting  arrant 
ments  finalized,  plans  gala  iuesday  evening,  May  12.  Ole  Miss  is  or 
Monday,  while  Tulane  and  Vanderbilt  have  Tuesday  evening  parties. 


Shortage  of  nursing  home  beds  in  Mississippi  is  easing  up,  according 
to  State  Board  of  Health  which  licenses  institutions.  Generally  ac- 
cepted formula  is  40  beds  per  1,000  persons  over-65,  meaning  state 
should  have  8,550  beds.  Present  total  is  6,000  beds  and  is  rapidly 
expanding  with  new  construction  on  existing  homes,  projects  nearing 
completion,  and  plans  on  drawing  boards.  Forecast  is  for  8,500  beds 
in  a year.  State  licenses  112  institutions  at  present. 


■ 


Household  detergents  are  getting  eye  from  pollution-conscious  source 
with  allegation  that  they  are  drug-like  products  marketed  before  suf 
ficient  testing.  Charge  is  that  some  detergent  products  contain 
phosphates  with  arsenic  as  a constant  impurity,  as  much  as  25  ppm. 
Arsenic  in  waste  water  from  washing  machines  has  been  found  to  range 
5 to  100  ppb,  and  recent  tests  showed  water  in  Kansas  River  tested 
2 to  8 ppb  of  arsenic. 


Alabama  M.D. »s  are  gnashing  teeth  over  backlog  of  120,000  unpaid  Med- 
care  claims.  State  medical  society  reports  that  similar  backlog  of 
38 , 000  pending  Medicaid  claims  are  being  processed.  Reports  are  tha 
Alabama  Blue  plan,  which  is  fiscal  administrator  for  both  programs, 
bogged  down  in  computer  processing.  Mississippi  Medicaid  program, 
just  four  months  old,  has  also  had  data  processing  problems  but  is 
said  to  be  catching  up  and  moving  toward  current  payment  basis. 


National  Institute  of  Mental  Health  will  soon  offer  formal  training 
programs  in  prevention  of  suicide,  now  the  10th  leading  cause  of  deal 
in  U.S.  A full  year  interdisciplinary  fellowship  in  suicidology  be- 
gins in  September  and  carries  "stipends  up  to  $l2,600.  Ten  weeks  in- 
struction program  requires  no  doctoral  degree  and  has  stipends  up  to 
$2,400  . Two-week  summer  institute  in  suicidology  will  also  be  con- 
ducted for  prevention  center  workers,  police,  clergy,  and  others. 


Volume  XI 
Number  6 
June  1970 


• EDITOR 

[William  M.  Dabney,  M.D. 

• ASSOCIATE  EDITORS 
George  H.  Martin,  M.D. 

Thomas  W.  Wesson,  M.D. 

i 

• MANAGING  EDITOR 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 

• EDITORIAL  CONSULTANT 
Betty  M.  Sadler 

• EDITORIAL  ASSISTANT 
Nola  Gibson 

• PUBLICATIONS  COMMITTEE 
Lawrence  W.  Long,  M.D. 
Chairman 

Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr.,  M.D. 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
and  the  editors 

• THE  ASSOCIATION 
Paul  B.  Brumby,  M.D. 

President 

Arthur  E.  Brown,  M.D. 

President-Elect 
Raymond  S.  Martin,  M.D. 

Secretary-T  reasurer 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
Speaker 

John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Vice  Speaker 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 
H.  C.  Harrell 

Assistant  Executive  Secretary 
James  F.  McPherson,  II 
Executive  Assistant 


The  Journal  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  is  owned  and  pub- 
lished by  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association,  founded  1856.  Editorial,  ex- 
ecutive, and  business  offices,  735  Riverside 
Drive,  Jackson,  Mississippi  39216;  office 
of  publication,  1201-5  Bluff  Street,  Fulton, 
Missouri  65251.  Subscription  rate,  $7.50 
per  annum;  $1  per  copy,  as  available.  Ad- 
vertising rates  furnished  on  request. 
Second-class  postage  paid  at  the  post  office 
at  Fulton,  Missouri. 


CONTENTS 

original  papers 

Pacemaker  Management  of 

Heart  Block  309  John  W.  Bowlin,  M.D. 

Artificial  Kidneys  in  Acute 

Renal  Failure  317  John  D.  Bower,  M.D. 

Potassium  Therapy  and 

Gastrointestinal  Lesions  321  David  N.  Emerson,  Ph.D. 


SPECIAL  ARTICLES 

Recent  Advances  in 

Newborn  Care  327  Alfred  W.  Brann,  Jr., 

M.D. 

Radiologic  Seminar 
XCVI:  Reversible 
Vascular  Occlusion  of  the 

Colon  331  C.  D.  Bouchillon,  M.D. 


EDITORIALS 


Abortion  and  the  Law: 

Anachronisms  Racing 

Science  335  It’s  Up  to  the  Court 

The  CBS  Eye: 

Color  It  Yellow  336  Video  Jaundice 
Goods  and  Services 

Simply  Cost  More  337  Curve  Goes  up.  Up,  UP! 


THIS  MONTH 

The  President  Speaking  334  ‘Changes  and  Challenge’ 


Medical  Organization  343  The  102nd  Annual  Session 


Copyright  1970,  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


6 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  JUNE  1970 


human  disease.  Thus  medicine  opposes  chiroprac- 
tic for  the  same  reason  it  opposes  other  forms  of 
health  quackery:  to  try  to  prohibit  poorly-trained 
individuals  from  performing  functions  for  which 
they  are  totally  unqualified. 

Significant  developments  from  outside  medi- 
cine have  occurred  in  regard  to  chiropractic  dur- 
ing the  past  year. 

The  U.  S.  Department  of  Health,  Education  and 
Welfare  submitted  findings  of  an  independent, 
unbiased  study  of  chiropractic  ordered  by  Con- 
gress. In  a report  to  Congress  in  January  1969 
by  Wilbur  J.  Cohen,  then  secretary  of  HEW,  it 
was  recommended  that  chiropractic  service  not 
be  covered  in  the  medicare  program. 

The  report,  considered  to  be  the  most  pene- 
trating analysis  of  chiropractic  ever  made,  con- 
cluded: “Chiropractic  theory  and  practice  are 
not  based  upon  the  body  of  basic  knowledge  re- 
lated to  health,  disease,  and  health  care  that  has 
been  widely  accepted  by  the  scientific  commu- 
nity. Moreover,  irrespective  of  its  theory,  the 
scope  and  quality  of  chiropractic  education  do 
not  prepare  the  practitioner  to  make  an  ade- 
quate diagnosis  and  provide  appropriate  treat- 
ment.” 

HEW  told  Congress  that  its  study,  after  evi- 
dence had  been  presented  by  chiropractic’s  fore- 
most spokesmen,  educators  and  practitioners, 
showed,  among  other  things,  that: 


—The  lowest  priced  tetracycline— nystatin  combination  available— 


HEW,  AFL-CIO  Are 
Against  Chiropractic 

Medicine  and  other  branches  of  the  scientific 
community  have  insisted  for  the  past  75  years 
that  chiropractic  is  an  unscientific  cult,  whose 
practitioners  are  not  qualified  to  diagnose  and 
treat  human  disease. 

Chiropractic,  in  turn,  has  claimed  that  medi- 
cine’s opposition  is  for  selfish  reasons  only.  “The 
citizen  has  the  obligation  to  take  a firm  stand 
against  the  monopolistic  goals  of  the  American 
Medical  Association,”  states  a booklet  distribut- 
ed by  the  American  Chiropractic  Association. 

Until  the  past  year,  the  medical  profession 
virtually  alone  assumed  the  responsibility  of  in- 
forming the  public  about  the  invalidity  of  the 
chiropractic  hypothesis  (that  human  disease  is 
caused  by  a spinal  subluxation  and  cured  by  a 
spinal  adjustment).  Chiropractic  shortcomings  in 
education  and  practice  were  set  forth. 

Medicine’s  position  is  that  all  methods  of  dis- 
ease prevention,  health  maintenance  and  care 
should  be  submitted  to  careful  scrutiny  and  ob- 
jective evaluation — the  scientific  process.  Despite 
being  75  years  old,  chiropractic  has  failed  to 
produce  any  scientific  proof  for  its  theories,  while 
claiming  competence  to  treat  the  broad  gamut  of 


MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 


7 


1.  There  is  a body  of  basic  scientific  knowl- 
edge related  to  health,  disease,  and  health 
care.  Chiropractic  practitioners  ignore  or  take 
exception  to  much  of  this  knowledge  despite 
the  fact  that  they  have  not  undertaken  ade- 
quate scientific  research. 

2.  There  is  no  valid  evidence  that  subluxa- 
tion, if  it  exists,  is  a significant  factor  in  dis- 
ease processes.  Therefore,  the  broad  applica- 
tion to  health  care  of  a diagnostic  procedure 
such  as  spinal  analysis  and  a treatment  pro- 
cedure such  as  spinal  adjustment  is  not  justi- 
fied. 

3.  The  inadequacies  of  chiropractic  educa- 
tion, coupled  with  a theory  that  de-emphasizes 
proven  causative  factors  in  disease  processes, 
proven  methods  of  treatment,  and  differential 
diagnosis,  make  it  unlikely  that  a chiropractor 
can  make  an  adequate  diagnosis  and  know  the 
appropriate  treatment,  and  subsequently  pro- 
vide the  indicated  treatment  or  refer  the  pa- 
tient. Lack  of  these  capabilities  in  independent 
practitioners  is  undesirable  because  appropri- 
ate treatment  could  be  delayed  or  prevented 
entirely;  appropriate  treatment  might  be  in- 
terrupted or  stopped  completely;  the  treatment 
offered  could  be  contraindicated;  all  treatments 
have  some  risk  involved  with  their  adminis- 
tration, and  inappropriate  treatment  exposes 
the  patient  to  this  risk  unnecessarily.” 

Other  organizations  outside  medicine  have 
spoken  publicly  with  resolutions  or  statements  in 
opposition  to  chiropractic.  Some  statements 
have  come  from  organizations  such  as  the  AFL- 
CIO  and  National  Council  of  Senior  Citizens, 
which  in  the  past  have  not  been  on  the  same 
side  of  the  fence  as  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation in  regard  to  federal  health  care  matters. 

Where  it  became  a matter  of  providing  quality 
health  care  to  the  elderly,  as  required  by  the 
medicare  law,  the  organizations  opposed  chiro- 
practic inclusion.  As  the  National  Council  of  Sen- 
ior Citizens  emphasized.  “With  chiropractic  and 
other  completely  unscientific  cults,  there  is  no 
possibility  for  quality  health  care.” 

The  AFL-CIO  Executive  Council  recently  is- 
sued a statement  that  said,  in  part: 

“Of  equal  importance  to  holding  down  costs 
is  the  maintenance  of  quality  care  in  the  medi- 
care program.  Of  immediate  concern  is  the  threat 
to  quality  care  represented  by  the  drive  to  in- 
clude less  than  fully  qualified  medical  practition- 
ers such  as  chiropractors  in  the  medicare  pro- 
gram. At  stake  is  the  direct  access  to  the  billions 
of  dollars  for  health  care  being  provided  the 
elderly  by  the  medicare  program.  Medicare 


should  not  become  a vehicle  for  exploitation  of 
the  health  needs  of  the  elderly.  The  AFL-CIO 
opposes  any  change  in  the  medicare  law  which 
would  open  up  the  program  to  unqualified  prac- 
titioners.” 

The  National  Council  of  Senior  Citizens,  an 
organization  composed  of  2Vi  million  persons  65 
years  of  age  or  older  (the  medicare  recipients 
themselves),  stated  its  views  in  its  official  news- 
paper, the  Senior  Citizens  News,  in  January 
1969.  The  article  entitled  “Why  Chiropractic 
Cult  Cannot  Provide  Quality  Health  Care!”  in- 
cluded the  conclusion: 

“Chiropractic  treatment,  designed  to  eliminate 
causes  that  do  not  exist  while  denying  the  exis- 
tence of  the  real  causes,  is  at  best  worthless — 
and  at  worst  mortally  dangerous.” 

The  American  Public  Health  Association,  com- 
posed of  administrators  of  the  nation’s  public 
health  programs,  spoke  out  at  its  annual  meeting 
in  November  1969.  The  APHA’s  governing  coun- 
cil endorsed  the  HEW  report  and  urged  con- 
tinued exclusion  of  chiropractic  from  medicare. 

In  addition,  the  APHA  urged  “that  States  re- 
evaluate their  existing  licensure  programs  for 
chiropractors  and  naturopaths  to  determine 
whether  such  licenses  should  be  further  restrict- 
ed or  abolished,  and  that  existing  licensure  pro- 
grams be  more  rigorously  policed.”  The  APHA 
resolution  also  recommended  “that  professional 
and  consumer  groups  undertake  appropriate  con- 
sumer education  on  the  hazards  of  unscientific 
health  care,  including  chiropractic  or  naturopa- 
thy.” 

Continued  exclusion  of  chiropractic  under 
medicare  was  supported  also  by  a blue  ribbon 
task  force  appointed  by  HEW  Secretary  Robert 
H.  Finch  to  study  the  problems  of  medicaid 
and  related  programs.  Under  medicaid  (Title 
XIX  of  the  Social  Security  Act)  programs  are 
state-administered  with  financial  assistance  from 
federal  funds.  Some  states  have  authorized  pay- 
ment for  chiropractic  services  under  medicaid. 
The  HEW  task  force  reported  in  November  1969. 
It  concluded  that  payment  for  chiropractic  and 
naturopathic  services  “is  not  an  effective  use  of 
federal  medicaid  funds.” 

The  task  force  report  urged,  “A  legislative 
amendment  should  be  enacted  denying  federal 
financial  participation  in  medicaid  payments  to 
chiropractors  and  naturopaths.” 

One  of  the  principal  drives  by  chiropractic 
in  state  legislatures  in  recent  years  is  for  passage 
of  so-called  insurance  equality  laws  that  would 
make  inclusion  of  payment  for  chiropractic  ser- 
vices mandatory  in  all  health  insurance  policies. 


The  pain 
of  arthritis 


relieved  with 

MEASURIN  q.  8h.  dosage 

Double-strength  Measurin  timed-release  aspirin  offers  a new 

kind  of  control  for  your  arthritic  patients.  Each  10-grain  tablet 

has  over  6,000  microscopic  reservoirs  that  release 

aspirin  at  a controlled  rate— some  right  away  and  some 

later  on.  This  means— fast  relief,  followed  by  long 

lasting  relief.  Throughout  the  day,  Measurin 

gives  your  patients  freedom  from  a 4-hour  dosage 

schedule.  Measurin  can  help  your  patients  get 

a good  night’s  sleep,  uninterrupted  by  the  need  for 

an  extra  dose  of  aspirin.  And,  taken  at 

bedtime,  it  also  helps  ease  morning  joint 

discomfort  and  stiffness. 


For  Professional  Samples  write: 
Breon  Laboratories  Inc. 

Sample  Fulfillment  Division 
P.0.  Box  141 
Fairview,  NJ.  07022 


BREON  LABORATORIES  INC. 


90  Park  Avenue,  New  York,  N.Y.  10016 
Subsidiary  of  Sterling  Drug  Inc. 


Measurin 

TIMED-RELEASE  ASPIRIN 

ECONOMICAL  • EFFECTIVE  • LONG  LASTING  PAIN  RELIEF 
Dosage:  2 tablets  followed  by  1 or  2 tablets  every 
8 hours  as  required,  not  to  exceed  6 tablets  in  24  hours. 
For  maximum  nighttime  pain  relief  and  to  help  relieve 
early  morning  stiffness,  2 tablets  at  bedtime. 

Available:  Bottles  of  12,  36  and  60  tablets. 


^ 

*>r  Doctor: 


June  1970 


egress  is  putting  the  dollar  crunch  on  Medicare  and  Medicaid  with 
i amendments  which  breezed  through,  the  House  of  Represen  tatives~ 
Si care  beneficiaries  may  now  choose  to  be  under  closed  panel  plans 
fc  ch  would  receive  on  capitation  basis  up  to  95  per  cent  of  what 
cld  be  paid  under  fee-for-service.  Law  would  also  place  ceiling 
nM.D.  fees  at  75th  percentile  of  1969  levels. 


New  bill  would  repeal  controversial  Medicaid  escalation 
clause  requiring  comprehensive  programs  for  all  by  1^7'/. 
Usual  election  year  lagniappe  of  5 per  cent  Social  Se- 
curity  payment  increase  - with  bigger  taxes  - was  passed. 
Chiropractic  was  again  excluded  from  Medicare. 


jt  June  21-25  Chicago  annual  convention  will  be  a corker  with  hot 
E lilies,  emotion- charged  issues,  and  biggest  money  problems  yet, 
legates  will  be  asked  to  raise  aMa  lues  to  $150  per  year  for  new 
E.dership  programs,  back  income  taxes  due  on  JAMA,  needed  reserves, 
n.  cos t-of- inflation  upsurges.  Himler  Report  will  dominate  debate, 
l;  liberalization  of  abortion  policy  to  patient-physician  decision 
Er  stir  most  discussion. 

1?  medical  students  in  Jackson  gave  President  Nixon *s  Cambodia 
Etpaign  overwhelming  support,  as  shown  in  recent  opinion  poll.1 

Iident  body  voted  69  per  cent  to  support  cleaning  out  Viet  Cong 
ictuaries  across  border,  while  28  per  cent  opposed  and  3 per 
it  had  no  opinion.  Mass  news  media  have  largely  portrayed  medi- 
students  as  being  in  forefront  of  peace-now,  get-out  moves. 

;t  pessimistic  prediction  yet  on  hospital  costs  comes  from  former 
r health  chief  and  president  of  the  American  Hospital  Association. 
:lres sing  recent  San  Rran cisco  meeting,  t)r.  Philip  R.  Lee  and  Mark 
I'ke  said  that  by  1980,  hospital  costs  in  some  parts  of  U.S.  could 
to  $1,000  per  day.  Inference  is  that  levels  of  a third  to  a half 
that  figure  may  be  commonplace. 


isrican  Cancer  Society  was  embarrassed  when  its  prize  TV  antismoking 
Lebrity,  Tony  Curtis,  was  convicted  for  marijuana  possession.  Cur- 
5,  who  received  heavy  TV  exposure  in  ACS  anti tobacco  commercials , 
ioarently  has  different  feelings  about  pot  than  on  fags.  Blow  to 
ijiety  comes  on  heels  of  public  rift  with  Tobacco  Institute  over 
Lidity  of  smoking-dog  lung  cancer  research. 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  JUNE  1970 


1 0 

Rocky  Mt.  Cancer 
Conference  to  Meet 

The  historic  Brown  Palace  Hotel  in  Denver 
will  be  the  site  of  the  24th  Annual  Rocky  Moun- 
tain Cancer  Conference.  The  Conference,  to  take 
place  on  July  17  and  18,  1970,  is  expected  to 
attract  over  400  physicians  from  all  over  the 
country.  It  has  earned  the  reputation  of  being 
one  of  the  finest  medical  meetings  of  its  kind  in 
the  country. 

This  year  the  guest  faculty  will  discuss  G.I. 
tract  tumors  and  soft  tissue  cancers.  President- 
elect of  the  American  Medical  Association,  Dr. 
Walter  C.  Bornemeier,  Chicago,  will  be  the  lunch- 
eon speaker  on  Saturday.  Luncheon  speaker  on 
Friday  will  be  Dr.  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads,  chair- 
man of  the  department  of  surgery  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  Pennsylvania  and  president  of  the  Amer- 
ican Cancer  Society. 

These  distinguished  gentlemen  will  be  joined 


by  an  equally  distinguished  faculty.  Each  physi- 
cian will  present  a paper  and  in  addition  will 
take  part  in  panel  sessions.  Scientific  presenta- 
tions will  include  “Malignant  Melanomas,”  “Re- 
sults of  Radiation  Therapy  Augmented  by  5-Flu- 
ouracil  or  Oxygen  in  the  Treatment  of  Gastroin- 
testinal Malignancies,”  “Host  Defense  Mecha- 
nisms in  Malignant  Melanoma,”  “What  Is  Being 
Done  About  Colon  Cancer?,”  and  “Management 
of  Soft  Tissue  Sarcomas.” 

Local  Colorado  physicians,  with  national  repu- 
tations, will  moderate  the  panel  sessions.  They 
include:  Drs.  Alexis  E.  Lubchenco,  Frank  B. 
McGlone,  and  Mason  Morfit,  all  of  Denver. 

Conferees  will  stay  at  the  Brown  Palace  Hotel 
and  many  will  extend  their  stay  in  Colorado  to 
visit  the  scenic,  cool  vacationland.  The  combina- 
tion of  a thought-provoking  scientific  meeting  and 
a trip  to  the  mountains  will  attract  many  physi- 
cians and  their  wives.  Details  can  be  obtained 
by  writing  to  the  Rocky  Mountain  Cancer  Con- 
ference, 1764  Gilpin  Street,  Denver,  Colo.  82018. 


HIGHLAND  HOSPITAL 

Asheville,  North  Carolina 

FOUNDED  1904 

A DIVISION  OF  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  PSYCHIATRY  OF  DUKE  UNIVERSITY 

Accredited  by  the  Joint  Commission  on  Accreditation  and  Certified  for  Medicare 

Complete  facilities  for  evaluation  and  intensive  treatment  of  psychiatric  patients,  including  individual  psycho- 
therapy, group  therapy,  psychodrama,  electro-convulsive  therapy,  Indoklon  convulsive  therapy,  drugs,  social  ser- 
vice work  with  families,  family  therapy  and  an  extensive  and  well  organized  activities  program,  including  oc- 
cupational therapy,  art  therapy,  music  therapy,  athletic  activities  and  games,  recreational  activities  and  outings.  The 
treatment  program  of  each  patient  is  carefully  supervised  in  order  that  the  therapeutic  needs  of  each  patient  may 
be  realized. 

High  school  facilities  for  a limited  number  of  appropriate  patients  are  now  available  on  grounds.  The  School 
Program  is  fully  integrated  into  the  hospital  treatment  program  and  is  accredited  through  the  Asheville  School 
System. 

Complete  modern  facilities  with  85  acres  of  landscaped  and  wooded  grounds  in  the  City  of  Asheville. 

Brochures  and  information  on  financial  arrangements  available 
Contact:  (1)  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Harkins,  ACSW,  Coordinator  of  Admissions 

or 

(2)  Samuel  N.  Workman,  M.D.  (3)  Charles  W.  Neville,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Chief  of  Clinical  Services  Assistant  Professor  of  Psychiatry 

and  Medical  Director 
Area  Code  704-254-3201 


,00  Americans  New  York  - More  than  3,000  American  students 

:k  M.D.  Abroad  are  in  foreign  medical  schools,  but  the  easy 

solution  of  going  abroad  for  M.D.  training  will 
tougher.  Biggest  group  of  Americans  in  foreign  schools  are  in 
ly  where  1,000  are  enrolled,  and  Mexico  is  next  with  600.  Schools 
Switzerland,  where  most  foreign  trained  Americans  have  attended, 
closing  doors  to  U.S.  applicants  in  favor  of  helping  poor,  not 
;h,  nations.  Restrictions  are  also  seen  in  Netherlands  and  Spain. 


J Opens  Blood  Jackson  - The  University  of  Mississippi  School 
>curement  Office  of  Medicine  is  enjoying  success  in  finding  new 

supplies  of  human  blood  with  its  Blood  Procure- 
it  Office.  When  facility  was  first  opened,  blood  replacement  ran 
>ut  55  per  cent.  Recently,  replacement  was  100  per  cent  for  a full 
ith.  Effort  is  reducing  costs,  too,  because  UMC  now  purchases  only 
) to  200  units  per  month  against  former  600.  Numerous  open  heart 
?gical  procedures  at  UMC  intensify  blood  needs. 


liologists  Get  Chicago  - While  the  vast  majority  of  American 
ial  Fee  Assurance  physicians  fret  and  fume  over  Medicare  fees, 

the  American  College  of  Radiology  has  come  up 
bh  the  nearest  thing  to  true  usual  and  customary  fees  in  agree- 
it  with  Social  Security  Administration.  Radiologists  who  bill 
i-Medicare  patients  for  a period  of  a year  may  have  these  fees 
cognized  as  usual,  customary,  and  reasonable  for  Medicare.  The 
?eement  was  formalized  in  SSA  instructions  to  carriers. 


bem,  Resident  Boston  - The  authoritative  New  England  Journal 

flighting  Hit  of  Medicine  has  raised  serious  questions  about 

interns  and  residents  moonlighting,  such  as 
ikend  emergency  coverage,  insurance  examinations,  and  making 
?sing  home  visits.  Journal  says  that  inexperience  could  lead  to 
Lficult  medicolegal  situations,  that  work  can  interfere  with  the 
lining  program,  and  that  lack  of  rest  and  relaxation  may  make 
5k  a dull  intern  or  resident. 


5 Opens  Capitol  Washington  - The  American  Academy  of  Pediatrics 
LI  Office  has  joined  the  growing  number  of  specialty  soci- 

eties to  open  Washington  offices.  Plans  call 
? July  1 opening  of  AAP  Capitol  Hill  office  "to  identify  the  AAP 
the  primary  professional  health  organization  concerned  with  matters 
child  health. " Previously,  the  College  of  American  Pathologists 
1 American  College  of  Radiology  have  opened  Washington  offices. 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  JUNE  1970 


1 4 

Blood  Donor  Month 
Increased  Supply 

Celebration  of  January  for  the  first  time  as 
National  Blood  Donor  Month  increased  the  post- 
holiday blood  supply  importantly  at  the  time  of 
greatest  seasonal  need,  the  American  Association 
of  Blood  Banks  has  reported  to  President  Nixon 
who  proclaimed  the  month. 

“The  almost  nationwide  shortages  of  1969 
and  1968  at  this  time  were  not  repeated,”  said 
Dr.  Enold  H.  Dahlquist,  Jr.,  of  Providence,  R.  I., 
association  president.  “There  were  very  few  re- 
ports of  surgery  being  delayed  for  lack  of  blood. 
Such  reports  were  numerous  last  year. 

“Many  blood  banks  reported  an  increase  in 
donors  in  January  1970,  over  January  1969,  some 
as  high  as  25  per  cent.  A large  number  of  people 
gave  for  the  first  time.  This  is  especially  encourag- 
ing. When  a person  gives  once,  he  discovers  his 
fears  to  be  groundless  and  he  is  happy  to  become 
a regular  donor.  Blood  is  needed  every  day  of 
the  year. 

“Where  local  shortages  became  critical  in  Jan- 


uary, donors  responded  to  emergency  press  and 
radio-television  appeals.  All  concerned  are  grate- 
ful to  the  news  media  for  this  cooperation  as  well 
as  to  Congress  and  President  Nixon  for  establish- 
ing January  as  National  Blood  Donor  Month.” 

President  Nixon  on  Dec.  31  proclaimed  this 
“to  pay  special  tribute  to  the  voluntary  blood 
donor  and  to  encourage  increasing  numbers  of 
people  to  be  voluntary  blood  donors”  saying  no 
gift  is  “more  priceless  in  time  of  personal  crisis, 
than  the  donation  of  one’s  blood”  and  “the  vol- 
untary blood  donor  truly  gives  life  itself.” 

“Mobilized  through  the  American  Red  Cross 
and  the  American  Association  of  Blood  Banks, 
and  encouraged  by  modern  medical  techniques,” 
said  President  Nixon  “.  . . the  ranks  of  the  vol- 
untary blood  donor  have  continued  to  grow  and 
to  make  unparalleled  contributions  to  the  health 
of  our  people.” 

Saying  it  was  in  response  to  the  President’s 
proclamation,  the  Dads  Club  of  St.  Thomas 
Aquinas  School  in  Dallas  donated  24  pints  to 
the  Wadley  Blood  Bank.  This  had  500  more  Jan- 
uary donors  than  in  1969,  an  increase  of  20  per 
cent.  Increases  also  were  reported  at  Beaumont 
and  Austin,  Tex.,  and  Ardmore,  Okla. 


HOSPITAL 

(Formerly  Hill  Crest  Sanitarium) 


7000  5TH  AVENUE  SOUTH 
Box  2896,  Wood! awn  Station 
Birmingham,  Alabama  35212 

Phone:  205-836-7201 


A patient  centered 
independent  hospital  for 
intensive  treatment  of 
nervous  disorders  . . „ 

Hill  Crest  Hospital  was  estab- 
lished in  1925  as  Hill  Crest 
Sanitarium  to  provide  private 
psychiatric  treatment  of  ner- 
vous or  mental  disorders.  Indi- 
vidual patient  care  has  been 
the  theme  during  its  44  years 
of  service. 

Both  male  and  female  pa- 


tients are  accepted  and  depart- 
mentalized care  is  provided  ac- 
cording to  sex  and  the  degree 
of  illness. 


In  addition  to  the  psychiatric 
staff,  consultants  are  available 
in  all  medical  specialities. 


MEDICAL  DIRECTOR: 

James  A.  Becton,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 


CLINICAL  DIRECTORS: 

James  K.  Ward,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 
Hardin  M.  Ritchey,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 


HILL  CREST  is  a member  of: 

AMERICAN  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
. . . NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  PRI- 
VATE PSYCHIATRIC  HOSPITALS  . . . 
ALABAMA  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
BIRMINGHAM  REGIONAL  HOSPITAL 
COUNCIL. 

Hill  Crest  is  fully  accredited  by  the  Joint 
Commission  on  Accreditation  ol  Hospitals 
and  is  also  approved  for  Medicare  pa- 
tients. 


Cfte  st 

HOSPITAL 

BIRMINGHAM,  ALABAMA 


for  the  debilitated 
geriatric  patient 


TABLETS 

high  potency  B-complex  and  C 
for  nutritional  support 


AVAILABLE  ONLY  ON  Rx 
contains  water-soluble  vitamins  only 
b.i.d.  dosage 
good  patient  acceptance 
no  odor,  and  virtually  no  aftertaste 


Each  Berocca  Tablet  contains: 


Thiamine  mononitrate  15  mg 

Riboflavin  15  mg 

Pyridoxine  HCI 5 mg 

Niacinamide 100  mg 

Calcium  pantothenate  20  mg 

Cyanocobalamin  5 meg 

Folic  acid 0.5  mg 

Ascorbic  acid 500  mg 


Usual  dosage  is  one  tablet  b.i.d. 

Indications:  Nutritional  supplementation  in  conditions  in 
which  water-soluble  vitamins  are  required  prophylactically 
or  therapeutically. 

Warning:  Not  intended  for  treatment  of  pernicious  anemia 
or  other  primary  or  secondary  anemias.  Neurologic  involve- 
ment may  develop  or  progress,  despite  temporary  remission 
of  anemia,  in  patients  with  pernicious  anemia  who  receive 
more  than  0.1  mg  of  folic  acid  per  day  and  who  are  in- 
adequately treated  with  vitamin  B]2. 

Dosage:  1 or  2 tablets  daily,  as  indicated  by  clinical  need. 
Available:  In  bottles  of  100. 


Roche 

LABORATORIES 


Division  of  Hoffmann-La  Roche  Inc. 
Nutley,  New  Jersey  07110 


3-D  X-Ray  Film 
System  Developed 

Photosystems  Corporation,  a Long  Island  com- 
pany specializing  in  advanced  photo-optical  en- 
gineering, has  announced  that  it  has  completed 
the  development  of  a system  for  producing  three- 
dimensional  x-ray  films.  The  equipment  has  been 
delivered  to  Albert  Einstein  College  of  Medicine, 
Bronx,  New  York  for  clinical  evaluation. 

Richard  A.  Hayes,  president  of  Photosystems 
Corporation,  indicated  that  the  new  x-ray  system 
is  the  result  of  a three-year  research  and  de- 
velopment effort  by  a team  of  company  scientists 
and  engineers,  with  medical  direction  by  Dr. 
Reuben  Hoppenstein,  a neurosurgeon.  Before  be- 
ing released  for  medical  evaluation,  said  Hayes, 
the  equipment  was  subjected  to  exhaustive  en- 
gineering tests  over  a period  of  six  months. 

The  new  apparatus,  known  as  the  “Tridex” 
Three-Dimensional  Time  Sequence  Radiograph, 
is  used  in  conjunction  with  standard  hospital 
x-ray  equipment,  and  produces  a three-dimen- 
sional radiogram  on  a single  sheet  of  conventional 
medical  x-ray  film.  The  system  includes  an  il- 
luminated viewer  for  displaying  the  three-dimen- 
sional x-ray,  which  is  viewed  with  the  unaided 
eye.  There  is  no  requirement  for  special  eye- 
glasses. 

The  new  Photosystems  equipment  will  also 
produce  a time  sequence  of  several  consecutive 
x-rays  on  a single  sheet  of  film,  and  display  them 
in  animated  form.  The  animation  can  be  speeded 
up,  slowed  down,  or  stopped  at  any  point,  by 
adjusting  the  viewer  controls. 

The  company  indicated  that  its  three-dimen- 
sional x-ray  system  is  designed  to  operate  at  ap- 
proximately the  same  levels  of  patient  radiation 
as  used  in  conventional  radiological  techniques 
of  the  type  requiring  multiple  exposure.  In  some 
of  these  procedures,  it  is  anticipated  that  the  new 
system  will  require  a lesser  number  of  individual 
exposures,  and  thereby  permit  a decrease  in  total 
radiation. 

Clinical  evaluation  at  Albert  Einstein  College 
of  Medicine  will  be  under  the  director  of  Dr. 
Mannie  M.  Schechter,  professor  of  radiology. 


Brief  Summary  of  Prescribing  Information- 

9-9/ 22/ 69.  For  complete  information  consult 
Official  Package  Circular. 

Indications:  Essential  hypertension.  Use  cau- 
tiously in  patients  with  renal  insufficiency, 
particularly  if  they  are  digitalized. 
Contraindications:  Anuria,  oliguria,  active 
peptic  ulceration,  ulcerative  colitis,  severe  de- 
pression or  hypersensitivity  to  its  components 
contraindicates  the  use  of  Salutensin. 
Warnings:  Small-bowel  lesions  (obstruction, 
hemorrhage,  perforation  and  death)  have 
occurred  during  therapy  with  enteric-coated 
formulations  containing  potassium,  with  or 
without  thiazides.  Such  potassium  formula- 
tions should  be  used  with  Salutensin  only 
when  indicated  and  should  be  discontinued 
immediately  if  abdominal  pain,  distension, 
nausea,  vomiting  or  gastrointestinal  bleeding 
occurs.  Use  cautiously,  and  only  when  deemed 
essential,  in  fertile,  pregnant  or  lactating  pa- 
tients. Use  in  Pregnancy:  Thiazides  cross  the 
placenta  and  can  cause  fetal  or  neonatal 
hyperbilirubinemia,  thrombocytopenia, 
altered  carbohydrate  metabolism  and  possibly 
electrolyte  disturbances.  Fatal  reactions  may 
occur  with  reserpine  during  electroshock 
therapy;  discontinue  Salutensin  2 weeks  be- 
fore such  therapy.  Increased  respiratory 
secretions,  nasal  congestion,  cyanosis  and 
anorexia  may  occur  in  infants  born  to  reser- 
pine-treated  mothers. 

Precautions:  Azotemia,  hypochloremia,  hypo- 
natremia, hypochloremic  alkalosis  and  hypo- 
kaliemia  (especially  with  hepatic  cirrhosis 
and  corticosteroid  therapy)  may  occur,  par- 
ticularly with  pre-existing  vomiting  and  diar- 
rhea. Potassium  loss  or  protoveratrine  A may 
cause  digitalis  intoxication.  Potassium  loss 
responds  to  potassium-rich  foods,  potassium 
chloride  or,  if  necessary,  discontinuation  of 
therapy.  Stop  therapy  if  protoveratrine  A 
induces  digitalis  intoxication.  Serum  am- 
monia elevation  may  precipitate  coma  in 
precomatose  hepatic  cirrhotics.  Discontinue 
therapy  2 weeks  before  surgery  or  if  myo- 
cardial irritability,  progressive  azotemia  or 
severe  depression  occur.  Exercise  caution  in 
patients  with  chronic  uremia,  angina  pec- 
toris, coronary  thrombosis  or  extensive  cere- 
bral vascular  disease  or  bronchial  asthma  and 
in  those  with  a history  of  peptic  ulceration  or 
bronchial  asthma;  in  post-sympathectomy  pa- 
tients; in  patients  on  quinidine;  and  in  pa- 
tients with  gallstones,  in  whom  biliary  colic 
may  occur.  Patients  who  have  diabetes 
mellitus  or  who  are  suspected  of  being  pre- 
diabetic should  be  kept  under  close  observa- 
tion if  treated  with  this  agent. 

Adverse  Reactions:  Hydroflumethiazide:  Skin 
rashes  (including  exfoliative  dermatitis),  skin 
photosensitivity,  urticaria,  necrotizing  angiitis, 
xanthopsia,  granulocytopenia,  aplastic 
anemia,  orthostatic  hypotension  (potentiated 
with  alcohol,  barbiturates  or  narcotics),  aller- 
gic glomerulonephritis,  acute  pancreatitis, 
liver  involvement  (intrahepatic  cholestatic 
jaundice),  purpura  plus  or  minus  throm- 
bocytopenia, hyperuricemia,  hyperglycemia, 
glycosuria,  malaise,  weakness,  dizziness,  fa- 
tigue, paresthesias,  muscle  cramps,  skin  rash, 
epigastric  distress,  vomiting,  diarrhea  and 
constipation.  Reserpine:  Depression,  peptic 
ulceration,  diarrhea,  Parkinsonism,  nasal  stuf- 
finess, dryness  of  the  mouth,  weight  gain, 
impotence  or  decreased  libido,  conjunctival 
injection,  dull  sensorium,  deafness,  glaucoma, 
uveitis,  optic  atrophy,  and,  with  overdosage, 
agitation,  insomnia  and  nightmares.  Proto- 
veratrine A:  Nausea,  vomiting,  cardiac  ar- 
rhythmia, prostration,  blurring  vision,  mental 
confusion,  excessive  hypotension  and  brady- 
cardia. (Treat  bradycardia  with  atropine  and 
hypotension  with  vasopressors.) 

Usual  Dose:  1 tablet  b.i.d. 

Supplied:  Bottles  of  60,  600,  and  1000  scored 
50  mg.  tablets. 

Salutensin 

hydroflumethiazide,  50  mg. /reserpine, 

0.125  mg.  protoveratrine  A,  0.2  mg. 

BRISTOL  LABORATORIES 
Division  of  Bristol-Myers  Company 
Syracuse,  New  York  13201 


BRISTOL 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

June  1970,  Vol.  XI,  No.  6 


Pacemaker  Management 

Of  Heart  Block 

JOHN  W.  BOWLIN,  M.D. 

Tupelo,  Mississippi 


Within  the  last  decade  the  advent  and  re- 
finement of  electrical  cardiac  pacing  has  greatly 
improved  the  prognosis  in  patients  suffering  from 
chronic  heart  block  and  Stokes-Adams  attacks. 
This  report  discusses  the  temporary  and  perma- 
nent applications  of  pacemaker  systems  in  heart 
block  and  cardiac  arrhythmias  and  summarizes 
experience  with  cardiac  pacemaker  implantations 
at  the  North  Mississippi  Medical  Center  during 
the  last  two  years. 

Gould,1  in  1929,  first  successfully  restored  a 
heart  beat  with  electricity  by  inserting  an  elec- 
trode needle  percutaneously  into  the  myocardi- 
um. Zoll,2  in  1952,  successfully  resuscitated  a 
heart  in  ventricular  standstill  by  use  of  an  ex- 
ternal pacemaker.  These  early  methods  of  shock- 
ing, defibrillating,  and  pacing  the  heart  were 
mainly  applied  to  patients  undergoing  cardiac 
surgery  which  was  then,  too,  in  its  infancy. 

Later,  when  Weirich,  Lillehei  and  associates3 
reported  in  1957  the  use  of  myocardial  electrodes 
connected  to  an  external  pacemaker,  the  poten- 
tial application  of  similar  systems  to  patients 
with  chronic  heart  blocks  and  Stokes-Adams  at- 
tacks was  realized.  This  type  of  external  pacing 

Read  before  the  101st  Annual  Session,  Mississippi  State 

Medical  Association,  Biloxi,  May  14,  1969. 


system  was  utilized  in  some  patients  with  sig- 
nificant advancement;  however,  infection  arising 


Mortality  and  morbidity  of  heart  block 
and  Stokes-Adams  attacks  has  been  greatly 
altered  during  the  past  decade  with  the  de- 
velopment of  reliable  permanent  pacing  sys- 
tems. Use  of  the  different  pacemaker  sys- 
tems is  reviewed  and  experience  with  cardi- 
ac pacemaker  implantations  at  North  Mis- 
sissippi Medical  Center  during  the  last  two 
years  is  reported. 


from  externally  placed  electrodes  resulted  in  fre- 
quent failure.  This  problem  was  solved  in  1961 
when  Chardack1  reported  his  use  of  a totally 
self-contained  permanent  pacemaker  system, 
with  placement  of  myocardial  electrodes  at  thora- 
cotomy connected  to  a subcutaneously  placed 
pulse  generator.  This  continuing  progress,  com- 
bining the  achievements  of  cardiology,  surgery, 
electronics  and  biophysics,  has  supplied  physi- 
cians with  more  durable  pacemaker  systems 
and  a variety  of  techniques  for  electrical  control 
of  cardiac  rate. 


JUNE  1970 


309 


HEART  BLOCK / Bowlin 

In  the  normally  functioning  heart,  the  sino- 
atrial node  assumes  the  role  of  the  primary  car- 
diac pacemaker.  From  this  site  of  specialized 
muscle  tissue  located  in  the  sulcus  between  the 
superior  vena  cava  and  the  right  atrium,  excita- 
tory impulses  of  depolarization  travel  through  a 
rather  constant  atrial  pathway  to  arrive  at  the 
atrioventricular  node  located  in  the  inferior  atrial 
septum.  With  its  slower  rhythmicity,  the  A-V 
node  further  alters  and  delays  excitation  before 
the  wave  of  depolarization  travels  via  ventricular 
pathways  through  the  bundle  of  His  and  through 
left  and  right  bundles  to  terminate  in  the  neuro- 
muscular Purkinje  network.  Here  it  initiates  myo- 
cardial contraction  in  the  apex  which  progresses 
as  a wave-like  motion  toward  the  ventricular  out- 
flow tracks  for  optimum  ventricular  emptying 
and  cardiac  efficiency.  By  far  the  most  common 
site  of  interruption  of  the  conduction  system  in 
patients  suffering  from  chronic  heart  block  is  in 
the  atrioventricular  bundle,  whether  it  be  recur- 
rent block  or  long-standing  chronic  block. 

The  cause  of  heart  block  associated  with 
septum  primum  defects  or  block  following  sur- 
gical closure  of  high  ventricular  septal  defects  is 
well  understood.  However,  the  causal  factors  in 
most  instances  of  acquired  heart  block  are  little 


Figure  1.  Transthoracic  epicardial  technique  of 
implantation  was  the  first  method  of  permanent  car- 
diac pacing  generally  accepted.  An  area  near  the 
apex,  free  of  coronary  vessels,  is  selected  for  direct 
suture  of  the  electrode  terminals  into  the  myocar- 
dium. 


understood.  We  commonly  associate  arterioscle- 
rotic and  hypertensive  heart  disease  with  heart 
block  and  atrioventricular  dissociation;  however, 
the  common  denominators  of  these  diseases  such 
as  cardiac  enlargement,  angina  pectoris,  severe 
systemic  hypertension  and  myocardial  infarction 
are  not  commonly  encountered  in  patients  with 
acquired  permanent  heart  block.  Prolonged  me- 
chanical stress  with  tissue  injury  and  fibrosis  of 
the  conduction  system  is  thought  by  some  ob- 
servers to  be  a more  likely  etiologic  factor  in  pa- 
tients suffering  from  acquired  heart  block.5  Ure- 
mia, electrolyte  imbalance,  myocarditis,  endo- 
carditis, or  drug  toxicity  (digitalis  or  quinidine) 
may  cause  acquired  heart  block  by  primary  in- 
volvement of  the  conduction  system  or  through 
myocardial  cellular  changes. 

CARDIAC  ASYSTOLE 

Robert  Adams6  and  William  Stokes7  first  de- 
scribed the  symptoms  of  vertigo,  convulsions,  and 
syncope  due  to  profound  bradycardia  or  cardiac 
asystole.  In  patients  with  permanent  block,  syn- 
copal attacks  commonly  occur  during  periods  of 
increased  activity  or  with  further  arrhythmias, 
but  may  occur  when  the  patient  is  at  complete 
rest.  However,  we  often  associate  Stokes-Adams 
attacks  as  described  with  heart  block  as  occurring 


Figure  2.  This  patient's  initially  implanted  epi- 
cardial system  failed  and  electrode  breakage  was 
detected  on  chest  x-ray.  A permanent  endocardial 
system  was  implanted.  An  improved  technique  of 
electrode  application  to  the  epicardium  is  now  being 
used  which  should  lessen  the  chance  of  electrode 
breakage. 


310 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


with  the  sudden  development  of  block  and  ven- 
tricular escape.  In  patients  having  heart  block 
there  is  approximately  an  equal  division  of  cases 
exhibiting  Stokes-Adams  attacks  or  other  symp- 
toms and  signs  of  inadequate  tissue  perfusion 
and  congestive  heart  failure.  Patients  with  chronic 
heart  block  have  systemic  hypertension  because 
of  an  increase  in  stroke  volume  output  at  the 
slow  heart  rate.  Inadequate  tissue  perfusion  can 
be  documented  by  an  increase  in  the  arterio- 
venous oxygen  difference  and  is  seen  clinically 
as  cerebral,  hepatic,  and  renal  insufficiency.  Thus, 
it  is  evident  that  the  physician  must  suspect  heart 
block  in  a variety  of  presenting  symptoms. 

Acquired  heart  block  which  goes  untreated  is 
a constant  threat  to  the  life  of  the  patient.  The 
effects  of  heart  block  are  completely  unpredict- 
able. Patients  may  go  several  years  with  a chron- 
ically slow  heart  rate  without  any  significant 
problem,  and  yet  to  these  patients  there  is  a con- 
stant threat  of  syncopal  attacks  or  fatal  arrhyth- 
mias. The  average  duration  of  life  after  detec- 
tion of  heart  block  is  only  slightly  over  two 
years.8  In  patients  having  experienced  Stokes- 
Adams  attacks,  the  mortality  increases  to  50  per 
cent  within  the  first  year.9 

ISUPREL THERAPY 

A long  list  of  sympathomimetic  drugs  and  oth- 
er agents  have  been  used  in  an  attempt  to  in- 
crease the  idioventricular  rate  of  heart  block. 
Prior  to  the  development  of  pacemaker  systems, 
isoproterenol  (Isuprel)  was  the  main  mode  of 
therapy  for  the  entire  gamut  of  heart  block  pa- 
tients. Intravenous  Isuprel  (two  mg.  per  1,000  cc. 
of  physiologic  solution)  infusion,  maintaining  a 
ventricular  rate  of  45-50  beats  per  minute,  is  now 
occasionally  needed  in  the  treatment  of  the  acute 
Stokes-Adams  attack  until  the  patient  can  be 
transported  to  a center  where  pacemaker  systems 
are  available.  Drug  therapy  may  be  lifesaving  in 
the  treatment  of  the  acute  syncopal  attack  but 
should  not  be  recommended  in  the  long-term 
treatment  of  the  patient  with  chronic  heart  block. 
Dack10  and  Friedberg,11  employing  long-term 
drug  treatment  for  heart  block,  experienced  mor- 
tality rates  close  to  that  observed  in  patients  re- 
ceiving no  treatment. 

The  four  commercially  available  pacemaker 
systems  in  wide  use  are  the  Cordis,  Electrodyne, 
General  Electric,  and  Medtronic.  It  is  estimated 
that  approximately  10,000  pacemaker  units  are 
presently  in  use.  The  energy  source,  generally 
termed  the  pulse  generator,  is  supplied  by  mer- 
cury batteries  which  have  a theoretical  shelf  life  of 
five  years.  Experience  indicates  that  replacement 


Figure  3.  The  Medtronic  asynchronous  permanent 
pulse  generator  and  permanent  endocardial  bipolar 
electrode  catheter. 


of  the  pulse  generator  is  needed  after  two  and  a 
half  to  three  years. 

Basically  there  are  three  types  of  pacemaker 
pulse  generators.  The  asynchronous  unit,  which 
emits  electrical  impulses  at  a fixed  rate  indepen- 
dent of  the  intrinsic  cardiac  electrical  potentials, 
is  the  oldest  type  unit  in  use  and  has  proven  sat- 
isfactory in  most  cases,  especially  in  the  older 
and  less  active  patient.  The  second  type  of  pulse 
generator  is  the  synchronous  unit,  which  is  de- 
signed to  correlate  the  ventricular  contraction 
with  the  atrial  contraction  and  thus  simulate  nor- 
mal sinus  rhythm.  This  type  of  pacemaker  unit 
requires  an  additional  atrial  electrode  and  is  a 
more  complicated  system  than  the  asynchronous 
generator.  It  is  reserved  for  patients  with  great- 
er physical  activity  or  for  patients  who  are  in 
critical  need  of  maximum  cardiac  output.  The 
third  type  of  pulse  generator  is  the  demand  unit 
which  is  programmed  from  the  R-wave  and  is 
designed  so  that  its  own  stimulation  is  suppressed 
when  the  patient’s  heart  rate  is  faster  than  the 
pre-set  rate  of  the  pulse  generator. 

THE  DEMAND  UNIT 

This  system  presently  is  having  an  increase  in 
popularity.  It  eliminates  the  potential  hazard 
(ventricular  fibrillation)  of  the  pacemaker  firing 
during  the  vulnerable  period  of  ventricular  re- 
polarization. It  also  avoids  repetition  and  com- 
petition between  the  pulse  generator  and  idio- 
ventricular contractions.  Nathan  et  al12  observed 
that  after  implantation  of  permanent  pacemakers 


JUNE  1970 


311 


HEART  BLOCK /Bowlin 

for  A-V  block  approximately  one-fourth  of  the 
patients  reverted  to  sinus  rhythm  or  second  de- 
gree block.  These  patients  have  competitive  foci 
of  stimulation  when  paced  with  an  asynchronous 
system  and  may  be  symptomatic  (palpatation  and 
dyspnea).  Thus,  demand  systems  are  gaining 
preference  in  patients  with  pre-operatively  high 
idioventricular  rates  and  in  patients  who  experi- 
ence periodic  syncopal  attacks  with  atrioventric- 
ular dissociation  and  otherwise  maintain  a sinus 
rhythm  the  majority  of  the  time. 

There  are  two  operative  approaches  to  the  pa- 
tient requiring  permanent  cardiac  pacing  and  the 
difference  is  basically  in  the  type  of  electrode 
system  applied.  The  initial  permanent  pacemaker 
which  achieved  general  acceptance  was  the  epi- 
cardial  type  of  electrode  application  introduced 
by  Chardack,4  Zoll,13  and  Kantrowitz.14  A left 
anterior  thoracotomy  incision  is  the  approach  and 
the  electrode  terminals  are  sutured  to  the  surface 
of  the  left  ventricle  (Figure  1).  In  general,  this 
unit  has  been  quite  successful  and  was  the  only 
method  of  permanent  pacing  available  until 
1964.  Breakage  of  the  electrode  wire  and  pre- 
mature failure  of  the  pulse  generator  were  the 
common  causes  of  failure  of  the  early  epicardial 
units.  Improved  electrode  terminals  with  elimina- 
tion of  constant  stress  at  the  point  of  penetration 
of  the  myocardium  has  eliminated  to  a great  de- 
gree the  wire  breakage  factor. 

CLINICAL  EXAMPLE 

We  have  had  experience  with  a patient  who 
three  years  prior  to  admission  to  North  Missis- 
sippi Medical  Center  had  implantation  of  a per- 
manent epicardial  unit  (Figure  2)  and  had  two 
pulse  generator  replacements,  followed  by  anoth- 
er syncopal  attack.  On  chest  x-ray  breakage  of  an 
electrode  terminal  was  noted.  The  patient  would 
experience  syncopal  attacks  when  in  the  upright 
position,  but  would  pace  satisfactorily  in  the  re- 
cumbent position  when  the  ends  of  the  broken 
electrode  were  in  contact.  The  x-ray  shows  that 
a permanent  type  of  transvenous  pacing  system 
was  used  to  replace  his  former  unit.  The  pri- 
mary disadvantage  of  the  epicardial  method  of 
application  is  the  need  for  thoracotomy  with  gen- 
eral anesthesia.  This  method  of  implantation  is 
presently  being  used  only  in  younger,  more  ac- 
tive patients  who  may  also  be  candidates  for  the 
more  complicated  synchronous  type  pacemaker. 

The  second  method  of  electrode  application, 
employing  a permanent  transvenous  endocardial 
catheter  (Figure  3),  was  introduced  in  1965  by 


Chardack15  and  is  a simplified  method  when 
compared  with  the  epicardial  type  unit  in  that 
this  application  does  not  require  a general  anes- 
thetic or  a thoracotomy  (Figure  4),  but  is  im- 
planted by  means  of  transvenous  passage  of  a 
permanent  electrode  catheter  through  a cervical 
vein  into  the  right  ventricle  where  the  electrode 
terminal  is  wedged  in  the  trabecular  musculature 
of  the  cardiac  apex  under  fluoroscopic  control 
(Figure  5).  The  complete  procedure  is  performed 
under  local  anesthesia.  The  generator  is  placed  in 
a subcutaneous  or  subpectoral  pocket  and  the 
electrode  catheter  is  connected  by  way  of  a tun- 
nel between  the  cervical  and  pectoral  wounds 
(Figure  3).  Anticoagulation  is  unnecessary. 

ENDOCARDIAL  SYSTEM 

Danielson,16  et  al,  found  the  endocardial  pac- 
ing system  of  particular  value  in  patients  exhib- 
iting failure  of  previously  implanted  epicardial 
units.  Not  only  could  the  procedure  be  done  un- 
der local  anesthesia  but  the  previously  implanted 
epicardial  electrodes  could  be  left  in  place  un- 
disturbed, with  only  the  old  pulse  generator  re- 
moved. They  reported  eight  patients  underwent 
replacement  by  endocardial  electrode  system; 
seven  of  eight  failures  were  due  to  wire  break- 
age. 

Long-term  electrical  pacing  of  the  heart  has 
unequivocally  become  the  treatment  of  choice  in 
symptomatic  heart  block,  whether  the  symptoms 
be  syncopal  attacks  or  symptoms  of  cardiac  de- 
compensation. One  Stokes-Adams  attack  is  indi- 
cation enough  for  implantation  of  a permanent 
pacing  system.  Decreased  exercise  tolerance,  re- 
nal or  cerebral  impairment  and  perhaps  angina 
are  additional  symptomatic  indications  for  per- 
manent pacing.  Not  infrequently  both  the  patient 
and  physician  will  notice  a great  improvement 
in  general  strength  and  mental  alertness  of  a post- 
operative patient  who  pre-operatively  was  con- 
sidered asymptomatic  except  for  Stokes-Adams 
attacks.  We  have  experienced  this  change  fre- 
quently. 

TRANSVENOUS  SYSTEM 

With  development  of  the  transvenous  endo- 
cardiac  electrode  system,  age  is  no  longer  a con- 
traindication to  pacemaker  implantation.  With 
improvements  in  materials  and  methods  of  ap- 
plication, asymptomatic  patients  with  idioventric- 
ular rates  less  than  40  or  whose  EKG’s  show  pat- 
terns of  ventricular  irritability17  are  now  recom- 
mended for  permanent  pacing.  The  non-opera- 
tive management  of  these  patients  is  considered 
more  hazardous  and  radical  than  management 
by  permanent  pacing  systems.  Congenital  heart 


312 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Figure  4.  Permanent  endocardial  pacemaker  show- 
ing catheter  electrode  terminals  in  the  apex  of  the 
right  ventricle.  The  pulse  generator  is  located  in  the 
subcutaneous  pocket  of  the  right  pectoral  area. 

blocks  producing  symptoms  or  demonstrating 
widened  QRS  complexes  on  EKG’s  should  have 
implantation  of  a permanent  pacemaking  system. 
Sinus  bradycardia  or  sinus  arrest,  if  symptomatic, 
should  be  treated  by  implantation  of  permanent 
pacemakers. 

Post-operative  tachyarrhythmias  and  second  or 
third  degree  block  with  acute  myocardial  infarc- 
tions may  require  use  of  a temporary  pacing 
catheter.  Heart  block,  when  present,  usually  de- 
velops within  36  hours  after  occurrence  of  a 
myocardial  infarction.  The  incidence  of  block  is 
highest  with  inferior  infarctions  but  associated 
with  the  highest  mortality  in  anterior  infarctions. 
Of  patients  recovering  from  infarction  only  5 to 
8 per  cent  will  persist  to  have  permanent  block. 
Use  of  a temporary  pacing  catheter  improves  the 
cardiac  output  by  increasing  the  cardiac  rate.  Ar- 
tificial pacing  removes  the  threat  of  Stokes-Adams 
attacks,  which  carry  a higher  mortality  in  patients 
with  myocardial  infarctions.  Probably  most  sig- 
nificant, use  of  the  temporary  pacing  catheter 
eliminates  the  need  for  Isuprel  and  other  drugs 
producing  cardiac  irritability  but  allows  the  use 
of  digitalis  and  suppressant  drugs  without  com- 


Figure 5.  Photograph  of  our  first  patient:  pace- 
maker implanted  February,  1967.  This  photograph 
was  made  recently,  following  replacement  of  the 
pulse  generator  for  impending  battery  failure.  Note 
the  cervical  and  pectoral  incision  scars. 

pounding  A-V  conduction  problems.  In  our  ex- 
perience with  the  use  of  a temporary  pacing 
catheter  in  heart  block,  secondary  to  myocardial 
infarctions,  uremia  and  electrolyte  imbalance, 
four  of  six  patients  survived. 

To  insure  complete  and  optimal  care  for  the 
patient  with  heart  block  we  have  found  it  bene- 
ficial to  divide  management  of  the  patient  into 
four  phases,  beginning  with  admission  to  the  hos- 
pital and  extending  into  the  post-hospitalization 
period. 

(1)  The  period  of  intensive  observation:  On 
admission  to  the  hospital  all  patients  having  com- 
plete heart  block  or  suspected  of  having  had 
complete  heart  block  or  Stokes-Adams  attacks 
are  placed  in  the  Intensive  Care  Unit  where  they 
are  continuously  monitored  by  electrocardio- 
graphic equipment  with  a defibrillator  and  ex- 
ternal pacemaker  at  the  bedside  at  all  times. 
Routine  laboratory  studies  including  electrocardi- 
ogram, chest  x-ray,  and  serum  chemistry  profiles 
are  performed.  Studies  obtained  during  the  initial 
few  hours  of  hospitalization  exclude  acute  myo- 
cardial infarction,  uremia,  and  electrolyte  imbal- 


313 


JUNE  1970 


HEART  BLOCK  / Bowlin 

ance  as  causal  factors  in  the  heart  block.  A so- 
lution of  isoproterenol  (Isuprel — 2 mg.  per  1,000 
cc.  of  physiologic  solution)  is  placed  in  the  im- 
mediate area  of  the  patient  for  use  in  case  of 
Stokes-Adams  attack.  We  do  not  recommend  the 
routine  use  of  a constant  infusion  of  Isuprel  in 
the  patient  with  chronic  heart  block  during  this 
initial  period,  especially  when  there  is  evidence 
of  ventricular  irritability. 

TEMPORARY  CATHETER 

(2)  Passage  of  a temporary  transvenous  pac- 
ing catheter:  We  advise  passage  of  a temporary 
pacing  catheter  in  patients  with  chronic  heart 
block  and  particularly  in  those  having  experi- 
enced Stokes-Adams  attacks  as  soon  after  admis- 
sion as  feasible,  preferably  the  day  of  admission. 
The  introduction  of  this  pacing  system  removes 
the  always  constant  threat  of  Stokes-Adams  at- 
tacks. This  early  phase  of  hospitalization  when 
various  medications  are  administered  is  a pre- 
carious period  in  patients  with  chronic  heart 
block.  Temporary  pacing  not  only  allows  for 
early  improvement  and  stabilization  of  the  pa- 
tient’s condition  but  also  eliminates  the  need  for 
Isuprel  infusion.  Cardiac  output  is  improved  and 
congestive  heart  failure  clears.  The  temporary 
pacing  catheter  is  passed  through  the  basilic 
vein  into  the  apex  of  the  right  ventricle  and  with 
the  use  of  an  external  pacer  both  amperage  and 
rate  alterations  are  available.  In  patients  in  whom 
operative  procedures  for  some  other  condition  is 
anticipated,  the  temporary  pacing  is  maintained 
throughout  the  surgery  to  be  followed  by  im- 
plantation of  a permanent  pacing  system.  Use  of 
the  temporary  pacing  system  removes  the  neces- 
sity for  urgent  implantation  of  a permanent  sys- 
tem and  yet  improves  and  stabilizes  the  con- 
dition of  the  patient. 

(3)  Implantation  of  the  permanent  pacing 
system:  We  now  feel  that  with  the  possible  ex- 
ception of  the  young,  active  patient,  in  whom  a 
synchronous  unit  is  perhaps  indicated,  candidates 
for  permanent  pacing  should  have  implantation 
of  endocardial  transvenous  pacing  systems.  This 
system  has  a smaller  morbidity  and  mortality 
rate  immediately  post-operatively  and  long-term 
results  are  just  as  good  as  those  seen  with  epi- 
cardial  units.  Implantation  of  the  permanent  en- 
docardiac  system  is  scheduled  several  days  in  ad- 
vance. During  the  period  of  preparation  the  heart 
is  paced  by  the  temporary  catheter.  It  is  essen- 
tial that  the  surgeon  be  thoroughly  familiar  with 
all  monitoring  equipment  and  the  entire  gamut 


of  pacing  equipment.  During  the  operative  pro- 
cedure patients  are  monitored  continuously  by 
electrocardiogram  with  external  defibrillators  and 
pacing  equipment  available.  The  procedure  is 
performed  under  local  anesthesia  with  the  anes- 
thetist monitoring  vital  signs.  The  external  jugular 
vein  on  the  right  side  is  exposed  and  if  of  ade- 
quate diameter,  is  used  for  passage  of  the  elec- 
trode catheter  into  the  right  ventricle  using  fluo- 
roscopic guidance.  The  internal  jugular  vein  is 
immediately  available  through  the  same  incision 
when  the  external  vein  is  of  inadequate  size. 
Threshold  potentials  are  determined  for  both 
electrodes,  and  optimum  position  of  the  electrode 
terminal  is  obtained.  After  complete  connection 
of  the  permanent  catheter  to  the  permanent  pulse 
generator  the  external  pacing  system  is  shut  off 
and  the  procedure  terminated.  The  patient  is  ob- 
served in  the  Intensive  Care  Unit  for  an  additional 
24  hours  following  implantation  and  during  this 
period  is  monitored  continuously  by  electrocar- 
diogram. We  have  adopted  the  policy  of  leav- 
ing the  external  temporary  pacing  catheter  in 
place  in  the  right  ventricle  for  the  first  24  to  48 
hours  following  implantation  of  the  permanent 
system  to  insure  availability  of  an  effective  pac- 
ing system  in  the  event  the  permanent  catheter 
dislocates  from  the  right  ventricle.  We  have  never 
regretted  this  policy  and  have  slept  better  know- 
ing that  the  auxiliary  pacing  system  is  immedi- 
ately available  at  the  flip  of  a switch. 

FOLLOW-UP 

(4)  Periodic  long-term  follow-up:  It  is  es- 
sential to  have  three  to  six-month  interval  follow- 
up examinations,  including  chest  x-ray  and  elec- 
trocardiogram. A decrease  in  contrast  of  the  bat- 
teries on  x-ray,  a change  in  the  rate  of  the  pac- 
ing artifact  (asynchronous  unit)  of  more  than 
four  beats  per  minute,  incomplete  capture  of  the 
pacemaker  or  a decrease  in  amplitude  of  the  ar- 
tifact as  seen  on  electrocardiogram  are  all  signs 
of  impending  pulse  generator  failure. 

During  the  period  from  Feb.  1967  to  Sept. 
1969,  22  patients  have  had  implantation  of  per- 
manent cardiac  pacemakers  at  the  North  Mis- 
sissippi Medical  Center.  Four  patients  have  re- 
quired replacement  of  the  pulse  generator,  three 
for  impending  late  battery  failure  and  one  for 
symptomatic  competitive  rhythm  which  developed 
one  year  after  implantation  of  an  asynchronous 
pulse  generator.  Twenty  patients  have  had  im- 
plantation of  permanent  transvenous  endocardiac 
units,  and  two  patients  received  epicardial  elec- 
trode systems.  All  patients  have  received  Med- 
tronic pacing  units.  Demand  pulse  generators 


3 14 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


were  used  in  10  patients  and  12  patients  re- 
ceived asynchronous  fixed  rate  units. 

The  ages  of  the  patients  ranged  from  62  to 
88  years,  with  a median  age  of  75.  The  electro- 
cardiogram showed  chronic  complete  heart  block 
in  18  patients  and  intermittent  block  or  arrhyth- 
mia in  four  patients.  Fourteen  patients  had  ex- 
perienced syncopal  attacks  and  eight  patients  had 
symptoms  only  of  congestive  heart  failure.  No 
patients  had  experienced  angina.  None  of  the  pa- 
tients were  known  to  have  developed  block  fol- 
lowing myocardial  infarctions.  There  was  a wide 
variation  in  the  duration  of  symptoms.  Improve- 
ment in  general  strength  and  alertness  of  the  pa- 
tient was  uniformly  observed  following  implanta- 
tion of  pacemakers. 

DISLOCATION 


There  have  been  two  cases  of  early  dislocation 
of  the  endocardial  catheter  tip  from  the  right 
ventricle.  The  instance  of  this  complication  is  re- 
ported at  10-15  per  cent.  We  have  adapted  sev- 
eral advantageous  technical  maneuvers  which 
have  diminished  the  likelihood  of  this  complica- 
tion and  have  not  experienced  its  appearance  in 
any  of  the  last  14  implantations.  Dislocation  of 
the  catheter  tip  usually  occurs  within  the  first  24 
hours  following  implantation,  and  thus  we  strong- 
ly feel  the  need  for  leaving  the  temporary  pacing 
catheter  in  place  for  24  to  48  hours  following 
implantation  of  the  permanent  system.  Disloca- 
tion of  the  permanent  catheter  tip  is  more  likely 
if  incomplete  capture  by  the  pacemaker  is  pres- 
ent or  if  multifocal  idioventricular  contractions 
are  present.  We  have  found  the  intravenous  use 
of  Xylocaine  very  helpful  in  suppressing  these 
multifocal  contractions  in  the  early  post-operative 
period. 

We  have  experienced  no  cases  of  early  or  late 
myocardial  perforations  by  the  catheter  tip. 
Most  reported  cases  of  perforation  occurred  in 
early  series  of  cases  when  the  electrode  stylets 
were  being  left  in  place,  and  now  that  they  are 
being  removed  this  complication  should  be  less 
frequent.  We  have  had  no  cases  of  electrode 
breakage. 

One  patient  experienced  left  diaphragmatic 
pacing  for  a brief  period  which  cleared  spon- 
taneously. Close  proximity  of  the  pacing  electrode 
to  the  left  phrenic  nerve  causes  this  diaphragmat- 
ic twitching  which  can  be  bothersome  though  not 
detrimental  to  the  patient.  Several  years  ago  we 
experienced  this  complication  persisting  until  it 
was  completely  abated  by  crushing  of  the  phrenic 
nerve  in  the  neck.16 

Infections  occurring  about  a pacing  catheter 
usually  result  in  failure  to  pace  and  necessitates 


staged  implantation  of  a completely  new  unit  at 
a different  site.18  We  credit  the  absence  of  any 
infections  in  this  series  to  meticulous  skin  prep- 
aration and  surgical  technique  with  absolute  he- 
mostasis and  the  use  of  Hemovac  suction  for  five 
post-operative  days.  Heavy  prophylactic  antibi- 
otic coverage  against  gram  negative  and  gram 
positive  organisms  was  administered. 

GENERATOR  REPLACEMENT 

Late  battery  weakness  with  incomplete  cap- 
ture by  the  pacemaker  prompted  replacement  of 
the  pulse  generator  in  two  patients,  and  an  in- 
crease in  rate  of  12  artifact  stimuli  per  minute  in 
association  with  occasional  sub-threshold  stimula- 
tion 18  months  after  implantation  with  the  indi- 
cation for  pulse  generator  replacement  in  one 
other  patient. 

There  have  been  two  early  deaths,  one  sec- 
ondary to  pacemaker  failure  caused  by  post- 
pericardiotomy syndrome  following  implantation 
of  an  epicardial  pacing  unit.  The  second  early 
death  was  caused  by  a pulmonary  embolus  in  a 
patient  who  had  a fractured  hip  pinned  after  im- 
plantation of  a transvenous  pacing  system.  There 
have  been  three  late  deaths.  One  patient  devel- 
oped a repetitive  rhythm  of  exactly  two  times 
the  pacemaker  rate  (asynchronous  unit)  and 
went  into  refractory  ventricular  fibrillation  before 
the  pacemaker  catheter  could  be  severed.  Two 
patients  died  five  and  six  months  after  implanta- 
tion from  progressive  cardiac  failure  though  they 
were  being  paced  satisfactorily  at  the  time  of 
death. 

SUMMARY 

Within  the  last  decade  the  development  of  re- 
liable permanent  pacing  systems  has  dramatical- 
ly altered  the  mortality  and  morbidity  of  heart 
block  and  Stokes-Adams  attacks,  so  that  patients 
with  chronic  slow  heart  beat  can  look  forward  to 
a more  productive  and  longer  life.  There  is  no 
place  for  long-term  drug  treatment  in  the  man- 
agement of  complete  heart  block.  The  “asymp- 
tomatic” as  well  as  the  symptomatic  patient  may 
require  pacing.  Development  of  a more  durable 
energy  source  is  now  the  primary  objective  in 
the  improvement  of  pacing  systems.  The  trans- 
venous endocardial  system  is  superior  to  the 
transthoracic  epicardial  system  and  should  be 
the  system  applied  to  elderly  patients  suffering 
from  Stokes-Adams  attacks  and  chronic  heart 
block.  We  feel  that  the  demand  pacing  system 
is  indicated  in  all  patients  requiring  permanent 
pacing  because  of  the  elimination  of  repetitive 
and  competitive  rhythm  as  well  as  for  conserva- 
tion of  battery  strength.  *** 

812  Garfield  St.  (38801) 

3 15 


in 
c q 
) ; '5 


JUNE  1970 


REFERENCES 

1.  Hyman,  A.  S.:  Resuscitation  of  a Stopped  Heart  by 
Intracardial  Therapy,  A.M.A.  Arch.  Int.  Med.  50: 
283,  1932. 

2.  Zoll,  P.  M.:  Resuscitation  of  the  Heart  in  Ventricu- 
lar Standstill  by  External  Electric  Stimulation,  New 
England  J.  Med.  247:68,  1952. 

3.  Weirich,  W.  L.;  Poneth.  M.;  Gott,  V.  L.;  and  Lille- 
hei,  C.  W.:  Control  of  Complete  Heart  Block  by 
Use  of  an  Artificial  Pacemaker  and  Myocardial 
Electrode,  Circulation  Research  6:410,  1958. 

4.  Chardack,  W.  M.;  Gage,  A.  A.;  and  Greatbatch,  W. : 
Correction  of  Complete  Heart  Block  by  Self-Con- 
tained and  Subcutaneously  Implanted  Pacemaker, 
J.  Thoracic  Surg.  42:814,  1961. 

5.  Liev,  M.:  The  Normal  Anatomy  of  the  Conduction 
System  in  Man  and  Its  Pathology  in  Atrioventricular 
Block,  Ann.  N.  Y.  Acad.  Sc.  3:817,  1964. 

6.  Adams,  R.:  Cases  of  Diseases  of  the  Heart  Accom- 
panied With  Pathological  Observations,  Dublin  Hos- 
pital Reports  4:353-453,  1827. 

7.  Stokes,  W. : Observations  on  Some  Cases  of  Perma- 
nent Slow  Pulses,  Dublin  Quart.  J.  Med.  Sc.  2:73-85, 
1846. 

8.  Penton,  G.  B.;  Miller,  H.;  and  Levine,  S.  A.:  Some 
Clinical  Features  of  Complete  Heart  Block,  Circula- 
tion 13:801-825  (June)  1956. 

9.  Johansson,  B.  W.:  Adams-Stokes  Syndrome:  A Re- 
view and  Follow-Up  Study  of  Forty-Two  Cases,  Am. 
J.  Cardiology  8:76-93  (July)  1961. 


10.  Dack,  S. : Pacemaker  Therapy  in  Heart  Block  and 
Stokes-Adams  Syndrome,  J.  A.M.A.  191:846-848 
(March  8)  1965. 

11.  Friedberg,  C.  K.;  Donoso,  E.;  and  Stein,  W.  G.: 
Non-Surgical  Acquired  Heart  Block,  Ann.  N.  Y. 
Acad.  Sc.  3:835-847,  1964. 

12.  Nathan,  D.  A.;  Center,  S.;  Wu,  C.  Y.;  and  Kel- 
ler, W.:  An  Implantable  Synchronous  Pacemaker 
for  the  Long-Term  Correction  of  Complete  Heart 
Block,  Am.  J.  Cardiol.  11:362,  1963. 

13.  Zoll,  P.  M.;  Frank,  H.  A.;  Zarsky,  L.  R.  N.;  Linen- 
thal,  A.  J.;  and  Belgard,  A.  H.:  Long-Term  Electric 
Stimulation  of  the  Heart  for  Stokes-Adams  Disease, 
Ann.  Surg.  154:330-346. 

14.  Kantrowitz,  A.;  Cohen,  R.;  Raillard,  H.;  and 
Schmidt,  J.:  Experimental  and  Clinical  Experience 
With  a New  Implantable  Cardiac  Pacemaker. 

15.  Chardack,  W.,  et  al:  The  Long-Term  Treatment  of 
Heart  Block,  Prog.  Cardiovas.  Dis.  9:105  (Sept.) 
1966. 

16.  Danielson,  Gordon  K.;  Bryant,  Lerten  R.;  Bowlin, 
John  W.;  and  Mallette,  William  G. : Pacemaker 
Therapy  in  Complete  Heart  Block:  Current  Con- 
cepts of  Management,  Ky.  M.  J.  (Nov.)  1966. 

17.  Hollingsworth,  J.  Hayden;  Muller,  William  H.; 
Beckwith,  Julian  R.;  and  McGuire,  Lockhart  B.: 
Patient  Selection  for  Permanent  Cardiac  Pacing, 
Ann.  Int.  Med.  70:263  (Feb.)  1969. 

18.  Firor,  W.  B.;  Lopez,  J.  F.;  Nanson,  E.  M.;  and 
Mori,  M.:  Clinical  Management  of  the  Infected 
Pacemaker,  Ann.  Thoracic  Surg.  6:431-436,  1968. 


FREUDIAN  SLIP 

A young  chaplain,  new  with  the  prison  system,  was  sent  to 
console  an  inmate  soon  to  be  electrocuted.  As  the  prisoner  was 
being  led  to  the  electric  chair,  the  flustered  chaplain,  not  wanting 
to  say,  “Goodbye,”  which  sounded  terribly  final;  or  “See  you 
later,”  that  really  wasn't  what  he  wanted;  finally  spoke  to  the 
condemned  man,  “More  power  to  you,”  he  said. 

—From  the  Mississippi  Educational  Advance 


316 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Artificial  Kidneys 
In  Acute  Renal  Failure 


JOHN  D.  BOWER,  M.D. 
Jackson,  Mississippi 


Acute  renal  failure  may  be  defined  as  the 
sudden  cessation  of  renal  excretory  and  hemo- 
static function.  It  is  divided  into  three  classifica- 
tions for  diagnostic  and  therapeutic  purposes. 
This  classification  consists  of  post-renal  failure, 
pre-renal  failure,  and  parenchymal  renal  failure. 
All  of  these  have  been  discussed,  and  the  mech- 
anisms for  diagnosing  each  of  these  parameters 
of  renal  function  have  appeared  in  a previous 
publication.1  This  paper  then  will  deal  with  the 
management  of  parenchymal  renal  failure  some- 
times referred  to  as  lower  nephrosis,  or  prefer- 
ably called  acute  tubular  necrosis.  Specifically, 
the  use  of  the  artificial  kidney  in  the  manage- 
ment of  acute  tubular  necrosis  will  be  discussed, 
and  the  results  of  experience  in  35  consecutive 
cases  of  acute  tubular  necrosis  requiring  hemo- 
dialysis will  be  presented  in  detail. 

Between  Oct.  1,  1966,  and  Feb.  15,  1970,  160 
hemodialyses  were  performed  in  35  patients  for 
acute  renal  failure.  All  of  these  had  acute  tubular 
necrosis  except  one  who  was  dialyzed  for  gross 
fluid  overload  following  ureteral  ligation  of  her 
solitary  ureter.  Of  these  35  patients,  20  are  sur- 
viving and  have  had  adequate  return  of  renal 
function  to  maintain  life  without  dialysis. 

The  precipitating  factors,  their  frequency,  and 
the  survival  rates  in  each  group  are  shown  in 
Table  1.  It  is  seen  that  11  of  these  35  patients 
developed  tubular  necrosis  in  the  post-operative 
period.  This  condition  was  usually  associated 
with  extensive  surgical  procedures  accompanied 
by  excessive  bleeding  or  severe  sepsis  develop- 

From  the  Department  of  Medicine,  University  of  Missis- 
sippi School  of  Medicine. 


ing  two  to  three  days  postoperatively.  These  pa- 
tients were  predominantly  elderly  and  had  a very 
poor  survival  rate.  The  next  most  common  cause 


During  the  last  three  years,  160  hemo- 
dialyses have  been  performed  in  35  pa- 
tients for  acute  renal  failure  at  the  Univer- 
sity Medical  Center.  Twenty  are  still  sur- 
viving. The  author  discusses  the  use  of  the 
artificial  kidney  in  the  management  of  acute 
tubular  necrosis  and  presents  the  results  of 
experience  in  these  35  cases. 


of  acute  tubular  necrosis  was  automobile  acci- 
dents. Tubular  necrosis  in  this  group  was  due  to 
excessive  blood  loss  at  the  time  of  the  automo- 
bile accident,  or  subsequent  dehydration  due  to 
inadequate  fluid  replacement  after  the  patient 
had  been  hospitalized.  Nephrotoxic  agents  were 
the  next  most  common  cause. 

One  case  was  due  to  an  overdose  of  Strep- 
tomycin, another  to  an  overdose  of  Kanamycin. 
and  one  to  carbon  tetrachloride  ingestion.  One 
case  resulted  from  prolonged  inhalation  of  gaso- 
line fumes  with  resultant  severe  pneumonia  and 
acute  tubular  necrosis.  The  medical  diseases  that 
precipitated  this  condition  were  septicemia  fol- 
lowing cholecystitis,  hypercalcemic  nephrotoxici- 
ty of  primary  hyper-parathyroidism.  massive  gas- 
trointestinal hemorrhage,  and  a case  of  non-ke- 
totic  hyperosmolar  coma  in  a patient  with  dia- 
betes mellitus.  This  category  of  medical  diseases 
likewise  carried  a significant  mortality  with  two 


JUNE  1970 


317 


ARTIFICIAL  KIDNEYS  / Bower 

of  the  patients  dying  of  sepsis,  and  one  of  ex- 
sanguination. 

Two  cases  of  acute  tubular  necrosis  resulted 
from  gunshot  wounds  of  the  abdomen  with  mul- 
tiple through  and  through  perforations  of  the 
bowel,  producing  soiling  in  the  peritoneal  cavity 
and  septicemia.  Neither  of  these  patients  sur- 
vived because  of  the  extensive  intra-abdominal 
and  systemic  septicemia.  Two  cases  of  acute  tu- 
bular necrosis  occurred  in  the  post-partum  peri- 
od, both  resulting  from  abruptio  placenta.  Both 
of  these  patients  had  adequate  return  of  renal 
function  after  prolonged  dialysis.  One  of  these  re- 
quired three  months  to  regain  function.  Criminal 
abortion  was  responsible  for  acute  tubular  ne- 
crosis in  two  cases,  in  one  of  which  treatment 
was  ultimately  abandoned  due  to  irreversible 
brain  damage  from  multiple  brain  abscesses. 

Two  patients  in  this  series  received  incom- 


TABLE  1 

PRECIPITATING  FACTORS 
IN  ACUTE  TUBULAR  NECROSIS 


Survival 

Per  Cent 

Post-operative 

1 1 

4 

36 

Auto  accidents 

5 

4 

80 

Toxic  agents 

4 

4 

100 

Medical  disease 

4 

1 

25 

Gunshot  

2 

0 

0 

Postpartum 

2 

2 

100 

Abortion 

. . . . . 2 

1 

50 

Transfusion 

2 

2 

100 

Burn 

1 

0 

0 

Heat  stroke 

1 

1 

100 

Drug  reaction 

1 

1 

100 

35 

20 

57.1 

TABLE  2 

MEDIATING  FACTORS 
IN  ACUTE  TUBULAR  NECROSIS 

Survival  Per  Cent 


Sepsis  14  2 14 

Hemorrhage 8 7 87 

Dehydration  4 4 100 

Nephrotoxin  3 3 100 

Transfusion  2 2 100 

Drugs  1 1 100 

Renal  emboli  1 1 100 

Heat  stroke  1 1 100 

Obstruction  1 1 100 


patable  blood.  Both  of  these  had  an  adequate 
return  of  renal  function.  The  other  causes  of  acute 
tubular  necrosis  consisted  of  one  burn  with  se- 
vere sepsis,  a heat  stroke  with  massive  muscle 
heat  coagulation,  and  an  adverse  drug  reaction 
producing  profound  hypotension  and  shock. 


TABLE  3 

AVERAGE  NUMBER  OF  DIALYSES 


Average/ 

No. 

Total 

Patient 

Living  

20 

1 17 

5.85 

Dead 

15 

43 

2.87 

The  mechanism  by  which  acute  tubular  ne- 
crosis evolves  is  not  known.  No  predictable  ani- 
mal model  has  ever  been  developed  to  permit 
precise  quantitation  of  the  variables  involved  in 
precipitating  this  condition.  For  this  reason,  many 
mediating  factors  have  been  speculated  upon,  but 
the  most  common  factor  seems  to  be  renal  hy- 
poxia due  to  many  mediating  factors.  The  me- 
diating factors  in  this  series  of  acute  tubular  ne- 
crosis  are  shown  in  Table  2.  Severe  infection  or 
sepsis  is  the  commonest  factor  responsible  for 
acute  tubular  necrosis  in  this  series.  Fourteen  of 
the  35  patients  who  were  dialyzed  for  acute  tu- 
bular necrosis  had  the  condition  develop  second- 
ary to  overwhelming  sepsis.  There  was  only  a 
14  per  cent  survival  rate  in  this  group.  Again  the 
great  majority  of  these  septic  conditions  devel- 
oped in  the  postoperative  period. 

TUBULAR  NECROSIS 

Excessive  blood  loss  was  responsible  for  8 of 
the  cases  of  acute  tubular  necrosis  with  only  one 
mortality.  The  remainder  of  the  mediating  fac- 
tors did  not  cause  any  death  in  this  series  of 
patients  with  acute  tubular  necrosis.  Dehydration 
was  responsible  for  four  of  these  conditions,  and 
all  were  salvaged.  The  same  is  true  of  nephrotox- 
ic agents  which  usually  have  an  adequate  return 
of  renal  function  after  the  transient  period  of 
acute  tubular  necrosis.  Both  of  the  transfusion 
reactions  did  quite  well.  The  patient  recovered 
from  acute  tubular  necrosis  following  shock  sec- 
ondary to  drug  abuse.  One  patient  had  a renal 
embolus  which  was  removed  from  the  renal  ar- 
tery with  resultant  adequate  return  of  renal  func- 
tion. Both  patients  with  heat  stroke  and  obstruc- 
tion of  the  solitary  ureter  had  an  adequate  re- 
turn of  renal  function. 

The  average  number  of  dialyses  per  patient  is 
shown  in  Table  3.  Of  the  20  patients  that  are 


318 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


living,  there  were  117  hemodialyses  performed 
with  an  average  of  5.85  dialyses  per  patient.  In 
the  15  patients  who  died,  the  average  dialyses 
per  patient  was  2.87. 

Of  the  15  patients  who  died,  the  cause  of 
death  is  shown  in  Table  4.  It  is  seen  that  the 
overwhelming  cause  of  death  in  patients  suffer- 
ing from  acute  tubular  necrosis  is  sepsis.  Thirteen 
of  the  15  patients  died  of  septicemia.  Death  was 
predominately  due  to  gram  negative  organisms. 
One  patient  exsanguinated  from  a recurrent 
bleeding  duodenal  ulcer,  and  one  patient  had  a 
cerebral  vascular  accident  following  dialysis.  It  is 
noteworthy  that  none  of  these  patients  died  of 
uremia. 

The  relationship  of  age  to  survival  and  the 
distribution  of  acute  tubular  necrosis  according 
to  age  is  shown  in  Table  5.  From  this  figure  it 
can  be  seen  that  patients  over  60  had  very  poor 
survival  rates.  The  reason  for  this  is  due  pri- 
marily to  the  fact  that  most  of  these  patients  were 
quite  debilitated.  Many  had  advanced  arterio- 
sclerosis and  congestive  failure  in  the  pre-op- 
erative period.  The  great  majority  of  the  patients 
in  this  group  came  from  the  postoperative  cate- 
gory and  were  also  severely  infected. 

CONSERVATIVE  MANAGEMENT 

Acute  tubular  necrosis  can  be  managed  con- 
servatively without  the  use  of  hemodialysis  in  the 
majority  of  cases.  It  is  estimated  that  80  to  90 
per  cent  of  cases  of  acute  tubular  necrosis  can 
be  handled  by  medical  means.  The  series  pre- 
sented, however,  is  not  representative  of  cases 
usually  seen  in  the  community  hospital.  By  and 
large,  the  cases  referred  to  the  Medical  Center 
have  been  screened  by  local  physicians  and  for 
this  reason  the  incidence  of  dialytic  therapy  is 
approximately  30  per  cent. 

Even  when  dialysis  has  been  decided  upon, 
the  patient,  in  most  instances,  could  be  man- 
aged with  peritoneal  dialysis.  The  only  advan- 
tage to  hemodialysis  over  peritoneal  dialysis  is 
that  it  is  much  more  rapid,  and  requires  less  time. 
Other  factors  being  equal,  however,  unless  the 
patient  is  extremely  catabolic  or  has  multiple 
perforations  in  the  peritoneal  cavity,  then  peri- 
toneal dialysis  will  suffice.  Many  patients  at  the 
Medical  Center  are  handled  with  peritoneal  di- 
alysis, but  in  the  series  presented  the  patients 
were  treated  with  hemodialysis  primarily  be- 
cause of  the  availability  of  this  method  of  treat- 
ment, and  the  shorter  period  of  time  required 
to  carry  out  this  procedure.  Many  of  the  cases  in 
this  series  were  extremely  catabolic  and  could 
not  be  handled  by  peritoneal  dialysis. 


The  indications  for  dialytic  therapy  in  the  man- 
agement of  acute  tubular  necrosis  can  be  made 
on  either  clinical  or  laboratory  criteria.  We  use 
a composite  of  these  two.  We  continue  conserva- 
tive therapy  unless  the  patient’s  condition  shows 
definite  evidence  of  deterioration  as  manifested 

TABLE  4 

CAUSES  OF  DEATH 
IN  ACUTE  TUBULAR  NECROSIS 


Sepsis  13 

Hemorrhage  1 

CVA  . . . 1 

Uremia  0 


by  persistent  nausea  and  vomiting,  lethargy,  dis- 
orientation, coma,  convulsions,  or  overhydration. 
We  also  take  into  consideration  the  severity  of 
the  catabolic  condition,  the  amount  of  necrotic 
or  infected  tissue  that  the  patient  has,  and  the 
time  in  the  natural  evolution  of  the  disease  in 
which  we  see  the  patient. 

Chemical  indications  for  dialysis  include  a ris- 
ing potassium  that  cannot  be  controlled  by  a 
conventional  method,  a rapid  rise  of  blood  urea 
nitrogen  above  150  mg.  per  cent,  or  in  excess  of 
40  mg.  per  cent  per  day,  and  a serum  creatinine 
in  excess  of  12  mg.  per  cent.  If  the  serum  creat- 
inine is  rising  at  the  rate  of  2 mg.  per  cent  per 
day,  this  is  compatible  with  severe  impairment  of 
kidney  function  unless  there  is  extreme  break- 
down of  muscle  tissue  in  the  patient.  The  de- 
gree of  acidosis  is  also  considered  if  the  COo  com- 
bining power  is  below  14  mEq/L. 

EARLIER  DIALYSIS 

More  recently,  we  have  adopted  a policy  of 
earlier  rather  than  later  dialysis,  and  we  have 
also  adopted  the  policy  that  once  we  have  com- 
mitted ourselves  to  this  method  of  treatment  di- 
alysis should  be  used  not  only  to  remove  the  pa- 
tient from  the  uremic  state,  but  to  bring  his 
blood  chemistries  to  within  normal  limits  and 
maintain  them  at  near  normal  limits.  The  avail- 
ability of  hemodialysis  on  a large  scale  has  per- 
mitted us  to  achieve  this  objective  in  these  pa- 
tients. 

All  of  our  hemodialyses  were  performed  using 
either  the  Kolff  twin  coil  kidney,  or  the  Kiil  flat 
plate  hemodialyzer.  The  patients  routinely  have 
an  arterio-venous  shunt  installed  between  the  ra- 
dial artery  and  a forearm  vein  so  that  subsequent 
hemodialyses  can  be  performed  by  the  nursing 
staff.  No  blood  prime  is  required  to  operate  the 
Kiil  dialyzer.  This  dialyzer  is  usually  preferred 
for  this  reason. 


IUNE  1970 


319 


ARTIFICIAL  KIDNEYS  / Bower 

Dialysis  is  performed  for  approximately  12 
hours  three  to  four  times  per  week  during  the 
profound  oliguric  phase.  In  order  to  prevent  the 
hazards  of  bleeding  during  the  hemodialysis  pe- 
riod the  patient  is  kept  on  regional  hepariniza- 
tion whereby  protamine  is  infused  into  the  blood 
just  prior  to  returning  to  the  patient  to  neutralize 
the  heparin  that  is  infused  into  the  blood  just  as 
it  is  leaving  the  patient.  The  maintenance  of  nor- 
mal clotting  time  as  determined  by  the  Lee- 
White  method  is  possible  with  this  technique. 

When  the  patient  is  not  on  hemodialysis,  the 
electrolytes,  BUN,  creatinine  and  CBC  are  de- 
termined at  daily  intervals.  The  rate  of  rise  in 
creatinine  and  the  onset  of  the  diuretic  phase 
are  the  primary  determinations  in  discontinuing 
this  method  of  therapy.  When  the  patient  is  able 
to  maintain  his  own  serum  creatinine  and  is  put- 
ting out  in  excess  of  1,000  ml.  of  urine  per  24 
hours,  then  hemodialysis  is  discontinued.  Subse- 
quent to  this  the  patient  will  frequently  under-go 
a diuretic  phase  and  then  have  adequate  return 
of  sufficient  renal  function  to  maintain  life. 

In  this  series  of  35  patients,  there  is  a 57.14 

TABLE  5 

RELATIONSHIP  OF  AGE  TO  SURVIVAL 


Age(Yrs.)  No.  Survival  PerCent 


10-20  3 3 100 

20-30  4 4 100 

30-40  6 3 50 

40-50  4 3 75 

50-60  9 6 66 

60-70  6 1 16 

70+  3 0 0 


per  cent  survival  rate.  Twenty  of  the  35  patients 
left  the  hospital  with  adequate  renal  function  to 
live.  Of  the  15  patients  who  succumbed  in  this 


series,  infection  or  septicemia  was  the  precipitat- 
ing cause  of  kidney  failure  in  12  cases.  One  ad- 
ditional patient  was  lost  to  sepsis  in  whom  mas- 
sive gastrointestinal  bleeding  was  the  cause  of 
tubular  necrosis.  One  additional  patient  died  of 
hemorrhage,  and  one  patient  had  a cerebral  vas- 
cular accident  shortly  after  hemodialysis  was 
completed.  The  highest  mortality  occurred  in 
post-operative  patients.  It  is  felt  that  the  com- 
bination of  malnutrition,  severe  underlying  dis- 
ease that  prompted  the  surgery,  and  the  septic 
state  present  in  these  patients  are  the  factors  de- 
termining the  outcome  in  this  series.  The  elderly 
patient  has  a much  worse  prognosis  due  primarily 
to  the  severity  of  his  underlying  disease,  and  oth- 
er predisposing  factors  of  his  age. 

SUMMARY 

One  of  the  major  “spin-off”  benefits  of  a 
chronic  hemodialysis  program  is  the  availability 
of  the  artificial  kidney  for  the  management  of 
acute  renal  failure.  In  the  past  39  months  we 
have  performed  160  hemodialyses  in  35  patients 
with  acute  tubular  necrosis.  Twenty  of  these  pa- 
tients have  had  an  adequate  return  of  renal 
function  to  maintain  life  without  hemodialysis. 
Fifteen  of  these  patients  died.  Of  the  15  deaths, 
13  were  attributable  to  sepsis  which  in  12  in- 
stances was  the  cause  of  the  acute  tubular  ne- 
crosis. Two  additional  deaths  occurred,  neither 
of  which  was  related  to  uremic  poisoning.  All  of 
the  patients  in  this  series  were  in  need  of  dialysis 
as  determined  by  the  criterion  previously  stated. 
It  is  concluded  then  that  in  patients  with  acute 
renal  failure,  the  survival  rate  is  more  dependent 
upon  the  etiology  of  the  renal  failure  than  upon 
the  acute  tubular  necrosis  itself.  No  patient  should 
die  of  acute  renal  failure. 

2500  N.  State  St.  (39216) 

REFERENCE 

1.  Bower,  J.  D.,  and  Brent,  A.  E.:  Acute  Renal  Failure, 

J.  Miss.  M.  A.  VIII: 542-548  (Sept.)  1967. 


320 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Potassium  Therapy 
And  Gastrointestinal  Lesions 


DAVID  N.  EMERSON,  Ph.D. 

Evansville,  Indiana 


The  first  group  of  thiazide  diuretics  was  in- 
troduced into  clinical  use  in  1957.  Since  increased 
potassium  excretion  is  one  of  the  effects  of  thia- 
zides, potassium  supplementation  became  a com- 
mon procedure  in  thiazide  therapy.  The  first  of 
several  combinations  of  a thiazide  with  potassi- 
um chloride  in  a single  tablet  was  introduced  in 
1959.  Prior  to  1963,  only  170  cases  of  pri- 
mary nonspecific  ulceration  of  the  small  intestine 
had  been  reported  in  the  literature.1 

The  first  report  that  serious  gastrointestinal 
distress  was  associated  with  KCl-thiazide  thera- 
py appeared  in  1961,  but  received  little  atten- 
tion.2 The  problem  became  of  intense  interest 
during  1964  with  reports  which  linked  stenosing 
ulcers  of  the  small  bowel  with  potassium-thia- 
zide therapy.3-  4 Most  of  the  patients  involved 
had  been  treated  with  a thiazide,  often  supple- 
mented with  potassium.  During  1964,  two  phar- 
maceutical companies  in  cooperation  with  the 
Food  and  Drug  Administration  analyzed  records 
in  488  domestic  and  foreign  hospitals.  The  re- 
sults revealed  that  of  484  patients  with  the  char- 
acteristic type  of  intestinal  lesion,  275  (57  per 
cent)  had  a history  of  administration  of  either 
potassium,  a diuretic,  or  both.5  Subsequent  to 
these  early  reports  linking  small-bowel  ulcera- 
tion with  potassium  and/or  diuretic  therapy,  re- 
ports of  additional  cases  (Table  1),  editorials  and 
other  comments  have  been  published.26-33 

The  incidence  of  potassium-induced  lesions  of 


From  the  Mead  Johnson  Research  Center. 


the  small  bowel  has  been  reported  in  several 
ways.  Based  on  the  total  numbers  of  hospital  rec- 
ords of  all  patients  in  321  hospitals  over  21  years, 
211  out  of  17,805,097  (1.2/100,000  patients) 


Prior  to  widespread  clinical  use  of  thia- 
zide diuretics  in  combination  with  potassium 
chloride  only  170  cases  of  primary  nonspe- 
cific ulceration  of  the  small  intestine  had 
been  reported  in  the  literature.  By  1964  re- 
ports linked  stenosing  ulcer  of  the  small  bow- 
el with  potassium-thiazide  therapy.  The  au- 
thor reviews  pertinent  literature  and  con- 
cludes that  the  KCl  component  of  the  tab- 
lets is  the  harmful  entity.  He  notes  that  cur- 
rent evidence  supports  the  primary  vascular 
origin  of  the  lesions. 


definitely  or  likely  had  lesions  of  the  type  as- 
sociated with  potassium.30  On  a different  basis, 
11  out  of  473  patients  (2.3  per  cent)  who  were 
on  enteric-coated  KCl  administration  were  re- 
ported to  have  typical  potassium-induced  le- 
sions.3 A third  way  of  describing  incidence  is 
from  the  survey  of  Lawrason,  et  al.5  Of  a total 
of  484  patients  with  typical  lesions,  275  (57 
per  cent)  had  received  diuretics  or  KCl.  How- 
ever, it  has  been  pointed  out  that  inaccuracies  of 
record  keeping  would  be  responsible  for  a lower 
percentage  of  cause-effect  relationships10  and  Bo- 
ley  et  al42  note  in  a careful  investigation  of  125 


JUNE  1970 


321 


POTASSIUM  THERAPY  / Emerson 

patients  not  included  in  the  mass  survey  of  Law- 
rason,  et  al,  that  potassium  ingestion  was  estab- 
lished definitely  in  93  per  cent  and  probably  in 
another  3 per  cent.  Their  conclusion  was  that  the 
increase  of  circumferential  small-bowel  lesions 
must  be  attributed  to  enteric-coated  potassium. 

Information  linking  potassium  administration 
to  small-bowel  lesions  resulted  in  FDA  regula- 
tions on  warnings  for  potassium  salt  prepara- 
tions intended  for  oral  ingestion  by  man.  The 
warnings  are  not  required  on  preparations  dis- 
solved in  an  adequate  quantity  of  liquid  so  that 
the  concentration  of  potassium  is  below  a 20 
mg/ml  limit,  if  it  is  a prescription  item,  and  if  its 
labeling  bears  adequate  information  for  use.35 
The  FDA  has  recently  proposed  that  all  fixed 
combinations  of  diuretic  and  enteric-coated  po- 
tassium be  removed  from  the  market.  This  ac- 
tion has  been  taken  as  a result  of  recommenda- 
tions of  NAS/NRC  review  panels  that  such 
combination  drugs  present  more  potential  haz- 
ards than  other  types  of  potassium  supplements 
which  are  available.36 


TABLE  1 

SMALL-BOWEL  LESIONS  REPORTED 
IN  POTASSIUM  THERAPY 


Therapy 

Total  Number 
of  Cases a 

References 

Enteric-Coated  KC1  plus 

Thiazide  or  KC1  alone  . 

4 1 1 b 

3-24 

Non-Enteric  Coated  K-Salts 

plus  Thiazide  

3C 

23-25 

a The  Food  and  Drug  Administration  has  recently 
reviewed  records  of  122  cases.52  Small-bowel  lesions  were 
found  in  112  cases  on  thiazide-potassium  enteric-coated 
tablets;  6 cases  on  diuretic  plus  enteric-coated  potassium 
given  separately;  and  4 cases  on  oral  diuretic  without 
potassium. 

b In  275  cases  reported  by  Lawrason,  et  al,5  type  of 
diuretic  was  not  specified;  therapy  was  potassium,  a 
diuretic,  or  both. 

c Includes  2 cases  associated  with  potassium  gluconate 
and  1 case  associated  with  a potassium  acetate-bicar- 
bonate-citrate mixture. 

The  exhaustive  retrospective  studies  of  clinical 
records5  strongly  indicated  that  the  nonspecific 
intestinal  ulcers  seen  in  man  were  probably 
caused  by  enteric-coated  tablets  containing  KC1 
plus  a thiazide  diuretic.  Initial  questions  were 
raised  that  the  ulcerations  could  have  been 
caused  by  any  or  all  of  the  ingredients  of  these 


tablets.  However,  the  incidence  of  the  lesions  l 
was  so  small  that  statistical  methods  and  large 
numbers  of  case  reports  had  to  be  used  to  estab- 
lish a cause-effect  relationship.  Only  after  animal 
experimentation  was  it  shown  that  potassium 
chloride  alone,  and  not  the  thiazide  diuretic  or 
the  enteric  coating  of  the  tablet,  was  responsible 
for  the  injury  to  the  intestinal  tract. 

DOG  EXPERIMENTS 

An  experimental  model  in  dogs  simulated  an 
extreme  situation  in  which  a tablet  would  be 
entirely  dissolved  over  a short  length  of  intes- 
tine.34 Tablets  included  enteric-coated  placebos, 
enteric-coated  KC1,  various  enteric-coated  thia- 
zide-potassium preparations,  and  thiazides  alone. 
The  tablets  were  fixed  within  the  ileum  or  distal 
jejunum  so  that  dissolution  and  absorption  of 
their  contents  occurred  within  a short  segment  of 
the  intestine.  No  pathologic  changes  occurred 
from  enteric-coated  placebos  or  thiazides  alone. 
With  the  KC1  or  the  thiazide-KCl  combinations, 
ulcerations  occurred  in  varying  degrees  in  both 
jejunum  and  ileum.  The  prerequisite  for  ulcera- 
tion apparently  was  absorption  of  KC1  in  high 
concentration  over  a short  length  of  bowel.  There 
was  a suggestion  that  higher  doses  of  KC1  caused 
more  severe  ulceration. 

Enteric-coated  tablets  which  contained  placebo, 
thiazide,  KC1,  and  thiazide  plus  KC1  were  ad- 
ministered to  rhesus  monkeys.37-39  Only  KC1 
and  KC1  plus  thiazide  produced  ulcerations;  thia- 
dize  or  enteric  coats  alone  did  not.  The  lesions 
were  not  consistently  produced  in  the  small  intes- 
tine; sometimes  the  stomach,  the  cecum,  or  the  co- 
lon were  affected.  It  appeared  that  ulcerations  usu- 
ally occurred  where  the  greatest  amount  of  potas- 
sium chloride  was  released  from  the  tablet.  It 
became  apparent  that  tablets  with  short  disinte- 
gration times  produced  lesions  in  the  stomach  or 
upper  intestine,  while  tablets  with  long  disin- 
tegration times  produced  ulcerations  in  the  low- 
er intestinal  tract.  Liquid  preparations  containing 
approximately  13.5  mEq  potassium  per  5 ml. 
(equivalent  to  1,000  mg.  of  KC1)  were  chiefly 
irritating  to  the  stomach.  Lesions  were  produced 
within  five  days  by  1,000  or  250  mg.  KC1  in 
enteric-coated  tablets  twice  daily.  However,  the 
250  mg.  dosage  caused  milder  lesions  which 
could  not  be  predictably  reproduced,  while  tab- 
lets of  100  mg.  were  without  effect.  Tablet  di- 
mensions were  not  a factor  in  production  of  le- 
sions. 

When  the  upper  ileum  of  dogs  was  partially 
obstructed  with  Teflon  bands,  acute  mucosal  ul- 
ceration resulted  from  administration  of  KC1 


322 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


alone  or  in  combination  with  thiazides.  Thiazides 
alone  did  not  produce  ulceration.40 

Lesions  have  appeared  up  to  two  years  after 
discontinuing  potassium  administration;19  as  few 
as  two  tablets  have  been  implicated;7  age  of  pa- 
tients has  been  as  low  as  2 years;11  and  lesions 
may  be  reversible  in  some  cases.6  Recurrent,  usu- 
ally postprandial,  crampy  abdominal  pain  is  the 
most  frequent  symptom;  this  is  often  associated 
with  nausea,  vomiting,  and  intermittent  disten- 
tion. In  severe  cases,  acute  surgical  abdomen  is 
present.  Fever,  anorexia,  and  malaise  are  usually 
absent;  laboratory  findings  are  nonspecific  ex- 
cept for  mild  eosinophilia  in  some  cases.  Radio- 
logic  examination  is  of  little  assistance  in  estab- 
lishing a diagnosis  other  than  if  the  obstruction 
is  complete  or  there  is  a perforation.  Gastroin- 
testinal series  and  small-bowel  follow-through 
may  suggest  a malabsorption  syndrome  with 
coarse  mucosal  folds  and  dilated  loops  of  small 
intestine,  but  usually  the  proximal  jejunum  and 
terminal  ileum  are  normal.  A careful  review  of 
the  case  history  as  to  previous  potassium  therapy 
may  be  necessary  to  establish  diagnosis. 

CHARACTERISTIC  ULCERS 

The  ulcers  are  characteristically  circumferen- 
tial, sharply  delimited,  and  directly  over  the 
zone  of  cicatricial  narrowing.  They  are  usually 
solitary,  sometimes  double,  rarely  multiple  and 
are  most  commonly  found  in  the  lower  ileum, 
but  also  in  the  distal  jejunum.  The  most  impor- 
tant distinguishing  feature  of  the  stenotic  phase 
is  a band-like  encirclement  of  the  lumen  by  the 
lesion  which  varies  in  size  from  several  mm.  to 
several  cm.  In  this  phase,  the  segment  of  bowel 
proximal  to  the  lesion  is  dilated  approximately 
1 Vi  to  2 times  and  has  a thickened  muscularis; 
the  distal  segment  is  normal.  The  surrounding 
mucosa  and  muscularis  may  show  varying  de- 
grees of  edema,  hypertrophy  and  hemorrhagic 
infiltration.  The  histologic  picture  depends  upon 
the  severity  and  duration  of  the  lesions.  De- 
tailed descriptions  of  clinical  manifestations,  gross 
and  histologic  pathology,  and  therapy  are  given 
elsewhere.41’  42 

There  are  two  main  concepts  concerning  the 
mechanism  by  which  potassium  causes  the  le- 
sions. The  first  is  that  potassium  has  a directly 
injurious  effect  on  the  mucosa.3’  23>  43  For  ex- 
ample, potassium  chloride  solution  injected  into 
the  intestine  in  concentrations  similar  to  those  ob- 
tained from  the  release  of  enteric- coated  tablets 
containing  potassium  results  in  severe  tonic  con- 
traction of  the  bowel,  and  an  uncoated  KC1  tab- 
let placed  directly  on  the  intestinal  mucosa  causes 


superficial  necrosis  by  the  time  it  is  completely 
dissolved.23  However,  several  types  of  evidence 
lend  greater  support  to  the  second  concept  that 
the  lesions  are  caused  by  an  insufficiency  of 
blood  to  the  affected  part  of  the  intestine. 

RELEASE  AND  ABSORPTION 

Briefly,  Boley  and  co-workers  postulate  that 
the  precipitating  factor  is  the  rapid  release  of 
potassium  chloride  and  its  absorption  over  a 
short  segment  of  intestine.22’ 34- 41>  42  The  high 
concentration  causes  spasm  or  paralysis  of  the 
intramural  and  mesenteric  vessels,  predominant- 
ly veins,  with  slowing  of  blood  flow  and  subse- 
quent infarction  of  varying  severity.  Circumfer- 
ential ulceration,  either  superficial  or  deep,  or 
overt  intestinal  necrosis  follows.  Complete  and 
rapid  clinical  recovery  may  follow  the  mildest 
degrees  of  injury.  With  greater  damage,  fibrosis 
with  increasing  stenosis  produces  progressive  in- 
testinal obstruction.  The  most  severe  injuries  pro- 
duce perforation  or  intraluminal  hemorrhage. 

Evidence  in  support  of  the  hypothesis  that  po- 
tassium causes  vascular  insufficiency  is  from  sev- 
eral sources. 

( 1 ) Mesenteric  vascular  insufficiency  has  been 
implicated  as  a cause  of  segmental  ulceration 
and  stenosis  of  the  small  bowel  in  conditions 
other  than  those  caused  by  potassium.22’  44 

(2)  Histologic  examination  of  tissue  taken 
from  KC1  caused  lesions  in  man  and  animals  in- 
dicates striking  changes  in  mesenteric  vessels, 
particularly  arteries  and  veins.  Sections  show  the 
lumens  of  vessels  almost  completely  blocked  with 
a thickening  of  surrounding  tissue.12’  22>  41  Other 
studies  have  not  revealed  mesenteric  vascular 
changes.3,  7’ 23>  45  Allen,  et  al41  recognize  this 
disparity  in  findings  and  discuss  difficulties  in  ex- 
amination of  mesenteric  tissue.  They  note  that 
they  have  had  the  opportunity  to  study  adequate 
sections  of  mesentery  in  man  and  animals. 

VASCULAR  INSUFFICIENCY 

(3)  Animal  studies  tend  to  be  consistent  with 
the  hypothesis  that  KC1  may  result  in  a local 
vascular  insufficiency.  Schwartz,  et  al22  occluded 
the  distal  veins  and  arteries  supplying  the  small 
intestine  of  dogs  by  injection  of  microspheres  into 
the  small  branches  of  the  superior  mesenteric  ves- 
sels. They  were  able  to  reproduce  the  typical 
ulceration  with  stenosis  and  dilatation  complex 
found  in  patients  with  intestinal  ischemia.  They 
postulated  that  the  role  of  potassium  in  the  for- 
mation of  similar  lesions  was  also  primarily  vas- 
cular in  nature. 


JUNE  1970 


323 


POTASSIUM  THERAPY  / Emerson 

Watson  & Mark24  ligated  arteries  and  veins 
which  supplied  segments  of  the  small  intestine 
of  dogs.  When  5 to  7.5  cm.  of  the  small  intestine 
was  rendered  ischemic,  changes  occurred  in  the 
bowel  wall  which  were  grossly  and  histologically 
similar  to  those  caused  by  the  ingestion  of  en- 
teric-coated KC1.  If  shorter  segments  were  ren- 
dered ischemic,  collateral  blood  supply  prevent- 
ed significant  changes  in  the  bowel;  if  longer 
segments  were  treated,  hemorrhagic  infarction 
occurred.  These  observations  lent  further  support 
to  the  contentions  that  vascular  lesions  could 
cause  changes  of  this  type  in  the  bowel  wall  and 
mucosa,  and  that  it  was  not  necessary  to  postulate 
direct  injurious  effects  of  potassium  on  the  mu- 
cosa to  explain  the  pathologic  picture. 

Myers,  et  al,53’  54  have  recently  suggested  that 
the  etiologic  factor  in  stenosing  ulceration  is  not 
a specific  toxicity  of  the  potassium  ion,  but  in- 
volves the  effect  of  local  salt  concentration.  They 
observed  that  hypertonic  solutions  of  both  NaCl 
and  KC1  produced  gross  and  microscopic  injury 
similar  to  that  seen  in  the  early  stages  of  pri- 
mary non-specific  small-bowel  ulceration. 

CARDIOVASCULAR  PATIENTS 

A high  percentage  of  small  intestinal  lesions 
associated  with  potassium  chloride  administration 
are  found  in  patients  with  some  form  of  cardio- 
vascular disease,  although  lesions  have  also  oc- 
curred in  a number  of  patients  without  such  dis- 
ease. A condition  of  arteriosclerosis,  for  example, 
might  result  in  a critical  reduction  of  blood  flow 
to  the  small  bowel  and  set  the  stage  for  focal 
infarction. 

Mansfield,  et  al44  found  that  potassium  chloride 
tablets  introduced  into  the  distal  part  of  the  ileum 
of  the  dog  produced  acute  inflammatory  changes 
and  occasional  ulceration  of  the  affected  bowel. 
When  partial  interruption  of  splanchnic  blood 
flow  was  accomplished  by  reducing  the  pressure 
in  the  superior  mesenteric  and  celiac  arteries,  the 
magnitude  of  these  drug-induced  small  bowel 
changes  was  increased. 

The  authors  conclude  that  their  observations 
support  the  clinical  observations  which  indicate 
that  enteric-coated  potassium  chloride  tablets 
cause  local  inflammation  or  ulceration  of  the 
small  bowel,  and  that  a reduction  of  the  local 
blood  supply  associated  with  vascular  occlusive 
disease  may  predispose  the  patient  to  this  com- 
plication. However,  it  must  be  noted  that  the 
greater  incidence  of  lesions  in  cardiovascular  pa- 


tients  may  simply  reflect  a larger  number  of 
such  patients  on  diuretic  (and  KC1)  therapy.  Fur- 
thermore, small  intestinal  ulcerations  have  been 
attributed  to  several  causes  other  than  vascular 
insufficiency  or  KC1  administration.20’  21> 44>  46 

Boley,  et  al47  compared  the  effects  of  the  chlo- 
ride versus  the  citrate  and  the  gluconate  salts  of 
potassium  using  techniques  similar  to  their  previ- 
ous study.34  Only  minimal  superficial  changes 
were  found  at  the  intestinal  sites  of  potassium 
citrate  or  gluconate;  however,  in  five  of  six  dogs 
in  which  KC1  was  implanted,  a gross  circumfer- 
ential infarction  was  present  at  the  site  of  the 
salt,  while  all  other  sites  of  gluconate  or  citrate 
implantation  were  normal.  These  results  suggest 
the  relative  safety  of  potassium  citrate  or  gluco- 
nate as  compared  to  potassium  chloride  and  con- 
firm clinical  observations  (Table  1 ) that  the  organ- 
ic salts  of  potassium  are  safer  than  KC1. 

REPORTED  CASES 

Baker,  et  al3  reported  1 1 cases  of  small  bowel 
lesions  out  of  an  estimated  473  patients  who  re- 
ceived hydrochlorothiazide  plus  potassium  chlo- 
ride in  enteric-coated  preparations,  but  no  le- 
sions in  an  estimated  331  patients  who  received 
hydrochlorothiazide  plus  non-enteric  potassium 
preparations,  among  them  31  patients  who  re- 
ceived potassium  as  the  acetate,  bicarbonate,  and 
citrate.  Boley,  et  al47  speculate  that  since  the 
underlying  etiology  is  the  rapid  absorption  of 
high  concentrations  of  potassium  over  a short 
length  of  intestine,  the  various  potassium  salts 
may  differ  in  their  effect  because  of  different 
rates  of  absorption. 

All  of  the  potassium  salts  ionize  almost  im- 
mediately and  completely,  but  the  absorption  of 
a cation  across  the  intestinal  wall  is  at  least  par- 
tially controlled  by  the  rate  of  absorption  of  the 
respective  anion.  Absorption  rates  of  ions  such 
as  gluconate  (large  and  monovalent),  or  citrate 
(large  and  trivalent)  are  slower  than  that  of  the 
smaller  monovalent  chloride  ion.  The  slower  ab- 
sorption of  these  organic  anions  would  help  pre- 
vent the  rapid  release  of  potassium  over  a short 
segment  of  intestine  and  diminish  the  concen- 
tration of  potassium  in  the  intestinal  wall  veins 
at  any  one  time. 

THIAZIDE  DIURETICS 

Olive  baboons  were  given  two  preparations  of 
thiazide  diuretics  containing  KCk  one  consisted 
of  an  outer  coat  of  hydrochlorothiazide  25  mg. 
surrounding  an  enteric-coated  core  containing 


324 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


572  mg.  KC1;  the  second  consisted  of  cyclopen- 
thiazide  0.25  mg.  in  the  outer  shell  with  a wax 
slow-release  core  containing  600  mg.  KC1.45  The 
enteric-coated  KC1  produced  lesions  similar  to 
those  reported  in  man;  the  slow  release  form 
had  no  deleterious  effects.  The  author  suggested 
that  the  slow-release  form  was  safer. 

Whether  or  not  slow-release  forms  are  safer  is 
open  to  question  since  Diener,  et  al37>  38  indi- 
cated that  gradual  release  tablets  are  more  apt 
to  release  sufficient  KC1  in  the  stomach  to  cause 
gastric  irritation.  Furthermore,  studies  on  release 
rates  of  various  KC1  preparations48  indicate  that 
slow  release  forms  would  tend  to  place  the  KC1 
in  the  stomach,  while  enteric-coated  forms  would 
tend  to  release  their  contents  in  the  small  in- 
testine. In  fact,  the  main  reason  for  the  devel- 
opment of  enteric-coated  tablets  is  to  prevent  re- 
lease of  certain  types  of  medicines  in  the  stom- 
ach to  avoid  gastric  irritation  and  to  provide  rapid 
release  in  the  small  intestine,49’ 50  although  there 
was  no  evidence  of  sudden  release  and  absorption 
of  one  type  of  enteric-coated  KC1  tablets.51 

It  appears  that  the  relative  safety  of  potas- 
sium therapy  is  in  terms  of  adequate  dilution 
such  as  provided  by  several  liquid  or  effervescent 
dosage  forms,  particularly  of  organic  salts  of  po- 
tassium. 

SMALL-BOWEL  LESIONS 

Small-bowel  lesions  associated  with  enteric- 
coated  KCl-thiazide  preparations  are  caused  by 
the  KC1  component  of  the  tablets.  The  lesions 
are  characteristically  non-specific,  circumferen- 
tial, and  consist  of  stenosis  with  or  without  ul- 
ceration. The  reported  incidence  is  approximate- 
ly 1/100,000  total  hospital  patients;  probably 
over  90  per  cent  of  patients  with  typical  lesions 
have  ingested  potassium.  Current  evidence  sup- 
ports the  primary  vascular  origin  of  the  lesions 
and  suggests  that  chronic  vascular  insufficiency 
predisposes  the  small  bowel  to  injury  by  KC1. 
The  safest  dosage  forms  of  potassium  are  those 
which  have  been  diluted  in  an  adequate  amount 
of  water,  particularly  those  which  contain  organic 
potassium  salts.  *** 

(47721) 

REFERENCES 

1.  Watson,  M.:  Primary  Non-Specific  Ulceration  of  the 
Small  Bowel,  A.M.A.  Arch.  Surg.  87:600,  1963. 

2.  Roberts,  H.:  Abdominal  Distress  After  Taking  Hy- 
drochlorothiazide and  Potassium,  J. A.M.A.  178:965, 
1961. 

3.  Baker,  D.;  Schrader,  W.;  and  Hitchcock,  C.:  Small- 
Bowel  Ulceration  Apparently  Associated  With  Thi- 


azide and  Potassium  Therapy,  J. A.M.A.  190:586, 

1964. 

4.  Lindholmer,  B.;  Nyman,  E.;  and  Raf,  L.:  Nonspe- 
cific Stenosing  Ulceration  of  Small  Bowel:  Prelimi- 
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5.  Lawrason,  F.;  Alpert,  E.;  Mohr,  F.;  and  Mc- 
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6.  Abbruzzese,  A.,  and  Gooding,  C.:  Reversible  Small- 
Bowel  Obstruction:  Withdrawal  of  Hydrochlorothi- 
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781,  1965. 

7.  Ashby,  W.;  Humphreys,  J.;  and  Smith,  S. : Small- 
Bowel  Ulceration  Induced  by  Potassium  Chloride, 
Brit.  M.  J.  2:1409,  1965. 

8.  Binns,  T.;  Pittman,  A.;  Burley,  D.;  and  O’Brien,  J.: 
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9.  Buchan,  D.,  and  Houston,  C.:  Small  Bowel  Ulcera- 
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10.  Delaney,  T.,  and  Hoxworth,  P.:  Enteric-Coated  Po- 
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11.  Hartman,  S.;  Greaney,  E.;  and  Rottapel,  D.:  Small- 
Bowel  Ulceration  Due  to  Enteric-Coated  Potassium 
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12.  McDivitt,  M.:  Small-Bowel  Ulcers  With  Thiazide 
and  Potassium,  J. A.M.A.  191:679,  1965. 

13.  Payan,  H.,  and  Blaustein,  A.:  Potassium  Chloride 
and  Small  Bowel  Perforation,  Gastroenterology  18: 
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14.  Raf,  L.:  Potassium  Chloride  and  Intestinal  Ulcera- 
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15.  Reinus,  F.;  Weinberger,  H.;  and  Fischer,  W.:  Medi- 
cation-Induced Ulceration  of  the  Small  Bowel,  Am. 
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16.  Richardson,  J.:  Potassium  Chloride  and  Intestinal 
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17.  Roberts,  H.:  Potassium  Chloride  and  Intestinal  Ul- 
ceration, Lancet  2:1127,  1965. 

18.  Rosen,  R.,  and  Borucki,  D.:  Small-Bowel  Ulcers 
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1965. 

19.  Withers,  J.;  Cooper,  J.;  and  Rosen,  A.:  Delayed 
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20.  Anderson,  M.;  Drake,  C.;  and  Beal,  J.:  Segmental 
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21.  Kiser,  J.:  Focal  Lesions  of  the  Small  Intestine,  Am. 

I.  Surg.  1 12:48,  1966. 

22.  Schwartz,  S.;  Boley,  S.;  Allen,  A.;  Schultz,  L.; 
Siew,  F.;  Krieger,  H.;  and  Elguezabal,  A.:  Some  As- 
pects of  Vascular  Disease  of  the  Small  Intestine, 
Radiology  84:616,  1965. 

23.  Morgenstern,  L.;  Freilich,  M.;  and  Panish,  J.:  The 
Circumferential  Small-Bowel  Ulcer:  Clinical  Aspects 
in  17  Patients,  J. A.M.A.  191:637,  1965. 

24.  Watson,  M.;  and  Mark,  J.:  Ulceration  of  the  Small 
Intestine  Relation  to  Enteric-Coated  Potassium,  Am. 

J.  Surg.  112:421,  1966. 

25.  Warr,  O.,  and  Nash,  J.:  Jejunal  Ulceration:  Report 
of  a Case  Apparently  Associated  With  Potassium 
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26.  Iatrogenic  Ulcers,  J.A.M.A.  190:681,  1964. 

27.  Iatrogenic  Ulcers  of  the  Small  Intestine,  Brit.  M.  J. 
2:1611,  1964. 

28.  Small  Bowel  Ulceration  and  Enteric-Coated  Potas- 
sium Chloride-Thiazide  Medication,  Canad.  M.  A.  J. 
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29.  Small-Bowel  Ulceration:  In  Pursuit  of  an  Etiology, 
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30.  Bowel-Ulcer  Survey  Acquits  Diuretics:  FDA-En- 


JUNE  1970 


325 


POTASSIUM  THERAPY  / Emerson 


dorsed  Global  Investigation  by  Two  Drug  Firms 
Shifts  Suspicion  to  Potassium  as  Cause  of  Stenosing 
Lesions,  M.  World  News  6:32,  1965. 

31.  McMahon.  F.:  Potassium  Salts  and  Intestinal  Ulcer, 
J.A.M.A,  195:977,  1966. 

32.  Snively,  W. : Potassium  Salts  and  Intestinal  Ulcer, 
J.A.M.A.  195:977,  1966. 

33.  Allen,  A.;  Baker,  D.;  Boley,  S.;  Goldner,  M.;  Pan- 
ish.  J.;  Russell,  R.:  Schrader,  W.;  and  Schwartz,  S.: 
Central  Registry  for  Small-Bowel  Ulcers,  J.A.M.A. 
190:1015,  1964. 

34.  Boley,  S.;  Schultz,  L;  Krieger,  H.;  Schwartz,  S.; 
Elguezabal,  A.;  and  Allen,  A.:  Experimental  Evalu- 
ation of  Thiazides  and  Potassium  as  a Cause  of 
Small-Bowel  Ulcer,  J.A.M.A.  192:763,  1965. 

35.  Potassium  Salt  Preparations  Intended  for  Use  by 
Man,  Federal  Register  30:5790,  April  24;  30:6071, 
April  29,  1965.  Code  of  Federal  Regulations,  Title 
21,  Section  3.15. 

36.  Certain  Combination  Drugs  Containing  Thiazides 
and  Potassium  Chloride  or  Thiazides,  Potassium 
Chloride,  and  Reserpine  or  Rauwolfia  Serpentina, 
Federal  Register  34:14089,  Sept.  5,  1969. 

37.  Diener,  R.;  Shoffstall,  D.;  Earl,  A.;  and  Gaunt,  R.: 
The  Production  of  Potassium-Induced  Gastrointesti- 
nal Lesions  in  Monkeys,  Fed.  Proc.  24:714,  1965. 

38.  Diener,  R.;  Shoffstall,  D.;  and  Earl,  A.:  Production 
of  Potassium-Induced  Gastrointestinal  Lesions  in 
Monkeys,  Toxicol.  Appl.  Pharmacol.  7:746,  1965. 

39.  Bokelman,  D.;  Bagdon,  W.;  Zwickey,  R.;  and  Mat- 
tis,  P.:  Ulcerogenic  Effect  of  Potassium  Chloride  on 
the  Gastrointestinal  Tract  of  the  Monkey,  Fed. 
Proc.  24:715,  1965. 

40.  Stahlgren,  L.;  Sapena,  A.;  and  Roy,  R.:  Ulcerogenic 
Properties  in  Enteric  Coated  Compounds  in  Dogs, 
Surgical  Forum  16:367,  1965. 

41.  Allen,  A.;  Boley,  S.;  Schultz,  L.;  and  Schwartz,  S.: 
Potassium-Induced  Lesions  of  the  Small  Bowel, 
J.A.M.A.  193:1001,  1965. 

42.  Boley,  S.;  Allen,  A.;  Schultz,  L.;  and  Schwartz,  S.: 


Potassium-Induced  Lesions  of  the  Small  Bowel.  I. 
Clinical  Aspects,  J.A.M.A.  193:997,  1965. 

43.  Lindholmer,  B.,  and  Raf,  L.:  Nonspecific  Stenosing 
Ulceration  of  the  Small  Intestine,  Acta  chir. 
scandinav.  129:434,  1965. 

44.  Mansfield,  J.;  Schoenfeld,  F.;  Suwa,  M.;  Geur- 
kink,  R.;  and  Anderson,  M.:  Role  of  Vascular  Insuf- 
ficiency in  Drug-Induced  Small  Bowel  Ulceration, 
Am.  J.  Surg.  113:608,  1967. 

45.  Lister,  R. : Potassium  Chloride  and  Intestinal  Ulcer- 
ation, Lancet  2:794,  1965. 

46.  Teicher,  I.;  Arlen,  M.;  Muehlbauer,  M.;  and  Al- 
len, A.:  The  Clinical  Pathological  Spectrum  of  Pri- 
mary Ulcers  of  the  Small  Intestine,  Surg.  Gynecol. 
& Obstet.  116:196,  1963. 

47.  Boley,  S.;  Schultz,  L.;  Schwartz,  S.;  Katz,  A.;  and 
Allen,  A.:  Potassium  Citrate  and  Potassium  Gluco- 
nate vs.  Potassium  Chloride.  Experimental  Evalua- 
tion of  Relative  Intestinal  Toxicity.  J.A.M.A.  199: 
215,  1967. 

48.  Barlow,  C.:  Release  of  Potassium  Chloride  From 
Tablets,  J.  Pharm.  & Pharmacol.  17:822,  1965. 

49.  Wynn,  V.,  and  Landon,  J.:  The  Alimentary  Absorp- 
tion of  Some  Enteric-Coated  Sodium  and  Potassium 
Chloride  Tablets,  J.  Pharm.  & Pharmacol.  15:123, 
1963. 

50.  Lachman,  L.;  Barrett,  W.;  Rinehart,  R.;  and  Shep- 
pard, H. : The  In-Vivo  Effectiveness  of  Enteric-Film 
Coatings  Applied  to  Hydrochlorothiazide-Potassium 
Chloride  Tablets  by  a Programmed  Automated 
Coating  Process,  Current  Therap.  Res.  6:491,  1964. 

51.  Jouhar,  A.;  Garnett,  E.;  and  Wallington,  J.:  Potas- 
sium Absorption — A Comparison  of  In  Vitro  and 
In  Vivo  Studies,  J.  Pharmaceut.  Sci.  57:617,  1968. 

52.  Rosenstein,  G.,  and  Belton,  E. : The  Relation  of  Po- 
tassium Therapy  to  Small-Bowel  Ulcerations,  Med. 
Ann.  District  of  Columbia  38:539,  1969. 

53.  Myers,  R.;  Brown,  C.;  and  Deaver,  J.:  In  Vivo  Ef- 
fect of  Potassium  on  the  Small  Bowel,  Ann.  Surg. 
166:693,  1967. 

54.  Myers,  R.;  Deaver,  J.;  and  Brown,  C.:  In  Vivo  Ef- 
fects of  Potassium  in  Relation  to  Stenosing  Ulcera- 
tion of  the  Small  Bowel,  Am.  J.  Gastroenterol.  52: 
353,  1969. 


SWINGING  GRANDMA 

“What  Grandma  needs,”  someone  said  at  the  supper  table,  “is 
some  real  warm  weather  if  she’s  going  to  get  relief  from  her 
rheumatism.” 

Johnny  listened  carefully  and  remembered  to  include  her  in 
his  prayer  that  night,  saying,  “Lord,  please  make  it  hot  for 
Grandma.” 


326 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Seminar  on  Care  of  the  Newborn— I 


Recent  Advances 
in  Newborn  Care 


ALFRED  W.  BRANN,  JR.,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


Mississippi  today  faces  a most  serious  health 
problem  in  its  high  infant  mortality  rate.  The 
scope  of  this  problem  is  extremely  far  reaching 
as  regards  the  number  of  lives  lost  each  year  and 
the  high  incidence  of  central  nervous  system  dam- 
age occurring  in  prematurely  born  infants  and  in 
infants  who  have  had  serious  disease  in  the  neo- 
natal period.  The  economic  aspects,  both  from 
the  standpoint  of  prolonged  costly  care  of  the 
mentally  retarded  person  and  the  loss  in  econom- 
ic productivity  of  these  citizens,  are  equally  over- 
whelming, to  say  nothing  of  the  grief  and  disap- 
pointment to  the  family  of  a retarded  child.  Thus, 
from  both  a health  and  an  economic  point  of 
view,  the  state  could  profit  by  reducing  the  in- 
fant mortality  and  morbidity. 

A review  of  the  infant  mortality  data  for  Mis- 
sissippi and  its  comparison  with  other  southern 
states  and  the  United  States,  helps  to  give  some 
perspective  to  the  problem.  (Figure  1 is  a 
graph  reproduced  from  the  Vital  Statistics  of 
Mississippi,  1967.)  This  graph  depicts  the  in- 
fant mortality  by  race  from  1920  to  1967.  The 
State  Board  of  Health  analyzes  this  graph  as 
follows:  “There  were  1,645  deaths  of  infants  un- 
der one  year  of  age  in  1967;  this  total  was  211 
less  than  in  the  previous  year  and  the  smallest 
ever  recorded  in  Mississippi.  The  infant  death 

From  the  Department  of  Pediatrics,  University  of  Mis- 
sissippi School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  Miss. 


rate  of  35.3  per  thousand  live  births  was  also  the 
smallest  on  record  and  may  indicate  a downward 
trend  after  about  20  years  during  which  there  was 
no  improvement.  Both  race  groups  experienced 
declines,  but  that  for  the  non-whites  was  con- 
siderably larger. 


Recent  developments  in  care  of  the  new- 
born have  the  objective  of  reducing  Missis- 
sippi’s infant  mortality  rate.  This  article  is 
first  of  a six  month  series  designed  to  bring 
the  newest  diagnostic  and  treatment  meth- 
ods to  the  physician  in  the  local  community 
hospital.  The  series  is  edited  by  Dr.  Alfred 
W . Brann,  Jr.,  of  the  University  of  Missis- 
sippi School  of  Medicine.  He  and  the  au- 
thors will  be  glad  to  respond  to  readers’ 
questions. 


“The  accompanying  graph  of  infant  mortality 
by  race  clearly  illustrates  the  lack  of  progress  in 
bettering  infant  health  since  1946.  The  line  for 
the  whites  shows  that  although  improvement  con- 
tinued at  a slower  pace  until  1955,  there  has 
been  very  little  change  since  then.  The  curve 
for  the  non-whites  shows  an  even  worse  situation, 
an  upward  trend  from  1946  through  1965;  how- 
ever, the  unusual  drop  in  1967  is  a hopeful  sign.” 


JUNE  1970 


327 


NEWBORN  CARE /Brown 

“Even  though  Mississippi’s  infant  death  rate 
in  1967  was  the  lowest  in  its  history,  it  was  still 
the  highest  in  the  United  States,  exceeding  the 
national  rate  by  58  per  cent  and  that  for  South 
Carolina  which  had  the  next  highest  rate  in  the 
South,  by  28  per  cent.  Moreover,  Mississippi’s 
race  specific  rates  were  also  higher  than  the  cor- 
responding national  figures,  that  for  whites  16 
per  cent  higher  and  that  for  non-whites  32  per 
cent  higher.” 

Another  interesting  statistic  in  the  breakdown 
of  the  infant  mortality  is  that  there  are  more 
deaths  in  the  first  year  of  life  than  there  are  in 
the  next  thirty  years  of  life  exclusive  of  the  first 
year.  A statistic  which  is  a bit  more  pertinent  to 
the  over-all  thrust  to  encourage  an  upgrading  of 
neonatal  care,  is  the  fact  that  two-thirds  of  the 
deaths  in  the  first  year  of  life  occur  in  the  first 
month  of  life  and  most  of  these  deaths  are  in  the 

Vital  Statistics 
Mississippi  - 1967 


first  three  days  of  life.  In  the  total  over-view  of  i 
the  United  States  in  its  relationship  with  other  na- 
tions, it  is  also  interesting  that  the  U.  S.  ranks 
below  some  15  other  countries  in  its  over-all  in- 
fant mortality  rate.  Although  infant  mortality  is 
of  major  consideration,  infant  morbidity,  partic- 
ularly as  it  relates  to  brain  damage  that  is  so 
frequent,  must  also  be  dealt  with. 

However,  the  encouraging  point,  as  all  of  these 
statistics  are  viewed,  is  the  fact  that  there  are 
areas  in  the  world  and  areas  in  this  country  and 
indeed  in  this  state  that  have  very  low  infant 
mortality  rates,  comparable  to  the  lowest  rates  in 
the  world.  This  fact  alone  gives  indication  that 
the  available  information  and  the  environmental 
setting  can  be  achieved  to  reduce  infant  mortal- 
ity and  morbidity,  if  the  “tools”  and  “know-how” 
are  properly  applied. 

There  have  been  many  recent  developments 
in  the  understanding  of  the  physiological  proc- 


328 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


TABLE  1 

DANGER  SIGNS  IN  THE  NEWBORN* 


A.  C ardio-Respiratory  System 
Difficult  or  rapid  (>60)  respirations 
Rapid  (>160),  slow  or  irregular  pulse 
Cough 

Cyanosis 

Apnea 

B.  Nervous  System 
Abnormal  cry 
Full  fontanelle 

Abnormal  head  size  (normal  31-37m.) 

Convulsions 

Jitteriness 

Excessive  irritability 
Hypotonia 
Lethargy 
Paralysis 

C.  Orthopedics 
Incomplete  hip  abduction 


D.  G astro-intestinal  System 
Excessive  salivation 
Vomiting  bile 

No  meconium  stool  in  48  hours 
Abdominal  distention 
Abdominal  mass 

E.  Genito-Urinary  System 
No  urine  in  24  hours 
Dribbling  urine 
Ambiguous  genitalia 

F.  Hemopoietic  System 
Jaundice 
Petechiae 

Bleeding  from  cord  or  circumcision 

G.  Miscellaneous 

Any  congenital  malformation 
Single  umbilical  artery 
Abnormal  facies 
Cord  odor  or  exudate 
Fever  or  hypothermia 

Change  in  behavior  or  condition  (not  looking  right) 


* Modified  from  a chart  of  the  Newborn  Center,  Denver  Children’s  Hospital. 


esses  that  take  place  when  the  fullterm  infant  be- 
comes a newborn.1  Advances  have  been  made 
in  the  detection  as  well  as  the  understanding  of 
diseases  that  are  produced  when  deranged  phys- 
iology occurs  following  a difficult  or  abnormal 
birth.  Care  has  improved  for  the  critically  ill 
newborn  ranging  from  simple  measures  to  very 
complicated  intensive  care  centers  especially  de- 
signed for  the  neonate. 

INFORMATIVE  STUDIES 

The  usefulness  of  this  new  information  is 
readily  apparent  when  data  from  the  Collaborative 
Perinatal  Study  sponsored  by  the  National  Insti- 
tutes of  Health — National  Institutes  of  Neuro- 
logical Disease  and  Stroke  is  reviewed.  This 
study2  revealed  that  in  infants  whose  condition 
was  excellent  at  birth  that  the  percentage  of 
neurological  deficit  was  in  the  range  of  1.4  per 
cent.  In  infants  who  were  depressed  at  birth,  even 
though  they  were  fullterm  infants,  there  was  a 
steadily  increasing  rate  of  neurological  deficit  in 
those  patients  who  were  more  depressed. 

From  both  human  data  and  experimental  ani- 
mal data,  there  are  certain  biochemical  and  phys- 
iological abnormalities  that  may  occur  in  utero, 
during  birth,  or  in  the  immediate  postnatal  peri- 
od which  are  closely  associated  with  brain  dam- 
age. These  are  all  potentially  treatable  conditions 


through  good  medical  and  nursing  detection  and 
therapy.  These  conditions  are  hypoxia,  acidosis, 
hypoglycemia,  hyperbilirubinemia,  hypocalcemia, 
hyponatremia,  hypernatremia,  hypothermia,  and 
hypotension.  In  addition  to  these  biochemical 
and  physiological  abnormalities,  infection  also 
plays  a great  role  in  producing  much  of  the 
brain  damage  seen  in  the  neonatal  period. 

Many  diseases  that  present  themselves  in  the 
newborn  period  have  their  onset  in  utero.  Al- 
though it  would  be  much  better  to  attack  the 
problem  of  the  in  utero  patient  and  prevent  the 
disease  process  in  the  newborn,  many  times 
the  infant  who  may  get  into  difficulty  cannot  be 
predicted.  Thus  until  more  refined  methods  of 
detecting  fetal  abnormalities  are  available,  the 
sick  neonate  will  have  to  be  dealt  with  in  the 
best  possible  fashion. 

Although  the  term,  intensive  care,  has  pri- 
marily been  used  around  large  medical  centers, 
it  is  felt  that  this  term  and  concept  as  regards  the 
newborn  must  be  carried  to  the  local  community 
hospital,  where  most  of  the  sick  newborns  are 
cared  for.  Although  most  hospitals  cannot  pro- 
vide extremely  specialized  care,  they  can  and 
some  do  have  the  needed  equipment  for  resusci- 
tation of  the  newborn,  for  regulation  of  tem- 
perature, for  oxygen  administration  and  moni- 
toring, and  for  laboratory  techniques  that  will 
permit  detection  of  the  above  mentioned  abnor- 


JUNE  1970 


329 


NEWBORN  CARE /Brown 

malities.  A very  significant  phase  in  the  correc- 
tion of  some  of  these  biochemical  abnormalities 
is  the  recognition  of  disease,  which  in  the  new- 
born, can  be  more  difficult  than  in  the  older  child 
or  adult.  If  these  signs  and  symptoms  are  recog- 
nized and  correctly  diagnosed,  many  of  the  prob- 
lems in  the  newborn  period  can  be  cared  for  at 
the  local  community  hospital.  However,  at  times 
there  is  a need  for  referral  to  a neonatal  intensive 
care  center  that  can  care  for  complicated  medical 
and  surgical  problems. 

Two  approaches  have  been  found  to  be  use- 
ful in  recognition  of  disease  in  the  newborn  peri- 
od. First,  it  is  known  now  from  experience  that 
certain  babies  can  be  identified  in  utero  or  im- 
mediately at  birth  as  having  a greater  chance  of 
developing  difficulties  than  other  babies.  In  this 
case,  these  babies  should  be  earmarked  and  ob- 
served more  closely  for  signs  and  symptoms  of 
disease.  Second,  there  are  certain  signs  and  symp- 
toms that  may  develop  in  the  first  three  to  four 
days  of  life  in  the  newborn  infant  which  have 
consistently  been  associated  with  a distressed 
sick  neonate.  When  both  of  these  alerting  sys- 
tems are  used,  the  index  of  suspicion  and  recog- 
nition of  disease  increases.  The  two  alerting  sys- 
tems, Infants  at  Potential  Risk  and  Danger  Signs 
in  the  Newborn  (Tables  1 and  2),  are  listed  be- 
low. 

TABLE  2 

INFANTS  AT  POTENTIAL  RISK 

Infant  of  diabetic  mother 
Infant  of  toxemic  mother 
Infant  of  mother  with  fever 
Infant  of  Rh  negative  mother 
Infant  of  O mother 
Ruptured  BOW  for  24  hours 
Third  trimester  bleeder 
Difficult  labor  or  delivery 
C-section  delivery 
Apgar  less  than  7 

Abnormal  birth  weight  for  gestational  age 
Premature  infant 
Multiple  births 


Since  there  have  been  so  many  changes  in 
newborn  care,  and  since  so  many  of  these  de- 
velopments are  applicable  to  the  care  of  the  new- 
born in  the  local  community  hospital  where,  as 
stated  above,  most  of  the  sick  newborns  are 
cared  for,  a series  of  articles  has  been  designed 


to  bring  some  of  this  information  to  the  readers 
of  this  journal.  The  title  of  this  series  of  articles 
will  be  “Seminar  on  Care  of  the  Newborn.”  The 
series  will  attempt  to  correlate  the  new  advances 
in  diagnosis  and  care  with  the  above  listed  alert- 
ing signs.  As  presently  designed,  these  articles 
will  run  some  six  months  and  will  cover  prob- 
lems that  have  seemed  to  be  most  frequently  re- 
curring in  the  newborn  period. 

FUTURE  TOPICS 

The  initial  article  will  deal  with  causes  of  a 
depressed  infant  at  birth  and  methods  of  resus- 
citation in  the  newborn  period,  with  very  specific 
recommendations  for  equipment  needed  in  the 
labor  and  delivery  room  together  with  recom- 
mendations for  specific  methods  in  drugs  for  re- 
suscitation. The  second  paper  will  cover  in- 
fections in  the  newborn  period.  It  will  include 
septicemia,  meningitis,  pneumonia,  and  diarrhea, 
the  most  common  infections  in  the  first  month 
of  life.  Clinical  manifestations,  diagnostic  proce- 
dures, and  antibiotic  therapy  will  be  discussed. 

The  third  article  will  deal  with  hematological 
problems  in  the  newborn  specifically,  jaundice, 
anemia,  and  hemorrhagic  disease  of  the  newborn. 
Comments  regarding  therapy  for  hyperbilirubine- 
mia, such  as  exchange  transfusion  and  photo- 
therapy will  be  discussed.  The  fourth  paper  in 
the  series  will  deal  with  surgical  emergencies  oc- 
curring in  the  newborn. 

The  fifth  article  will  deal  with  central  nervous 
system  disease  in  the  newborn  period.  This  topic 
will  include  a discussion  of  neonatal  seizures, 
anoxia,  bilirubin  toxicity  to  the  central  system, 
congenital  malformations  and  brachial  plexus 
palsy.  The  sixth  article  in  the  series  will  discuss 
endocrine  and  metabolic  diseases  that  affect  the 
newborn,  as  well  as  other  congenital  and  ac- 
quired metabolic  diseases. 

The  series  of  articles,  as  stated  above,  is  pri- 
marily oriented  toward  discussion  of  recent  ad- 
vances in  newborn  care  as  they  most  directly 
apply  to  the  local  community  hospital.  If  there 
are  any  specific  topics  that  would  better  serve 
this  end,  suggestions  can  be  sent  to  the  author 
for  consideration  in  this  series  of  articles.  *** 

2500  North  State  St.  (39216) 

REFERENCES 

1.  James,  L.  Stanley:  Scientific  Basis  for  Current  Peri- 
natal Care,  Arch.  Dis.  Childh.  42:457-466,  1967. 

2.  Druge,  J.;  Kennedy,  C.;  Berendes,  H.;  Schwarz,  B.  K.; 
and  Weiss,  W.:  The  Apgar  Score  as  an  Index  of  In- 
fant Morbidity,  Develop.  Med.  Child.  Neurol.  8:141, 
1966. 


330 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Radiologic  Seminar  XCVI 
Reversible  Vascular  Occlusion 

of  the  Colon 


C.  D.  BOUCHILLON,  M.D. 

Laurel,  Mississippi 


Reversible  vascular  occlusion  of  the  colon  is 
a roentgenologic  and  clinical  entity.  Clinical  and 
experimental  evidence  indicate  that  its  manifesta- 
tions may  subside  without  sequelae  and  unneces- 
sary surgery  may  be  avoided  by  prompt  recog- 
nition. 

When  the  blood  supply  to  the  colon  is  com- 
promised as  a result  of  changes  in  the  vascula- 
ture due  to  local  lesions  (thrombosis,  embolism) 
or  secondary  to  remote  causes  (shock,  conges- 
tive heart  failure,  hemorrhage),  ischemic  dam- 
age may  occur. 

Marston  et  al  have  divided  ischemic  colitis  into 
three  clinical  patterns  (a)  transient  ischemic  co- 
litis (b)  ischemic  stricture  (c)  gangrene  of  the 
colon.  The  patterns  correspond  to  the  degree  of 
vascular  insufficiency,  either  arterial  or  venous. 
Minor  insufficiency  causes  transient  reversible  co- 
litis, moderate  ischemia  produces  mucosal  and 
some  deeper  damage  and  results  in  some  stric- 
ture formation,  and  severe  ischemia  results  in  ir- 
reversible gangrene. 

A decade  ago  the  more  severe  disease  was 
emphasized,  but  we  now  know  that  the  milder 
forms  are  much  more  common.  Our  emphasis 
here  is  on  the  reversible  form  of  the  disease. 
Clinically,  the  symptoms  vary  considerably,  but 
typically  they  present  in  an  elderly  arterioscle- 
rotic man  with  abdominal  pain,  usually  some 


Sponsored  by  the  Mississippi  Radiological  Society. 
From  the  Department  of  Radiology,  Jones  County  Com- 
munity Hospital. 


Figure  1 — 2.20.65.  Barium  enema  examination 
shows  the  eight  cm.  area  of  irregular  thickening  of 
the  wall  of  the  mid  descending  colon.  Typical 
“thumbprinting,”  or  pseudotumor  indentations  (ar- 
rows) are  due  to  submucosal  hemorrhage.  Ulceration 
is  not  evident,  and  could  not  be  expected  at  this  early 
stage  of  ischemia. 


33  1 


JUNE  1970 


RADIOLOGIC  SEMINAR  / Bouchillon 

diarrhea,  rectal  bleeding,  and  abdominal  tender- 
ness. The  presence,  of  course,  of  an  abdominal 
aneurysm  or  history  of  aortic  graft  would  par- 
ticularly suggest  the  diagnosis. 

The  sequence  of  events  in  reversible  vascular 
occlusion  is  (a)  submucosal  hemorrhage  with  as- 
sociated intraluminal  bleeding  and  appearance  on 
barium  enema  study  of  thickening  of  the  wall 
locally,  so-called  thumbprinting  or  pseudotumor 
appearance  and  intermittent  spasm,  (b)  grad- 
ual subsidence  of  the  hemorrhages  and  pericolic 
fat  inflammation  with  improvement  of  the  thick- 
ened wall  on  the  radiograph,  (c)  development 
of  superficial  ulceration,  (d)  healing  with  or  with- 
out narrowing  of  the  colon. 

CASE  PRESENTATION 

Case  presentation:  Mr.  G.  W.,  age  70,  ar- 
teriosclerotic, presented  with  two  hours’  onset 
of  cramping  abdominal  pain  in  the  left  abdomen, 
vomiting,  left  abdominal  tenderness,  and  mild 
leukocytosis.  Six  hours  later  he  developed  bloody 
diarrhea.  Clinical  impression  was  diverticulitis. 


Figure  2.  Spot  films  made  on  the  above  examina- 
tion reveal  the  slight  change  in  the  caliber  of  the 
lumen,  indicating  that  intermittent  spasm  is  also 
present. 


A barium  enema  examination  twenty-four 
hours  after  onset  of  symptoms  revealed  typical 
findings  of  localized  colon  ischemia  with  irregu- 
lar thickening  and  edematous  appearance  of  the 
wall  of  the  mid  descending  colon,  with  pseudo- 
tumor formation,  “thumbprinting”  indentations, 
plus  intermittent  spasm. 

He  responded  rapidly  to  supportive  measures 
plus  antibiotics,  and  was  asymptomatic  two  weeks 


later.  A follow-up  colon  examination  five  weeks 
after  the  original  one  revealed  the  colon  to  ap- 
pear entirely  normal.  Also,  three  subsequent  co- 
lon examinations  during  the  next  three  years 
were  negative  with  no  sign  of  stricture  formation. 


Figure  3.  Follow-up  examination  five  weeks  later, 
and  two  weeks  after  the  symptoms  cleared , reveals 
the  descending  colon  to  now  appear  entirely  normal. 


The  differential  diagnoses  to  be  entertained 
from  the  roentgen  appearance  on  the  initial  study 
are  principally  intramural  tumor,  lipomatosis, 
pneumatosis  coli,  and  juxtacolonic  inflammatory 
disease. 

Abdominal  angiography  is  rarely  helpful  here 
as  this  is  a disease  of  the  small  vessels. 

Some  pertinent  points  are: 

1.  The  appearance  of  the  lesion  on  x-ray  will 
vary  with  the  stage  of  the  disease,  but  the  impor- 
tant point  is  that  it  continued  to  improve  on  sub- 
sequent colon  examinations  performed  during  the 
next  few  weeks. 

2.  The  ulcerations  are  superficial  and  difficult 
to  visualize  on  the  film.  On  any  one  study  they 


332 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


REFERENCES 


might  resemble  any  other  form  of  localized  ul- 
ceration. Indeed,  some  investigators  believe 
chronic  intermittent  ischemia  plays  a major  role 
in  the  etiology  of  chronic  ulcerative  colitis,  the 
basis  of  the  ischemia  being  a variety  of  factors 
including  allergic  and  psychogenic  phenomena. 
In  reversible  ischemia,  however,  the  improvement 
is  fast  and  the  colon  is  typically  normal  in  four 
to  six  weeks.  Later,  stricture  may  develop,  and 
follow-up  examinations  are  in  order. 

3.  It  must  be  emphasized  that  the  course  of 
the  vascular  occlusion  of  the  colon  cannot  be 
predicted  on  the  initial  roentgen  examination. 
These  findings  must  be  correlated  with  the  clin- 
ical course.  If  symptoms  persist,  surgical  inter- 
vention is  indicated,  for  two  reasons:  either  the 
diagnosis  of  vascular  occlusion  is  wrong,  or  the 
viability  of  the  involved  bowel  is  uncertain. 

Jones  County  Community  Hospital  (39440) 


1.  Miller,  W.  T.,  Scott,  J.,  Rosato,  E.  F.,  Rosato,  F.  E. 

and  Crow,  H.:  Ischemic  Colitis  with  Gangrene, 

Radiol.  94:291-297  (Feb.)  1970. 

2.  Marston,  A.:  Patterns  of  Intestinal  Ischemia,  Ann. 
Roy,  Surg.  (England)  35:151-181,  1964. 

3.  Schwartz,  S.,  Boley,  S.  S.,  Robinson,  K.,  Krieger,  H., 
Schultz,  L.  and  Allen,  A.  C.:  Roentgenologic  Features 
of  Vascular  Disorders  of  the  Intestines,  Radiol.  Clin. 
N.  Amer.  2:71-87,  1964. 

4.  Smith.  R.  F.  and  Szilagy,  D.  E.:  Ischemia  of  the 
Colon  as  a Complication  of  the  Surgery  of  the  Ab- 
dominal Aorta,  Arch,  Surg.  80:806-821,  1960. 

5.  Marshak,  R.  H.,  Maklansky,  O.  and  Calem,  S.  H.: 
Segmental  Infarction  of  the  Colon,  Amer.  J.  Digest. 
Dis.  10:86-92,  1965. 

6.  Farman,  Betancourt,  and  Kilpatrick:  The  Radiology 
of  Ischemic  Proctitis,  Radiology  91:302-307  (August) 
1968. 

7.  Schwartz,  Boley,  Lash,  and  Sternhill:  Roentgenologic 
Aspects  of  Reversible  Vascular  Occlusion  of  the 
Colon  and  Its  Relationship  to  Ulcerative  Colitis. 
Radiology  80:625-635  (April)  1963. 

8.  Kittredge,  Richard  D.;  Ischemia  of  the  Bowel,  A.M. 
Journal  of  Roentgenology,  Radium  Therapy  and 
Nuclear  Medicine  103:400-404  (June)  1968. 


THE  HIGH  AND  THE  DIDIE 

The  lodge  brothers  filed  out  10  minutes  after  they’d  entered. 
“What’s  wrong?,”  a late  arrival  gasped. 

“No  leader,”  replied  a brother  sadly.  “Our  Grand,  All-Power- 
ful, Invincible,  Most  Supreme,  Courageous,  Unconquerable  Po- 
tentate had  to  stay  home  and  baby-sit.” 


JUNE  1970 


333 


The  President  Speaking 


‘Changes  and  Challenge’ 


PAUL  B.  BRUMBY,  M D.  , 
Lexington,  Mississippi 

For  the  102nd  time  the  physicians  of  Mississippi  assembled 
recently  at  Biloxi  for  study  and  to  learn  of  the  recent  advances 
in  medical  science  and  practice. 

Great  changes  have  occurred  even  in  our  own  assembly  since 
the  passage  and  implementation  of  Public  Law  89-97.  This  is 
the  law  that  has  given  us  Medicare  and  Medicaid  and  also  prom- 
ised quality  health  care  without  limit  as  a right,  and  not  a privi- 
lege to  be  earned.  Medical  care  by  definition  was  changed  to 
health  care,  and  health  itself  was  defined  as  a state  of  physical, 
mental,  and  social  well-being.  This  health  care  is  to  be  given  in  a 
dignified  manner  acceptable  to  the  patient  and  must  be  furnished 
with  reverence. 

This  is  the  concept  that  has  given  us  Mound  Bayou,  Marks, 
CHIP,  Fayette  and  the  projected  Milton  Olive  and  South  Delta 
projects  with  their  clinics  and  famous  outreach  programs  previ- 
ously staffed  by  persons  from  outside  the  South.  The  addition  of 
social  well-being  to  the  definition  of  medical  care  is  a concept 
with  which  we  must  live. 

However,  the  most  pressing  demand  to  be  met  in  our  gov- 
ernment programs  is  the  policing  of  our  own  ranks.  Competent 
and  fair  peer  review  offers  the  only  solution  which  can  prevent 
office  and  hospital  audits,  and  more  of  the  arbitrary  decisions 
by  the  independent  fiscal  agents  of  various  programs.  Too,  peer 
review  committees  will  be  most  useful  in  combatting  our  own 
HB  407  which  would  legally  establish  the  doctrine  of  res  ipsa 
loquitur  to  the  great  detriment  of  our  members  and  the  great, 
great  increase  in  our  malpractice  insurance  costs.  I quickly  add 
that  our  present  low  insurance  rates  are  the  result  of  the  efforts 
of  our  society. 

Our  patients  know  that  we  are  serving  them  with  a singular 
devotion.  In  return,  we  have  their  deep  appreciation  and  devo- 
tion in  spite  of  our  growing  negative  image  which  is  being  creat- 
ed by  the  press  and  others  outside  our  ranks.  *** 


334 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


JOURNAL  OF  THE 
MISSISSIPPI  STATE 
MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

VOLUME  XI,  NUMBER  6 

JUNE  1970 


Abortion  and  the  Law: 
Anachronisms  Racing  Science 


l 

The  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  has 
agreed  to  review  the  decision  of  the  federal  trial 
court  in  striking  down  the  District  of  Columbia 
abortion  law.  The  decision,  expected  in  the  fall 
of  this  year,  may  well  write  the  last  chapter  in 
the  debate  which  had  encompassed  medical,  re- 
ligious, academic,  and  legal  groups.  And  the 
odds  are  that  most  restrictions  against  therapeu- 
tic abortion  on  state  statute  books  will  become 
invalid. 

The  view  is  popularly  held  that  prohibitions 
against  abortion  proceed  primarily  from  moral 
bases.  It  is  true  that  major  religious  bodies  have 
assumed  moral  and  theological  positions  on  this 
question.  The  Catholic  Church  opposes  abortion 
per  se,  while  most  Protestant  denominations  are 
either  liberal  or  accept  a limited  policy  toward 
the  procedure. 

The  Orthodox  Jewish  faith  is  said  to  permit 
abortion  only  to  save  the  mother’s  life,  while  the 
Reformed  faith  is  less  restrictive.  The  American 
Medical  Association  made  its  first  new  utterance 
on  the  subject  in  more  than  70  years  at  the  At- 
lantic City  annual  convention  in  1967.  A minor- 
ity of  the  states  have  revised  their  statutes.  The 
debate  continues,  but  the  issue  may  soon  be  re- 


solved, at  least  from  a legal  point  of  view.  What 
remains  to  be  answered  is  the  translation  of  the 
resolution  into  clinical  practice.  This  is  a matter 
far  from  resolution. 

II 

Within  the  past  three  years,  10  states  have 
modified  their  abortion  laws  along  the  lines  rec- 
ommended by  the  American  Law  Institute. 
These  are  Arkansas,  California,  Colorado,  Dela- 
ware, Georgia,  Kansas,  Maryland,  New  Mexico, 
North  Carolina,  and  Oregon. 

In  1966,  the  Mississippi  statutes  were  amend- 
ed to  permit  abortion  when  the  pregnancy  results 
from  forcible  rape.  Hawaii  was  the  first  state  to 
enact  an  “on-demand”  abortion  law,  requiring 
only  that  the  fetus  be  nonviable,  that  the  patient 
be  a resident  of  the  state  for  90  days,  and  that 
the  procedure  be  undertaken  only  by  a licensed 
physician  in  a licensed  hospital. 

A similar  law  enacted  in  Maryland  was  ve- 
toed by  the  governor,  but  an  on-demand  measure 
was  signed  by  New  York's  Nelson  Rockefeller. 

In  three  states,  constitutional  tests  of  abortion 
laws  have  gone  to  the  state  supreme  courts.  The 
California  tribunal  swept  aside  its  ancient  statute 
authorizing  abortion  only  to  preserve  the  moth- 
er’s life  as  unconstitutional  because  of  vagueness 


JUNE  1970 


335 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

and  uncertainty  of  intent.  What  could  have  been 
the  landmark  ruling  failed,  however,  because  the 
U.  S.  Supreme  Court  declined  to  review  the  de- 
cision. 

The  Massachusetts  Supreme  Court  upheld  the 
constitutionality  of  the  state’s  antiabortion  law 
against  charges  of  vagueness  similar  to  those 
brought  in  California.  But  the  key  case  was  U.  S. 
v.  Vuitch  in  the  District  of  Columbia.  The  fed- 
eral district  court  declared  the  statute  unconsti- 
tutional on  the  basis  of  its  being  vague.  While  it 
is  not  clear  why  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court  ac- 
cepted the  D.  C.  appeal  while  declining  Califor- 
nia’s it  may  be  that  the  D.  C.  statute  is  more 
nearly  representative  of  most  states  in  that  it  per- 
mits abortion  only  “when  it  is  necessary  to  pre- 
serve the  mother’s  life  or  health.’’ 

Mississippi’s  law,  sponsored,  incidentally  by 
the  state  medical  association  in  1952  as  a crim- 
inal law,  permits  therapeutic  abortion  only  to 
save  the  mother’s  life.  The  issue  18  years  ago 
was  not  liberalizing  the  law  but  putting  teeth  in 
it  against  illicit  abortions.  Even  as  amended  in 
1966,  the  Mississippi  statute  is  one  of  the  most 
archaic  and  conservative. 

The  association’s  new  position,  a result  of 
adoption  of  Resolution  No.  2 at  the  102nd  An- 
nual Session,  would  extend  the  circumstances  un- 
der which  the  procedure  may  be  undertaken. 

Ill 

The  most  ancient  civilizations  practiced  abor- 
tion. Hippocrates  mentions  it  in  the  oath,  where 
he  pledges  not  to  give  a woman  an  instrument 
to  produce  abortion.  Until  the  19th  century, 
abortion  during  early  months  of  pregnancy  was 
not  prohibited  by  law  in  any  nation  in  the 
world.  The  first  such  law  was  enacted  in  England 
in  1803,  and  the  first  statute  in  the  United  States 
was  passed  by  the  Illinois  legislature  in  1827. 
But  the  first  state  to  proscribe  therapeutic  abor- 
tion as  such  was  New  York  in  1829. 

From  that  point  on,  the  idea  caught  on,  and 
by  1875,  virtually  every  state  had  enacted  some 
sort  of  antiabortion  law.  But  the  objectives  ap- 
peared to  be  more  medical  than  legal,  because 
our  forefathers  were  not  so  preoccupied  with 
abortion  as  they  were  with  the  consequences.  The 
New  Jersey  Supreme  Court,  in  an  1848  decision, 
ruled  that  the  purpose  of  the  state’s  abortion 
law  “was  not  to  prevent  the  procuring  of  abor- 
tions so  much  as  to  guard  the  health  and  life  of 
the  mother  against  the  consequences  of  such  at- 
tempts.” There  are  valid  questions  in  the  minds 


of  many  legal  authorities  if  there  were  really  a j 
moral  intent  in  most  of  the  state  laws. 

But  the  science  of  medicine  leaped  far  ahead 
of  the  laws  which  regulate  it.  The  safety  of  the 
procedure  in  the  proper  clinical  environment  is 
well-established.  New  knowledge  has  entered  the 
picture,  and  medical  reasons  for  abortion  have 
changed  almost  completely. 

IV 

The  picture  on  criminal  or  illicit  abortions  in 
the  United  States  is  cloudy,  too.  Estimates  of 
“experts”  vary  from  10,000  such  procedures 
each  year  to  more  than  a million.  One  legal  au- 
thority noted  these  extreme  variations  and  said 
wryly  that  “when  the  data  vary  by  600  per  cent, 
you  do  not  know  the  answer.” 

One  effect  of  the  ancient  state  laws,  however, 
is  much  more  susceptible  to  valid  statistical 
analysis.  Under  our  restrictive  laws,  white  mid- 
dle-class women  have,  by  far,  the  greatest  num- 
ber of  therapeutic  abortions.  In  one  study  in 
New  York  City,  the  ratio  of  therapeutic  abor- 
tions to  term  births  in  private  hospitals  was 
1:1,250,  while  the  ratio  in  municipal  and  char- 
ity hospitals  was  1:20,000. 

A few  authorities  have  speculated  that  fail- 
ure of  civilization  to  employ  contraception  ef- 
fectively and  to  withhold  liberalization  of  abor- 
tion laws  might  result  in  the  denial  of  the  free- 
dom to  have  more  than  a prescribed  number  of 
children.  This  is  a dismal  prospect,  although  we 
are  finding  out  every  day  we  live  that  Malthus 
was  correct  when  he  said  that  the  population 
would  outgrow  the  food  supply. 

Medicine’s  position  is  moderate  on  abortion, 
believing  that  it  should  be  undertaken  to  pre- 
serve life  or  health  of  the  mother,  when  the 
pregnancy  results  from  rape  or  incest,  or  when 
there  is  a probability  that  the  child  will  be  born 
deformed.  This  is  generally  the  objective  in  lib- 
eralizing state  laws — to  arrive  at  this  legal  pos- 
ture. But  the  Hawaii  law  and  the  Vuitch  case  may 
change  all  of  this,  and  the  law  may  jump  ahead 
of  the  science  to  create  new  problems. — R.B.K. 

The  CBS  Eye: 
Color  It  Yellow 

The  color  trademarks  of  NBC  and  ABC  are 
respectively  a peacock  and  a red-white-and-blue 
monogram.  After  “The  Promise  and  the  Practice” 
and  “Don’t  Get  Sick  in  America,”  we  have  a sug- 
gestion for  CBS:  Be  sure  to  get  enough  yellow 


336 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


in  that  video  orb  to  portray  accurately  the  net- 
work’s jaundice  against  American  medicine. 

The  two  hour-long  documentaries  were  edi- 
torials, pure  and  simple.  The  viewpoint  was 
clear:  CBS  is  all-out  for  national  compulsory 
health  insurance,  closed  panel  practice,  reorga- 
nization of  care,  and  about  everything  else  anti- 
establishment to  medicine.  Regrettably,  networks 
are  not  subject  to  Federal  Communications 
Commission  proscriptions  about  program  content 
— at  least  not  yet.  The  law  on  equal  time,  good 
taste,  and  that  sort  of  thing  applies  to  the  li- 
censees or  the  TV  stations.  The  networks,  then, 
are  the  wholesalers. 

It  is  disappointing  to  see  Mississippi  television 
stations  broadcast  this  sort  of  distorted,  lop-sided, 
slanted  airfare  with  nary  a word  to  the  public 
about  hearing  the  other  side.  It  has  long  been 
established  that  CBS  and  NBC  are  antimedicine, 
because  in  1962  when  the  celebrated  Madison 
Square  Garden  speech  by  the  late  President  Ken- 
nedy was  carried,  only  ABC  would  give  medi- 
cine equal  prime  time. 

This  brings  to  mind  the  classic  statement  by 
Leo  E.  Brown,  a senior  AMA  executive,  who 
noted  in  1962,  after  CBS  had  filmed  extensive 
footage  of  then-President  Leonard  Larson  which 
was  never  put  on  the  air,  that  “the  truth  about 
American  medicine  lies  on  a CBS  cutting  room 
floor.” 

This  recent  distortion  which  was  an  assault  is 
destructive,  not  constructive.  There  were  no  pos- 
itive suggestions,  only  dispair,  inequity,  fee-slug- 
ging, waiting  lines,  and  inaccessible  hospitals. 
Slander  and  untruth  hurt  their  victims,  and  medi- 
cine was  hurt  by  this  CBS  onslaught.  It  seems 
to  be  part  of  the  pattern,  but  medicine  will  tell 
its  story  if  it  be  door-to-door,  patient-to-patient, 
and  state-by-state.  And  the  day  is  fast  dawning 
when  the  airwaves  will  be  cleaned  up  one  way 
or  the  other,  more  than  likely  station-by-station, 
and  make  the  television  entrepreneurs  observe 
the  law. — R.B.K. 

Goods  and  Services 
Simply  Cost  More 

The  cost  of  medical  care?  Yes,  it  is  substan- 
tial, particularly  hospital  care.  Other  cost  com- 
ponents in  total  health  services  behave  astonish- 
ingly like  other  goods  and  services  which  we  must 
purchase.  An  interesting  comparison  was  pub- 
lished by  the  authoritative  and  objective  U.  S. 
News  and  World  Report. 

Says  the  noted  weekly:  Hospital  costs  lead 


the  upward  spiral  with  operating  room  charges 
up  67  per  cent  and  semiprivate  rooms  up  86  per 
cent.  The  time  base  is  1965,  and  the  survey 
covers  five  years  through  January  1970. 

Auto  insurance  went  up  38  per  cent  in  this 
period,  and  mortgage  insurance,  38  per  cent. 
Household  workers  (the  magazine  did  not  say 
how  to  get  one)  had  wage  increases  of  about 
45  per  cent,  and  haircuts  were  up  33  per  cent. 

In  the  same  five-year  period,  physicians’  fees 
were  reported  to  have  been  increased  about  38 
per  cent  and  dentists’  fees  were  up  just  over  30 
per  cent. 

While  USNWR  did  not  analyze  the  trend  in 
depth,  it  should  be  apparent  that  those  who  pro- 
vide professional  services  must  also  purchase 
goods  and  services  themselves.  Not  just  as  con- 
sumers, mind  you,  but  as  necessary  prerequisites 
to  operating  their  practices.  The  physician  is 
paying  more  for  his  nurse,  his  secretary,  his  pro- 
fessional premises,  and  virtually  everything  im- 
plicit in  his  practice. 

American  medicine  is  acutely  aware  of  the 
cost  picture  in  providing  health  services.  Every 
medical  organization  worthy  of  its  name  has 
pledged  to  provide  the  best  care  consistent  with 
conservation  of  the  health  care  dollar.  We  need 
to  concentrate  on  this  problem,  because  as  Dr. 
James  L.  Royals,  1969-70  president,  said  in  his 
recent  address,  “The  cost  of  health  care  is  rap- 
idly becoming  unacceptable  to  the  public.” 

Obviously,  no  sugar-coated  explanation  makes 
more  palatable  spending  money  for  something 
you  don’t  want  in  the  first  place,  illness  or  in- 
jury. Such  outlays  are  usually  unplanned,  too, 
and  health  care  expenditures  often  deny  us  some- 
thing we  would  much  rather  have.  After  all,  who 
wouldn’t,  at  this  season  of  the  year,  rather  buy 
a new  outboard  motor  than  have  his  gallblad- 
der out? 

But  we  do  need  to  communicate  and  safe- 
guard. This  is  the  positive  story  which  needs 
telling. — R.B.K. 


Dempsey  T.  Amacker  of  Natchez  has  been 
named  to  Emory  University’s  Committee  of  One 
Hundred.  The  Committee  is  composed  of  prom- 
inent Methodist  laymen  in  the  Southeast  who 
have  a special  interest  in  ministerial  education. 

Thomasina  Blissard  of  Jackson  was  featured 
speaker  at  Belhaven  College’s  alumni  luncheon 


JUNE  1970 


337 


PERSONALS  / Continued 

on  May  2.  Dr.  Blissard  limits  her  practice  to  psy- 
chiatry. 

Julian  Bramlett  of  Oxford  has  joined  the  staff 
of  Yalobusha  County  General  Hospital  at  Water 
Valley.  Dr.  Bramlett  will  maintain  his  office  in 
Oxford  but  will  be  on  call  for  service  at  this  hos- 
pital. 

Duane  C.  Burgess  of  Hattiesburg  gave  a talk  on 
drug  abuse  to  the  last  meeting  of  Camp  School 
PTA  in  Hattiesburg. 

C.  Hal  Cleveland  of  Gulfport  was  elected 
president  of  the  Louisiana-Mississippi  Ophthal- 
mological  and  Otolaryngological  Society  at  its 
32nd  annual  meeting  in  Biloxi.  Other  Mississip- 
pians  elected  to  office  were  Arthur  V.  Hays  of 
Gulfport,  secretary;  Ralph  Sneed  of  Jackson 
and  Julian  E.  Boggs,  Jr.,  of  Columbus,  coun- 
selors. 

Alton  B.  Cobb  of  Jackson  appeared  on  a panel 
before  the  Mississippi  Medical  and  Surgical  As- 
sociation, Inc.,  at  its  70th  Anniversary  meeting. 
His  topic  was  Medicaid. 

Ernest  Edward  Ellis  of  Laurel,  Oscar  Wil- 
son Irby  and  Preston  Ray  Stodard  of  Meridi- 
an, Thomas  J.  McDonald  of  Mantachie,  Wes- 
ley L.  McFarland  and  Charles  Julius  Cox 
of  Bay  St.  Louis  have  been  re-elected  to  active 
membership  in  the  American  Academy  of  Gen- 
eral Practice.  Re-election  signifies  that  the  physi- 
cian has  successfully  completed  150  hours  of 
accredited  postgraduate  medical  study  in  the  last 
three  years. 

Thomas  Gandy  of  Natchez  exhibited  part  of  his 
collection  of  the  pictorial  history  of  old  Natchez 
at  the  1970  Arts  Festival  in  Jackson. 

Karl  Hatten  of  Vicksburg  has  been  elected 
chairman  of  the  District  Two  Heart  Association. 
Dr.  Hatten  will  represent  Claiborne,  Issaquena, 
Sharkey,  and  Warren  counties  of  the  state  or- 
ganization’s Board  of  Directors. 

C.  A.  Hollingshead  has  associated  with  W.  B. 
White  and  T.  R.  Howell  in  the  Laurel  Medi- 
cal-Surgical Clinic. 

Four  physicians  have  been  appointed  to  one- 
year  terms  on  National  Academy  of  General 
Practice  committees:  John  B.  Howell,  Jr.  of 
Canton,  Committee  on  Insurance;  Max  L.  Pharr 
of  Jackson,  Committee  on  Mental  Health;  Wil- 
liam E.  Lotterhos  of  Jackson,  Executive  Com- 


mittee of  the  AAGP;  and  Hardy  B.  Wood- 
bridge,  Jr.,  of  Jackson,  Committee  on  Cancer. 


I.  C.  Knox,  Jr.  of  Vicksburg  has  been  reap- 
pointed to  the  Vicksburg  School  Board  for  a 
five  year  term  ending  in  1975. 


Wesley  W.  Lake  of  Gulfport  was  the  recipient 
of  the  Mississippi  Heart  Association’s  1970  Gold 
Award  at  the  association’s  annual  assembly  in 
Jackson. 

James  George  Logan  of  Natchez  has  been  cited 
in  The  Encyclopedia  of  American  Biography, 
New  Series,  of  the  American  Historical  Com- 
pany, Inc.,  copyright  1970. 

William  E.  Lotterhos  and  David  B.  Wilson 
of  Jackson  and  W.  L.  Jaquith  of  Whitfield  at- 
tended the  1970  meeting  of  the  President’s 
Committee  on  Employment  of  the  Handicapped 
in  Washington,  D.  C. 

Robert  L.  McKinley,  Jr.,  of  Tupelo  has  re- 
moved his  offices  to  805  Garfield  for  the  practice 
of  neuropsychiatry. 

Shelby  W.  Mitchell  of  Ellisville  was  guest 
speaker  for  the  annual  dinner  meeting  of  the 
Lauderdale  County  Tuberculosis  and  Respiratory 
Disease  Association.  Dr.  Mitchell  is  acting  di- 
rector of  the  Lauderdale  County  Health  Depart- 
ment. 

Van  B.  Philpot  of  Houston  delivered  a paper 
before  the  Federation  of  American  Societies  at 
their  54th  annual  meeting  in  Atlantic  City.  Dr. 
Philpot  recently  received  his  second  patent  in  the 
field  of  snake  serum  for  studies  of  the  protease  in- 
hibitor in  control  of  hemorrhage. 

Walter  T.  Taylor  of  Clarksdale  has  been  elect- 
ed chairman  of  the  District  Four  Heart  Associa- 
tion. Dr.  Taylor  will  coordinate  the  volunteer  ac- 
tivities in  Coahoma,  Quitman,  Tallahatchie  and 
Tunica  counties. 

Clifford  Tillman  of  Natchez  was  re-elected  to 
serve  as  director  of  the  District  One  Heart  Asso- 
ciation and  member  of  the  Mississippi  Heart  As- 
sociation Board  of  Directors  at  that  organiza- 
tion’s annual  assembly  in  Jackson. 

Virginia  S.  Tolbert  of  Ruleville  recently  ad- 
dressed the  Ruleville  Woman’s  Club  meeting. 
Her  subject  was  leukemia  and  arthritis. 

John  R.  Young  of  Natchez  has  been  named  the 
new  chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
Adams  County  Republican  Party. 


338 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


The  following  physicians  have  been  elected  to 
membership  by  their  respective  component  med- 
ical societies  in  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  As- 
sociation and  the  American  Medical  Association. 

Blaylock,  Darrell  Nolon,  Greenville.  Born 
Purvis,  Miss.,  Sept.  25,  1936;  M.D.,  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  1962; 
interned  Baptist  Hospital,  Nashville,  Tenn.,  one 
year;  medicine  residency,  same,  July  1,  1963- 
June  30,  1964;  medicine  residency,  City  of 
Memphis  Hospitals,  Tenn.,  July  1,  1964-July  31, 
1966;  elected  April  8,  1970  by  Delta  Medical 
Society. 

Day,  Larry  Hale,  Hattiesburg.  Born  Shaw, 
Miss.,  Aug.  31,  1937;  M.D.,  University  of  Mis- 
sissippi School  of  Medicine,  1952;  interned  Brooke 
General  Hospital,  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  one  year; 
otolaryngology  residency.  University  Medical 
Center,  Jackson,  Miss.,  July  1,  1965-June  30, 
1969;  elected  March  12,  1970  by  South  Mis- 
sissippi Medical  Society. 

Giles,  William  Gary,  Hattiesburg.  Born  Hat- 
tiesburg, Miss.,  Feb.  11,  1934;  M.D.,  Louisiana 
State  University  School  of  Medicine,  New  Or- 
leans, 1964;  interned  Southern  Baptist  Hospital, 
New  Orleans,  one  year;  surgery  residency,  V.  A. 
Hospital,  New  Orleans,  July  1,  1965-June  30, 
1966;  orthopaedic  surgery  residency,  Campbell 
Clinic,  Memphis,  Tenn.,  July  1,  1966-June  30, 
1969;  elected  March  12,  1970  by  South  Missis- 
sippi Medical  Society. 

Hammett,  Larry  Joe,  Hattiesburg.  Born  Fort 
Worth,  Tex.,  Sept.  18,  1937;  M.D.,  Louisiana 
State  University  School  of  Medicine,  New  Or- 
leans, 1963;  interned  Confederate  Memorial 
Medical  Center,  Shreveport,  La.,  one  year;  pe- 
diatric residency,  same,  July  1,  1964-June  30, 
1965;  otolaryngology  residency,  same,  July  1, 
1965-June  30,  1969;  elected  March  12,  1970  by 
South  Mississippi  Medical  Society. 

Hartness,  Durward  Stanley,  Kosciusko.  Born 
Kosciusko,  Miss.,  May  14,  1942;  M.D.,  Univer- 
sity of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson, 
1968;  interned.  University  Medical  Center,  Jack- 
son,  Miss.,  one  year;  elected  Dec.,  1969  by 
North  Central  District  Medical  Society. 

Hoover,  Jack  Clifford,  Pascagoula.  Born  Gyp- 


sum, Kan.,  Jan.  27,  1933;  M.D.,  Tulane  Uni- 
versity School  of  Medicine,  New  Orleans,  La., 
1962;  interned  U.  S.  Naval  Hospital,  Pensacola, 
Fla.,  one  year;  residency,  U.  S.  Naval  School  of 
Aviational  Medicine,  Pensacola,  Fla.,  Oct.,  1963- 
April,  1964;  obstetrics  and  gynecology  residen- 
cy, University  Medical  Center,  Jackson,  Miss., 
July  1,  1966-June  30,  1969;  elected  Dec.  15, 
1969  by  Singing  River  Medical  Society. 

Scott,  Edward  Gray,  Jr.,  Meridian.  Born 
Riderwood,  Ala.,  March  23,  1931;  M.D.,  Tulane 
University  School  of  Medicine,  New  Orleans,  La., 
1963;  interned  McLeod  Infirmary,  Florence, 
S.  C.,  one  year;  general  practice  residency,  E.  A. 
Conway  Charity  Hospital,  Monroe,  La.,  July  1, 
1964-Dec.  31,  1964;  medicine  residency,  V.  A. 
Hospital,  New  Orleans,  La.,  Jan.  1,  1965-Dec. 
31,  1966;  medicine  residency,  Oschner  Founda- 
tion Hospital,  New  Orleans,  Jan.  1,  1967-Dec. 
31,  1967;  cardiology  fellowship,  same,  Jan.  1, 
1968-July  1,  1968  and  V.  A.  Hospital,  New 
Orleans,  July  1,  1968-Jan.  1,  1969;  elected  April 
7,  1970  by  East  Mississippi  Medical  Society. 

Smith,  Jimmie  Lawson,  DeKalb.  Born  Meridi- 
an, Miss.,  Nov.  29,  1936;  M.D.,  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  1968; 
interned  Pensacola  Educational  Program,  Fla., 
one  year;  elected  Dec.  2,  1969  by  East  Missis- 
sippi Medical  Society. 

Ward,  Roderick  Dhu,  Jr.,  Raymond.  Born  Roll- 
ing Fork,  Miss.,  Aug.  1,  1930;  M.D..  University 
of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  1968; 
interned  St.  Vincents  Infirmary,  Little  Rock,  Ark., 
one  year;  elected  March  3,  1970  by  Central  Medi- 
cal Society. 


. Cowsert,  Louis  Earnest,  Ocean  Springs. 

M.D.,  University  of  Illinois  School  of  Medi- 
cine, Chicago,  1951;  interned  St.  Francis  Hospi- 
tal, Evanston,  111.,  one  year;  surgery  residency, 
Union  Hospital,  West  Frankfort,  111.,  July  1,  1952- 
June  30,  1957;  died  May  3,  1970,  age  48. 


Trudeau,  Eugene  Alexis,  Biloxi.  M.D., 
Creighton  University  School  of  Medicine, 
Omaha,  Nebr.,  1925;  interned  Emergency  Hos- 
pital, Washington,  D.  C.,  one  year;  died  May  1, 
1970,  age  72. 


JUNE  1970 


339 


NATIONAL  AND  REGIONAL 

American  Medical  Association,  Annual  Conven- 
tion, June  21-25,  1970,  Chicago,  Clinical  Con- 
vention, Nov.  29-Dec.  2,  1970,  Boston.  Ernest 
B.  Howard,  Executive  Vice  President,  535  N. 
Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111.  60610. 

Southern  Medical  Association,  64th  Annual 
Meeting,  Nov.  16-19,  1970,  Dallas.  Mr.  Rob- 
ert F.  Butts,  Executive  Director,  2601  High- 
land Ave.,  Birmingham,  Ala.  35205. 

STATE  AND  LOCAL 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association,  103rd  An- 
nual Session,  May  3-6,  1971,  Biloxi.  Mr. 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy,  Executive  Secretary, 
735  Riverside  Drive,  Jackson  39216. 

Amite-Wilkinson  Counties  Medical  Society,  Third 
Monday,  March,  June,  September,  December. 
James  S.  Poole,  Centreville,  Secretary. 

Central  Medical  Society,  First  Tuesday,  January, 
March,  May,  September,  November,  6:30  p.m., 
Primos  Northgate  Restaurant,  Jackson.  Robert 
P.  Henderson,  Suite  B-6,  Medical  Arts  Build- 
ing, Jackson,  Secretary. 

Claiborne  County  Medical  Society,  1st  Tuesday 
each  month,  6:00  p.m.,  Claiborne  County 
Hospital,  Port  Gibson.  D.  M.  Segrest,  Port 
Gibson,  Secretary. 

Clarksdale  and  Six  Counties  Medical  Society, 
Third  Wednesday,  April  and  First  Wednesday 
November,  2:00  p.m.,  Clarksdale.  Walter  T. 
Taylor,  P.O.  Box  1237,  Clarksdale,  Secretary. 

Coast  Counties  Medical  Society,  First  Wednesday, 
January,  March,  May,  September  and  Novem- 
ber. C.  Hal  Cleveland,  P.O.  Box  1018,  Gulf- 
port, Secretary. 

Delta  Medical  Society,  Second  Wednesday,  April 
and  October.  Howard  A.  Nelson,  308  Fulton 
St.,  Greenwood,  Secretary. 

DeSoto  County  Medical  Society,  Third  Thursday, 
February  and  August,  1:00  p.m.,  Kenny’s  Res- 
taurant, Hernando.  Malcolm  D.  Baxter,  Jr., 
Baxter  Clinic,  Hernando,  Secretary. 


340 


East  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  First  Tuesday, 
February,  April,  June,  August,  October,  and 
December.  Reginald  P.  White,  East  Mississip- 
pi State  Hospital,  Meridian,  Secretary. 

Adams  County  Medical  Society,  First  Tues- 
day, April  and  October.  Cherie  Friedman, 
and  December,  Eola  Hotel  Roof,  Natchez. 
Walter  T.  Colbert,  Jefferson  Davis  Memorial 
Hospital,  Natchez,  Secretary. 

North  Central  District  Medical  Society,  Third 
Wednesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  De- 
cember. James  E.  Booth,  Eupora,  Secretary. 

Northeast  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second 
Tuesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. S.  Jay  McDuffie,  Nettleton,  Secretary. 

North  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  First  Thurs- 
day, April  and  October,  Cherie  Friedman, 
1004  Jackson  Ave.,  Oxford,  Secretary. 

Pearl  River  County  Medical  Society,  Second  Mon- 
day, March,  June,  September,  and  December. 
J.  M.  Howell,  139  Kirkwood  St.,  Picayune, 
Secretary. 

Prairie  Medical  Society,  Second  Tuesday,  March, 
June,  September,  and  December.  A.  Robert 
Dill,  1001  Main  Street,  Columbus,  Secretary. 

Singing  River  Medical  Society,  Third  Monday, 
January,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. Donald  E.  Dore,  Singing  River  Hospital, 
Pascagoula,  Secretary. 

South  Central  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second 
Tuesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. Julian  T.  Janes,  Jr.,  304  Clark,  McComb, 
Secretary. 

South  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  Thurs- 
day, March,  June,  September,  and  December. 
W.  B.  White,  Medical  Arts  Bldg.,  Laurel,  Sec- 
retary. 

West  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  Tues- 
day, January,  April,  July,  and  October,  7:00 
p.m.,  Old  Southern  Tea  Room,  Vicksburg. 
Martin  E.  Hinman,  the  Street  Clinic,  Vicks- 
burg, Secretary. 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Book  Reviews 

Fundamentals  of  Inhalation  Therapy.  By  Don- 
ald F.  Egan,  M.D.  468  pages  with  148  illustra- 
tions. St.  Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mosby  Company, 
1969.  $11.00. 

The  author  of  this  excellent  book  states  that  it 
is  intended  “primarily  for  the  student  inhalation 
therapist  and  for  the  working  therapist  requiring 
a reference  for  review.”  The  book  consists  of  12 
chapters  dealing  with  pertinent  chemistry,  gases, 
cardiopulmonary  physiology,  aerosol  and  humid- 
ity therapy,  gas  therapy,  inhalation  therapy,  and 
the  inhalation  therapist’s  responsibilities  to  the 
chronic  care  and  rehabilitation  of  patients  with 
respiratory  failure.  The  final  chapter  describes 
the  organization  of  the  inhalation  therapy  de- 
partment and  its  interrelationship  with  other  med- 
ical and  hospital  functions.  Many  useful  charts  are 
found  in  the  appendix. 

The  author  presents  his  material  in  a lucid 
manner  and  obviously  has  had  considerable  ex- 
perience both  in  treating  patients  with  respira- 
tory problems  and  in  teaching  inhalation  thera- 
pists. The  book  is  authoritative,  well  illustrated, 
and  has  an  excellent  current  bibliography  with  an 
adequate  index.  His  use  of  chemical  formulae  is 
held  to  the  minimum  necessary  to  explain  basic 
chemical  and  physiologic  principles  relating  to  in- 
halation therapy.  The  chapters  on  “Aerosol  and 
Humidity  Therapy,”  “Gas  Therapy,”  “Mechan- 
ical Ventilation,”  and  “Inhalation  Therapy  Man- 
agement of  Ventilatory  Failure,”  provide  an  ex- 
cellent in-depth  discussion  of  the  respective  sub- 
jects. 

The  only  major  deficiency  is  the  author’s  fail- 
ure to  stress  the  absolute  necessity  for  “sterile” 
nebulizers  and  ventilators.  Although  he  describes 
this  equipment  in  great  detail,  he  virtually  ig- 
nores the  unique  ability  of  nebulizers  and  respi- 
rators to  cause  severe  illness  and  even  death 
from  bacterial  contamination.  Such  a problem  de- 
serves strong  emphasis  on  current  methods  aimed 
at  preventing  or  minimizing  this  serious  compli- 
cation. 

Inhalation  therapists  will  find  this  publication 


to  be  a valuable  and  informative  reference.  In 
addition,  it  will  be  especially  useful  to  physicians 
interested  or  involved  in  inhalation  therapy  and 
to  those  who  have  the  responsibility  for  develop- 
ing an  inhalation  therapy  section.  It  will  be  of 
special  worth  to  residents  or  to  fellows  in  pul- 
monary disease  who  will  profit  not  only  from 
the  book  but  from  knowing  what  the  author  de- 
scribes as  “the  minimum  knowledge  for  the  safe 
and  effective  administration  of  inhalation  thera- 
py.” 

Guy  D.  Campbell,  M.D. 

Handbook  of  Ocular  Therapeutics  and  Phar- 
macology. 3rd  Edition.  By  Philip  P.  Ellis,  M.D. 
and  Donn  L.  Smith,  M.D.,  Ph.D.  St.  Louis:  The 
C.  V.  Mosby  Co.,  1969.  $10.75. 

This  book  was  written  to  serve  as  a quick 
reference  for  the  busy  practitioner  who  may  have 
forgotten  a specific  dose  or  side  reaction  of  a 
certain  drug,  as  well  as  a reference  to  treatment 
of  specific  conditions. 

It  is  divided  into  two  sections.  The  first  sec- 
tion, on  therapeutics,  summarizes  the  present 
medical  therapy  of  most  ocular  disorders.  The 
chapter  on  intraocular  infections  contains  much 
valuable  information,  but  is  disappointing  in  one 
respect.  Perhaps  the  authors’  poor  success  in 
using  intracameral  injection  comes  from  using 
the  buffered  preparations  presently  available  or 
in  using  too  large  doses.  This  subject  needs  more 
thorough  investigation  and  re-writing. 

The  second  section,  on  pharmacology,  presents 
the  most  commonly  used  medications  that  a 
practicing  ophthalmologist  would  have  occasion 
to  administer.  The  action,  uses,  side  reactions, 
contraindications,  preparations  and  dosages  of 
these  drugs  are  presented.  A section  on  pediatric 
dosages  is  included. 

The  authors  present  very  complete  and  specific 
information  in  extremely  lucid  and  concise  form. 
The  third  edition  brings  the  information  up  to 
date.  This  book  should  be  in  the  office  of  every 
physician  treating  eye  diseases. 

Joseph  B.  Rogers,  Ph.C.,  B.S.  Phar.,  M.D. 


JUNE  1970 


341 


for  nutritional 
support  in 

G.I.disorders 


Berocca 

TABLETS 

high  potency  B-complex  and  C 
for  nutritional  support 

AVAILABLE  ONLY  ON  Rx 

contains  water-soluble  vitamins  only 

b.i.d.  dosage  provides  full 
therapeutic  amounts 

good  patient  acceptance 

no  odor,  and  virtually  no  aftertaste 


Each  Berocca  Tablet  contains: 


Thiamine  mononitrate  15  mg 

Riboflavin  15  mg 

Pyridoxine  HCI 5 mg 

Niacinamide 100  mg 

Calcium  pantothenate  20  mg 

Cyanocobalamin  5 meg 

Folic  acid 0.5  mg 

Ascorbic  acid 500  mg 


Usual  dosage  is  one  tablet  b.i.d. 

Indications:  Nutritional  supplementation  in  conditions  in 
which  water-soluble  vitamins  are  required  prophylactically 
or  therapeutically. 

Warning:  Not  intended  for  treatment  of  pernicious  anemia 
or  other  primary  or  secondary  anemias.  Neurologic  involve- 
ment may  develop  or  progress,  despite  temporary  remission 
of  anemia,  in  patients  with  pernicious  anemia  who  receive 
more  than  0.1  mg  of  folic  acid  per  day  and  who  are  in- 
adequately treated  with  vitamin  B 12- 
Dosage:  1 or  2 tablets  daily,  as  indicated  by  clinical  need. 
Available:  In  bottles  of  100. 


j-^ROCHEjj 


Roche 

LABORATORIES 


Division  of  Hoffmann-La  Roche  Inc. 
Nutley,  New  Jersey  07110 


Dr.  Brumby  Is  Inaugurated  President, 
Dr.  Brown  Is  Named  President-Elect 


Dr.  Arthur  E.  Brown  of  Columbus  was  named 
president-elect  of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association  at  the  102nd  Annual  Session,  and 
Dr.  Paul  B.  Brumby  of  Lexington  was  inaugu- 
rated 1970-1971  president,  succeeding  Dr.  James 
L.  Royals  of  Jackson. 

Twelve  specialty  societies  met  concurrently 
with  the  Scientific  Assembly  before  which  a 
total  of  38  essayists  appeared.  Sixty  scientific  and 
technical  exhibits  were  presented  to  meeting  reg- 
istrants. 

Scene  of  the  meeting  was  the  Buena  Vista  hotel 
and  motel  at  Biloxi.  Registration  totaled  996  with 
543  members,  115  physician-guests,  210  mem- 


Three  years  of  the  association’s  presidency  are 
represented  by,  from  left,  Drs.  James  L.  Royals, 
1969-70;  Paul  B.  Brumby,  1970-71;  and  the  new 
president-elect,  Arthur  E.  Brown,  1971-72. 

bers  of  the  Woman’s  Auxiliary,  114  exhibitors 
and  other  guests,  and  14  staff. 

A busy  House  of  Delegates  acted  on  21  re- 
ports and  13  resolutions  with  a 14th  lying  on  the 
table  until  1971  in  two  meetings.  Meanwhile, 
reference  committees  heard  debate,  comment, 
and  suggestions  leading  to  policy  decisions. 


The  president  and  chairman  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  welcome  the  new  secretary-treasurer,  Dr. 
Raymond  S.  Martin,  Jr.,  of  Jackson,  center,  who  is 
congratulated  by  President  Brumby  and  Board  Chair- 
man Mai.  S.  Riddell , Jr. 

In  his  address  to  the  opening  meeting  of  the 
House  of  Delegates,  Dr.  Royals  discussed  the 
care  delivery  system  which  he  characterized  as 
being  on  trial.  He  said  that  “agencies  of  govern- 
ment engaged  in  care  financing  are  attacking  the 
system,  a variety  of  proposals  for  radical  change 
are  heard  in  the  halls  of  Congress  (and)  insur- 
ance and  Blue  plans  are  introducing  subtle  in- 
fluences upon  it.” 

He  called  for  adjustment  to  change  by  physi- 
cians but  urged  them  to  assume  greater  roles  of 
leadership  by  “an  inquisitive  outreach  in  a con- 
stant search  to  improve  and  a willingness  to  ex- 
periment with  promising  change”  in  what  he 
called  hallmarks  of  medical  progress. 

The  president  hit  hard  on  medical  manpower 
shortages,  pointing  out  that  Mississippi  has  only 
half  the  physicians-to-population  ratio  as  the 
national  average.  He  called  for  carrying  care  to 
the  poor  and  said  that  “while  the  majority  of 
Mississippians  receive  excellent  care,  many  do 
not.” 

“We  must  in  all  candor  and  honesty  recognize 
that  there  are  large  groups  in  our  state  who  re- 


JUNE  1970 


343 


ANNUAL  SESSION  / Continued 

ceive  little  or  no  medical  care,”  he  asserted.  He 
said  that  “it  is  not  sufficient  for  us  to  proclaim 
that  we  never  turn  a patient  away  or  to  say 
that  we  will  care  for  anyone  who  comes  to  us.” 
He  called  for  taking  care  to  the  economically, 
intellectually,  educationally,  and  emotionally  de- 
prived. 

Dr.  Royals  said  that  in  the  midst  of  all  of  this, 
we  must  also  look  within,  seeking  effective  means 
for  self-regulation  and  the  making  of  worthy  and 
responsible  judgments  which  will  be  accepted  by 
third  parties  and  other  sponsors  of  care  financing. 
He  called  for  a statewide  system  of  peer  review. 

The  president  commended  the  Board  of 
Trustees  in  organizing  a Committee  on  Peer  Re- 
view, and  he  asked  the  House  to  make  it  per- 
manent with  adequate  staff  and  financing.  He 
said  that  counterpart  committees  must  be  or- 
ganized at  local  level.  Failing  to  do  this,  he 
said,  “we  shall  certainly  be  judged  by  others.” 
Calling  on  physicians  to  participate  fully  with 


time,  effort,  and  means,  he  said  that  “the  most  | 
tragic  hour  in  American  medicine  comes  when  a 
physician  withdraws  himself  in  spirit  and  sub- 
stance from  medical  organization. 

“He  renders  himself  impotent,  and  he  chips 
a stone  from  our  foundation,”  he  added.  “The 
whole  is  never  greater  than  the  sum  of  its  parts, 
and  no  man  is  an  island.  His  dissent  should  not 
be  translated  into  destruction  of  his  organization, 
of  his  colleagues,  or  of  himself.  He  simply  does 
not  have  that  right.” 

The  delegates  gave  Dr.  Royals  a standing  ova- 
tion and  applauded  the  unanimous  action  of  the 
House  approving  the  address. 

Also  appearing  before  the  House  of  Delegates 
as  principal  guest  speaker  was  Dr.  Gerald  D. 
Dorman  of  New  York,  president  of  the  American 
Medical  Association. 

Through  the  Committee  on  AMA-ERF,  a 
check  for  $ 1 f , 1 00  from  the  association  and  Aux- 
iliary was  presented  to  the  University  of  Missis- 
sippi School  of  Medicine. 

New  vice  presidents  are  Drs.  John  R.  Lovelace 


Dr.  J.  T.  Davis  of  Corinth,  vice  chairman  of  the  occlusion.  Scientific  exhibit  was  biggest  in  years  with 

Board  of  Trustees,  studies  scientific  exhibit  by  UMC  21  presentations. 

Department  of  Surgery  on  management  of  coronary 


344 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


The  Reference  Committee  on  Medical  Practices  listens  intently 
to  member  discussing  a resolution.  From  left.  Drs.  W.  B.  Howard, 
Joseph  E.  Johnston,  Louis  A.  Farber,  Chairman  Joseph  B.  Rog- 
ers, and  Clyde  A.  Watkins.  Assistant  executive  secretary  Cody 
Harrell  listens  in  foreground.  Left,  Immediate  Past  President 
Rogers,  President  Royals,  and  senior  living  past  president.  Dr. 
Gus  Street  of  Vicksburg,  reflect  on  association  progress.  Right, 
Dr.  Brumby  is  inaugurated  1970-71  president  as  Executive  Sec- 
retary Rowland  B.  Kennedy  holds  association’s  historic  Bible 
and  Board  Chairman  Riddell  administers  oath  of  office. 


JUNE  1970 


345 


Past  presidents  of  the  association  enjoy 
fraternal  and  traditional  breakfast  with 
special  guests,  Drs.  Royals  and  Brum- 
by, candidates  for  select  circle.  Left,  Dr. 
Gerald  D.  Dorman  of  New  York,  pres- 
ident of  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation, appeared  as  principal  guest 
speaker  of  the  annual  session.  He  ad- 
dressed the  House  of  Delegates  at 
opening  meeting. 


346 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


i 


A Fifty  Year  Club  “freshman,”  Dr.  J.  A.  K.  Birch- 
ett  of  Vicksburg,  replete  with  beanie,  receives  coveted 
certificate  and  gold  lapel  pin  from  Board  Chairman 
Riddell.  The  club  is  sponsored  by  the  Board  of  Trust- 
ees to  honor  physicians  who  have  practiced  50 
years  in  Mississippi. 


of  Batesville,  J.  Dan  Mitchell  of  Jackson,  and 
Eldon  L.  Bolton  of  Biloxi. 

Re-elected  as  associate  editor  of  the  Journal 
was  Dr.  George  H.  Martin  of  Vicksburg. 

Dr.  C.  D.  Taylor,  Jr.,  of  Pass  Christian  was 
named  delegate  to  AM  A.  Elected  alternate  dele- 
gate to  AMA  was  Dr.  Stanley  A.  Hill  of  Corinth. 

Dr.  Lyne  S.  Gamble  of  Greenville  was  elected 
Trustee  from  District  1.  Re-elected  to  Trustee 
posts  were  Drs.  James  O.  Gilmore  of  Oxford, 
District  2,  and  J.  T.  Davis  of  Corinth,  District  3. 

Dr.  Raymond  S.  Martin,  Jr.,  of  Jackson  was 
elected  Secretary-Treasurer.  Named  to  councils 
were  Dr.  Daniel  L.  Hollis  of  Biloxi,  Council  on 
Budget  and  Finance;  Dr.  Arthur  E.  Brown  of 
Columbus,  Council  on  Constitution  and  By-Laws; 
and  Dr.  Charles  N.  Floyd  of  Gulfport,  Council 
on  Medical  Education. 

Elected  to  the  Judicial  Council  were  Drs.  Wil- 
liam E.  Weems  of  Laurel,  District  7;  Wendall  B. 
Holmes  of  McComb,  District  8;  and  Dr.  James 
T.  Thompson  of  Moss  Point,  District  9.  Dr. 
Thompson  will  serve  as  chairman. 

New  members  of  the  Council  on  Legislation 
are  Drs.  Arthur  A.  Derrick  of  Durant,  District  4; 
John  G.  Caden  of  Jackson,  District  5;  and  Frank 
H.  Tucker,  Jr.,  of  Meridian,  District  6. 

The  Council  on  Medical  Service  has  three  new 
members:  Dr.  C.  R.  Jenkins  of  Laurel,  District 
7;  Dr.  Jack  A.  Atkinson  of  Brookhaven,  District 
8;  and  Dr.  Bedford  Floyd  of  Gulfport,  District  9. 

Dr.  William  E.  Lotterhos  of  Jackson  was  re- 
elected Speaker  of  the  House,  and  Dr.  John  B. 


Dr.  James  P.  Spell  of  Jackson,  right,  receives  Aes- 
culapius Award  and  cash  honorarium  from  Scientific 
Assembly  Chairman  Walter  H.  Simmons  for  best 
scientific  exhibit  by  a member  of  the  association. 
Subject  of  Dr.  Spell’s  presentation  was  “Systemic 
Clues  to  Occult  Cancer.” 


Howell,  Jr.,  of  Canton  was  named  to  another 
term  as  Vice  Speaker. 

Delegates  Act  on  Big 
Agenda  at  102nd 

A heavy  agenda  of  21  reports  and  14  resolu- 
tions made  for  a busy  House  of  Delegates  at  the 
102nd  Annual  Session  during  the  May  11-14 
Biloxi  meet.  Emerging  from  a year  of  intensive 
activity,  the  Board  of  Trustees  submitted  seven 
reports  to  the  House. 

Principal  business  items  before  the  delegates 
included  peer  review,  care  delivery,  the  Hinder 
Report  pending  before  AMA,  intensified  legisla- 
tive program,  membership  for  medical  students, 
the  state  abortion  law,  limited  licensure  for 
foreign  trained  physicians,  and  association  fi- 
nances. 

Acting  on  a recommendation  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  the  House  accorded  constitutional  status 
to  the  new  Committee  on  Peer  Review  and  made 
it  a parent  body  to  counterparts  at  component 
medical  society  level.  The  committee  succeeds 
the  state  Grievance  Committee  in  its  former  func- 
tions and  also  will  examine  the  quality  of  care 
and  offer  its  services  in  making  responsible 
judgments  for  third  party  financing  mechanisms. 

A number  of  related  policy  actions  reaffirmed 
the  association's  support  of  the  private  care  de- 
livery system,  including  assumption  of  a leader- 


5 

£ 


JUNE  1970 


347 


ANNUAL  SESSION  / Continued 

ship  role  in  working  with  agencies  of  government, 
third  parties,  and  organizations  sponsoring  care 
plans. 

The  delegates  agreed  that  the  massive  and 
complex  Himler  Report,  referred  to  each  state 
association  by  AMA,  could  not  be  disposed  of 
at  the  annual  session.  In  a three-part  action,  the 
House  approved  those  portions  of  the  report 
which  included  previously-established  policy, 
agreed  that  information  gathering  as  recom- 
mended in  various  sections  be  undertaken,  and 
asked  for  a task  force  to  study  and  disseminate 
information  on  the  remainder,  much  of  which  is 
controversial. 

The  House  also  asked  that  the  Himler  task 
force  report  to  the  103rd  Annual  Session  in  1971 
with  a view  toward  concluding  work  on  the  docu- 
ment with  “a  final  policy  disposition.” 

Adopting  another  Board  recommendation,  the 
delegates  called  for  a positive  legislative  program 
with  a personal  commitment  from  every  member 
of  the  association.  Additional  staff  was  authorized 
for  day-to-day  liaison,  and  continual  physician- 
to-legislator  contact  was  urged.  The  Emergency 
Medical  Care  Unit  at  the  Capitol  will  be  con- 
tinued, operating  during  sessions  of  the  legis- 
lature. 


The  House  approved  a resolution  authorizing 
the  Board  of  Trustees  to  establish  a degree  of 
membership  for  junior  and  senior  medical  stu- 
dents and  to  create  on  a provisional  basis  a new 
component  medical  society  for  this  purpose  at 
the  University  Medical  Center. 

A new  policy  on  the  state’s  abortion  law 
would  forbid  the  procedure  except  when  the 
pregnancy  results  from  forcible  or  statutory  rape 
or  incest,  when  continuation  of  the  pregnancy 
poses  a threat  to  the  health  or  life  of  the  mother, 
or  when,  in  cognizant  medical  opinion,  there 
is  a probability  the  infant  will  be  born  deformed. 

The  procedure,  the  policy  statement  continues, 
should  be  undertaken  by  a physician  only  when 
consultation  has  been  obtained  in  writing  from 
another  physician  and  is  performed  in  a licensed 
hospital. 

Another  key  action  was  approval  of  limited 
licensure  for  carefully  selected  foreign  trained 
physicians  for  practice  limited  to  state  institutions. 
Licentiates  would  have  to  be  approved  by  the 
superintendent  of  the  institution  and  his  gov- 
erning board,  the  local  medical  society,  the  dis- 
trict association  Trustee,  and  the  medical  mem- 
ber of  the  State  Board  of  Health  for  the  area. 

Acting  favorably  on  two  items,  a major  report 
from  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  a resolution  from 
the  Delta  Medical  Society,  the  House  approved  a 


Members  of  the  Fifty  Year  Club  at  annual  ses-  table , and  Cindy  Sanders,  association  membership  di- 

sion  participated  in  special  luncheon  meeting.  Club  rector  who  serves  as  club  secretary. 

“ officers " are  Board  Chairman  Riddell,  at  head  of 


348 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


A/0/XVI^C 


Dr.  W.  J.  Aycock  of  Calhoun  City  was  winner  of  1970  MSMA-Rob- 
ins  Award  for  outstanding  community  service  by  a physician.  Pres- 
ident Royals  applauds  honoree  as  family  joins  in  congratulations. 
Right,  House  Speaker  William  E.  Lotterhos  follows  floor  dis- 
cussion as  he  presides.  Right,  Dr.  Brown  accepts  office  of  president- 
elect in  remarks  to  House  of  Delegates. 


3 49 


JUNE  1970 


'ft 


Summer  time. ..monilia  time! 

No  wonder  you  see  so  many  more  cases  of  vaginal 
moniliasis  during  this  season.  A damp,  warm 
bathing  suit  provides  a perfect  breeding  ground  for 
fungal  invaders.  But  your  patients  need  not  suffer 
the  pain,  the  embarrassment  and  the  discomfort 
of  these  stubborn  infections.  Nor  the  disappointment 
which  comes  when  they  find  “the  cure  didn’t  take.” 

Candeptin  avoids  disappointment. 

With  Candeptin,  you  and  your  patients  have  g 
reason  for  confidence.  A single , 1 4-day  course 
of  therapy  with  Candeptin  is  usually  sufficie: 
to  eradicate  the  invader,  while  rapidly  relievin: 
itching,  burning,  discharge  and  malodor. 

And  Candeptin  is  “cidal”  as  well  as  “static”; 

1 00  times  more  potent  than  nystatin  in  vitro, 
it  has  achieved  culture-confirmed  cure  rates  of 
90%  and  more  (even  in  notoriously  difficult 
pregnant  patients) . Why  not  maximize  your 
chances  of  success  by  adopting  effective,  well- 
tolerated  Candeptin  as  your  agent  of  first  choice? 

Agent  of  first  choice 


Candeptin 

candicidin 


VAGINAL  TABLETS/OINTMENT 


Candeptin  ®candicon 

Formula: 

Candeptin  Vaginal  Ointment 
contains  a dispersion  of 
candicidin  powder  equivalent 
to  0.6  mg.  per  gm.  or  0.06% 
candicidin  activity  in  U.S.P. 
petrolatum.  3 mg.  of  candicidin 
is  contained  in  5 gm.  of  ointment 
or  one  applicatorful.  Candeptin 
Vaginal  Tablets  contain 
candicidin  powder  equivalent  to 
3 mg.  (0.3%)  candicidin  activity 
dispersed  in  starch,  lactose  and 
magnesium  stearate. 

Indications: 

Vaginal  moniliasis  due  to  Candida 
albicans  and  other  Candida  species. 

Contraindications: 

Patient  sensitivity  to  any  of  the 
components.  During  pregnancy 
manual  tablet  insertion  may  be 
preferred  since  the  use  of  the 
ointment  applicator  or  tablet 
inserter  may  be  contraindicated. 

Caution: 

Clinical  reports  of  sensitization 
or  temporary  irritation  with 
Candeptin  Vaginal  Ointment  or 
Vaginal  Tablets  have  been 
extremely  rare.  To  avoid  re- 
infection, it  is  recommended  that 
the  patient  refrain  from  sexual 
intercourse  during  treatment 
or  the  husband  wear  a condom. 

Dosage: 

One  vaginal  applicatorful  of 
Candeptin  Ointment  or  one 
Vaginal  Tablet  is  inserted  high 
in  the  vagina,  twice  a day, 
in  the  morning  and  at  bedtime, 
for  14  days.  Treatment  may  be 
repeated  if  symptoms  persist 
or  reappear. 

Dosage  forms: 

Candeptin  Vaginal  Ointment 
is  supplied  in  75  gm.  tubes  with 
applicator  (14-day  regimen 
requires  2 tubes).  Candeptin 
Vaginal  Tablets  are  packaged 
in  boxes  of  28,  in  foil,  with 
inserter— enough  for  a full 
course  of  treatment.  Store  under 
refrigeration. 

Federal  law  prohibits  dispensing 
without  prescription.  CANDEPTIN 
is  a registered  trade-mark  of 
Julius  Schmid,  Inc. 


JULIUS  SCHMID 
PHARMACEUTICALS 
New  York,  N.Y.  10019 


dues  increase  to  $100  for  state  association  dues 
effective  in  1971.  The  increase  is  earmarked  for 
peer  review,  legislative  work,  the  building  amor- 
tization, and  inflationary  increases  in  routine 
operations. 

The  House  also  approved  a new  system  of 
dues  billing  by  the  executive  office  to  relieve  vol- 
unteer physician-secretaries  of  component  socie- 
ties of  the  task.  The  billing  will  include  dues  for 
the  local  society,  state  medical  association,  AMA, 
and  voluntary  dues  for  MPAC  and  AMPAC. 

In  other  actions,  the  House  of  Delegates: 

— Commended  the  secretary-treasurer,  Dr. 
Walter  H.  Simmons  of  Jackson,  for  his  service. 

— Upheld  an  opinion  of  the  Judicial  Council 
that  physicians  should  not  maintain  offices  for 
private  practice  for  care  of  outpatients  in  com- 
munity, county,  nonprofit,  or  church-affiliated 
hospitals,  except  for  pathologists  and  radiologists 
or  those  in  medical  education,  especially  in  the 
family  practice  training  program.  Exceptions 
were  made  in  cases  of  private  proprietary  hospi- 
tals or  to  physician-owners  when  the  medical  staff 
approves  the  practice. 

— Directed  accolades  to  Speaker  William  E. 
Lotterhos  of  Jackson  and  Vice  Speaker  John  B. 
Howell,  Jr.,  of  Canton  for  “fair,  impartial,  and 
efficient  conduct  of  our  business  in  the  House  of 
Delegates.” 

— Approved  and  commended  the  report  and 
representation  of  AMA  Delegates  Howard  A. 
Nelson  of  Greenwood  and  G.  Swink  Hicks  of 
Natchez. 

— Rescheduled  annual  sessions  for  1971,  1972, 
and  1973  to  avoid  conflict  with  Mother’s  Day 
and  municipal  elections. 

— Set  the  dates  of  the  106th  Annual  Session 
for  May  6-9,  1974,  at  the  Gulf  Coast. 

— Applauded  the  new  building  addition  and 
asked  members  to  visit  their  new  facility  at 
Jackson. 

— Expressed  satisfaction  over  the  Professional 
Corporation  Act  sponsored  successfully  by  the 
association  but  cautioned  members  who  contem- 
plate incorporation  to  consult  tax  advisers  and 
legal  counsel. 

— Thanked  the  Council  on  Scientific  Assembly 
for  the  outstanding  scientific  program  and  ex- 
hibits. 

— Urged  continued  participation  by  all  phy- 
sicians in  voluntary  support  of  medical  education 
through  AMA-ERF. 

— Fixed  as  policy  that  any  practitioner  who 
holds  himself  out  as  capable  of  diagnosing  and 
treating  human  disease  meet  the  same  statutory 


35  1 


New  officers  for  Mississippi  Association  of  Pathologists  are,  from 
left,  Drs.  Roland  F.  Samson,  secretary;  George  M.  Sturgis,  past 
president;  Carl  G.  Evers,  president;  and  William  V.  Hare,  past 
secretary.  Left,  Dr.  M.  Beckett  Howorth,  Jr.,  reports  to  House 
as  chairman  of  Reference  Committee  on  Reports  of  Officers  and 
Board  of  Trustees.  Right,  Vice  Speaker  John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  has 
able  assistance  of  1969-70  Auxiliary  President  Faye  Lehmann  in 
prize  drawing. 


3 52 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


The  Woman's  Auxiliary  elected  a new 
slate  of  officers  for  1970-71.  Seated 
left  to  right,  the  ladies  are  Mesdames 
Curtis  Caine,  Jackson,  president;  T.  E. 
Ross,  III,  Hattiesburg,  president-elect; 
and  Clarence  H.  Webb,  Jr.,  Jackson, 
first  vice-president.  Standing  are  Mes- 
dames William  H.  Preston,  Jr.,  Boone- 
ville,  second  vice-president;  H.  H.  Mc- 
Clanahan,  Jr.,  Columbus,  fourth  vice- 
president;  David  Wilson,  Jackson, 
treasurer;  and  Joe  Herrington,  Natchez, 
recording  secretary.  Right  center.  Dr. 
Brumby  discusses  new  products  with 
Charles  Kirkland,  Stuart  Co.  profes- 
sional service  representative.  Lower 
right.  President  Royals  exchanges  greet- 
ings with  Ben  Evans.  Jr.,  of  William  P. 
Poythress  Co. 


JUNE  1970 


353 


; ; > 


real  broad  spectrum, 
'r  including  A 

susceptible  strains  of 
Pneumococcus* 
“Staph”*  “Strep”*  f " 
H.  influenzae*  V 
M.  pneumoniae  (PPLO)* 

N.  gonorrhoeae* 


low  incidence 
k of  diarrhea 


f outstanding  record 
of  clinical  success 


therapeutic  blood  levels 
usually  persisting \A 
around-the-clock# 


Mississippi  Ob-Gyn  Society  officers  are,  from  left,  Drs.  George 
Ball,  secretary-treasurer;  William  R.  Raulston,  president;  Wil- 
liam S.  Cook,  section  chairman;  and  Warren  C.  Plauche,  section 
secretary.  Lower  left.  Drs.  M.  Beckett  Howorth,  Jr.,  and  Benton  M. 
Hilbun  are  chairman  and  secretary,  respectively,  of  Section  on 
Surgery.  Lower  right,  Mrs.  G.  Prentiss  Lee  of  Portland,  Ore., 
AMA  Auxiliary  First  Vice  President,  was  featured  speaker  for 
ladies’  meet.  On  left  is  Mrs.  Curtis  W.  Caine,  1970-71  president, 
and  right  is  Mrs.  Louis  C.  Lehmann.  1969-70  president. 


4: 

-£)» 

•2! 

Q 

L'i 


'•*0 


JUNE  1970 


357 


ANNUAL  SESSION  / Continued 

standards  for  licensure  as  doctors  of  medicine. 

— Asked  that  tax  incentives  be  given  to  phy- 
sicians who  practice  in  rural  areas  in  the  United 
States  by  necessary  amendment  of  the  Internal 
Revenue  Code  of  1954. 

— Recognized  the  shortage  of  physicians  and 
called  on  “the  State  of  Mississippi  to  do  those 
things  necessary  in  support  of  the  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine  to  increase  the 
size  of  classes  of  medical  students  to  the  end  that 
the  state  may  enjoy  the  benefits  of  larger  gradu- 
ating classes.” 

— Recommended  location  of  a new  training 
facility  for  the  mentally  retarded  in  or  near  Ox- 
ford, Mississippi. 

— Protested  the  burdensome  regulations  and 
paperwork  in  Medicaid  and  asked  the  commission 
to  clarify  and  simplify  forms  by  the  end  of  1970, 
offering  the  services  of  the  association  in  the  task. 

— Called  for  continuation  of  the  emergency 
medical  helicopter  transportation  demonstration 
project  with  bases  and  aircraft  at  Greenwood, 
Jackson,  and  Hattiesburg. 

— Provided  exemption  from  state  association 
dues  for  members  who  are  70  years  of  age  prior 
to  the  year  of  exemption  and  who  have  been 
active  members  for  10  consecutive  years. 

— Expanded  the  membership  of  the  Council  on 
Budget  and  Finance  to  five  from  the  present  three 
members  effective  in  1971  with  all  members  to 
be  elected  by  the  House  of  Delegates. 

The  delegates  were  in  session  Monday,  May 
11,  with  reference  committee  meetings  that  after- 
noon. Final  actions,  including  election  of  1970- 
71  officers,  Trustees,  and  council  members,  came 
on  May  14,  the  concluding  day. 

Scientific  Assembly 
Begins  Work  for  ’71 

The  1971  Annual  Session  is  set  for  May  3-6, 
with  headquarters  at  the  Buena  Vista  hotel  and 
motel  at  Biloxi.  The  Scientific  Assembly  has  al- 
ready begun  planning  for  the  103rd. 

Acting  by  separate  sections  during  the  recent 
102nd  Annual  Session,  the  seven  components  of 
the  Scientific  Assembly  named  new  chairmen, 
and  three  sections  elected  new  secretaries. 

Under  the  By-Laws,  a section  chairman  serves 
a term  of  only  one  year,  but  section  secretaries 
are  elected  for  three  years.  Each  office  carries  an 


358 


5ynthrnid 

(sodium  levothyroxine) 

it 

Indications:  SYNTHROID  (sodium  levothyroxine)  is  specific  1 
ment  therapy  for  diminished  or  absent  thyroid  function  r 
from  primary  or  secondary  atrophy  of  the  gland,  congenital1 
surgery,  excessive  radiation,  or  antithyroid  drugs.  Indica 
SYNTHROID  (sodium  levothyroxine)  Tablets  include  my 
hypothyroidism  without  myxedema,  hypothyroidism  in  pre 
pediatric  and  geriatric  hypothyroidism,  hypopituitary  hype 
ism,  simple  (non-toxic)  goiter,  and  reproductive  disorders  as 
with  hypothyroidism.  SYNTHROID  (sodium  levothyroxine)  I 
is  indicated  in  myxedematous  coma  and  other  thyroid  dysfi 
where  rapid  replacement  of  the  hormone  is  required.  Wh< 
tient  does  not  respond  to  oral  therapy,  SYNTHROID  (sodii 
thyroxine)  injection  may  be  administered  intravenously  to  a 
question  of  poor  absorption  by  either  the  oral  or  the  intran 
route. 

Precautions:  As  with  other  thyroid  preparations,  an  ove 
may  cause  diarrhea  or  cramps,  nervousness,  tremors,  tach 
vomiting  and  continued  weight  loss.  These  effects  may  bet 
four  or  five  days  or  may  not  become  apparent  for  one  to  thre< 
Patients  receiving  the  drug  should  be  observed  closely  for 
thyrotoxicosis.  If  indications  of  overdosage  appear,  disc 
medication  for  2-6  days,  then  resume  at  a lower  dosage 
patients  with  diabetes  mellitus,  careful  observations  should  I 
for  changes  in  insulin  or  other  antidiabetic  drug  dosage 
ments.  If  hypothyroidism  is  accompanied  by  adrenal  insuffici 
Addison’s  Disease  (chronic  subcortical  insufficiency),  Simi 
Disease  (panhypopituitarism)  or  Cushing's  syndrome  (hype 
alism),  these  dysfunctions  must  be  corrected  prior  to  anc 
SYNTHROID  (sodium  levothyroxine)  administration.  Tl 
should  be  administered  with  caution  to  patients  with  cardio' 
disease;  development  of  chest  pains  or  other  aggravations 
diovascular  disease  requires  a reduction  in  dosage. 

Contraindications:  Thyrotoxicosis,  acute  myocardial  infarc- 

Side  effects:  The  effects  of  SYNTHROID  (sodium  levoth 
therapy  are  slow  in  being  manifested.  Side  effects,  when 
occur,  are  secondary  to  increased  rates  of  body  metabolism! 
ing,  heart  palpitations  with  or  without  pain,  leg  cramps,  ancj 
loss.  Diarrhea,  vomiting,  and  nervousness  have  also  been  of 
Myxedematous  patients  with  heart  disease  have  died  from; 
increases  in  dosage  of  thyroid  drugs.  Careful  observation 
patient  during  the  beginning  of  any  thyroid  therapy  will  £ 
physician  to  any  untoward  effects. 

In  most  cases  with  side  effects,  a reduction  in  dosage  folk 
a more  gradual  adjustment  upward  will  result  in  a more  e 
indication  of  the  patient’s  dosage  requirements  without  the 
ance  of  side  effects. 

Dosage  and  Administration:  The  activity  of  a 0.1  mg.  SYN’ 
(sodium  levothyroxine)  TABLET  is  equivalent  to  approximal 
grain  thyroid,  U.S.P.  Administer  SYNTHROID  tablets  as  | 
daily  dose,  preferably  after  breakfast.  In  hypothyroidism  J 
myxedema,  the  usual  initial  adult  dose  is  0.1  mg.  daily,  and>i 
increased  by  0.1  mg,  every  30  days  until  proper  metabolic  ba j 
attained.  Clinical  evaluation  should  be  made  monthly  £*l 
measurements  about  every  90  days.  Final  maintenance  dos,; 
usually  range  from  0.2-0. 4 mg.  daily.  In  adult  myxedema,  1 
dose  should  be  0.025  mg.  daily.  The  dose  may  be  increase^ 
mg.  after  two  weeks  and  to  0.1  mg.  at  the  end  of  a second  two 
The  daily  dose  may  be  further  increased  at  two-month  inte 
0.1  mg.  until  the  optimum  maintenance  dose  is  reached  (0.1  jj 
daily). 

Supplied:  Tablets:  0.025  mg.,  0.05  mg.,  0.1  mg.,  0.15  mg.,  0.2 
mg.,  0.5  mg.,  scored  and  color-coded,  in  bottles  of  100  and  5C 
tion:  500  meg.  lyophilized  active  ingredient  and  10  mg.  of  IV 
N.F.,  in  10  ml.  single-dose  vial,  with  5 ml.  vial  of  Sodium  L 
Injection,  U.S.P.,  as  a diluent. 

SYNTHROID  (sodium  levothyroxine)  INJECTION  may  be  £ 
tered  intravenously  utilizing  200-400  meg.  of  a solution  coi 
100  meg.  per  ml.  If  significant  improvement  is  not  shown  th< 
ing  day,  a repeat  injection  of  100-200  meg.  may  be  given. 

FLINT  LABORATORIES 

DIVISION  OF  TRAVENOL  LABORATORIES.  INC 

Morton  Grove.  Illinois  60053 


xpnsesa 


n the  Embankment.  Two  figures  emerge  into  silhouette  against  a 
1 street  lamp.  The  flare  of  a match  reveals  the  profile  of  Sherlock 
es.  As  he  lights  his  calabash,  his  companion  speaks: 

ove,  Holmes,  that  amazing  intuition  of  yours  has  proved  right 
. What  we’re  looking  for  is  a single  entity.  I thought  we  were 
lg  with  several  others— even  twins.  But  now— I'd  say  we’ve 
/ered  a double  agent.” 

me  more,  Watson,  and  be  quick  about  it!” 

>on  withdraws  a folded  paper  from  inside  his  greatcoat,  and 
aloud  from  it): 


“Is  that  why  there’s  such  a smooth,  predictable  response,  W'atson?” 

“Quite!  With  agent  T4,  SYNTHROID,  the  chances  of  a precipitous 
rise  in  metabolic  rate  are  lessened.” 

“But  how  does  ‘free’  thyroxine  fit  into  the  picture?” 

“Well,  Holmes,  you  might  call  it  the  tissue  thyroid  hormone— because 
‘free’  thyroxine  (that  is,  thyroxine  not  bound  to  protein)  is  active  at 
the  tissue  level.  It  is  gradually  released  from  thyroxine-binding  pro- 
teins. Each  daily  dose  of  SYNTHROID  is  mostly  bound  to  thyroid- 
binding proteins,  and  slowly  released  as  'free'  thyroxine— the  form  in 
which  it  is  metabolically  active.” 


key  to  the  whole  cypher  is  SYNTHROID  (sodium  levothy- 
e)”. . . 

h!  Watson,  not  so  loud!  You’ll  alert  our  quarry.” 

;on  continues):  “A  single  entity  that  serves  two  functions.” 

taster  stroke,  Watson.” 

ow  along,  Holmes.  In  the  neighborhood  of  95%  of  the  circulat- 
lyroid  hormone  is  levothyroxine— T4  as  you  call  it.  T4  is  bound 
/roxine-binding  proteins  in  the  serum.  It  becomes  available  only 
rnlly  to  tissue  cells— as  free  thyroxine.” 


“Magnificent,  Watson!  So  protein-bound  thyroxine  is  the  major  form 
of  circulating  thyroid  hormone,  and  it  is  released  as  ‘free’  thyroxine. 
And  that’s  why  SYNTHROID  is  able  to  simulate  the  normal  process 
so  artfully.  Q.E.D.” 

“Not  so  fast.  Holmes.  SYNTHROID  works  for  the  physician,  too. 
Because  its  dosage  is  more  precisely  controllable,  and  because  re- 
sponse is  so  smooth  and  predictable,  the  doctor  gets  fewer  phone  calls 
in  the  wee  hours  from  agitated  patients.  Both  parties  get  more  sleep!” 

“Comforting,  my  dear  doctor,  to  know  that  SYNTHROID,  the 
‘single  agent,’  cleverly  does  the  job  of  two.” 


Synthroid  (sodium  levothyroxine) 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 


automatic  seat  and  vote  in  the  House  of  Delegates 
to  assure  proper  representation  of  each  scientific 
section. 

Secretaries  of  the  seven  sections  are  on  stag- 
gered terms  so  that  annual  elections  are  for  two, 
two,  and  three  in  any  three-year  period. 

Named  to  head  the  Section  on  EENT  is 
Dr.  Richard  L.  Blount  of  Jackson;  while  Dr. 
James  K.  Williams,  Jr.,  of  Pascagoula  continues 
to  serve  as  section  secretary. 

Heading  the  Section  on  General  Practice  is 
Dr.  James  O.  Stephens  of  Magee.  Dr.  W.  John- 
son Witt  of  Jackson  remains  at  his  post  as 
secretary. 

The  internists  chose  Dr.  C.  Ralph  Daniel,  Jr., 
of  Jackson  as  chairman  of  the  Section  on  Medi- 
cine. Dr.  S.  H.  McDonnieal,  Jr.,  of  Jackson,  en- 
ters his  first  year  as  section  secretary. 

Dr.  William  S.  Cook  of  Jackson  heads  the  Sec- 
tion on  Obstetrics  and  Gynecology.  Serving  his 
second  year  as  secretary  is  Dr.  Warren  Plauche 
of  Biloxi. 

Dr.  John  D.  McEachin  of  Meridian  is  the  new 
chairman  of  the  Section  on  Pediatrics.  New  sec- 
tion secretary  is  Dr.  John  R.  Jackson  of  Hatties- 
burg. 

Dr.  Hugh  B.  Cottrell  of  Jackson  will  chair  the 
Section  on  Preventive  Medicine.  Dr.  Frank  M. 
Wiygul,  Jr.,  of  Jackson  will  continue  as  section 
secretary. 

Advancing  from  secretary  to  chairman,  Dr. 
M.  Beckett  Howorth,  Jr.,  of  Oxford  heads  the 
Section  on  Surgery.  Named  to  the  post  of  secre- 
tary for  a three-year  term  is  Dr.  Benton  M.  Hil- 
bun  of  Tupelo. 

Dr.  Raymond  S.  Martin,  Jr.,  of  Jackson,  asso- 
ciation secretary-treasurer,  is  constitutional  chair- 
man of  the  Council  on  Scientific  Assembly. 

Dr.  Martin  said,  “The  council  will  be  meeting 
this  summer  to  review  preliminary  plans  for  the 
103rd  Annual  Session  and  to  begin  actively  work- 
ing on  the  program.” 

He  said  that  the  exhibit  prospectus  for  techni- 
cal exhibitors  will  be  released  this  fall.  Specialty 
societies  are  invited  to  submit  plans  for  concur- 
rent meetings  and  requests  for  assignment  of 
rooms,  including  those  for  meal  occasions,  he 
added. 

The  president,  Dr.  Paul  B.  Brumby  of  Lexing- 
ton, and  the  president-elect.  Dr.  Arthur  E.  Brown 
of  Columbus,  are  ex  officio  members  of  the  Coun- 
cil on  Scientific  Assembly  under  the  By-Laws. 


Gettysburg  Commission 
Is  Headed  by  M.D. 


A Mississippi  physician  heads  the  commission 
which  is  directing  a project  to  place  a memorial 
in  the  Gettysburg  National  Park  honoring  state 
Confederate  dead.  Dr.  M.  Ney  Williams,  Jackson, 
anesthesiologist,  chairs  the  eight-member  group 
appointed  by  the  Governor. 


Members  of  the  Gettysburg  Commission  appoint- 


ed by  Gov.  John  Bell  Williams  recently  conferred 
with  noted  sculptor  Donald  DeLue  of  Leonardo. 
N.  Y .,  far  left,  who  has  been  commissioned  to 
execute  the  Mississippi  Memorial.  Committee  mem- 
bers are,  from  second  left,  Ed  Sturdivant  of  Jackson, 
Dr.  M.  Ney  Williams  of  Jackson,  and  Associate  Su- 
preme Court  Justice  Tom  P.  Brady  of  Brookhaven. 

Dr.  Williams  said  that  the  noted  sculptor. 
Donald  DeLue  of  Leonardo,  N.  Y.,  has  been 
commissioned  to  execute  the  Mississippi  memori- 
al in  bronze.  It  will  stand  on  a frequently  visited 
site  of  the  Pennsylvania  battlefield  near  the  road 
leading  to  the  Dwight  Eisenhower  farm. 

Visiting  Jackson  recently  to  meet  with  the  com- 
mission, Mr.  DeLue  displayed  a working  model 
of  the  memorial.  It  is  a statue  of  two  soldiers  on 
the  battlefield  “devoted  to  country,  honor,  and 
integrity  of  the  men  who  fought  and  died  at 
Gettysburg.” 

Mr.  DeLue  said  that  “it  is  not  to  be  militaristic 
but  to  pay  honor  and  tribute  to  the  men  them- 
selves.” 

The  finished  memorial,  destined  to  stand  ad- 
jacent to  the  Louisiana  monument,  will  be  of 
heroic  proportion,  standing  17  feet  in  height. 
Two  years  will  be  required  to  complete  the  work, 
Mr.  DeLue  said. 

Funds  for  the  memorial  were  appropriated  by 
the  1970  Regular  Session  of  the  Legislature,  Dr. 


3 60 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


, Williams  said.  Mr.  DeLue  has  executed  a number 
of  important  memorials,  including  the  Louisiana 
monument  and  one  to  the  Confederate  army  and 
navy  at  Gettysburg.  He  has  among  his  credits 
the  statue  of  a Green  Beret  at  Ft.  Bragg,  N.  C. 

Dr.  Williams’  colleagues  on  the  memorial  com- 
mission are  Supreme  Court  Justice  Tom  P.  Brady 
of  Brookhaven,  Ed  Sturdivant  of  Jackson,  Tom 
W.  Crigler  of  Macon,  Gary  Evans  of  Greenwood, 
Clarence  Pierce  of  Vaiden,  noted  Civil  War  his- 
torian Albert  Andrews  of  Jackson,  and  Rep.  Stone 
Barefield  of  Hattiesburg. 

Governor  Names  Three 
to  Board  of  Health 

Gov.  John  Bell  Williams  has  named  two  physi- 
cians as  new  members  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Board  of  Health  and  reappointed  a member  for 
another  six  year  term.  The  appointments  are  sub- 
ject to  confirmation  by  the  state  senate. 

Dr.  G.  Lacey  Biles  of  Sumner  was  appointed 
to  succeed  Dr.  Julian  C.  Bramlett  of  Oxford, 
representing  Public  Health  District  2. 

Dr.  S.  Lamar  Bailey  of  Kosciusko  is  the  new 
member  from  Public  Health  District  4,  succeed- 
ing Dr.  Joseph  Guyton,  formerly  of  Pontotoc, 
who  has  relocated  in  Memphis  for  the  practice 
of  psychiatry. 

Named  to  succeed  himself  for  a six-year  term 
is  Dr.  Lamar  Arrington  of  Meridian,  a 12-year 
veteran  member. 

Nominees  for  Board  of  Health  posts  are 
named  by  the  state  medical  association  under 
Mississippi  law.  The  governor  made  selections 
from  among  three  nominees  for  each  post.  These 
were  named  by  the  House  of  Delegates  at  the 
1969  annual  session.  All  three  terms  run  from 
Jan.  1,  1970,  through  Dec.  31,  1975. 

Nominees  for  the  District  2 post  were  Dr. 
Biles,  Dr.  Bramlett,  and  Dr.  John  R.  Lovelace  of 
Batesville.  District  4 nominees  were  Dr.  Bailey, 
Dr.  Thomas  N.  Braddock,  Jr.,  of  West  Point,  and 
Dr.  Lester  D.  Webb  of  Calhoun  City. 

Considered  for  the  District  5 were  Drs.  Arring- 
ton, John  R.  Laird  of  Union,  and  Omar  Simmons 
of  Newton. 

Other  medical  members  of  the  State  Board  of 
Health  are  Drs.  Dewitt  Hamrick  of  Corinth,  John 
G.  Egger  of  Drew,  Joseph  G.  McKinnon  of  Hat- 
tiesburg, G.  Swink  Hicks  of  Natchez,  and  H.  C. 
Ricks,  Sr.,  of  Jackson. 

Dr.  Felix  K.  West  of  Clarksdale  is  the  dental 


member.  Dr.  Hugh  B.  Cottrell  of  Jackson  is  state 
health  officer  and  member-at-large  selected  by 
the  Board.  Dr.  Frank  J.  Morgan,  Jr.,  of  Jackson 
is  assistant  state  health  officer.  There  is  also  an 
optometric  member  of  the  Board. 

At  the  recent  102nd  Annual  Session,  no  nom- 
inees for  the  Board  of  Health  were  named,  since 
no  terms  expire  in  1970. 

Board  of  Trustees 
Elect  New  Officers 

The  nine-member  governing  body  of  the  asso- 
ciation, the  Board  of  Trustees,  has  renamed  Dr. 
Mai  S.  Riddell,  Jr.,  of  Winona,  District  4 Trustee, 
as  its  1970-71  chairman.  Dr.  J.  T.  Davis  of  Cor- 
inth, District  3,  was  re-elected  vice  chairman. 

Dr.  William  O.  Barnett  of  Jackson,  District  5, 
is  the  Board’s  secretary.  He,  the  chairman,  and 
vice  chairman  make  up  the  executive  committee. 

Dr.  Lyne  S.  Gamble  of  Greenville  was  elected 
Trustee  from  District  1.  Re-elected  to  Trustee 
posts  were  Drs.  James  O.  Gilmore  of  Oxford. 
District  2,  and  J.  T.  Davis  of  Corinth,  District  3. 

Continuing  to  serve  current  terms  are  Drs. 
James  T.  Thompson  of  Moss  Point,  District  9. 
Guy  T.  Vise  of  Meridian.  District  6,  W.  E.  Moak 
of  Richton,  District  7,  and  Everett  Crawford  of 
Tylertown,  District  8. 

Seven  general  officers  meet  with  the  Board 
regularly  but  without  the  right  to  vote.  They  are 
the  president,  president-elect,  secretary-treasurer, 
speaker,  vice  speaker,  and  AMA  delegates. 

Florida  Presents 
OB-GYN  Seminar 

The  University  of  Florida  college  of  Medicine 
at  Gainesville  will  present  a Seminar  in  Obstet- 
rics and  Gynecology  Nov.  19-20,  1970. 

Guest  speakers  will  be  Dr.  Lawrence  L.  Hes- 
ter, professor  and  chairman,  department  of  ob- 
stetrics and  gynecology.  Medical  College  of  South 
Carolina;  and  Dr.  William  Normal  Thornton. 
Jr.,  professor  and  chairman,  department  of  ob- 
stetrics and  gynecology,  University  of  Virginia 
School  of  Medicine. 

For  further  information,  contact:  Division  of 
Postgraduate  Education,  J.  Hillis  Miller  Health 
Center,  Box  758.  College  of  Medicine,  Gaines- 
ville, Fla.  32601. 


36  1 


JUNE  1970 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Dr.  Barnett  Named 
Physician  of  the  Year 


Dr.  William  O.  Barnett,  professor  of  surgery, 
University  of  Mississippi  Medical  Center,  was  se- 
lected to  receive  the  Mississippi  Association  of 
Medical  Assistant’s  award  of  “Physician  of  the 
Year."  The  announcement  was  made  at  the  or- 
ganization’s annual 
state  convention  on 
the  Gulf  Coast. 

In  making  the  an- 
nouncement, Mrs. 
Mary  Adeline  Pace, 
President,  stated, 
“Education  is  the  pri- 
mary purpose  of  our 
organization  on  local, 
state,  and  national 

levels,  and  it  is  the 

feeling  of  our  mem- 
bership that  MAMA’s 

Dr.  Barnett  educational  programs 

throughout  the  state 
have  been  greatly  enhanced  through  Dr.  Bar- 

nett’s interest,  advice  and  encouragement  during 
1969-70."  Dr.  Barnett  was  presented  an  engraved 
plaque. 

A native  Mississippian,  Dr.  Barnett  has  been 
active  in  medical  education  since  joining  the  fac- 
ulty of  the  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine  in  1955. 

At  the  present  time  he  serves  the  Mississippi 
State  Medical  Association  as  chairman  of  the 
Council  on  Medical  Education,  Trustee  from  Dis- 
trict Five,  and  secretary  of  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
is  president  of  Central  Medical  Society  and  an 
associate  councilor  of  Southern  Medical  Associa- 
tion. 


Hinds  County  Children 
Immunized  Against 

Rubella 

Thousands  of  Hinds  county  youngsters  made 
a “Children’s  Crusade”  to  health  clinics  Sunday, 
May  31,  for  immunity  against  Rubella,  or  Ger- 
man measles. 

Dr.  H.  B.  Cottrell,  executive  officer,  State 
Board  of  Health,  said  the  “Stop  Rubella  Sunday” 
was  another  in  a series  of  county-wide  immuniza- 
tion programs  by  the  state  agency. 

3 62 


Dr.  Durward  L.  Blakey,  director  of  the  Di- 
vision of  Preventable  Disease  Control,  State 
Board  of  Health,  said  over  80,000  doses  of  Ru- 
bella vaccine  have  been  given  since  the  agency 
began  the  program  in  October  of  1969. 

He  said  at  least  30,000  children  got  shots  in 
Hinds  county  on  May  31  with  the  number  pos- 
sibly going  as  high  as  50,000,  making  it  one  of 
the  largest  single-day  programs  in  the  Southeast. 

Paul  Turner,  of  the  Vaccination  Assistance 
Program,  State  Board  of  Health,  and  supervisor 
of  the  statewide  immunization  program,  said  pro- 
grams already  have  been  carried  out  in  44  coun- 
ties, and  another  15  counties  will  be  reached 
“within  the  next  six  weeks.” 

Dr.  Eric  McVey,  director  of  the  Hinds  County 
Health  Department,  said  25  clinics  were  set  up 
for  “Stop  Rubella  Sunday”  on  May  31. 

“The  clinics  were  located  in  places  most  easily 
accessible  to  the  people,”  said  Dr.  McVey.  “The 
county  health  department  building  was  open  that 
day  as  a clinic  and  as  the  communications  head- 
quarters.” 

He  added:  “This  is  a community  project 

backed  by  medical  organizations,  and  it  is  one  of 
the  most  important  things  we  can  do  in  a pro- 
gram of  modern  preventive  medicine.  We  had 
about  18  sites  inside  Jackson  and  about  seven 
more  outside  Jackson.” 

Dr.  McVey  said  the  Rubella  vaccine  was  of- 
fered to  all  children  from  the  age  of  one  year 
through  the  age  of  eleven. 

The  State  Board  of  Health  paid  one-third  of 
the  cost  of  the  vaccine,  and  Hinds  county  and 
the  City  of  Jackson  agreed  to  share  another  third 
of  the  cost.  The  other  third  came  from  civic  and 
service  organizations  in  the  county. 

Turner  said  some  of  the  cost  was  defrayed 
through  contributions  made  by  individuals.  He 
said  cost  of  the  vaccine  averages  about  a dollar 
per  dose.  He  said  “it  appears  at  this  time  that  a 
dose  would  give  lifetime  immunity.” 

The  program  in  Hinds  county  is  part  of  a 
statewide  effort  by  the  State  Board  of  Health  to 
immunize  children  from  one  through  eleven, 
with  first  priority  on  those  five  through  seven.  Tur- 
ner said  that  the  program  in  Hinds  county  reached 
the  wider  age  span  (one  through  eleven)  because 
of  the  financial  support  pledged  by  the  city  and 
county  governments. 

Each  clinic  was  manned  by  a physician,  two 
technicians,  two  nurses,  six  clerks  and  a site  co- 
ordinator. Policemen  and  county  deputies  were 
on  duty  at  each  clinic  to  direct  traffic  and  to 
keep  the  lines  orderly. 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Con- 

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Dicarbosil 

ANTACID 

Your  ulcer  patients  and 
others  will  praise  it.  Specify 
DICARBOSIL  144's- 144  tab- 
lets in  1 2 rolls 

N ARCH  LABORATORIES 

jl  J\  1 319  South  Fourth  Street.  St.  Louis,  Missouri  63102 


END  BATTERY  REPLACEMENTS 
Newest  Welch  Allyn 


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teries. 

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of  times. 

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No.  717  Rechargeable  bat- 
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663  NORTH  STATE  STREET 
JACKSON.  MISS..  FL  2-4043 


Index  to  Advertisers 


Arch  Laboratories 363 

Breon  Laboratories  8 

Bristol  Laboratories 16,  17 

Burroughs- Wellcome  352B 

Campbell  Soup  Company 328A 

Dow  Chemical  Company 340A 

Flint  Laboratories  358,  359 

Highland  Hospital  10 

Hill  Crest  Hospital  14 

Hoechst  Pharmaceuticals  12 

Hvnson,  Westcott  and  Dunning,  Inc.  3 

Kay  Surgical  363 


Lederle  Laboratories 4,  6 

Eli  Lilly  and  Company  front  cover,  18 

National  Drug  Company  . second  cover,  360A,  360B 

Chas.  Pfizer  and  Company,  Inc 354,  355,  356 

Wm.  P.  Poythress 340B,  352A 

A.  H.  Robins  Company 328D 

Roche  Laboratories  15,  342,  fourth  cover 

Schering  Corporation  14A,  14B,  14C,  14D 

Julius  Schmid,  Inc 350,  351 

G.  D.  Searle  328B,  328C 

Smith,  Kline  and  French  1 1 

Thomas  Yates  and  Company third  cover 


JUNE  1970 


363 


) Si'ONSlDS  HJLW3H 


Support  of  emergency  medical  helicopter  service  by  state  medical 
association  at  annual  session  fits  national  pattern  of  growing  im- 
portance of  whirlybirds  in  rapid  patient  movement,  Mississippi 1 s 
CARE -SOM  project  is  part  of  300  helicopters  now  in  service  as  air 
ambulances  in  2j$  states.  Many  hospitals  have  FAA-licensed  helio- 
ports on  grounds  or  roofs,  and  some  few  have  their  own  aircraft. 
State's  three  helicopter  bases  serve  38  counties. 


Fluoridation  of  water  supplies  marked  25th  anniversary  recently 
with  88  million  Americans  in  4,800  communities  having  access  to 
cavity-fighting  drinking  water.  First  U.S.  community  to  fluoridat 
water  was  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  in  1945.  Success  of  fluoridation  hi 
been  outstanding  and  costs  are  minimal.  American  Dental  Associatii 
says  it  costs  10  cents  iper  person  per  year  or  only  an  additional  $j 
million  to  treat  remaining  un  fluoridated  water  supplies. 


The  youngsters  are  the  accident  casualties  at  work.  So  says  the 
health  Insurance  Institute.  A recent  five-year  study  showed  that 
highest  accident  rate  in  office  and  factory  is  for  those  under  age 
20.  Rate  drops  in  age  bracket  30-59  and  tends  to  rise  slightly  fo 
60-64  group.  Falls  are  the  greatest  single  source  of  injury,  and 
while  sex  is  no  factor  in  occurrence,  men  sustain  more  disabling 
injuries  than  women,  probably  attributable  to  heavier  work. 


Pfizer  Laboratories  has  marketed  - with  FDA  approval  - a new  drug 
for  inoperable  testicular  cancer,  an  antibiotic  tradenamed  Mithraci 
Derived  from  a soil  organism  of  the  Strep tomyces  genus,  the  drug 
is  a potent  cytotoxic  substance  which  should  be  used  only  in  hospi 
tals.  In  305  paiients,  about  33  per  cent  had  tumor  masses  to  disa- 
pear.  Pfizer  gives  drug  without  charge  when  used  for  treatment  of 
indigent  patients. 


State  legislatures  are  frugal  with  appropriations  for  teaching  hos 
pitals  operated  in  conjunction  with  tax-supported  medical  schools. 
Association  of  American  Medical  Colleges  found  that  34  teaching  ho 
pitals  received  only  $169  million  in  state  funds  last  year  on  xota 
operating  budgets  of  $560  million.  Only  one  state  provided  more 
than  $10  million  for  a hospital.  Highest  budget  for  an  institutio 
was  $39  million,  and  lowest  was  $5  million. 


Volume  XI 
Number  7 
July  1970 


• EDITOR 

William  M.  Dabney,  M.D. 

• ASSOCIATE  EDITORS 
George  H.  Martin,  M.D. 

Thomas  W.  Wesson,  M.D. 

• MANAGING  EDITOR 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 

• EDITORIAL  CONSULTANT 
Betty  M.  Sadler 

• EDITORIAL  ASSISTANT 

INola  Gibson 

• PUBLICATIONS  COMMITTEE 
Lawrence  W.  Long,  M.D. 
Chairman 

Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr.,  M.D. 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
and  the  editors 

• THE  ASSOCIATION 
Paul  B.  Brumby,  M.D. 

President 

Arthur  E.  Brown,  M.D. 

President-Elect 
Raymond  S.  Martin,  M.D. 

Secretary-T  reasurer 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
Speaker 

John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Vice  Speaker 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 
H.  C.  Harrell 

Assistant  Executive  Secretary 
James  F.  McPherson,  II 
Executive  Assistant 


The  Journal  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  is  owned  and  pub- 
lished by  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association,  founded  1856.  Editorial,  ex- 
ecutive, and  business  offices,  735  Riverside 
Drive,  Jackson,  Mississippi  39216;  office 
of  publication,  1201-5  Bluff  Street,  Fulton, 
Missouri  65251.  Subscription  rate,  $7.50 
per  annum;  $1  per  copy,  as  available.  Ad- 
vertising rates  furnished  on  request. 
Second-class  postage  paid  at  the  post  office 
at  Fulton,  Missouri. 


CONTENTS 


original  paper 

Inherited  Human  Cancer  365  John  F.  Jackson,  M.D. 

SPECIAL  ARTICLES 

Radiologic  Seminar  XCVII 
Ureteropelvic  Junction 

Obstruction  372  Nancy  W.  Burrow,  M.D. 

Medicine  for  the  70’s: 

Decade  of  Decision  374  James  L.  Royals,  M.D. 

Constitution  and  By-Laws 
of  the  Mississippi  State 

Medical  Association  378  Annual  Publication 

EDITORIALS 

Medicare’s  Part  C; 

Danger,  Dichotomy, 

Anathema  387  Now,  It’s  HMO’s 

State  Legislation  Is 

Everybody’s  Crisis  389  Solons  and  Medicine 

CCS  Goes  to  State  Board 

of  Health  390  A Logical  Move 

Hellzapoppin’  on  Drug 

Abuse  Bills  392  Washington 

Tragedicomedy 

Aspirin  on  Rx?  Some 

Say  Yes!  394  30  Tons  a Day! 

Homicide  Increases  in  the 

United  States  394  The  Ultimate  Violence 


THIS  MONTH 

The  President  Speaking  386  ‘The  Making  of  an  M.D.’ 

Medical  Organization  401  Ole  Miss  Medical  Alumni 

House  Dedicated 


Copyright  1970,  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


S 

A: 


6 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  JULY  1970 


Illinois  Plans 
Postgraduate  Course 

The  Department  of  Otolaryngology  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Illinois  at  the  Medical  Center  will  con- 
duct a postgraduate  course  in  laryngology  and 
bronchoesophagology  Nov.  9-20,  1970. 

The  course  is  limited  to  fifteen  physicians  and 
will  be  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Paul  H.  Holin- 
ger. 

Course  headquarters  will  be  at  the  Eye  and 
Ear  Infirmary  of  the  University  of  Illinois  Hos- 
pital, 1855  West  Taylor  Street,  Chicago.  Regis- 
trants will  attend  animal  demonstrations  and 
practice  in  bronchoscopy  and  esophagoscopy,  di- 
agnostic and  surgical  clinics,  didactic  lectures  and 
motion  pictures.  Visits  to  a number  of  Chicago 
hospitals  are  also  planned. 

For  further  information,  write  to  the  Depart- 
ment of  Otolaryngology,  Abraham  Lincoln 
School  of  Medicine  of  the  College  of  Medicine, 
University  of  Illinois  at  the  Medical  Center,  P.  O. 
Box  6998,  Chicago,  111.  60680. 


Birth  Defects 
Symposium  Scheduled 

“Disorders  of  Glucose  Metabolism  in  Chil- 
dren,” the  second  annual  Birth  Defects  Symposi- 
um, will  be  Oct.  30-31,  1970,  at  the  University 
of  Florida  College  of  Medicine,  Gainesville,  Fla. 

Sponsored  by  the  university’s  Institutional  Di- 
vision of  Endocrinology  and  Metabolism  and  the 
National  Foundation-March  of  Dimes  Birth  De- 
fects Center,  the  symposium  will  feature  discus- 
sions of  diabetes  mellitus,  hypoglycemias  of  child- 
hood and  energy  metabolism,  as  well  as  case  pre- 
sentations. 

Guest  faculty  are  Dr.  Allan  Drash,  associate 
professor  of  pediatrics,  University  of  Pittsburgh, 
and  Dr.  Donough  O’Brien,  professor  of  pedi- 
atrics, University  of  Colorado.  Dr.  Arlan  L.  Ros- 
enbloom,  assistant  professor  of  pediatrics  and  di- 
rector of  UF’s  Birth  Defects  Center,  is  program 
director.  Meetings  will  be  held  in  the  second  floor 
auditorium  of  the  College  of  Medicine. 

Registration  fees  will  be  waived  for  interns 
and  residents.  For  additional  information  and 
schedule  of  fees,  please  write  Mrs.  Betty  L.  How- 
ard, Division  of  Postgraduate  Education,  J.  Hillis 
Miller  Health  Center,  Gainesville,  Fla.  32601. 


r Tliff  (Vs  t 

HOSPITAL 

Hill  Crest  Foundation,  Inc. 


7000  5TH  AVENUE  SOUTH 
Box  2896,  Woodlawn  Station 
Birmingham,  Alabama  35212 
Phone:  205-836-7201 


A patient  centered 
non-profit  hospital  for 
intensive  treatment  of 
nervous  disorders  . . . 

Hill  Crest  Hospital  was  estab- 
lished in  1925  as  Hill  Crest 
Sanitarium  to  provide  private 
psychiatric  treatment  of  ner- 
vous or  mental  disorders.  Indi- 
vidual patient  care  has  been 
the  theme  during  its  45  years 
of  service. 

Both  male  and  female  pa- 


tients are  accepted  and  depart- 
mentalized care  is  provided  ac- 
cording to  sex  and  the  degree 
of  illness. 

In  addition  to  the  psychiatric 
staff,  consultants  are  available 
in  all  medical  specialities. 


MEDICAL  DIRECTOR: 

James  K.  Ward,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 

CLINICAL  DIRECTOR: 

Hardin  M.  Ritchey,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 

HILL  CREST  is  a member  of: 

AMERICAN  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
. . . NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  PRI- 
VATE PSYCHIATRIC  HOSPITALS  . . . 
ALABAMA  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
BIRMINGHAM  REGIONAL  HOSPITAL 
COUNCIL. 

Hill  Crest  is  fully  accredited  by  the  Joint 
Commission  on  Accreditation  of  Hospitals 
and  is  also  approved  for  Medicare  pa- 
tients. 

O st 

HOSPITAL 

BIRMINGHAM,  ALABAMA 


July  1970 

jit  Doctor: 

LI  and  final  implementation  of  Mississippi 1 s Medicaid  program  is 
i ated  for  July  1 as  plan  observes  six  months  milestone.  Although 
’licaid  Commission  has  yet  to  release  performance  figures,  payment 
i junta,  and  claims  volume,  estimates  are  that  providers*  billing 
>Locity  will  more  than  double  with  addition  of  prescription  drugs. 
i mining  minor  services,  hitherto  deferred,  will  also  be  offered. 

Vendor  drug  program  carries  surprisingly  small  list  of 
mandatory  generic  prescription  items.  A vast  majority 
of  the  staxe's  704-  licensed  pharmacies  are  expected  to 
participate  in  program  which  will  reimburse  them  costs 
of  Bx  acquisition  plus  $1.50  professional  fee. 

I amine es  of  the  American  Board  of  Family  Practice  turned  in  excel- 
; at  showing  on  first  try  for  certification.  Of  2,678  physicians 
;k±ng  two-day  exam  in  3d  centers,  about  &2  per  cent  became  diplo- 
:tes.  Among  those  graduating  from  medical  school  in  last  20  years, 
laaost  96  per  cent  passed.  New  specialty  board  is  unique  in  that 
has  no  grandfather  clause.  Charter  diplomates  constitute  only 
out  3 per  cent  of  nation's  family  physicians. 

ssissippi's  institutions  of  higher  learning  must  establish  a 
aduate  school  of  social  work.  So  says  Dr.  Dorothy  ft.  Moore, 
rector  of  the  Interagency  Commission  on  Mental  Illness  and  Re- 
rdation*  Dr.  Moore  said  present  baccalaureate  program  needs 
ster  degree  backup  to  assure  full  span  of  services  offered  by 
ychiatrists,  psychologists , and  nurses  now  trained  in  state. 

e British  Medical  Association  has  urged  English  physicians  to 
opt  a policy  of  "noncooperation "with  National  Health  Service, 
e sharp  break  with  socialized  medicine  came  when  NHS  gave  senior 
ysicians  only  15  per  cent  wage  boost  after  30  per  cent  was  asked, 
nior  physicians  and  GP's  received  higher  increase  but  specialists 
re  snubbed  in  wage  dispute. 

rkey.  prime  source  of  illicit  narcotics,  has  offered  to  halt  pro- 
motion of  opium  if  U.S.  physicians  sfop  using  opium  derivatives. 

A has  replied  that  any  proposal  to  siop  use  of  morphine  is  move  to 
ny  patients  the  most  effective  drug  for  relief  of  pain.  AMA  also 
serted  that  even  if  Turkey  clamped  down  on  poppy- farming,  traffic 
heroin  would  probably  continue  as  usual. 


Executive  Secretary 


•/  v//V. 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  JULY  1970 


1 0 

SMA  Plans 
November  Meeting 

The  64th  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Southern 
Medical  Association,  scheduled  for  Nov.  16-19  in 
Dallas,  is  expected  to  be  the  largest  and  most 
complete  in  the  association’s  history.  The  expan- 
sive four  day  meeting,  with  each  of  21  specialty 
sections  presenting  its  own  program,  will  focus 
upon  new  areas  of  medicine  and  scientific  re- 
search. Outstanding  specialists  and  medical  lead- 
ers from  many  sections  of  the  country  will  gather 
to  exchange  knowledge,  with  over  300  speakers 
participating  in  the  interdisciplinary  programs. 

Dr.  L.  S.  Thompson,  Jr.,  general  chairman, 
heads  the  impressive  list  of  Dallas  members  serv- 
ing on  the  various  committees  which  are  charged 
with  the  immense  responsibility  of  making  nu- 
merous arrangements. 

Officers  of  SMA  include  Drs.  J.  Leonard  Gold- 
ner  (Durham,  N.  C.),  president;  Albert  C.  Espo- 
sito (Huntington,  W.  Va.),  president-elect; 
J.  Hoyle  Carlock  (Ardmore,  Okla.),  first  vice- 
president;  and  Linton  H.  Bishop,  Jr.  (Atlanta, 
Ga.),  second  vice-president.  Encompassing  16 
southern  states  and  the  District  of  Columbia, 


Southern  Medical  is  America’s  second  largest  gen- 
eral medical  organization,  contributing  the  coun- 
try’s largest  general  medical  publication,  the 
Southern  Medical  Journal. 

The  Dallas  Memorial  Auditorium  will  house 
the  majority  of  meeting  activities — scientific  ses- 
sions, business  meetings,  and  the  vast  scientific 
and  technical  exhibits.  A number  of  panel  discus-  1 
sions  and  symposia  of  significant  importance  and 
general  interest  will  be  presented.  Several  distin- 
guished scientific  groups  to  meet  conjointly  with 
SMA  are:  The  American  College  of  Chest  Phy- 
sicians, Southern  Chapter;  the  Flying  Physicians  . 
Association;  the  Radiologic  Society  of  North 
America;  and  Southern  Gynecological  and  Ob- 
stetrical Society. 

Again  this  year,  the  association  will  play  host 
to  selected  junior  and  senior  medical  students 
from  34  medical  schools  throughout  the  SMA 
sphere.  This  unique  opportunity  is  designed  to 
impart  to  the  students  early  in  their  careers  the  ^ 
value  of  continuing  education. 

The  meeting  will  be  open  to  all  doctors  of  i i 
medicine  who  are  members  of  their  county  or  j i 
state  medical  societies,  as  well  as  to  residents,  in-  | 
terns,  junior  and  senior  medical  students,  nurses 
and  medical  technicians.  There  will  be  no  regis- 
tration fee. 


Guide  Lauds  CBS  New  York  — TV  Guide . commercialized  mouthpiece 
ast  at  Medicine  for  major  networks^-  lists  the  slanted  CBS  pro- 
grams blasting  medicine  as  being  among  the  best 
specials  of  the  1969-70  year.  Consistent  with  this  selection, 
e magazine  also  picked  the  anti-South  ” Anders  on ville  Trial”  and 
program  on  Black  Panthers  among  the  best  of  the  season.  The  pub- 
cation  has  an  almost  unblemished  record  of  defending  the  networks1 
sition  on  news  editorializing  and  ”message”  programming. 


liege  Pees  Will  Washington  - Surveys  released  by  U.  S.  Chamber 
om  Next  Session  of  Commerce  show  that  colleges  and  universities 

will  increase  tuition  fees  substantially  for  the 
70-71  session.  Ivy  League  schools  top  list  with  $4,000  price  tag 
tuition  and  room  and  board.  Median  cost  of  tuition  only  at  pri- 
te  institutions  will  run  $2,500  and  about  $1,200  for  in-state 
udents  at  tax-supported  schools.  With  medical  schools  equally 
rd  pressed,  cost  of  M.D.  degree  continues  upward  price  spiral. 


. Incidence  Atlanta  - The  U.  S.  Public  Health  Service  Com- 

ses  in  1970  municable  Disease  Center  reports  that  syphilis 

shows  a marked  increase  during  the  first  four 
aths  of  1970.  Incidence  of  the  disease  increased  as  much  as  50 
r cent  in  some  areas  of  the  nation,  while  the  national  rate  was 
over  10  per  cent.  Worst  metropolitan  area  is  New  York  City  which 
3 a 35  per  cent  increase  in  syphilis  over  1969.  The  data  also 
sclose  that  incidence  increase  is  notable  among  teenagers. 


3tice,  Congress,  Washington  - An  intercabinet  squabble  over  con- 
V Hassle  on  Drugs  trol  of  drugs  has  surfaced  during  committee  hear- 
ings on  Capitol  Hill  on  new  Drug  Abuse  Control 
gislation.  Hearings  are  bogged  down  as  Justice  Department,  now 
3s  of  Bureau  of  Narcotics  and  Dangerous  Drugs,  wants  more  control, 
eluding  licensure  of  drug  manufacture.  HEW  takes  position  that  it 
) medically-oriented  and  best  suited  for  job.  Justice  would  also 
fce  physicians  keep  records  of  all  ”dangerous”  drugs  dispensed. 


H Supports  New  Chicago  - Spokesmen  for  AMA  Committee  on  Al- 
cohol Institute  coholism  and  Drug  Dependence  support  legislation 

to  create  a new  National  Institute  for  Prevention 
1 Control  of  Alcohol  Abuse  and  Alcoholism  in  the  NIH  complex.  Bill 
old  also  recognize  in  federal  statute  that  alcoholism  is  a disease 
Lch  can  and  should  be  treated.  Another  provision  meeting  AMA  ap- 
Dval  is  that  treatment  and  control  programs  should  be  community- 
3ed  with  federal  grants  for  construction  and  staffing. 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  JULY  1970 


1 4 

New  Book  Discusses 
Disadvantaged  Children 

“A  society  genuinely  concerned  with  educating 
socially  disadvantaged  children  cannot  restrict  it- 
self merely  to  improving  and  expanding  educa- 
tional facilities  ...  it  must  concern  itself  with  the 
full  range  of  factors  contributing  to  educational 
failure,  among  which  the  health  of  the  child  is  of 
primary  importance,”  says  Dr.  Herbert  G.  Birch, 
New  York  pediatrician  and  psychologist. 

He  analyzes  in  depth  this  hitherto  largely  ig- 
nored aspect  of  poverty  in  his  new  book,  Disad- 
vantaged Children:  Health , Nutrition,  and  School 
Failure , written  in  collaboration  with  Joan  Dye 
Gussow.  This  book  offers  the  first  full-scale  anal- 
ysis of  the  effects  of  health  and  nutritional  depri- 
vations on  poor  children. 

Children  suffer  malnutrition  before  birth  be- 
cause their  mothers  are  poorly  fed  and  poorly  de- 
veloped physically,  receive  inadequate  medical 
care,  and  have  children  too  often.  After  birth 
these  children  continue  to  suffer  because  they 
must  live  under  many  of  the  same  conditions 
which  so  severely  affected  their  mothers  through- 
out their  lives. 


Doctors  have  long  known  that  malnutrition 
causes  disease  and  seriously  retards  physical 
growth.  A series  of  recent  studies  strongly  sug- 
gest that  malnourished  children  are  also  retarded 
in  their  mental  development.  The  available  data, 
new  and  old,  on  malnutrition,  morbidity,  and 
medical  care  among  children  of  poor  families  in 
this  country  indicates  that  “the  quality  of  their 
lives  puts  these  children  at  risk  as  learners  either 
by  permanently  impairing  their  capacity  to  learn 
or  by  interfering  with  the  orderly  acquisition  of 
knowledge.” 

From  birth  to  one  year  old,  the  human  brain 
goes  from  25  per  cent  to  70  per  cent  of  its  adult 
weight;  by  age  4 it  is  almost  completed  struc- 
turally. Therefore,  the  younger  the  child,  the 
more  significantly  starvation  affects  his  brain. 
Even  relatively  minor  deprivation  before  birth 
and  during  the  early  years  may  have  permanent 
effects  far  in  excess  of  severe  restrictions  later  in 
life. 

Malnourished  children  are  apathetic  and  irri- 
table, and  they  lose  the  child’s  normal  curiosity 
and  desire  for  exploration.  After  being  properly 
fed  for  a while,  their  normal  responsiveness  is 
regained.  But,  the  duration  of  the  period  of  un- 
dernourishment affects  subsequent  mental  devel- 
opment. 


LEONARD  WRIGHT  SANATORIUM 

BYHALIA,  MISSISSIPPI  3861  I TELEPHONE  A/C  601,  838-2162 

LEONARD  D.  WRIGHT,  SR.,  B.S.,  M.D.,  PSYCHIATRY 

• Established  in  1948.  Specializing  in  the  treatment  of  ALCO- 
HOLISM and  DRUG  ADDICTIONS  with  a capacity  limited 
to  insure  individual  treatment.  Only  voluntary  admissions  ac- 
cepted. 

• Located  25  miles  S.  E.  of  Memphis-Highway  78  on  20  acres 
of  beautifully  landscaped  grounds  sufficiently  removed  to 
provide  restful  surroundings. 

• The  Sanatorium  is  approved  by  The  Commission  on  Hospital 
Care  in  the  State  of  Mississippi. 


MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 


1 5 


cAny  Questions  qbout 
^Bliie?  Sl\iepld? 

Call  on  these  people  for  the  answers . 


C.  T.  Walker 
Director 


Charles  Caffey,  Area  A 
Field  Representative 
1 1 1 Lilac  Drive 
1. eland,  Mississippi 
Phone:  686-4753 


Warren  Hd wards,  Area  B 
Field  Representatis  e 
530  F.  Woodrow  Wilson 
Jackson,  Mississippi 
Phone:  366-1422,  Fxt.  42 


Max  Gilliland,  Area  C 
Field  Representative 
620  South  28th  Avenue  #422 
Hattiesburg,  Mississippi 
Phone:582-0479 


G.  1 . Franciskato 
Ma  nager 


Cynthia  Gordon 
Supers  isor 


Mississippi  Hospital  and  Medical  Service  P.  O.  Box  1043  Jackson,  Mississippi  39205 


NHLI  Plans  Sudden 
Cardiac  Death  Studies 

The  National  Heart  and  Lung  Institute, 
through  its  Myocardial  Infarction  Program,  has 
awarded  the  first  of  a series  of  contracts  for  a 
program  of  research  on  sudden  cardiac  death. 
Sudden  cardiac  death,  or  death  before  hospitali- 
zation, accounts  for  about  one-half  of  the  almost 
600,000  annual  deaths  from  arteriosclerotic  heart 
disease.  While  an  improvement  in  the  early  avail- 
ability of  medical  care  will  somewhat  reduce  this 
death  toll,  the  large  number  of  very  sudden  and 
very  early  deaths  necessitates  a better  under- 
standing of  the  acute  disease  process  and  the  de- 
velopment of  new  modes  of  therapy. 

The  contractors  and  their  awards  for  the  first 
year  are:  the  University  of  Miami,  Miami,  Fla. 
($284,896),  Johns  Hopkins  University,  Balti- 
more, Md.  ($157,000),  Mount  Zion  Hospital 
and  Medical  Center,  San  Francisco,  Cal.  ($68,- 
500),  and  Emory  University,  Atlanta,  Ga.  ($14,- 
575).  Several  additional  contracts  will  be  an- 
nounced in  the  near  future. 

These  contracts  are  designed  to:  identify 

“trigger”  factors  that  convert  coronary  athero- 
sclerosis, the  underlying  disease  process  which 
may  have  been  quietly  present  for  many  years, 
into  a full-blown  attack;  identify  premonitory 
signs  and  symptoms  that  may  warn  the  patient  or 
his  physician  of  an  impending  attack  so  that  mea- 
sures can  be  initiated  to  abort  the  threatened  epi- 
sode or,  failing  that,  hospitalize  the  patient  be- 
fore it  occurs;  identify  factors  that  characterize 
the  person  at  high  risk  of  sudden,  unexpected 
death.  Epidemiological  studies  have  quantified 
many  of  the  factors  which  increase  susceptibility 
to  coronary  heart  disease — for  example,  high 
blood  pressure,  elevated  blood  lipids,  cigarette 
smoking,  obesity,  electrocardiographic  abnormali- 
ties, and  sedentary  habits.  It  may  be  possible  to 
refine  this  “coronary  profile”  and  to  recognize 
other  factors  to  identify  prime  candidates  for 
rapidly  lethal  heart  attacks. 

The  contracts  are  also  designed  to  identify  the 
physiological  mechanisms  responsible  for  acute 
heart  attack  and  sudden  death  and  to  correlate 
them  with  anatomical  and  pathological  changes; 
and  to  determine  practical  methods  of  treatment 
for  the  very  early  stages  of  a heart  attack. 

A major  facet  of  the  contracts  which  have 
been  awarded  is  the  collaborative  study  of  corre- 
lations between  autopsy  findings  and  antecedent 
events  in  sudden  cardiac  death  victims.  The  four 
contracts  all  provide  for  a common  core  of  autop- 
sy and  interview  data. 


Brief  Summary  of  Prescribing  Information- 

9-9/22/69.  For  complete  information  consult 
Official  Package  Circular. 

Indications:  Essential  hypertension.  Use  cau- 
tiously in  patients  with  renal  insufficiency, 
particularly  if  they  are  digitalized. 
Contraindications:  Anuria,  oliguria,  active 
peptic  ulceration,  ulcerative  colitis,  severe  de- 
pression or  hypersensitivity  to  its  components 
contraindicates  the  use  of  Salutensin. 
Warnings:  Small-bowel  lesions  (obstruction, 
hemorrhage,  perforation  and  death)  have 
occurred  during  therapy  with  enteric-coated 
formulations  containing  potassium,  with  or 
without  thiazides.  Such  potassium  formula- 
tions should  be  used  with  Salutensin  only 
when  indicated  and  should  be  discontinued 
immediately  if  abdominal  pain,  distension, 
nausea,  vomiting  or  gastrointestinal  bleeding 
occurs.  Use  cautiously,  and  only  when  deemed 
essential,  in  fertile,  pregnant  or  lactating  pa- 
tients. Use  in  Pregnancy:  Thiazides  cross  the 
placenta  and  can  cause  fetal  or  neonatal 
hyperbilirubinemia,  thrombocytopenia, 
altered  carbohydrate  metabolism  and  possibly 
electrolyte  disturbances.  Fatal  reactions  may 
occur  with  reserpine  during  electroshock 
therapy;  discontinue  Salutensin  2 weeks  be- 
fore such  therapy.  Increased  respiratory 
secretions,  nasal  congestion,  cyanosis  and 
anorexia  may  occur  in  infants  born  to  reser- 
pine-treated  mothers. 

Precautions:  Azotemia,  hypochloremia,  hypo- 
natremia, hypochloremic  alkalosis  and  hypo- 
kaliemia  (especially  with  hepatic  cirrhosis 
and  corticosteroid  therapy)  may  occur,  par- 
ticularly with  pre-existing  vomiting  and  diar- 
rhea. Potassium  loss  or  protoveratrine  A may 
cause  digitalis  intoxication.  Potassium  loss 
responds  to  potassium-rich  foods,  potassium 
chloride  or,  if  necessary,  discontinuation  of 
therapy.  Stop  therapy  if  protoveratrine  A 
induces  digitalis  intoxication.  Serum  am- 
monia elevation  may  precipitate  coma  in 
precomatose  hepatic  cirrhotics.  Discontinue 
therapy  2 weeks  before  surgery  or  if  myo- 
cardial irritability,  progressive  azotemia  or 
severe  depression  occur.  Exercise  caution  in 
patients  with  chronie  uremia,  angina  pec- 
toris, coronary  thrombosis  or  extensive  cere- 
bral vascular  disease  or  bronchial  asthma  and 
in  those  with  a history  of  peptic  ulceration  or 
bronchial  asthma;  in  post-sympathectomy  pa- 
tients; in  patients  on  quinidine;  and  in  pa- 
tients with  gallstones,  in  whom  biliary  colic 
may  occur.  Patients  who  have  diabetes 
mellitus  or  who  are  suspected  of  being  pre- 
diabetic should  be  kept  under  close  observa- 
tion if  treated  with  this  agent. 

Adverse  Reactions:  Hydroflumethiazide:  Skin 
rashes  (including  exfoliative  dermatitis),  skin 
photosensitivity,  urticaria,  necrotizing  angiitis, 
xanthopsia,  granulocytopenia,  aplastic 
anemia,  orthostatic  hypotension  (potentiated 
with  alcohol,  barbiturates  or  narcotics),  aller- 
gic glomerulonephritis,  acute  pancreatitis, 
liver  involvement  (intrahepatic  cholestatic 
jaundice),  purpura  plus  or  minus  throm- 
bocytopenia, hyperuricemia,  hyperglycemia, 
glycosuria,  malaise,  weakness,  dizziness,  fa- 
tigue, paresthesias,  muscle  cramps,  skin  rash, 
epigastric  distress,  vomiting,  diarrhea  and 
constipation.  Reserpine:  Depression,  peptic 
ulceration,  diarrhea,  Parkinsonism,  nasal  stuf- 
finess, dryness  of  the  mouth,  weight  gain, 
impotence  or  decreased  libido,  conjunctival 
injection,  dull  sensorium,  deafness,  glaucoma, 
uveitis,  optic  atrophy,  and,  with  overdosage, 
agitation,  insomnia  and  nightmares.  Proto- 
veratrine A:  Nausea,  vomiting,  cardiac  ar- 
rhythmia, prostration,  blurring  vision,  mental 
confusion,  excessive  hypotension  and  brady- 
cardia. (Treat  bradycardia  with  atropine  and 
hypotension  with  vasopressors.) 

Usual  Dose:  1 tablet  b.i.d. 

Supplied:  Bottles  of  60,  600,  and  1000  scored 
50  mg.  tablets. 

Salutensin 

hydroflumethiazide,  50  mg./reserpine, 
0.125  mg.  protoveratrine  A,  0.2  mg. 


BRISTOL 


BRISTOL  LABORATORIES 
Division  of  Bristol-Myers  Company 
Syracuse,  New  York  13201 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

July  1970,  Vol.  XI,  No.  7 


Inherited  Human  Cancer 

JOHN  F.  JACKSON,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


Any  discussion  of  the  genetic  aspects  of  human 
cancer  should  include  tumors  in  general  rather 
than  just  malignant  tumors,  since  some  benign 
inherited  tumors  have  rather  definite  relationships 
to  the  development  of  malignancy.  The  genetics 
of  tumors  involves  two  broad  areas.  One  aspect  is 
cytogenetics,  which  includes  those  things  that  can 
be  examined  with  the  microscope,  such  as  chro- 
mosome analysis  and  buccal  smears  from  which 
the  sex  chromosome  patterns  can  be  inferred. 
The  other  aspect  is  Mendelian  inheritance,  in 
which  there  are  defects  of  specific  genes  that  lie 
at  some  particular  point  (locus)  on  a specific 
chromosome.  Gene  defects  can  not  be  seen  using 
the  microscope,  but  their  presence  can  be  investi- 
gated by  doing  family  studies  (pedigrees)  to  de- 
termine inheritance  patterns. 

Mendelian  genetics  has  three  rather  simple  pat- 
terns of  inheritance:  autosomal  dominant,  auto- 
somal recessive,  and  X-linked  (or  sex-linked). 
Autosomal  refers  to  the  fact  that  the  gene  lies  on 
a chromosome  other  than  a sex  chromosome.  In 
man  there  are  a total  of  46  chromosomes  with 
22  pairs  of  autosomes  and  two  sex  chromosomes 
in  all  somatic  cells.  In  the  female,  the  sex  chro- 

From  the  Departments  of  Preventive  Medicine  and  Medi- 
cine, University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine. 
Presented  December  3,  1969,  in  the  Clinical  Cancer  Pro- 
gram, Wednesday  Cancer  Conference  Series. 


mosomes  consist  of  two  X chromosomes,  and  in 
the  male  there  is  one  X chromosome  and  one  Y 
chromosome. 


While  some  inherited  tumors  are  malig- 
nant at  the  time  they  first  appear , other  in- 
herited disorders  produce  benign  tumors 
which  later  may  become  malignant.  The  au- 
thor includes  both  types  in  his  discussion. 
He  considers  in  depth  the  areas  of  cyto- 
genetics and  Mendelian  inheritance. 


In  autosomal  dominant  gene  transmission,  any- 
one who  inherits  the  abnormal  gene  is  affected. 
He  transmits  this  gene  to  50  per  cent  of  his  chil- 
dren on  the  average  because  of  the  fact  that  he 
must  give  them  one  or  the  other  of  his  two  chro- 
mosomes of  each  pair.  If  the  abnormal  gene  is 
transmitted,  then  the  offspring  gets  the  disorder. 
If  the  normal  gene  is  transmitted,  the  child  does 
not  get  the  disorder,  assuming  that  the  spouse  is  a 
normal  individual  and  does  not  carry  the  same 
gene.  Since  most  inherited  tumors  are  relatively 
uncommon,  usually  only  one  spouse  has  the  dis- 
order (Figure  1 ) . 

Neurofibromatosis  is  inherited  in  an  autosomal 
dominant  fashion.  In  this  disorder,  there  are  be- 


JIJLY  1970 


365 


INHERITED  CANCER  / Jackson 

nign  tumors  protruding  from  the  surface  of  the 
skin.  There  may  be  literally  hundreds  covering 
an  individual  or  there  may  be  only  one  or  two.  In 
about  5 to  10  per  cent  of  affected  individuals,  a 
benign  neurofibroma  will  be  transformed  ulti- 
mately into  a sarcoma.  Peutz-Jeghers  syndrome  is 
also  inherited  in  simple  autosomal  dominant  fash- 
ion. This  disorder  has  associated  melanin-pig- 
mented spots  about  the  lips  with  benign  polyps 
of  the  intestine.  This  disorder  does  not  appear  to 
have  any  propensity  to  malignant  transformation. 
Hyperkeratosis  palmaris  and  plantaris,  on  the 
other  hand,  has  a rather  high  incidence  of  associ- 
ated esophageal  carcinoma. 

Familial  polyposis  of  the  colon  is  also  inherited 
as  a simple  autosomal  dominant,  but  carries  a 
much  more  grim  prognosis.  In  familial  polyposis 
there  are  literally  myriads  of  small  polyps  scat- 
tered throughout  the  mucosa  of  the  entire  colon. 
If  the  colon  is  not  removed,  most  patients  with 
this  disorder  will  have  malignant  transformation 
of  one  or  more  polyps  by  the  age  of  40.  Thus 
here  is  illustrated  an  array  of  benign  tumors  in- 
herited in  simple  autosomal  dominant  fashion, 
but  with  great  variation  in  predisposition  to  ma- 
lignant transformation. 


OTHER  DISEASES 

There  are  other  diseases  such  as  retinoblas- 
toma, usually  inherited  as  an  autosomal  domi- 
nant, though  there  are  sporadic  cases  which  are 
not  inherited.  There  is  also  Gardner’s  Syndrome 
in  which  there  are  polyps  of  the  colon,  oste- 
omas, fibromas,  and  epidermal  cysts.  In  poly- 
endocrine  adenomatosis  there  may  be  tumors  of 
the  pituitary,  of  the  adrenal  cortex,  occasionally 
of  the  thyroid  and  frequently  of  the  parathyroid. 

AUTOSOMAL  DOMINANT  GENE  TRANSMISSION 


AFFECTED  NORMAL 


50%  AFFECTED  50%  NORMAL 

Figure  1 


Peptic  ulcer  is  frequently  associated,  and  the  Zol- 
linger-Ellison  syndrome  of  peptic  ulcer  associated  1 
with  gastrin-secreting  pancreatic  tumor  may  be 
one  facet  of  polyendocrine  adenomatosis.  In  ad- 
dition, there  are  hereditary  multiple  exostoses, 
multiple  nevoid  basal  cell  carcinoma,  medullary 
thyroid  carcinoma  with  amyloid,  hereditary  ade- 
nocarcinomatosis  of  the  colon  and  uterus,  and 
pheochromocytoma  as  other  examples  of  tumors 
inherited  in  autosomal  dominant  fashion. 

PROBABLE  TRANSMISSION 

Once  any  of  these  diseases  appears  in  an  indi- 
vidual, then  the  expectation  is  for  him  to  transmit 
the  disorder  to  50  per  cent  of  his  children.  In 
small  sibships,  there  are  not  always  exactly  50 
per  cent  affected,  just  as  one  can  flip  a coin  and 
have  heads  appear  several  times  in  succession. 
Similar  skewed  distribution  may  occur  with  dom- 
inant disease  in  one  individual  family,  yet  the  sta- 
tistical expectancy  in  large  numbers  at  risk  is  for 
50  per  cent  of  the  children  to  be  similarly  affect- 
ed. 

The  next  Mendelian  inheritance  pattern  for 
discussion  is  sex-linked  recessive  gene  transmis- 
sion. By  sex-linked  is  meant  that  the  gene  is  lo- 
cated on  an  X chromosome,  of  which  the  female 
has  two  and  the  male  has  one.  The  reason  that 
genes  on  the  X chromosome  are  inherited  in  a 
different  pattern  is  because  the  small  Y chromo- 
some in  males  leaves  most  of  the  genes  on  the 
X chromosome  unpaired,  whereas,  the  normal 
female  has  two  completely-paired  X chromo- 
somes. Therefore,  if  an  abnormal  gene  is  present 
on  that  part  of  the  X chromosome  that  is  un- 
paired by  the  Y chromosome,  then  all  of  the 
males  carrying  this  gene  will  be  affected.  If  the 
abnormal  gene  is  on  one  of  the  X chromosomes 
in  the  female  and  paired  by  a normal  X chromo- 
some, the  disorder  will  not  be  manifested. 

RESULTANT  PATTERN 

The  resultant  pattern  is  that  the  affected  male 
transmits  his  abnormal  gene  to  all  of  his  daugh- 
ters who  then  are  carriers.  They  are  not  affected 
by  this  disorder  because  they  have  a normal  gene 
on  their  other  X chromosome.  The  affected  fa- 
ther does  not  transmit  the  disorder  to  any  of  his 
sons  because  in  order  form  them  to  be  sons,  they 
have  to  get  his  Y chromosome;  otherwise  they 
would  have  been  daughters  if  they  had  received 
his  X chromosome.  In  the  next  generation,  a fe- 
male carrier  married  to  a normal  male  has  50 
per  cent  carrier  daughters,  and  50  per  cent  nor- 
mal who  can  not  transmit  the  gene  to  the  next 


366 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


SEX-LINKED  RECESSIVE  GENE  TRANSMISSION 


AFFECTED 

MALE 

X Y 


NORMAL 

FEMALE 

X X 


100% 

CARRIER 

DAUGHTERS 


100% 

NORMAL 

SONS 


NORMAL 

MALE 

X Y 


CARRIER 

FEMALE 

X X 


50% 


50% 


50% 


50% 

CARRIER  NORMAL  AFFECTED  NORMAL 

DAUGHTERS  SONS 

Figure  2 


generation.  Fifty  per  cent  of  the  female  carrier’s 
sons  will  be  affected  and  50  per  cent  will  be  nor- 
mal. Thus  the  pattern  of  transmission  in  a pedi- 
gree is  that  an  affected  grandfather  has  affected 
grandsons,  and  that  there  are  only  males  affected 
(Figure  2) . 

RARE  TRANSMISSIONS 

Since  most  of  these  disorders  are  rare,  it  is  un- 
usual for  a carrier  female  to  marry  an  affected 
male.  In  such  a case,  affected  females  with  ab- 
normal genes  on  both  X chromosomes  could  re- 
sult. This  is  actually  an  over-simplification,  since 
some  females  with  only  one  abnormal  X-linked 
gene  may  be  more  or  less  affected.  This  is  due  to 
the  random  inactivation  of  one  of  the  X chromo- 
somes to  form  the  sex-chromatin  body  occurring 
as  a normal  event  in  all  females,  according  to  the 
Lyon  hypothesis.  Most  female  carriers  are  unaf- 
fected. Ichthyosis  vulgaris  is  X-linked  in  trans- 
mission. There  is  some  keratin  build-up  which  is 
similar  to  that  in  hyperkeratosis  palmaris  and 
plantaris,  but  there  is  no  increased  incidence  of 
malignancy  in  this  disorder.  Agammaglobuline- 
mia of  the  Bruton  type,  in  which  there  is  failure 
to  develop  gammaglobulins,  is  inherited  in 


X-linked  fashion,  and  there  is  a high  incidence 
of  associated  leukemia. 

The  third  and  last  pattern  of  Mendelian  in- 
heritance is  that  of  autosomal  recessive  gene 
transmission.  The  gene  is  on  an  autosome,  a non- 
sex chromosome.  It  is  recessive,  in  that  an  indi- 
vidual who  carries  only  one  abnormal  gene  is  not 
affected  by  the  disorder.  He  must  have  abnormal 
genes  at  this  particular  locus  on  both  chromo- 
somes to  be  affected.  The  most  common  marriage 
producing  children  affected  with  autosomal  re- 
cessive disorders  is  that  between  two  asympto- 
matic carrier  parents.  Therefore  as  one  looks  at 
the  pedigree,  there  are  usually  multiple  sibs  in- 
volved in  one  generation  only.  The  disorder  is  not 
transmitted  directly  from  one  generation  to  an- 
other; it  affects  males  and  females  in  equal  ratio; 
and  on  the  average  in  this  particular  mating,  one 
in  four  offspring  will  be  affected.  Two  out  of  four 
will  be  asymptomatic  carriers.  One  out  of  four 
will  be  normal,  not  even  carrying  the  gene,  and 
cannot  transmit  it  to  the  next  generation.  An  af- 
fected individual  married  to  a carrier  will  pro- 
duce 50  per  cent  affected  and  50  per  cent  carrier 
individuals.  A carrier  married  to  a normal  pro- 
duces half  carriers  and  half  normal.  An  affected 


L'i 

.> 


$ 

: ‘T 


JULY  1970 


367 


INHERITED  CANCER  / Jackson 

spouse  married  to  a normal  person  will  produce 
all  carrier  individuals.  Therefore,  the  gene  is  often 
transmitted  from  one  generation  to  another  with- 
out the  disorder  ever  appearing.  This  is  why  peo- 
ple are  often  astonished  when  they  are  told  that 
they  have  an  inherited  disorder,  since  it  has  never 
before  appeared  in  the  family  (Figure  3). 

XERODERMA  PIGMENTOSUM 

Xeroderma  pigmentosum  is  a disorder  inherit- 
ed in  simple  autosomal  recessive  fashion  in  which 
all  affected  individuals  develop  skin  carcinomas 
in  the  exposed  areas.  Ataxia  telangiectasia  is  an 
interesting  disorder  readily  recognized  by  multi- 
ple telangiectases  about  the  conjunctivae  that  may 
extend  over  the  bridge  of  the  nose  or  the  upper 
part  of  the  face  and  characteristic  ataxic  signs  of 
cerebellar  disease.  One  of  our  patients  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  hospital  at  age  19  because  of  per- 
sistent nausea  and  vomiting.  An  enormous  polyp- 
oid mass  filled  the  stomach.  At  the  time  of  sur- 
gical exploration  the  mass  was  a gastric  adeno- 
carcinoma with  typical  signet  ring  cells  on  histo- 
logic examination.  She  had  a feeding  gastrostomy 
but  soon  expired.  At  autopsy  there  were  multiple 
metastases  and  no  germinal  centers  in  the  lymph 


nodes.  She  also  had  a lung  abscess  and  lacked 
gamma  A immunoglobulins.  Gamma  A is  the 
immunoglobulin  that  is  secreted  into  the  respira- 
tory tract  and  is  really  the  first  line  of  defense 
against  pulmonary  invasion.  Her  gamma  G and 
gamma  M immunoglobulins  were  actually  higher 
than  normal  and  her  parents  and  her  unaffected 
sibs  all  had  normal  levels  of  all  three  immuno- 
globulin classes. 

Our  patient  was  the  youngest  of  12  sibs,  five 
of  whom  had  ataxia  telangiectasia.  All  of  the 
other  affected  sibs  were  dead.  Her  next  older  sis- 
ter, who  had  died  at  the  age  of  21,  also  had  a 
gastric  adenocarcinoma  histologically  indistin- 
guishable from  that  of  our  patient.  It  had  been 
previously  reported  that  individuals  with  ataxia 
telangiectasia  had  a predisposition  to  leukemias 
and  lymphomas.  We  feel  that  with  the  demon- 
stration of  gastric  adenocarcinoma  in  two  young 
sibs  that  we  need  to  consider  that  ataxia  telan- 
giectasia predisposes  to  malignant  tumors  in  gen- 
eral, not  just  to  leukemias  and  lymphomas.  Thymic 
dysplasia  and  a high  percentage  of  chromosome 
breakage  and  rearrangement  of  chromosomes  in 
tissue  culture  are  also  characteristic  of  ataxia  tel- 
angiectasia. In  addition,  the  peripheral  blood 
lymphocytes  fail  to  respond  adequately  to  stimu- 
lation in  tissue  culture. 


AUTOSOMAL  RECESSIVE  GENE  TRANSMISSION 


CARRIER  CARRIER  AFFECTED  CARRIER 


PARENTS 


25%  50%  25% 

AFFECTED  CARRIER  NORMAL 


50%  50% 

AFFECTED  CARRIER 


Figure  3 


368 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


A 

I -3 


B 

4-5 


n r 


V 


Ji 


m 

m 


6 -12  and  X 


i r 


D 

13-15 


MM  SI  2S  IS  firar^ir 


t 


16 


17-18 


F 

19-20 


2l-22and  Y 


fit — tsn  <& — » 


Xx 


4A 


A* 


V'.' 

.1 * . * P; 

i 

A * A . M 

„ ' **« 

4 ^ I 


Figure  4.  Normal  male  karyotype. 


In  addition  to  ataxia  telangiectasia,  two  other 
disorders  inherited  in  an  autosomal  recessive  pat- 
tern also  have  excessive  chromosome  breakage 
and  rearrangement.  One  is  Bloom’s  syndrome,  or 
telangiectatic  dwarfism,  and  the  other  is  Fanconi’s 
congenital  anemia.  These  two  disorders  share 
with  ataxia  telangiectasia  the  predisposition  to  the 
development  of  leukemias.  Chromosome  abnor- 
malities are  an  integral  part  of  the  development 
of  malignant  tumors.  It  is  interesting  to  speculate 
that  in  Bloom’s  syndrome,  Fanconi’s  anemia,  and 
ataxia  telangiectasia,  the  predisposition  to  chro- 
mosome breakage  allows  for  genetic  variability 
and  ultimately  the  evolution  of  malignant  tumors. 

CYTOGENETICS 

Cytogenetics  is  concerned  with  what  we  can 
see  in  the  microscope.  Chromosome  analysis  is 
performed  using  an  ordinary  light  microscope. 
The  electron  microscope  is  not  necessary  to  study 
human  chromosomes.  Since  the  largest  chromo- 
some is  about  as  long  as  the  diameter  of  a red 
blood  cell  there  is  no  difficulty  in  seeing  this  in 
the  ordinary  light  microscope  using  oil  immersion. 
A photograph  of  the  chromosomes  scattered 
about  the  cell  is  enlarged  to  8 x 10.  Each  chro- 
mosome is  cut  out  with  scissors,  paired  with  its 


homologue  and  arranged  in  descending  size  to 
form  what  is  known  as  a karyotype.  Figure  4 is  a 
normal  male  karyotype  with  the  autosomes  to 
the  left  of  the  vertical  line  and  the  sex  chromo- 
somes to  the  right,  in  this  case  one  X and  one  Y 
chromosome.  The  normal  female  karyotype  is  the 
same  except  that  the  sex  chromosomes  are  two 
X chromosomes  (Figure  4). 

One  fairly  frequent  chromosome  abnormality 
produces  gonadal  dysgenesis  or  Turner’s  syn- 
drome in  which  there  are  only  45  chromosomes 
and  only  one  sex  chromosome,  an  X chromo- 
some. Turner's  syndrome  characteristically  pre- 
sents as  a phenotypic  female  who  is  short  of 
stature,  has  an  increased  carrying  angle  of  the 
arms,  frequently  a webbed  neck,  has  fibrous  tis- 
sue streaks  for  ovaries  and  as  a result  of  the  lack 
of  ovarian  stimulation  fails  to  menstruate.  Not  all 
individuals  with  Turner’s  syndrome  have  exactly 
the  same  type  of  chromosomal  abnormality. 
Many  have  a mixture  (mosaic)  of  cells  with  some 
that  are  XO  and  some  XX.  In  rare  cases  the 
chromosome  constitution  includes  some  cells  with 
XY  male  sex  chromosomes.  Individuals  who  have 
the  phenotypic  Turner  syndrome  but  have  some 
XY  cells,  have  a very  high  incidence  of  tumors 
of  the  ovary,  usually  gonadoblastoma.  This  is  a 


369 


JULY  1970 


INHERITED  CANCER  / Jackson 

special  indication  for  exploration  and  removal  of 
the  streak  ovaries. 

Chromosome  analysis  on  another  of  our  pa- 
tients showed  he  had  only  45  chromosomes  and 
was  missing  a chromosome  in  the  C group.  He 
had  myelofibrosis  with  myeloid  metaplasia,  which 
is  considered  to  be  a premalignant  lesion  by  many 
in  that  people  with  myeloid  metaplasia  frequent- 
ly terminate  with  acute  leukemia.  Other  cells 
from  that  same  individual  contained  90  chromo- 
somes instead  of  45  chromosomes.  In  all  prob- 
ability the  90  chromosome  cells  evolved  from  the 
abnormal  45  chromosome  cell  line  by  polyploid- 
ization.  In  about  0.5  per  cent  of  the  cells  that  we 
see  in  mitosis  from  normal  peripheral  blood  cul- 
tures there  is  polyploidy,  i.e.,  having  92  chromo- 
somes or  some  other  multiple  of  the  normal  num- 
ber. At  some  time,  a polyploid  cell  went  through 
the  process  of  chromosome  duplication  without 
an  intervening  mitosis.  This  is  one  way  in  which 
tumors  develop  their  great  genetic  heterogeneity 
when  the  original  chromosome  number  is  abnor- 
mal, so  that  in  this  particular  case  there  were 
two  chromosomes  missing  from  the  6 to  12  group. 

Chronic  myelogenous  leukemia  is  the  only  ma- 


lignant tumor  associated  with  a specific  chromo- 
some abnormality.  The  abnormality  is  known  as 
the  Philadelphia  one  (Ph  1)  chromosome,  named 
for  the  laboratory  in  which  it  was  discovered.  The 
Ph  1 chromosome  is  one  of  the  21-22  group 
which  has  suffered  a deletion,  or  breakage  with 
loss  of  about  one-half  to  two-thirds  of  its  long 
arms.  Most  of  the  cases  of  chronic  myelogenous 
leukemia  have  the  Philadelphia  one  chromosome, 
and  those  who  are  Ph  1 positive  have  been 
shown  to  be  more  responsive  to  therapy  than  the 
ones  who  are  negative.  It  occasionally  appears  in 
duplicate  during  the  time  in  which  chronic  my- 
elogenous leukemia  may  be  transformed  into 
acute  leukemia.  The  acute  leukemias,  on  the  oth- 
er hand,  frequently  have  abnormal  chromosome 
numbers  but  there  has  been  no  specific  pattern. 
One  of  our  cases  of  acute  leukemia  had  a modal 
number  of  47  and  there  was  an  extra  chromo- 
some belonging  to  the  G group.  Sometimes  there 
may  be  45  chromosomes,  or  48,  or  some  other 
number  around  the  normal  modal  number  of  46. 

Malignant  solid  tissue  tumors  routinely  exhibit 
chromosome  abnormalities  to  a marked  degree. 
Figure  5 is  a karyotype  from  an  individual  with 
carcinoma  of  the  lung  and  was  prepared  directly 
from  a pleural  effusion.  It  shows  typical  findings 
for  malignant  tumors,  the  wrong  chromosome 


■mm — i I — m 


13-15 


16-18 


i 19 — 20 1 


Figure  5 . Karyotype  of  cell  from  pleural  effusion  clue  to  carcinoma  of  the  lung. 


370 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


number  (aneuploidy)  obviously  containing  too 
many  chromosomes,  and  there  are  incorrect  num- 
bers within  the  groups.  Finally  there  are  individu- 
al chromosomes  called  marker  chromosomes 
which  are  different  in  size  or  shape  from  any  of 
the  normal  chromosomes.  They  usually  develop 
by  the  process  of  translocation  involving  breakage 
of  two  chromosomes  with  rejoining  to  form  an 
abnormal  chromosome.  Occasionally  there  are 
chromosomes  that  look  like  two  round  dots  stuck 
together.  These  are  minute  chromosomes  that  ap- 
pear frequently  in  malignant  central  nervous  sys- 
tem tumors  of  children.  We  have  seen  such  mi- 
nute chromosomes  in  a dysgerminoma  from  an 
8-year-old  child.  The  total  chromosome  number 
may  be  extremely  high.  Chromosome  analysis  of 
cells  from  effusions  can  be  of  help  in  individuals 
who  are  suspected  of  having  malignancies  as  the 
cause  for  their  effusions  (Figure  5). 

One  of  the  things  that  has  interested  us  for  the 
past  several  years  is  why  tumor  cells  become 
polyploid.  It  is  not  often  that  we  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to  examine  a biochemical  mechanism  for 
cytologic  disturbances,  but  normal  human  leuko- 
cytes can  be  induced  to  become  polyploid  by 
treating  them  with  /J-mercaptoethanol.  Cultures 
of  normal  human  leukocytes  treated  with  mer- 
captoethanol  contain  binucleate  cells  in  some  of 
which  the  two  nuclei  fail  to  separate,  producing  a 
striking  resemblance  to  Reed-Sternberg  cells 
seen  in  Hodgkin's  Disease.  Sometimes  the  chro- 
mosomes duplicate  but  fail  to  separate  producing 
an  endoreduplication  in  which  the  two  like  chro- 
mosomes lie  side  by  side.  Rarely  a cell  will  under- 
go two  chromosome  replications  without  an  inter- 
vening mitosis,  producing  an  octoploid  mitosis 
having  four  times  the  normal  number  of  chromo- 
somes. Occasionally  some  of  the  chromosomes 
are  seen  to  be  greatly  fragmented. 

Thus  in  tissue  culture  we  have  induced  things 
that  occur  spontaneously  in  tumors.  If  these  ob- 
servations applied  only  to  mercaptoethanol  they 
would  be  of  little  significance  because  mercapto- 
ethanol is  not  a normal  physiologic  metabolite  nor 


is  anyone  apt  to  be  exposed  to  large  concentra- 
tions since  it  has  such  a foul  odor.  But  the  amino 
acid  cysteine  also  contains  a sulfhydryl  group. 
Cysteine  can  be  transaminated  to  /3-mercapto- 
pyruvate,  which  also  induces  polyploidy  in  nor- 
mal human  leukocytes.  We  have  been  working  on 
a hypothesis  which  supposes  that  with  a decrease 
in  enzymes  that  ordinarily  remove  mecaptopyru- 
vate,  that  this  physiologic  intermediate  might  ac- 
cumulate as  a result  of  the  normal  metabolism  of 
cysteine.  Cysteine  is  also  converted  to  cysteamine 
by  decarboxylation  in  man.  Cysteamine  is  one  of 
the  best  known  radio-protective  agents,  yet  it  also 
will  induce  polyploidy.  These  cytologic  effects  are 
probably  not  the  process  by  which  tumors  are 
initiated,  but  may  be  one  of  the  pathways  by 
which  tumors  progress,  perhaps  explaining  why 
individual  cancer  cells  become  polyploid. 

Some  disorders  that  are  inherited  in  simple 
Mendelian  fashion  produce  benign  tumors  which 
later  may  become  malignant.  Other  inherited  tu- 
mors are  malignant  at  the  time  they  first  appear. 
Pedigree  analysis  allows  differentiation  of  the  spe- 
cific inheritance  pattern  in  many  cases.  Cyto- 
genetic study  can  confirm  the  diagnosis  in  chronic 
granulocytic  leukemia  and  may  identify  cancer  as 
a cause  for  effusions.  Correlative  biochemical 
studies  of  enzymes  and  chromosome  analysis  may 
yield  clues  to  the  pathogenesis  of  chromosome 
abnormalities  in  malignant  tumors.  *** 

2500  N.  State  St.  (39216) 

REFERENCES 

1.  Haerer,  A.  F.;  Jackson.  J.  F.;  and  Evers,  C.  G.: 
Ataxia-Telangiectasia  With  Gastric  Adenocarcinoma. 
JAMA  210:1884.  1969. 

2.  Jackson.  J.  F.:  Chromosome  Analysis  of  Cells  in  Ef- 
fusions From  Cancer  Patients,  Cancer  20:537  (April) 
1967. 

3.  Jackson,  J.  F.;  and  Lindahl-Kiessling,  K.:  Action  of 
Sulfhydryl  Compounds  on  Human  Leukocyte  Mitosis 
in  Vitro.  Exper.  Cell  Res.  34:515,  1964. 

4.  Lynch.  H.  T.:  Hereditary  Factors  in  Carcinoma,  New 
York.  Springer-Verlag  Inc.,  1967. 

5.  McKusick,  V.  A.:  Mendelian  Inheritance  in  Man,  ed. 
2,  Baltimore,  The  Johns  Hopkins  Press,  1968. 


USUAL  AND  CUSTOMARY 

The  plumber,  called  to  unstop  the  kitchen  sink,  presented  his 
bill  for  $25  to  the  housewife’s  dismay  and  astonishment. 

“Why,  my  doctor  only  charges  $8  a visit  for  treating  my  child,” 
she  complained. 

“Yes,  I know,”  replied  the  plumber.  “That’s  what  I charged 
when  I was  a pediatrician.” 


JULY  1970 


371 


Radiologic  Seminar  XCVII 
Ureteropelvic  Junction  Obstruction 

NANCY  W.  BURROW,  M.D. 

Brandon,  Mississippi 


There  are  three  anatomical  points  of  narrow- 
ing in  the  normal  course  of  the  ureters;  1)  at  the 
ureteropelvic  junction,  2)  where  the  ureter  cross- 
es the  iliac  vessels,  and  3 ) at  the  ureterovesical 
junction.3  The  first  of  these  will  be  considered 
with  conditions  leading  to  obstruction  at  this 
point. 

By  far  the  most  frequent  cause  of  UPJ  (ure- 
teropelvic junction)  obstruction  is  a congenital 
stricture  or  narrowing  or  an  abnormal  vessel.2 
This  is  the  most  common  urologic  problem  in  in- 
fants and  children,  so  commonplace  in  fact  that  a 
flank  mass  in  a child  should  be  considered  a hy- 
dronephrotic  kidney  until  proven  otherwise.  Se- 
vere degrees  of  obstruction  may  give  rise  to  early 
symptoms  and  findings.  Milder  degrees  may  not 
become  clinically  apparent  until  adult  life. 

There  is  a distinct  tendency  for  this  condition 
to  be  a bilateral  occurrence,  but  the  dilatation 
may  be  less  marked  on  one  side  so  that  only  one 
kidney  need  be  corrected.  Minimal  degrees  of 
pyelectasis  are  clinically  important,  however,  as 
this  may  be  the  basis  for  recurring  infection. 

Opinions  differ  greatly  concerning  types  and 
causes  of  congenital  obstruction  of  the  uretero- 
pelvic junction  and  when  one  considers  the  fact 
that  at  operation  the  nature  of  the  obstruction 
sometimes  cannot  be  determined,  it  seems  too 
much  to  expect  etiological  information  from  a 
urogram.  Mainly  the  urogram  is  of  diagnostic 

-'ponsored  by  the  Mississippi  Radiological  Society.  From 

he  Department  of  Radiology,  Rankin  General  Hos- 
pital. 


value  only  in  the  broad  sense  of  recognition  of 
the  obstructive  condition  at  the  UPJ.1  However, 
occasionally  the  urogram  will  distinguish  between 
a high,  nondependent  insertion  of  the  ureter  into 
the  renal  pelvis  and  a ureter  in  the  normally  de- 
pendent position  but  narrowed  or  obstructed  from 
stenosis,  stricture  or  neuromuscular  phenomena. 
Anomalous  vessels  crossing  the  area  may  be 
demonstrated  with  urogram  or  more  definitely  by 
aortography. 

On  a plain  film  of  the  abdomen  most  frequent- 
ly no  abnormality  is  noted.  After  injection  of  the 
contrast  medium  there  can  be  a wide  variation  in 
the  degree  to  which  renal  function  has  been  al- 
tered. Good  concentration  of  the  medium  may 
appear  promptly;  there  will,  however,  be  a di- 
lated renal  pelvis  without  obvious  cause.  The 
pyelectasis  may  be  disproportional  to  the  caliec- 
tasis;  the  calyces  frequently  remain  sharp  and 
well-formed.  The  ureter  will  be  of  a normal  cali- 
bre. 

This  would  appear  to  be  a rather  straight-for- 
ward radiographic  diagnosis,  but  there  is  one  pit- 
fall  for  all  of  us.  If  there  is  obstructive  uropathy 
at  some  lower  level  in  the  ureter  and  the  study  is 
concluded  prior  to  ureteral  filling,  the  films  will 
resemble  UPJ  obstruction.  Advanced  vesicoure- 
teral reflux  has  been  reported  to  simulate  UPJ 
obstruction  due  to  continued  pelvic  filling  from 
reflux  rather  than  obstructive  disease.4 

The  point  to  be  gained  here  is  that  a diagnosis 
of  UPJ  obstruction  should  be  substantiated  with 
the  visualization  of  a normal  ureter  distal  to  the 


372 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Figure  1.  Radiograph  ten  minutes  after  IV  injec- 
tion of  contrast  media  shows  delayed  function  on  the 
right  with  a normal  left  upper  renal  tract. 


UPJ.  If  the  obstruction  is  complete  or  advanced, 
retrograde  studies  may  be  necessary  to  demon- 
strate the  normal  ureter. 

Conditions  which  may  present  a similar  radio- 
graphic  picture  would  include  a stone  lodged  at 
the  UPJ;  tumors,  both  intrinsic  and  extrinsic  to 
the  collecting  system;  aortic  aneurysm,  and  some 
inflammatory  lesions.5 

In  general,  mild  degrees  of  ureteropelvic  ob- 
struction with  pyelectasis  and  little  or  no  caliec- 
tasis  are  best  left  alone.  Indications  for  surgery 
include  pain,  calculi  infection  and  destruction  of 
renal  substance.  In  borderline  cases  a conserva- 
tive approach  is  best  with  yearly  urograms  to  de- 
termine if  the  condition  is  progressing. 

Whenever  a kidney  is  approached  surgically 
for  a stone,  the  surgeon  should  consider  the  possi- 
bility of  associated  obstruction  of  the  uretero- 
pelvic junction  as  an  etiological  factor  in  calcu- 
lous formation.1 

Success  of  operation  on  the  ureteropelvic  junc- 
tion is  evaluated  on  the  basis  of  clinical  and  uro- 


Figure  2.  Delayed  radiograph  on  the  same  patient 
demonstrating  hydronephrotic  right  kidney  secondary 
to  obstruction  at  the  ureteropelvic  junction.  Note  that 
the  left  upper  renal  tract  has  completely  drained. 

graphic  results.  The  patient  may  become  asymp- 
tomatic yet  the  postoperative  urograms  may  show 
little  or  no  change.  On  the  opposite  extreme 
some  cases  may  have  a normal  appearing  post- 
operative study. 

Regardless  of  etiology,  the  clinical  importance 
of  prompt  diagnosis  of  a UPJ  obstruction  is  ob- 
vious as  this  condition  is  amendable  to  surgery 
with  salvage  of  the  kidney.  *** 

Rankin  General  Hospital  (39042) 

REFERENCES 

1.  Emmett,  John  L.:  Clinical  Urography.  Philadelphia, 
W.  B.  Saunders  Company,  1964,  p.  308-357. 

2.  Kaufman,  Joseph  and  Maxwell,  Morton:  “Ureteral 
Varices.”  American  Journal  of  Roentgenology,  Ra- 
dium, Therapy  and  Nuclear  Medicine  92:346-350. 
1964. 

3.  Kerr,  H.  Dabney  and  Gillis,  Carl:  The  Urinary  Tract. 
Chicago,  Yearbook  Publishers  Inc.,  1944. 

4.  King,  Lowell  R.:  Apparent  Ureteropelvic  Obstruction 
Caused  by  Vesicoureteral  Reflux.  Illinois  Medical 
Journal  133:711-715,  1968. 

5.  Wesson.  Miley  B.:  Urologic  Roentgenology.  Philadel- 
phia, Lea  and  Febiger.  1946. 


JULY  1970 


373 


Medicine  for  the  70’s: 
Decade  of  Decision 

JAMES  L.  ROYALS,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


The  delivery  system  which  purveys  medical 
care  to  Americans  is  on  trial.  Agencies  of  govern- 
ment engaged  in  care  financing  are  attacking  the 
system.  A variety  of  proposals  for  radical  change 
are  heard  in  the  halls  of  Congress.  Insurance  and 
Blue  plans  are  introducing  subtle  influences  upon 
it.  And  we  ourselves  in  medical  organization,  the 
staunchest  advocates  of  the  system,  are  raising 
questions  about  it. 

As  if  this  were  not  enough  to  strain  the  fabric 
of  medical  organization,  substantial  forces  from 
the  mass  media  and  social  interest  groups  appear 
to  have  decided  that  any  ill  of  mankind,  whether 
physical,  mental,  or  otherwise,  is  somehow  re- 
lated to  the  real  and  fancied  deficits  of  our  medi- 
cal care  delivery  system.  The  decade  of  the  '60’s 
brought  change  in  medical  care  financing  with 
Medicare  and  Medicaid,  and  the  administration 
of  these  programs  has  exerted  an  impact  upon 
delivery  patterns. 

So  it  should  come  as  no  surprise  that  I have 
found  unrest  among  my  colleagues  and  a creep- 
ing insecurity  in  our  ranks.  We  have  discovered 
that  it  is  not  easy  to  adjust  to  change,  especially 
when  much  of  it  is  brought  upon  us  by  outside 
sources. 

I do  not  or  could  not  claim  perfection  for  our 
care  delivery  system.  Growing  older,  I confess  to 
an  increasing  discomfort  with  change,  and  I find 
myself  resisting  it  more  frequently.  But  we  must 
recognize  that  we  are  living  in  a dynamic  time,  a 
time  of  rapid  and  dramatic  change,  of  new  and 
varied  social  forces,  of  miraculous  technology, 
and  of  troubled  political  balance  in  a volatile 
world. 


President.  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association,  1969- 

1970. 

i :ad  before  the  House  of  Delegates,  102nd  Annual  Ses- 
sion, Biloxi,  May  11-14,  1970. 


We  must  not  only  adjust  to  change,  but  we 
must  also  exercise  leadership  that  will  conceive 
and  direct  the  course  of  changes  within  medicine 


The  cave  delivery  system  is  on  trial,  says 
the  1969-70  president  of  the  association. 
The  challenges  are  great,  and  medical  or- 
ganization must  work  together  or  fail  in  the 
responsibilities  it  has  assumed.  Physicians 
must  be  prepared  to  make  substantial  contri- 
butions of  time  and  substance  to  preserve  a 
pluralistic  delivery  system  and  to  insure  the 
best  medical  care  for  all  Mississippians  and 
for  all  Americans. 


and  medical  care  delivery.  An  inquisitive  out- 
reach in  a constant  search  to  improve  and  a will- 
ingness to  experiment  with  promising  change  are 
hallmarks  of  medical  progress.  Let  us  look  to  the 
young  for  increasing  leadership  responsibility  in 
our  search  for  better  health  care.  Toward  this 
end,  I applaud  the  move  to  bring  medical  stu- 
dents into  more  active  participation  in  medical  af- 
fairs. 

It  has  become  forcefully  apparent  that  there  is 
a serious  shortage  of  medical  manpower  in  our 
nation.  Compounding  the  problem  has  been  a 
vast  expansion  of  the  care  purchasing  base 
through  government-financed  programs.  And  in- 
creased demand  for  medical  services  results  not 
only  from  increased  ability  to  purchase  but  also 
from  rising  levels  of  health  education  and  from 
the  deceptively  simple  fact  that  there  are  more  of 
us  to  consume  care. 

Mississippi  has  the  lowest  physician-to-popula- 
tion  ratio  of  any  state  in  the  union.  Nationally, 
there  is  a physician  for  every  750  Americans.  In 


374 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


our  state,  we  have  one  physician  for  every  1,400 
Mississippians.  The  ratios  for  other  members  of 
the  health  care  team  are  similar  and  we  stand  at 
the  national  midpoint  on  medical  facilities. 

An  expected  consequence  is  a burdensome 
workload  upon  our  medical  team.  While  the  ma- 
jority of  Mississippians  receive  excellent  care, 
many  do  not.  We  must  in  all  candor  and  honesty 
recognize  that  there  are  large  groups  in  our  state 
who  receive  little  or  no  medical  care.  It  is  not  suf- 
ficient for  us  to  proclaim  that  we  never  turn  a pa- 
tient away  or  to  say  that  we  will  care  for  anyone 
who  comes  to  us. 

Many  of  our  Mississippi  citizens  who  receive 
little  or  no  care  are  so  deprived  economically  as 
to  be  unable  to  seek  medical  services.  Now,  it  is 
important  to  recognize  also  that  neither  the  prob- 
lem nor  the  solution  is  the  total  responsibility  of 
the  medical  profession,  but  we  have  leadership 
responsibilities  in  seeking  solutions  which  are  in- 
escapable. 

We  need  new  and  innovating  methods  of  tak- 
ing medical  care  to  the  poor  within  the  best 
framework  available,  our  private  care  delivery 
system.  We  must  assist  and  lead  in  developing  a 
strong,  positive  outreach  to  those  who  are  remote 
emotionally,  educationally,  intellectually,  and  ec- 
onomically. 

INEVITABLE  COURSE 

We  must  do  this  because  it  is  the  good  and 
proper  course.  But  it  has  also  become  abundantly 
clear  that  if  we  do  not  do  it,  then  it  will  be  done 
by  others  under  circumstances  not  of  our  making 
or  desire.  If  we  are  unable  to  lead  in  bringing 
good  and  sufficient  medical  care  to  all  of  our  citi- 
zens, then  we  should  lose  the  leadership  posture 
we  occupy  for  we  would  not  have  measured  up  to 
the  task. 

The  outreach  to  the  poor,  the  deprived,  and 
the  remote  is  particularly  needed  in  the  rural 
areas  of  our  state,  and  the  growing  core  of  our 
cities  should  not  escape  attention.  I call  on  medi- 
cal organization  to  rise  to  this  serious  and  de- 
manding challenge.  Some  mechanisms  for  extend- 
ing care  already  exist:  Medicaid  which  sorely 
needs  our  help  to  succeed  from  its  late  and  shaky 
beginning,  our  system  of  public  health  depart- 
ments and  public  welfare  agencies  which  can  as- 
sist in  case  finding  and  care  organization,  and 
specialized  agencies  of  state  government  with 
unique  abilities  to  coordinate  and  furnish  infor- 
mation. 

In  the  midst  of  this  massive  effort,  medicine 
must  also  look  within  as  well  as  outside.  We  must 
be  the  masters  of  our  own  house.  The  vast  ma- 


jority of  Mississippi  physicians,  as  is  true  of  all 
American  physicians,  are  competent,  honorable 
individuals.  But  there  are  a few  self-serving  phy- 
sicians who  bring  discredit  upon  us  all.  They  are 
the  underscored  examples  of  ills,  evils  and  abuses 
heaped  upon  us  by  free-swinging  mass  media, 
those  who  seek  any  means  of  social  change,  and 
those  who  decry  and  destroy  but  who  offer  no  so- 
lutions. 

PEER  REVIEW  PROGRAM 

Within  our  own  ranks,  we  must  develop  a 
working  system  of  peer  review  as  an  effective  in- 
strument for  self-regulation.  The  unacceptable  al- 
ternative— and  it  is  virtually  upon  us — is  submis- 
sion to  third  parties  who  would  sit  in  judgment 
upon  the  quality  of  care  and  the  price  paid  for  it. 

Physicians  are  best  equipped  to  make  these 
judgments,  but  we  must  make  responsible  and 
worthy  judgments  if  we  are  to  have  them  ac- 
cepted. 

Your  Board  of  Trustees  has  already  initiated  a 
peer  review  program,  and  we  must  support  this 
useful  beginning  with  our  time,  knowledge,  and 
substance.  We  must  now  extend  this  service  to 
the  component  society  and  medical  community 
levels,  not  merely  in  name  but  absolutely  in  fact. 
Peer  review  committees  should  gather  together 
the  functions  of  care  quality  review,  fee  review, 
and  grievance  committee  activities  under  a single 
banner.  It  should  become  the  point  of  reference 
and  the  point  of  appeal. 

The  work  of  peer  review  should  include  but 
not  be  limited  to  resolution  of  differences  be- 
tween patient  and  physician,  review  of  the  quality 
of  medical  care,  adequacy  and  or  reasonableness 
of  fees,  whether  due  or  paid  from  private  or  pub- 
lic sources,  utilization  of  health  care  resources, 
and  liaison  with  private  and  public  sources  of 
medical  care  financing. 

EDUCATIONAL  ASPECTS 

Perhaps  most  important  of  all  is  the  thrust  of 
peer  review  which  is  not  punitive  but  educational 
and  corrective.  We  must  learn  to  work  in  harmo- 
ny with  peer  review  and  honor  the  judgments  of 
our  colleagues.  Otherwise,  we  shall  certainly  be 
judged  by  others. 

Still  other  serious  and  threatening  challenges 
come  from  within  our  state.  During  the  past  10 
months,  the  Legislature  has  been  in  session  on 
two  occasions.  The  1969  Extraordinary  Session 
was  called  to  consider  Medicaid,  and  the  first  of 
the  annual  Regular  Sessions  was  conducted  this 
year. 

Medicaid  was  enacted  at  the  last  minute  for  its 


JULY  1970 


375 


PRESIDENT’S  ADDRESS  / Royals 

implementation  in  Mississippi.  It  is  a minimum 
program  with  massive  problems,  one  which  ur- 
gently requires  the  support  and  understanding  of 
all  to  succeed.  During  the  special  session,  there 
was  clear  and  unmistakable  unrest  among  legisla- 
tors and  frequent  sharp  differences  of  philosophy 
and  viewpoint  with  the  health  care  team. 

In  the  Regular  Session,  dozens  of  bills  related 
to  medical  care  and  practice  were  introduced. 
We  literally  moved  from  one  legislative  crisis  to 
another,  losing  some,  winning  some,  and  prevail- 
ing on  occasion  by  the  thread-like  margin  of  a 
single  vote.  While  the  scoreboard  shows  that  we 
came  out  well  on  bills  we  supported  and  those  we 
opposed,  our  position  was  extremely  tenuous  at 
all  times.  In  all  frankness,  we  experienced  hostili- 
ty toward  medicine,  and  we  know  that  our  com- 
munications must  be  improved. 

We  must  communicate  with  the  physician  in 
his  hometown,  and  he  must  communicate  with 
his  representative  and  senator.  We  must  be  in- 
formed on  the  issues,  and  daily  dialogue  with 
the  legislator  is  indispensable.  We  need  reasoned, 
positive  programs  to  offer,  not  just  stonewall  op- 
position. I have  learned  by  unforgettable  experi- 
ence that  it  is  not  enough  to  write  your  legislator 
a letter  or  talk  to  him  on  one  or  two  occasions. 
Constant,  continuing  contact  is  essential,  and  the 
legislator  must  learn  that  you  have  a vital  interest 
in  the  issues,  his  position,  and  his  vote. 

LEGISLATIVE  PROGRAM 

We  must  beef  up  our  legislative  effort  and  pro- 
gram, provide  more  staff'  support,  and  be  willing 
to  give  more  time  personally  in  this  activity. 

As  I look  critically  at  the  manner  in  which  I 
practice  and  observe  my  colleagues,  I arrive  at 
the  inescapable  conclusion  that  we  could  practice 
more  efficiently.  It  may  also  be  fairly  noted  that 
there  are  inefficiencies  in  our  free  enterprise  sys- 
tem, although  it  has  our  support  and  dedication. 
Prepaid  group  practice,  more  popularly  known  as 
closed  panel  medicine,  such  as  Kaiser-Permanen- 
te,  offers  the  advantage  of  efficiency.  We  need  to 
adopt  measures  for  efficiency  in  our  private  de- 
livery system  to  be  more  effective  and  to  contain 
or  even  reduce  health  care  costs. 

For  every  inefficiency  in  our  private  delivery 
system,  cost  is  added,  and  the  cost  of  illness  is 
rapidly  becoming  unacceptable  to  the  American 
public.  We  as  physicians  must  exert  every  effort 
> bring  under  reasonable  control  the  spiraling 
costs  of  care. 


What  every  Mississippian  must  understand  is 
that  the  circumstances  under  which  medical  care 
is  rendered  are  not  necessarily  those  of  medi- 
cine’s choosing  or  devising.  The  care  climate  is 
the  product  of  the  total  social,  political,  cultural, 
and  economic  environment.  No  thinking  person 
would  say  that  hospitals,  the  worst  offenders  in 
mounting  health  care  price  spiral,  have  deliber- 
ately inflicted  upon  themselves  these  horrendous 
cost  problems.  Physicians  clamoring  for  associ- 
ates in  demanding  practices  have  not  willed  a 
shortage  of  medical  manpower. 

The  simple  truth  of  the  matter  is  that  virtually 
every  system  of  service,  almost  every  good  that  is 
purchased,  and  every  law  that  is  truly  obeyed 
are  what  society  wants  them  to  be.  To  those  who 
choose  to  ignore  this  basic  axiom  of  human  na- 
ture and  charge  that  American  medicine  would 
turn  back  the  clock,  we  reply  that  a science  which 
has  moved  itself  a century  ahead  in  the  span  of  a 
generation  is  much  more  the  victim  than  it  is  the 
architect. 

LEADERSHIP  ROLE 

We  cannot  alone  stand  accountable  for  infant 
mortality  in  the  city  ghetto  with  slums,  lack  of 
sanitation,  and  inattention  to  personal  hygiene. 
But  we  can  and  must  assume  a leadership  role  in 
the  circumstances  of  care  delivery,  in  taking  it  in- 
to areas  of  deficit,  and  in  organizing  care  for  ac- 
cessibility and  availability. 

Our  delivery  system  is  pluralistic,  not  mono- 
lithic. We  have  been  consistent  in  opposing — in 
the  interests  of  all — the  monolith,  be  it  one  of 
government,  of  institutions,  or  a specific  ideal  or 
force  of  society.  We  should  therefore  be  willing  to 
experiment  and  to  innovate,  because  the  give- 
and-take  of  pluralism  is  a far  better  state  than 
the  ultimate  inflexibility,  circumscribed  choice, 
and  single-system  domination  of  the  monolith. 
We  can  infuse  the  flexibility  we  seek  better  than 
any  other  source,  because  we  carry  the  responsi- 
bility for  rendering  medical  care. 

MEDICAL  ORGANIZATION 

We  are  organized  together  to  seek  and  achieve 
these  worthy  goals,  to  assume  these  tasks  of  lead- 
ership, and  to  meet  our  responsibilities.  It  is  the 
obligation  of  every  physician  to  work  with  his  col- 
leagues toward  these  ends,  to  contribute  his  share, 
to  give  his  best  thinking,  and  to  make  up  his  part 
of  the  whole. 

The  most  tragic  hour  in  American  medicine 
comes  when  a physician  withdraws  himself  in 
spirit  and  substance  from  medical  organization. 


376 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


He  renders  himself  impotent  and  he  chips  a stone 
from  our  foundation.  The  whole  is  never  greater 
than  the  sum  of  its  parts,  and  no  man  is  an  island. 
His  dissent  should  not  be  translated  into  destruc- 
tion of  his  organization,  of  his  colleagues,  or  of 
himself.  He  simply  does  not  have  that  right. 

Medical  organization,  from  the  component  so- 
ciety through  the  state  association  of  AMA,  is  re- 
sponsive, democratic,  and  flexible.  We  must  all 


work  together  or  fail  in  the  responsibilities  we 
have  assumed. 

The  delivery  system  is  on  trial.  Our  circum- 
stances are  neither  easy  nor  simple.  But  the  chal- 
lenges are  great,  and  the  gauntlet  is  down.  Let  us 
do  what  we  must  to  insure  the  best  medical  care 
for  all  Mississippians  and  for  all  Americans.  *** 

918  North  State  St.  (39201) 


GREATER  LOVE  HATH  NO  MAN 

The  career  girl  had  worked  hard  and  saved  her  money  for  a 
much-desired  cruise  vacation.  Her  diary  records  the  events: 

July  5:  Ship  departed  San  Francisco  for  the  South  Seas.  Away 
at  last.  Captain  of  ship  is  a very  handsome  and  dashing  man. 

July  6:  Captain  invited  me  to  dinner  at  his  table.  Delightful. 

July  7:  Captain  invited  me  to  visit  bridge  and  then  to  his 
quarters.  He  is  a most  ardent  and  passionate  man.  Says  if  I do 
not  accept  his  advances  he  will  blow  up  ship  with  650  passengers 
and  crew. 

July  8:  I have  just  saved  650  lives. 


JULY  1970 


377 


Constitution  and  By-Laws  of  the 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


CONSTITUTION 

Preamble 

That  more  may  live  longer  in  the  richness  and  com- 
fort of  health;  that  pain,  suffering,  and  disease  may  be 
eradicated  to  the  extent  made  possible  by  scientific 
medical  knowledge;  that  the  standards  of  the  medical 
profession  may  be  maintained  on  the  highest  plane  of 
honor,  we  dedicate  ourselves  as  physicians  through  this 
Association.  Among  us,  membership  is  a privilege, 
earned  by  professional  qualification,  personal  honor,  and 
selfless  service;  it  is  not  a right  vested  superficially  nor 
by  statutory  licensure.  Truth  shall  be  our  quest;  diligence, 
our  staff;  and  service,  our  purpose. 

Article  I 

NAME  OF  THE  ASSOCIATION 

The  name  and  title  of  this  Association  shall  be  the 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association. 

Article  II 

PURPOSE  OF  ORGANIZATION 

The  purpose  of  this  Association  shall  be  to  federate 
and  bring  into  one  compact  organization  the  entire 
medical  profession  of  the  State  of  Mississippi  and  to 
unite  with  similar  associations  in  other  states  to  form 
the  American  Medical  Association,  with  a view  toward 
the  extension  of  medical  knowledge,  and  to  the  advance- 
ment of  medical  science;  to  the  elevation  of  the  standard 
of  medical  education,  and  to  the  enactment  and  en- 
forcement of  just  medical  laws,  to  the  promotion  of 
friendly  intercourse  among  the  physicians  and  to  guard- 
ing and  fostering  of  their  opinion  in  regard  to  the  great 
problems  of  medicine,  so  that  the  profession  shall  be- 
come more  honorable  and  capable  within  itself,  and 
more  useful  to  the  public  in  the  prevention  and  care  of 
disease,  and  in  the  prolonging  of  and  adding  comfort 
to  life. 

The  purpose  of  this  Association  shall  be  to  promote 
scientific  medical  research  and  practice  and  it  shall  be  a 
non-profit  organization. 

Article  III 

COMPONENT  SOCIETIES 

Component  Societies  shall  consist  of  those  societies 
which  hold  charters  from  the  Association. 

Article  IV 
MEMBERSHIP 

Section  1.  Members  of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association.  Members  shall  be  active,  associate,  or  emer- 
itus, acording  to  requirements  and  provisions  of  the  By- 
Laws.  There  may  also  be  invited  guests.  Membership 
other  than  associate  shall  be  construed  as  active  in 
connection  with  the  rights  and  privileges  accruing  there- 
from. 

Section  2.  Guests.  Any  physician  not  a resident  of 
the  state  may  become  a guest  during  any  annual  session 
upon  invitation  of  a member  of  the  Association,  and 
s all  be  accorded  the  privilege  of  participating  in  all 
the  scientific  work  of  that  session. 


Article  V 

SESSIONS  AND  MEETINGS 

Section  1.  The  Association  shall  hold  an  annual  ses- 
sion during  which  there  shall  be  held  daily  not  less 
than  two  general  meetings,  which  shall  be  open  to  all 
registered  members  and  guests. 

Section  2.  The  time  and  place  for  holding  the  annual 
session  shall  be  fixed  by  the  House  of  Delegates,  but 
in  emergencies,  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  have  the 
power  to  fix,  or  change,  either  the  time  or  the  place, 
or  both  of  the  annual  session. 

Article  VI 

GENERAL  OFFICERS 

Section  1.  The  general  officers  of  this  Association 
shall  be  a President,  President-elect,  three  Vice-Presi- 
dents, one  from  each  Supreme  Court  District,  Secretary- 
Treasurer,  Speaker,  Vice  Speaker,  and  Editor. 

Section  2.  The  President,  President-elect,  and  Vice- 
Presidents  shall  hold  terms  of  one  year.  The  Secretary- 
Treasurer,  Speaker,  Vice  Speaker  and  Editor  shall  be 
elected  for  terms  of  three  years. 

Section  3.  The  officers  of  this  Association  shall  be 
elected  by  the  House  of  Delegates  on  the  last  day  of 
the  annual  session  following  the  adjournment  of  the 
general  meeting,  but  no  person  shall  be  elected  to  any 
such  office  who  has  failed  to  attend  two-thirds  of  the 
past  two  and  current  annual  sessions  and  who  has  not 
been  a member  for  the  past  two  years. 

Section  4.  In  addition  to  these  general  officers,  there 
shall  be  an  Executive  Secretary  who  need  not  be  a 
physician  or  member  of  the  Association.  He  shall  be 
appointed  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  shall  serve  at 
the  pleasure  of  the  Association.  His  compensation  and 
expenses  for  duties  performed  shall  be  fixed  by  the 
Board  of  Trustees  and  confirmed  by  the  House  of  Del- 
egates. 

Article  VII 

EXECUTIVE  OR  CENTRAL  OFFICES 

The  Executive  Secretary  shall  maintain  in  the  city 
of  Jackson  suitable  offices  for  the  discharge  of  his  duties 
and  for  conducting  the  administrative  affairs  of  the  Asso- 
ciation. 

Article  VIII 

HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES 

The  House  of  Delegates  shall  be  the  legislative,  busi- 
ness, and  policy-making  body  of  the  Association  and 
shall  consist  of  (1)  delegates  selected  by  the  component 
societies  under  authorized  apportionment,  (2)  the  gen- 
eral officers  of  the  Association,  (3)  all  past  presidents, 
provided  they  still  be  members  in  good  standing  of  the 
Association,  (4)  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  and 
Councils,  and  (5)  elected  committees.  Delegates  and 
Alternate  Delegates  to  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion, members  of  the  State  Board  of  Health,  and  mem- 
bers of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Mental  Institutions,  all 
of  whom  must  be  members  of  this  Association. 


378 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Article  IX 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  be  the  executive  and 
governing  body  of  the  Association  during  vacation  of 
the  House  of  Delegates  and  shall  perform  such  duties  as 
are  prescribed  by  law  governing  directors  of  corpora- 
tions and  in  the  By-Laws  of  the  Association.  The  Board 
shall  consist  of  nine  members,  one  from  each  Associa- 
tion District,  elected  for  terms  of  three  years  each.  A 
Trustee  shall  not  serve  more  than  three  consecutive 
terms. 

Article  X 

FUNDS  AND  EXPENSES 

Funds  for  meeting  the  expenses  of  the  Association 
shall  be  arranged  for  by  the  House  of  Delegates  by 
annual  dues,  per  capita  assessments  upon  the  member- 
ship, and  by  voluntary  contributions.  Funds  may  be 
appropriated  by  the  House  of  Delegates  to  defray  the 
expenses  of  the  annual  session,  publications,  and  for 
any  other  purpose  approved  by  the  House  of  Delegates. 

Article  XI 
THE  SEAL 

The  Association  shall  have  a common  Seal  with  power 
to  break,  change  or  renew  the  same  at  pleasure. 

Article  XII 

AMENDMENTS 

The  House  of  Delegates  may  amend  any  article  of 
this  Constitution  by  a two-thirds  vote  of  the  delegates 
registered  at  the  annual  session,  provided  that  such 
amendment  shall  have  been  presented  in  open  meeting 
at  the  previous  annual  session,  and  that  it  shall  have 
been  sent  officially  to  each  component  society  at  least 
two  months  before  the  session  at  which  final  action  is 
taken. 

BY-LAWS 

Chapter  I 
MEMBERSHIP 

Section  1.  Eligibility.  Each  component  society  of  the 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  shall  judge  the 
qualifications  of  candidates  for  election  to  membership 
therein,  which  shall  be  restricted  to  those  persons  who 
hold  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  from  an  appro- 
priately accredited  source  as  defined  by  the  American 
Medical  Association,  or  in  lieu  thereof,  a foreign  degree 
in  medicine  which  is  an  acceptable  equivalent  to  the 
Board  of  Trustees  and  shall  be  a citizen  of  the  United 
States.  All  candidates  for  any  degree  of  membership 
other  than  associate  must  be  legally  licensed  to  practice 
medicine  in  Mississippi.  Persons  who  obtained  this 
degree  prior  to  January  1,  1917,  need  not  comply  with 
this  requirement  but  must  be  licensed  to  practice  med- 
icine in  Mississippi  or,  if  offering  to  practice  in  Missis- 
sippi must  be  eligible  for  license  by  reciprocity  and  be 
a member  in  good  standing  of  a constituent  (state)  asso- 
ciation of  the  American  Medical  Association.  Member- 
ship in  a component  society,  evidenced  by  the  payment 
of  dues  for  the  current  year,  shall  be  a prerequisite  to 
membership  in  the  Association,  except  that  a physician 
upon  his  initial  application  for  membership  in  a com- 
ponent society  of  the  Association  shall  be  required  to 
undergo  a waiting  period  of  ninety  (90)  consecutive 
days  from  the  date  he  begins  the  practice  of  medicine 
in  the  geographical  area  of  the  component  society  be- 
fore he  may  be  elected  to  membership  in  the  component 
society.  No  physician  shall  be  eligible  for  membership 


who  has  been  convicted  of  or  who  has  plead  guilty 
to  either  a felony  or  a violation  of  a state  or  federal 
narcotics  law.  The  duly  certified  court  record  shall  be 
prima  facie  evidence  of  pleas  and  convictions  and  cause 
automatic  revocation  of  membership.  No  physician  shall 
be  eligible  for  election  to  or  continuation  of  membership 
who  does  not  possess  a currently  effective  federal  nar- 
cotics stamp,  provided,  however,  that  physicians  in  full 
time  government  service  who  need  no  registration  to 
use,  prescribe,  and  dispense  narcotic  drugs  and  those 
who,  by  reason  of  type  of  practice,  employment,  inac- 
tivity, or  retirement,  neither  prescribe  nor  dispense  nar- 
cotics and  who  for  this  reason  alone  have  not  applied 
for  registration  shall  be  exempt  from  this  requirement. 

Section  2 (a).  Good  Standing.  Only  those  members 
in  good  standing  shall  be  entitled  to  the  rights  and 
privileges  of  membership.  A physician  not  in  good 
standing  may  not  be  elected  to  office  nor  exercise  the 
privilege  of  voting  or  attending  any  session  of  this 
Association,  scientific  or  otherwise.  The  name  of  a 
physician  upon  the  properly  certified  roster  of  a com- 
ponent society  which  has  paid  its  annual  assessment 
shall  be  prima  facie  evidence  of  his  right  to  register  at 
the  annual  session  of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association.  No  member  shall  participate  in  any  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  annual  session  until  he  is  duly 
registered.  No  delegate  or  other  member  shall  take  part 
in  any  of  the  proceedings  of  an  annual  session  until  he 
has  complied  with  the  provisions  of  this  section,  (b) 
Change  of  State  Residence.  In  the  event  that  a member 
moves  from  the  State,  his  membership  shall  continue 
until,  and  lapse  at  the  end  of,  the  current  fiscal  year, 
but  this  provision  shall  not  operate  to  prevent  a physi- 
cian who  moves  from  the  state  continuing  his  member- 
ship by  payment  of  all  dues  and  assessments  to  the 
state  Association,  (c)  Obligations  of  Membership.  When 
the  Executive  Secretary  of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association  is  officially  informed  by  the  secretary  of  a 
component  society  that  a physician  is  not  in  good  stand- 
ing in  the  component  society,  he  shall  remove  the  name 
of  the  physician  from  the  rolls  of  the  Association.  A 
member  shall  hold  his  membership  through  the  compo- 
nent society  in  the  jurisdiction  of  which  he  practices, 
provided  that  a physician  living  on  or  near  a county 
line  may  hold  membership  in  the  society  most  conven- 
ient for  him  to  attend.  If  the  society  in  which  he  chooses 
to  secure  membership  does  not  exercise  jurisdiction  over 
the  area  of  his  residence,  then  permission  must  be  ob- 
tained from  the  jurisdiction  society  to  facilitate  his  affili- 
ation with  the  extra-jurisdiction  society. 

Section  3.  Degrees  of  Membership.  Members  of  the 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  shall  be  divided 
into  the  following  classifications:  Active,  emeritus,  and 
associate,  (a)  Active  Membership.  Active  members  shall 
include  all  eligible  members  of  component  societies  in 
good  standing,  providing  that  all  dues  and  assessments 
in  this  Association  as  may  be  hereinafter  prescribed  have 
been  received  by  the  Association,  (b)  Emeritus  Mem- 
bers. Any  members  of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  As- 
sociation who  has  been  an  active  member  for  any  ten 
consecutive  years  and  shall  have  permanently  retired 
from  the  practice  of  medicine  shall  be  eligible  for  elec- 
tion to  emeritus  membership.  Election  to  emeritus  mem- 
bership for  reason  of  retirement  in  the  case  of  permanent 
and  total  disability  shall  merit  special  consideration  but 
shall  be  subject  to  ruling  by  the  Board  of  Trustees.  Elec- 
tion to  emeritus  membership  shall  be  based  on  the  rec- 
ommendation of  the  component  society  and  the  ap- 
proval of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  (c)  Associate  Mem- 
bership. Any  commissioned  medical  officer  in  the  United 
States  Army,  United  States  Air  Force,  United  States 
Navy,  or  United  States  Public  Health  Service,  or  any 
physician  in  the  employ  of  the  Veterans  Administra- 
tion, not  licensed  to  practice  in  the  State  of  Missis- 
sippi, stationed  in  Mississippi,  members  of  medical 
faculties  of  medical  schools  in  Mississippi,  approved  by 


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379 


h'bAL  f H 


the  American  Medical  Association,  who  are  not  licensed 
to  practice  in  the  state,  any  hospital  intern,  or  any  hos- 
pital resident  in  Mississippi,  may,  on  election  to  associate 
membership  by  the  component  society  in  whose  juris- 
diction the  physician  resides  become  an  associate  of 
the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association.  Associate 
members  shall  not  vote  or  hold  office. 

Section  4.  Dues  and  Assessments.  A per  capita  assess- 
ment determined  by  the  House  of  Delegates  shall  con- 
stitute the  dues  of  the  Association,  which  assessment 
shall  be  collected  from  all  active  members  by  the  re- 
spective secretaries  of  the  component  societies,  provided 
that  new  members  shall  be  accepted  on  payment  of 
three-fourths  of  annual  dues  after  May  1 and  one-half 
of  annual  dues  after  September  1.  Each  active  member 
shall  pay  the  prescribed  dues  to  the  officer  designated  by 
the  component  society  for  transmittal  to  the  Executive 
Secretary  of  the  Association.  Dues  shall  include  a sub- 
scription to  the  official  publication  of  the  Association, 

(a)  Members  Excused  From  Payment.  The  Board  of 
Trustees  may,  by  majority  vote,  excuse  a member  from 
payment  of  dues  because  of  undue  hardship  or  similar 
circumstances  warranting  special  consideration  provided 
that  the  component  society  shall  have  excused  in  full 
the  payment  of  dues  for  periods  exceeding  one  year.  Such 
circumstances  shall  be  interpreted  to  include  extended 
illness  and  temporary  disability.  Members  who  shall  have 
attained  age  70  and  who  have  been  active  members  of 
the  Association  for  any  10  consecutive  years  may,  upon 
request,  be  exempt  from  dues  for  life  effective  January  1 
after  the  70th  birthday,  and  such  exemption  shall  con- 
tinue so  long  as  the  member  continues  in  good  standing 
in  his  component  medical  society,  (b)  Emeritus  Mem- 
bers. Physicians  who  have  been  elected  emeritus  members 
shall  not  be  required  to  pay  dues  in  the  Association, 
(c)  Payment  of  Dues  and  Delinquency.  Dues  of  the 
Association  are  due  and  payable  on  December  31  of 
the  year  prior  to  that  for  which  dues  are  prescribed. 
Failure  to  pay  dues  by  April  1 of  the  year  for  which  due 
shall  result  in  forfeiture  of  membership  privileges  and 
the  removal  of  the  member’s  name  from  the  rolls  of  the 
Association.  A five  dollar  ($5.00)  reinstatement  cost 
shall  be  assessed  against  any  member  who  is  delinquent 
by  reason  of  non-payment  of  dues  after  April  1 of  the 
year  for  which  dues  are  payable.  A member  in  good 
standing  who  is  called  to  active  duty  with  the  Armed 
Forces  of  the  United  States  other  than  in  the  regular 
component  shall  be  carried  as  an  active  member  without 
payment  of  dues  until  such  time  as  he  is  released  from 
military  service. 

Section  5.  American  Medical  Association.  Members 
of  this  Association  shall  pay  the  dues  or  hold  a legal 
exemption  from  the  dues  of  the  American  Medical  As- 
sociation. These  dues  shall  be  paid  through  the  com- 
ponent society  to  the  Executive  Secretary  of  the  Missis- 
sippi State  Medical  Association,  whose  duty  it  shall  be 
to  transmit  them  to  the  American  Medical  Association 
and  to  obtain  proper  credits  and  receipts  therefor. 

Section  6.  Revocation  of  Emeritus  or  Associate  Mem- 
bership. Any  emeritus  or  associate  membership  may  be 
revoked  by  two-thirds  vote  of  the  House  of  Delegates 
when,  in  the  opinion  of  the  House  of  Delegates,  the 
conduct  or  actions  of  the  emeritus  or  associate  member 
violates  any  of  the  principles  of  the  code  of  ethics  or 
whose  conduct  or  actions  are  not  becoming  to  the  honor 
conferred. 

Chapter  II 

ANNUAL  AND  SPECIAL  SESSIONS 

Section  1.  Time  and  Place.  An  annual  session  shall 
be  held  as  required  by  Article  V,  Section  1,  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association, 
which  session  shall  in  any  event  be  held  prior  to  the 
annual  session  of  the  American  Medical  Association. 
The  place  of  the  state  session  shall  be  fixed  in  accord- 
ant with  Article  V,  Section  2,  the  Constitution  of  the 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association. 


Section  2.  Special  Session.  A special  session  of 
the  Association  or  of  the  House  of  Delegates  may  be  f 
called  by  the  President,  with  the  approval  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees.  The  Board  of  Trustees  is  empow- 
ered to  call  a special  session  Dy  majority  concurrence. 

Section  3.  Inviting  an  Annual  Session.  A component 
society  desiring  the  Association  and  House  of  Delegates 
to  meet  in  annual  session  in  a city  within  its  jurisdiction 
may  submit  an  invitation  in  writing  or  verbally  through 
its  representative  to  the  House  of  Delegates  at  the  an- 
nual session  concerned  with  the  selection  of  the  site  for 
the  next  regular  scheduled  meeting.  The  dates  and  site 
of  the  annual  session  selected  may  be  changed  by  ma- 
jority vote  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  in  an  emergency 
requiring  such  a change. 

Section  4.  Registration  Privileges.  Only  the  following 
shall  be  permitted  to  register  at  any  session: 

(a)  Active  members 

(b)  Emeritus  members 

(c)  Associate  members 

(d)  Invited  guests 

(e)  Medical  students  of  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion approved  medical  schools  who  are  certified 
to  the  Executive  Secretary  of  the  Association  by 
their  respective  deans. 

(f)  Interns  and  residents  who  are  graduates  of  Amer- 
ican Medical  Association  approved  medical 
schools  and  who  are  connected  with  an  approved 
hospital  and  who  are  certified  to  the  Executive 
Secretary  of  the  Association  by  their  respective 
hospital  superintendents  in  event  they  are  not  as- 
sociate members  of  the  Association. 

(g)  Commissioned  medical  officers  of  the  United 
States  Armed  Forces  who  are  on  active  duty  and 
who  if  not  associate  members  are  certified  to  the 
Executive  Secretary  by  their  Post  or  Base  Sur- 
geons or  Commanding  Officers. 

Section  5.  Indebtedness.  A member  shall  not  be  per- 
mitted to  register  unless  all  current  indebtedness  to  both 
the  Association  and  component  of  proper  jurisdiction  has 
been  paid. 

Section  6.  Admittance.  Admittance  to  any  meeting  of 
the  House  of  Delegates,  any  scientific  section,  or  any 
of  the  various  exhibits  at  an  annual  session  of  the  As- 
sociation shall  be  limited  to  members  in  good  standing, 
duly  registered  and  invited  guests,  members  in  good 
standing  of  the  Woman’s  Auxiliary  to  the  Mississippi 
State  Medical  Association,  duly  accredited  and  regis- 
tered members  of  the  Press,  and  accredited  technical 
and  scientific  exhibitors. 

Chapter  III 
GENERAL  MEETING 

Section  1.  Participation.  The  general  meeting  shall 
include  all  registered  members  and  guests,  who  shall 
have  equal  rights  to  participate  in  the  proceedings  and 
discussions,  but  no  member  shall  vote  on  any  question 
coming  before  a section  of  the  general  meeting  except 
those  who  have  registered  as  members  of  such  sections. 
Each  section  of  the  general  meeting  shall  be  presided 
over  by  its  chairman.  The  address  of  the  President  and 
the  Distinguished  Service  Oration  shall  be  delivered  be- 
fore the  general  meeting  at  such  time  and  place  as  may 
be  arranged. 

Section  2.  Order.  The  order  of  exercise,  papers,  and 
discussions  as  set  forth  in  the  official  program  shall  be 
followed  from  day  to  day  until  it  has  been  completed. 
But  no  section  shall  be  allowed  to  place  more  than  five 
papers  on  its  program,  nor  more  than  two  invited  guest 
essayists  (out-of-state  or  non-member).  When  a section 
program  is  not  completed  within  the  time  assigned,  it 
shall  not  be  allowed  to  continue  into  that  assigned  to 
another  section. 

Section  3.  Time  Restrictions.  No  address  or  paper 
before  the  Association,  except  those  of  the  President 
and  Orator,  shall  occupy  more  than  twenty  minutes  in 
its  delivery,  except  that  guests  may  be  allowed  thirty 


380 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


minutes;  and  in  formal  discussion  no  one  shall  speak 
more  than  five  minutes;  and  in  informal  discussion  no 
one  shall  speak  more  than  three  minutes  and  not  more 
than  one  time. 

Section  4.  Essayists.  With  the  exception  of  the  invited 
guests,  the  essayists  must  be  members  of  the  Association. 
No  name  shall  appear  more  than  once  on  the  printed 
program  to  discuss  a paper  before  the  regular  scientific 
sections  unless  such  person  qualifies  for  membership  as 
provided  in  these  By-Laws. 

Section  5.  Papers.  All  papers  read  before  the  Associa- 
tion shall  be  its  property.  Each  paper  must  be  read  by 
its  author,  and  must  be  deposited  with  the  Secretary 
when  read. 

Section  6.  Failure  to  Read  Paper.  No  author  listed  on 
the  program  who  fails  to  read  a paper  at  the  session 
may  be  allowed  a place  on  the  program  of  the  next  an- 
nual session,  but  if  the  author,  being  unable  to  attend, 
shows  his  good  intent  by  forwarding  his  paper  to  the 
Secretary  before  the  annual  session,  he  shall  not  suffer 
the  penalty. 

Chapter  IV 
SCIENTIFIC  SECTIONS 

Section  1.  Designation  of  Sections.  The  scientific  sec- 
tions of  the  Association  shall  be  as  follows:  (a)  Section 
on  Medicine,  (b)  Section  on  Surgery,  (c)  Section  on 
Preventive  Medicine,  (d)  Section  on  Eye,  Ear,  Nose  and 
Throat,  (e)  Section  on  Pediatrics,  (f)  Section  on  Ob- 
stetrics and  Gynecology,  and  (g)  Section  on  General 
Practice. 

Section  2.  Section  Officers.  Each  scientific  section  of 
the  Association  shall,  as  the  last  order  of  business 
during  its  regular  meeting,  elect  a chairman  who  shall 
serve  for  a period  of  one  year.  A majority  of  votes  cast 
shall  be  necessary  to  elect.  Additionally,  each  section 
shall  elect  a secretary  whose  term  of  office  shall  be  for  a 
period  of  three  years  and  so  arranged  that  secretaries 
shall  be  elected  by  their  respective  sections  at  the  same 
annual  meeting  as  follows:  (1)  Sections  on  General 
Practice  and  EENT,  (2)  Sections  on  Obstetrics  and 
Gynecology  and  Preventive  Medicine,  and  (3)  Sections 
on  Pediatrics,  Surgery,  and  Medicine. 

Section  3.  Program.  The  Council  on  Scientific  As- 
sembly shall  place  any  paper  in  its  proper  section.  The 
Council  shall  so  arrange  the  program  that  no  one  sec- 
tion shall  be  given  precedence  over  others  two  years  in 
succession. 

Chapter  V 
HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES 

Section  1.  Apportionment  and  Representation.  Each 
organized  county  shall  be  entitled  to  representation  in  all 
regular  and  special  sessions  of  the  House  of  Delegates, 
one  delegate  and  one  alternate  for  each  fifty  members  in 
the  county  and  one  delegate  and  one  alternate  for  each 
fraction  thereof,  but  each  organized  county  holding  a 
charter  from  this  organization  having  made  its  annual 
report  and  paid  its  assessments,  as  provided  in  this  Con- 
stitution and  By-Laws  shall  be  entitled  to  at  least  one 
delegate  and  alternate,  said  alternate  delegates  to  act  only 
in  the  absence  of  the  delegate  or  delegates  from  the 
respective  counties.  No  county  in  a component  society 
shall  be  without  representation  in  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates; each  shall  be  entitled  to  one  delegate  and  one 
alternate  without  regard  to  total  membership.  No  alter- 
nate may  be  seated  at  any  regular  or  special  session  of 
the  House  of  Delegates  unless  the  delegates  elected  from 
that  county  shall  be  absent  or  otherwise  unable  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  proceedings.  In  the  event  that  neither  the 
delegate  nor  the  alternate  is  able  to  attend  the  regular  or 
special  session  to  which  they  have  been  accredited,  then 
any  bona  fide  resident  of  the  county  may,  if  properly 
registered,  qualify  himself  as  a delegate.  No  representa- 
tive of  the  component  society  shall  be  seated  in  the 
House  of  Delegates  until  all  his  dues,  assessments,  and 


obligations  to  the  component  society  have  been  paid. 
Delegates  and  alternates  shall  be  elected  by  their  re- 
spective component  societies  for  terms  of  not  less  than 
two  years  and  shall  assume  office  on  the  first  day  of  the 
annual  session  following  their  elections;  they  shall  be 
bona  fide  residents  of  the  counties  which  they  represent. 
Their  names  shall  be  reported  to  the  Central  Office  of 
the  Association  not  later  than  thirty  days  prior  to  the 
first  day  of  the  annual  session.  Representatives  of  com- 
ponent societies  shall  be  seated  in  the  House  of  Delegates 
only  following  their  proper  registration  of  credentials 
from  the  component  societies  they  represent. 

Section  2.  Meetings  and  Attendance.  The  House  of 
Delegates  shall  meet  annually  on  the  first  day  of  the 
annual  session  of  the  Association.  The  House  of  Dele- 
gates shall  meet  for  the  conclusion  of  business  on  the 
last  day  of  the  annual  session  immediately  following 
the  adjournment  of  the  last  general  or  scientific  ses- 
sion, provided  that  these  requirements  shall  not  op- 
erate to  prevent  such  other  meetings  of  the  House  of 
Delegates  during  the  annual  session  as  the  House  itself 
may  order  or  the  President  or  Speaker  may  deem  nec- 
essary, but  no  such  meetings  may  be  called  at  times 
which  would  conflict  with  the  scheduled  general  or 
scientific  session.  Duly  registered  members  and  guests 
may  attend  all  meetings  of  the  House  of  Delegates  pro- 
vided that  they  occupy  a distinctly  separate  section  of 
the  meeting  hall  or  auditorium  and  further  provided  that 
they  shall  not  be  permitted  to  participate  in  any  phase 
of  the  meeting  of  the  House  of  Delegates  except  on  in- 
vitation of  that  body.  By  majority  vote,  the  House  of 
Delegates  may  enter  into  executive  session,  during  which 
time  only  qualified  delegates  and  officers  of  the  Associa- 
tion may  remain  in  attendance. 

Section  3.  Quorum.  A three-fifths  majority  of  regis- 
tered and  duly  seated  delegates  of  this  Association  shall 
constitute  a quorum. 

Section  4.  Order  of  Business.  The  order  of  business 
shall  be  conducted  at  the  pleasure  of  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates, provided  it  shall  not  be  in  conflict  with  either  these 
By-Laws  or  the  Constitution.  Meetings  shall  be  conducted 
according  to  Robert’s  Rules  of  Order,  Revised,  and  with- 
in the  bounds  of  courtesy  and  this  Constitution  and  By- 
Laws.  Generally,  the  order  of  business  shall  be: 

(1)  Adoption  of  the  Transactions  of  the  previous 
meeting. 

(2)  Reports  of  Boards,  Councils  and  Committees. 

(3)  Reports  of  Presidential  Committees. 

(4)  Special  Orders. 

(5)  Unfinished  Business. 

(6)  New  Business. 

Section  5.  Memorials  and  Resolutions.  No  memorials 
or  resolutions  shall  at  any  time  be  issued  in  the  name  of 
the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  by  any  officer 
or  member  thereof  until  such  memorial  or  resolution  has 
been  approved  and  adopted  by  the  House  of  Delegates 
or  Board  of  Trustees. 

Section  6.  Duties  and  Responsibilities.  It  shall,  through 
its  officers  and  otherwise,  give  diligent  attention  to  foster 
the  scientific  work  and  spirit  of  the  Association,  and 
shall  constantly  study  and  strive  to  make  each  annual 
session  a stepping  stone  to  future  ones  of  higher  in- 
terest. It  shall  consider  and  advise  the  public  in  those 
important  matters  wherein  it  is  dependent  upon  the  pro- 
fession, and  shall  use  its  influence  to  secure  and  enforce 
all  proper  medical  and  public  health  legislation  and  to 
diffuse  popular  information  in  relation  thereto.  It  shall 
make  careful  inquiry  into  the  condition  of  the  profession 
of  each  county  in  the  state,  and  shall  have  authority  to 
adopt  such  methods  as  may  be  deemed  most  efficient  for 
building  up  and  increasing  the  interest  in  such  county 
societies  as  already  exist,  and  for  organizing  the  profes- 
sion in  the  counties  where  societies  do  not  exist.  It  shall 
especially  and  systematically  endeavor  to  promote 
friendly  intercourse  between  physicians  of  the  same 
locality,  and  shall  continue  these  efforts  until  every 
physician  in  every  county  in  the  state  has  been  brought 


JULY  1970 


381 


under  medical  society  influence.  It  shall  encourage  post- 
graduate work  in  medical  centers,  as  well  as  home  study 
and  research,  and  shall  endeavor  to  have  the  results 
utilized  and  intelligently  discussed  in  the  component 
societies.  It  shall  elect  representatives  to  the  House  of 
Delegates  of  the  American  Medical  Association  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws  of  that 
body,  the  term  of  office  to  begin  on  January  1 of  the 
year  following  that  of  the  elections  and  continuing  for 
two  successive  years.  It  shall,  upon  recommendation  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees,  provide  and  issue  charters  to 
counties  organized  to  conform  to  the  spirit  of  the  Con- 
stitution and  By-Laws. 

Section  7.  Reference  Committees.  Business  brought 
before  the  House  of  Delegates  will  normally  be  referred 
by  the  Speaker  for  hearing,  debate,  and  recommenda- 
tion to  a reference  committee.  Sufficient  reference  com- 
mittees shall  be  appointed  by  the  President  to  expedite 
and  assist  in  the  deliberations  of  the  House  of  Delegates. 
Such  committees  shall  consist  of  not  less  than  three  nor 
more  than  five  members,  all  of  whom  shall  be  members 
of  the  House  of  Delegates,  who  shall  serve  only  during 
the  regular  or  special  session  for  which  appointed.  Any 
member  of  the  Association  shall  have  the  privilege  of 
appearing  before  a reference  committee  on  any  issue 
being  considered.  Additionally,  reference  committees  may 
permit  the  appearance  of  any  individual  who,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  committee,  can  assist  its  deliberations. 

Chapter  VI 

ELECTION  OF  OFFICERS 

Section  1.  Ballot.  All  elections  shall  be  by  secret 
ballot,  and  a majority  of  the  votes  cast  shall  be  necessary 
to  elect. 

Section  2.  Nominations.  The  House  of  Delegates  on 
the  first  day  of  the  annual  session  shall  select  a Com- 
mittee on  Nominations  consisting  of  nine  members  of 
the  House  of  Delegates,  one  from  each  Association 
District.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  committee  to  consult 
with  the  members  of  the  Association  and  to  hold  one  or 
more  meetings  at  which  the  best  interests  of  the  Associa- 
tion and  of  the  profession  of  the  state  for  the  ensuing 
year  shall  be  carefully  considered.  The  committee  shall 
nominate  to  the  House  of  Delegates  three  names  for  each 
general  officer  vacancy  and  two  names  for  all  other 
offices.  No  two  candidates  for  President-elect  may  be 
named  from  the  same  county.  Nominations  for  appoint- 
ment to  membership  on  the  Missouri  State  Board  of 
Health  shall  be  made  by  the  House  of  Delegates  in  ac- 
cordance with  Section  7024,  Mississippi  Code  of  1942, 
provided  that  six  names  shall  be  submitted,  three  of 
whom  shall  be  elected  and  their  names  submitted  to  the 
Governor  as  nominees  from  each  district,  provided  no 
member  shall  be  nominated  who  has  served  two  con- 
secutive terms.  The  House  of  Delegates  shall  nominate 
five  physicians  when  vacancies  occur  on  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  Mental  Institutions  which  nominations  shall 
be  submitted  to  the  Governor  in  accordance  with  law. 

Section  3.  Report  of  Nominations.  The  House  of 
Delegates  shall  receive  the  report  of  the  Committee  on 
Nominations  and  elect  officers,  Trustees,  and  Council 
members  on  the  last  day  of  the  annual  session. 

Section  4.  Nominations  from  the  Floor.  Nothing  in 
this  Chapter  shall  be  construed  to  prevent  additional 
nominations  being  made  from  the  floor  by  members  of 
the  House  of  Delegates. 

Section  5.  Executive  Secretary.  The  Board  of  Trustees 
hall  select  and  appoint  an  Executive  Secretary  as  else- 
where prescribed  in  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws  of  the 

Association. 


Chapter  VII 
DUTIES  OF  OFFICERS 

Section  1.  President.  The  President  shall  have  general 
supervision  over  all  meetings  of  the  various  bodies  of 
the  Association,  shall  appoint  all  committees  not  other- 
wise provided  for,  shall  deliver  an  annual  address  at  such 
time  and  place  as  may  be  arranged,  and  shall  perform 
such  other  duties  as  custom  and  parliamentary  usage 
may  require.  He  shall  fill  by  appointment  all  vacancies 
occurring  during  his  tenure  of  office  among  the  general 
officers  and  on  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  Councils  and 
shall  be  empowered  to  appoint  such  committees  on  an 
ad  hoc  basis  as  may  be  desired  or  required  to  conduct  the 
affairs  of  the  Association.  He  shall  be  an  ex  officio  mem- 
ber of  all  Councils  and  committees.  He  shall  be  the  real 
and  acknowledged  head,  as  well  as  the  personal  represent- 
ative, of  the  medical  profession  of  the  State  of  Missis- 
sippi during  his  term  of  office,  and  insofar  as  practicable, 
shall  visit  by  appointment  the  various  sections  of  the 
state  and  the  component  societies  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  and  assist  the  Trustees  in  their  tasks 
of  aiding  and  strengthening  the  component  societies  and 
in  making  their  work  more  useful. 

Section  2.  President-elect.  The  President-elect  shall  be 
in  charge  of  the  work  of  organization,  including  member- 
ship, under  the  direction  of  the  President,  and  shall  ex- 
ercise these  duties  and  advise  with  the  Vice  Presidents 
and  with  the  Board  of  Trustees  in  this  phase  of  their 
activity.  He  shall  be  an  ex-officio  member  of  all  Councils 
and  committees.  He  shall  succeed  to  the  presidency  upon 
the  event  of  the  death,  resignation,  or  removal  from 
office  of  the  President.  This  automatic  succession  shall 
not  operate  to  disqualify  him  from  serving  the  next 
regular  term  of  office  unless  he  has  served  more  than 
six  months  as  President. 

Section  3.  Vice  Presidents.  The  Vice  Presidents  shall 
assist  the  President  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties.  They 
shall  further  assist  the  President-elect  in  the  work  of 
organization,  including  membership  in  their  respective 
areas,  and  in  promoting  the  welfare  of  the  Association 
and  the  profession  of  the  state. 

Section  4.  Speaker.  A Speaker  shall  be  elected  for 
a term  of  three  years.  This  officer  may  be  chosen  from 
the  membership  of  the  Association,  irrespective  of  any 
affiliation  with  the  House.  The  Speaker  shall  familiarize 
himself  with  the  rules  and  usages  of  parliamentary  pro- 
cedure, with  the  laws  of  the  House.  On  him  shall  devolve 
the  duty  of  bringing  before  the  House  through  the  var- 
ious officers  and  chairmen  all  reports  and  other  matters 
that  are  to  receive  its  attention.  He  shall  preside  at  all 
meetings  of  the  House  and  perform  the  duties  usual  to 
the  position  and  office  of  chairman  except  in  the  ap- 
pointment of  committees,  which  shall  be  the  privilege  of 
the  President. 

Section  5.  Vice  Speaker.  A Vice  Speaker  shall  be 
elected  for  a term  of  three  years  to  run  concurrently 
with  that  of  the  Speaker.  The  Vice  Speaker  shall  assist 
the  Speaker  in  all  duties  prescribed  in  these  By-Laws. 

Section  6.  Secretary-Treasurer.  The  Secretary-Treas- 
urer shall  be  elected  for  a term  of  three  years.  He  shall 
perform  such  duties  ordinarily  devolving  on  a secretary 
of  a corporation  by  law,  custom,  or  parliamentary  usage 
and  shall  enjoy  the  rights  and  perform  such  other  duties 
as  may  be  granted  or  imposed  in  the  Constitution  and 
these  By-Laws.  He  may  delegate  such  duties  as  are 
herein  described  to  the  Executive  Secretary  who  shall  be 
responsible  therefor.  He  shall  be  an  ex-officio  member  of 
all  Councils  and  committees. 

Section  7.  Executive  Secretary.  The  Executive  Secretary 
shall  be  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  shall 
serve  at  the  pleasure  of  the  Association.  He  need  not  be 
a member  of  the  Association  nor  a physician.  He  shall 
maintain  a Central  Office  for  the  Association  and  shall  be 
responsible  for  the  management  and  proper  functioning 
of  the  Central  Office  to  the  President  of  the  Association 
and  the  Board  of  Trustees.  He  shall  attend  all  sessions 


382 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


and  meetings  of  the  Association,  the  House  of  Delegates, 
the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  shall  serve  at  all  times  to 
perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  deemed  beneficial  to 
the  Association  by  the  President  and  Board  of  Trustees. 
He  shall  assist  elected  officers,  Councils,  committees,  and 
Trustees  in  the  performance  of  their  duties.  Under  in- 
structions from  the  President,  he  shall  conduct  a com- 
prehensive program  of  public  education  and  all  such 
other  activities  as  may  disclose  favorably  to  the  public 
at  large  the  aims,  objectives,  and  goals  of  service  of  the 
medical  profession  in  Mississippi.  He  shall,  when  re- 
quested, place  himself  in  position  to  assist  any  of  the 
component  societies  of  the  Association  and  he  shall 
attend  meetings  of  the  component  societies  when  invited 
by  officers  thereof.  He  shall  be  made  custodian  of  rec- 
ords, books  and  papers  belonging  to  the  Association  and 
he  shall  keep  account  of  and  promptly  place  under  the 
supervision  of  the  Secretary-Treasurer  such  funds  as  may 
be  delivered  into  his  hands  in  the  name  of  the  Associa- 
tion. He  shall  give  bond  at  the  expense  of  the  Association 
in  such  amount  as  may  be  required.  He  shall  provide 
for  the  registration  of  the  members  and  delegates  at  the 
annual  session  and  cooperate  in  preparing  for  and  ar- 
ranging all  functions  of  the  Association,  including  the 
annual  session.  He  shall  procure  an  exact  transcript  of 
all  proceedings  of  the  House  of  Delegates.  He  shall 
maintain  a register  of  all  legal  practitioners  in  Mississippi 
and  he  shall  maintain  detailed  and  exact  records  of  the 
membership  with  regard  to  component  societies,  the 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association,  and  the  American 
Medical  Association.  He  shall  issue  evidence  of  member- 
ship to  each  physician  who  pays  the  annual  assessment 
and  is  accepted  in  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Associa- 
tion. He  shall  maintain  close  and  complete  liaison  with 
the  American  Medical  Association  and  shall  keep  the 
component  societies  informed  of  activities,  programs,  and 
mandates  of  both  the  state  Association  and  the  Ameri- 
can Medical  Association.  He  shall  publish  from  the 
Central  Office  such  memoranda,  bulletins,  and  miscel- 
laneous publications  as  may  be  directed  by  the  President, 
the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  the  House  of  Delegates.  He 
shall  conduct  the  official  correspondence  of  the  Associa- 
tion as  he  may  be  directed.  He  shall  employ  such  as- 
sistants as  may  be  required,  upon  authorization  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees.  He  shall  supply  each  component 
society  with  blank  forms  to  be  used  in  connection  with 
membership  and  reports.  He  shall  maintain  records  of 
monies  paid  by  the  component  societies  for  assessments 
and  dues.  He  shall  prepare  and  publish  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  President  and  Board  of  Trustees  such  pro- 
grams as  may  be  necessary  for  official  functions  of  the 
Association.  He  shall  be  reimbursed  for  expenses  in- 
curred in  the  performance  of  his  duties,  separately  and 
in  addition  to  his  regular  compensation. 


Chapter  VIII 

BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 


Section  1.  Board  of  Trustees.  The  Board  of  Trustees 
shall  be  the  executive  and  governing  body  of  the  As- 
sociation during  vacation  of  the  House  of  Delegates.  It 
shall  consist  of  nine  members,  one  from  each  Association 
District,  where  terms  of  office  shall  be  three  years  and 
so  arranged  that  only  three  members  are  elected  an- 
nually. A Trustee  shall  not  serve  more  than  three  con- 
secutive terms.  During  vacation,  the  Board  of  Trustees 
shall  exercise  the  powers  conferred  upon  the  House  of 
Delegates  by  the  Constitution  and  these  By-Laws,  pro- 
vided that  in  the  exercise  of  these  powers  thus  conferred, 
the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  neither  consider  nor  act  to 
contravene  any  action,  mandate,  or  policy  of  the  House 
of  Delegates  which  may  still  be  in  effect. 

Section  2.  Officers  of  the  Board.  The  Board  of  Trustees 
shall  elect  from  its  membership  a Chairman,  a Vice 


Chairman,  and  a Secretary  for  terms  of  one  year  during 
the  last  day  of  the  annual  session  following  adjourn- 
ment of  the  House  of  Delegates.  These  officers  of  the 
Board  shall  compose  its  Executive  Committee.  The  duties 
of  the  Secretary  may  be  delegated  to  the  Executive 
Secretary  who  shall  maintain  such  special  records  and 
transcripts  of  meetings  as  the  Board  may  desire. 

Section  3.  Meetings  of  the  Board.  The  Board  of 
Trustees  shall  meet  daily  during  the  annual  session  of 
the  Association  and  at  such  other  times  as  necessity  may 
require,  subject  to  the  call  of  the  Chairman  or  on  petition 
of  any  three  members  of  the  Board. 

Section  4.  Executive  Committee.  The  Executive  Com- 
mittee of  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  be  empowered  to 
act  in  behalf  of  the  Board  on  all  matters  delegated  to 
it  by  majority  vote  of  the  Board.  The  acts  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committee,  however,  shall  be  subject  to  confirma- 
tion by  the  Board. 

Section  5.  Reports  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  The 
Board  of  Trustees  shall  make  an  annual  report  to  the 
House  of  Delegates  and  such  supplemental  reports  as 
necessity  may  require  at  a time  designated  in  the  regular 
transaction  of  the  business  of  the  House.  The  report 
shall  be  made  by  the  Chairman,  the  Vice  Chairman,  the 
Secretary,  or  the  Executive  Secretary.  The  reports  of  the 
Board  shall  be  made  a portion  of  the  annual  transactions 
and  proceedings  of  the  Association. 

Section  6.  Duties  of  Trustees.  Each  Trustee  shall  be 
organizer  and  arbiter  for  his  Association  District.  He 
shall  visit  the  component  medical  societies  within  his 
District  during  each  year  and  shall  make  an  annual  re- 
port of  his  activities  and  of  the  condition  of  the  medical 
profession  of  each  county  of  his  District.  Each  Trustee 
shall  be  reimbursed  for  expenses  incurred  by  him  in 
traveling  within  his  District  or  attending  special  meet- 
ings in  the  performance  of  his  official  duties,  which  will 
be  allowed  upon  presentation  of  an  itemized  and  docu- 
mented account.  This  provision  shall  not  be  construed 
to  include  his  expenses  in  attending  the  annual  session 
of  the  Association. 

Section  7.  Public  Policy.  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall 
have  the  right  to  communicate  the  views  of  the  medical 
profession  and  of  the  Association  in  the  State  of  Mis- 
sissippi with  regard  to  matters  of  medical  science,  health, 
sanitation,  and  allied  spheres  of  activity.  It  shall  ap- 
prove all  memorials  and  resolutions  issued  but  shall  not 
issue  memorials  and  resolutions  heretofore  prohibited  in 
these  By-Laws. 

Section  8.  Association  Districts.  The  State  of  Mis- 
sissippi shall  be  subdivided  into  Association  Districts  by 
counties,  provided  that  all  counties  in  a component 
society  shall  be  in  one  Association  District.  These  dis- 
tricts are  defined  as  follows: 


District  1: 

District  2: 
District  3: 

District  4: 
District  5: 

District  6: 
District  7: 

District  8: 

District  9: 


Bolivar,  Coahoma,  Humphreys,  Leflore, 
Quitman.  Sunflower,  Tallahatchie,  Tunica, 
and  Washington. 

Benton,  DeSoto,  Lafayette,  Marshall,  Pa- 
nola, Tate,  Tippah,  Union,  and  Yalobusha. 
Alcorn,  Calhoun,  Chickasaw,  Clay,  Ita- 
wamba, Lee,  Lowndes,  Monroe,  Noxubee, 
Oktibbeha,  Pontotoc,  Prentiss,  and  Tisho- 
mingo. 

Attala,  Carrol,  Choctaw,  Grenada,  Holmes, 
Montgomery,  and  Webster. 

Hinds,  Issaquena,  Leake,  Madison,  Rankin, 
Scott,  Sharkey,  Simpson,  Smith,  Warren,  and 
Yazoo. 

Clark,  Kemper,  Lauderdale,  Neshoba,  New- 
ton, and  Winston. 

Covington,  Forrest,  George,  Greene,  Jasper, 
Jefferson  Davis,  Jones.  Lamar,  Marion, 
Pearl  River,  Perry,  and  Wayne. 

Adams,  Amite,  Claiborne,  Copiah,  Frank- 
lin, Jefferson.  Lawrence,  Lincoln,  Pike, 
Walthall,  and  Wilkinson. 

Hancock,  Harrison,  Jackson,  and  Stone. 


JULY  1970 


383 


Chapter  IX 
COUNCILS 

Section  1.  Councils.  Councils  of  the  Association  shall 
be  elected  standing  bodies  of  the  House  of  Delegates, 
responsible  thereto.  There  shall  be  a Council  on  Medical 
Service,  a Council  on  Scientific  Assembly,  a Judicial 
Council,  a Council  on  Constitution  and  By-Laws,  a 
Council  on  Legislation,  a Council  on  Budget  and  Fi- 
nance, an  Editorial  Council,  and  a Council  on  Medical 
Education.  A Council  member  shall  not  serve  more  than 
three  consecutive  terms. 

Section  2.  Council  on  Medical  Service.  The  Council 
on  Medical  Service  shall  be  charged  with  the  responsi- 
bilities of  ascertaining  and  studying  all  aspects  of  med- 
ical care  in  Mississippi.  It  shall  examine  and  make 
available  all  facts,  data,  and  opinion  on  timely  and 
adequate  medical  care.  It  shall  investigate  social  and 
economic  aspects  of  medical  care  and  report  its  evalua- 
tions and  findings.  It  shall  suggest  means  of  distribution 
of  adequate  quality  medical  service  to  the  public  con- 
sistent with  the  policies  of  the  Association.  It  shall  act 
as  a factfinding  and  advisory  body  of  the  Association. 
Under  its  jurisdictions,  there  shall  be  assigned  the  ac- 
tivities of  the  Association  in  medical  service,  emergency 
service  programs,  indigent  care,  and  allied  medical 
agencies.  There  shall  be  one  member  from  each  Associa- 
tion District  elected  for  a term  of  three  years  and  so 
arranged  that  only  three  members  shall  be  elected  for 
full  terms  each  year.  The  Council  on  Medical  Service 
shall  appoint  Committees  on  Occupational  Health,  Ma- 
ternal and  Child  Care,  Mental  Health,  and  Blood  and 
Blood  Banking.  Each  committee  shall  consist  of  not  less 
than  five  nor  more  than  seven  members  appointed  for 
periods  of  not  less  than  one  nor  more  than  three  years. 

Section  3.  Council  on  Scientific  Assembly.  The  Council 
on  Scientific  Assembly  shall  be  composed  of  the  Secre- 
tary-Treasurer and  the  chairman  and  secretaries  of  the 
several  scientific  sections.  The  Secretary-Treasurer  shall 
be  chairman  of  the  Council.  Upon  this  Council  shall 
devolve  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of  planning  the 
annual  session  to  include  all  scientific  activity  and  the 
programming  and  scheduling  of  annual  session  events. 
The  Council  shall  be  empowered  to  appoint  such  com- 
mittees for  terms  not  to  exceed  one  year  as  may  be 
necessary  to  assist  in  the  discharge  of  these  duties. 

Section  4.  Judicial  Council.  The  Judicial  Council  shall 
consist  of  nine  members  elected  for  terms  of  three  years 
each,  one  from  each  Association  District.  The  judicial 
powers  of  the  Association  shall  be  vested  in  this  Council 
whose  decision  shall  be  final.  The  Council  shall  have 
jurisdiction  in  all  questions  involving  membership  in  the 
Association,  all  controversies  arising  under  the  Constitu- 
tion and  these  By-Laws,  interpretation  and  application 
of  the  Principles  of  Medical  Ethics  of  the  American 
Medical  Association,  controversies  between  two  or  more 
component  societies  of  the  Association  and  among  mem- 
bers of  the  Association.  The  Council  shall  have  appellate 
jurisdiction  in  questions  and  controversies  referred  to 
the  state  Association  by  appropriate  and  authorized 
bodies  of  component  medical  societies.  Appeals  shall 
be  perfected  within  six  months  following  the  date  of 
decision  by  the  constituted  authority  of  the  component 
society.  The  Council,  under  these  several  authorities,  may 
conduct  such  hearings  as  may  be  necessary  and  after 
due  and  legal  processes  may,  by  majority  opinion,  cen- 
sure, suspend,  or  expel  any  member  for  infraction  of 
the  Constitution  or  these  By-Laws. 

Section  5.  Council  on  Constitution  and  By-Laws.  The 
Council  on  Constitution  and  By-Laws  shall  consist  of 
three  members  elected  by  the  House  of  Delegates  for 
terms  of  three  years  each.  To  this  Council  shall  be  re- 
ferred all  suggested  amendments  and  changes  in  the 
Constitution  and  By-Laws  of  the  Association  for  recom- 


mendation to  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  House  of  Dele- 
gates. 

Section  6.  Council  on  Legislation.  The  Council  on 
Legislation  shall  consist  of  nine  members,  one  from  each 
association  district,  elected  by  the  House  of  Delegates  for 
terms  of  three  years  each  which  are  so  arranged  that 
three  members  are  elected  annually.  This  Council  shall 
analyze  proposed  legislation,  recommending  to  the  Board 
of  Trustees  courses  of  action  for  securing  laws  in  the  in- 
terests of  public  health,  scientific  medicine,  as  well  as 
medical  practice.  It  shall  study  and  report  the  need  for 
new  and  remedial  legislation  designed  to  serve  the  best 
interests  of  the  state  and  nation.  This  Council  shall  be 
responsible  to  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

Section  7.  Council  on  Budget  and  Finance.  The  Coun- 
cil on  Budget  and  Finance  shall  consist  of  five  members 
elected  by  the  House  of  Delegates  for  terms  of  three 
years  each  which  are  so  arranged  that  not  more  than 
two  members  shall  be  elected  annually.  This  Council 
shall  receive  reports  of  the  finances  of  the  Association 
and  to  it  shall  be  referred  all  matters  pertaining  to  the 
annual  budget.  The  Council  shall  report  annually  to  the 
House  of  Delegates,  making  specific  recommendations  on 
the  annual  budget  of  the  Association.  This  Council  shall 
be  responsible  to  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

Section  8.  Editorial  Council.  The  Editorial  Council 
shall  consist  of  the  Editor  and  the  Associate  Editors, 
elected  by  the  House  of  Delegates  to  serve  two  years, 
and  the  former  shall  serve  as  chairman.  To  this  Council 
shall  be  referred  all  reports  of  scientific  subjects  and 
all  scientific  papers  and  discussions  presented  before  the 
Association  and  its  component  societies.  The  Council 
shall  consider  for  publication  in  the  official  organ  of 
the  Association  such  papers,  reports,  and  other  data  as 
may  serve  to  further  and  advance  scientific  medicine  in 
Mississippi.  It  shall  exercise  editorial  authority  over  the 
official  organ  of  the  Association.  This  Council  shall  be 
responsible  to  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

Section  9.  Council  on  Medical  Education.  The  Coun- 
cil on  Medical  Education  shall  consist  of  three  mem- 
bers elected  by  the  House  of  Delegates  for  terms  of 
three  years  each.  To  this  Council  shall  be  assigned 
the  responsibilities  of  encouraging  undergraduate  and 
postgraduate  study  of  medicine,  licensure,  and  facilities 
for  medical  education  in  the  state.  This  Council  shall 
be  responsible  to  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

Chapter  X 

COMMITTEES  OF  THE 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

Section  1.  Committees  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 
Standing  committees  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  con- 
sist of  the  Advisory  Committee  to  the  Medical  Auxiliary, 

Peer  Review  Committee,  the  Committee  on  Publications, 
and  the  Committee  on  Medicine  and  Religion.  All  com- 
mittees of  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  be  appointed  by 
the  Board  for  terms  specified  unless  their  selection  is 
otherwise  prescribed. 

Section  2.  Advisory  Committee  to  the  Medical  Aux- 
iliary. The  Advisory  Committee  to  the  Medical  Auxiliary 
shall  consist  of  three  members  appointed  for  terms  of 
three  years  each.  The  committee  shall  be  charged  with 
the  responsibility  of  advising  the  Woman’s  Auxiliary  to 
the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  on  matters  of 
organization  and  program  activity  relating  to  the  sup- 
portive role  of  the  Auxiliary  in  its  work  with  the  Associa- 
tion. 

Section  3.  Peer  Review.  The  Committee  on  Peer  Re- 
view shall  consist  of  nine  members,  one  from  each  As- 
sociation district,  appointed  for  terms  of  three  years  each 
so  as  to  provide  for  appointment  of  three  members  an- 
nually. Members  of  this  committee  shall  not  simultane- 
ously serve  on  any  disciplinary  body  of  the  Association 
or  its  component  medical  societies.  To  this  committee 
shall  be  assigned  the  work  of  peer  review,  including  but 

I lie 

I 


384 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


It 


not  limited  to  resolution  of  differences  between  patient 
and  physician,  review  of  the  quality  of  medical  care, 
adequacy  and/or  reasonableness  of  fees,  whether  due  or 
paid  from  private  or  public  sources,  utilization  of  health 
care  resources,  and  liaison  with  private  and  public  sources 
of  medical  care  financing.  The  committee  is  empowered 
to  encourage  a response  from  any  member  of  the  As- 
sociation in  writing  or  by  personal  appearance,  authority 
to  initiate  investigations  on  its  own  motion,  and  authority 
to  file  charges  against  a member  in  the  name  of  the 
committee  before  the  Judicial  Council  or  a disciplinary 
body  of  a component  medical  society.  Under  no  circum- 
stances, however,  shall  the  Committee  on  Peer  Review 
exercise  any  disciplinary  function  nor  shall  it  be  em- 
powered to  alter  the  status  or  standing  of  any  member. 
The  committee  shall  be  empowered  to  prescribe  its  rules 
of  operation  which  shall  not  be  in  conflict  with  the 
policies  or  By-Laws  of  the  Association.  The  committee 
shall  also  encourage  and  assist  component  medical  soci- 
eties in  forming  Committees  on  Peer  Review  at  the  local 
level. 

Section  4.  Committee  on  Publications.  The  Commit- 
tee on  Publications  shall  consist  of  six  members.  These 
shall  consist  of  the  Editor,  the  two  Associate  Editors, 
and  three  others,  the  three  latter  being  appointed  by  the 
Board  of  Trustees  for  terms  of  three  years  which  are  so 
arranged  to  provide  for  appointment  of  one  such  mem- 
ber annually.  The  chairman  of  the  committee  shall  be 
designated  by  the  Board.  The  committee  shall  imple- 
ment instructions  and  policies  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 
relating  to  the  official  Journal  of  the  Association.  Addi- 
tionally, the  committee  shall  study  and  recommend  to 
the  Board  policy  proposals  relating  to  organization  and 
production  of  the  Journal,  reporting  annually  its  delib- 
erations. 

Section  5.  Committee  on  Medicine  and  Religion.  The 
Committee  on  Medicine  and  Religion  shall  consist  of  six 
members  appointed  for  terms  of  three  years  each  and  so 
arranged  to  provide  for  appointment  of  two  members 
annually.  The  committee  shall  be  responsible  for  formu- 
lating a program  in  the  field  of  medicine  and  religion 
and  for  carrying  out  such  assignments  as  may  be  made 
in  this  connection  by  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

Chapter  XI 
RULES  AND  CONDUCT 

The  Principles  of  Medical  Ethics  of  the  American 
Medical  Association  shall  govern  the  conduct  of  mem- 
bers in  their  relations  to  each  other  and  to  the  public. 

Chapter  XII 
COMPONENT  SOCIETIES 

Section  1.  Component  Societies.  All  component  so- 
cieties now  in  affiliation  with  this  Association  or  those 
that  may  hereafter  be  organized  in  this  state,  which  have 
adopted  principles  of  organization  not  in  conflict  with 
this  Constitution  and  By-Laws  shall,  upon  application 
to  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  approval  by  the  House  of 
Delegates,  receive  a charter  from  and  become  a com- 
ponent part  of  this  Association.  The  Board  of  Trustees 
and  House  of  Delegates,  on  recommendation  by  the 
Judicial  Council,  shall  have  authority  to  revoke  the 
charter  of  any  component  society  whose  actions  are  in 
conflict  with  the  letter  and  spirit  of  this  Constitution  and 
By-Laws. 

Section  2.  Number  of  Societies.  Only  one  component 
medical  society  shall  be  chartered  in  any  county  but 
nothing  in  this  section  shall  be  construed  as  to  prohibit 
unofficial  organization  of  medical  clubs  or  other  county 
level  groups  of  physicians  whose  purpose  it  is  to  further 
and  advance  scientific  medicine  and  postgraduate  med- 
ical education. 

Section  3.  Members  of  Societies.  Each  component 
society  shall  judge  the  qualifications  of  its  own  mem- 
bers, but  as  such  societies  are  the  only  portals  to 
this  Association  and  to  the  American  Medical  As- 


sociation, every  reputable  and  legally  registered  phy- 
sician who  is  qualified  under  Chapter  I,  Section  1,  of 
these  By-Laws  shall  be  eligible  for  election  to  member- 
ship. Before  a charter  is  issued  to  any  component  socie- 
ty, full  and  ample  opportunity  shall  be  given  to  every 
such  physician  in  the  county  to  become  a member. 

Section  4.  Right  of  Appeal.  Any  physician  who  may 
feel  aggrieved  by  the  action  of  the  society  of  his  county 
or  District  in  refusing  him  membership,  or  in  suspend- 
ing or  expelling  him,  shall  have  the  right  to  appeal  to  the 
Judicial  Council,  which,  upon  a majority  vote,  may  per- 
mit him  to  petition  for  membership  in  an  adjacent 
society. 

Section  5.  Evidence  of  Appeals.  In  hearing  appeals, 
the  Judicial  Council  may  admit  oral  or  written  evidence, 
as  in  its  judgment  will  best  and  most  fairly  present  the 
facts,  but  in  case  of  every  appeal,  efforts  at  a concilia- 
tion and  compromise  shall  precede  all  such  hearings. 

Section  6.  Area  Jurisdiction.  A physician  living  on  or 
near  a county  line  may  hold  his  membership  in  that 
county  most  convenient  for  him  to  attend,  on  permission 
of  the  society  in  whose  jurisdiction  he  resides. 

Section  7.  Professional  Authority.  Each  component 
society  shall  have  general  direction  of  the  affairs  of  the 
profession  in  its  jurisdiction  and  shall  constantly  use  its 
influence  to  the  moral  and  professional  betterment  of  its 
physicians,  to  the  end  that  the  membership  shall  embrace 
every  qualified  physician  in  its  jurisdiction. 

Section  8.  Meetings.  Frequent  meetings  shall  be  en- 
couraged, and  the  most  attractive  programs  arranged 
that  are  possible.  The  younger  members  shall  especially 
be  encouraged  to  do  postgraduate  work,  and  to  give  the 
society  first  benefit  of  such  labors.  Official  positions  and 
other  preferments  shall  be  unstintingly  given  to  such 
members. 

Section  9.  Delegates.  Each  county  shall  be  entitled  to 
representation  in  the  House  of  Delegates  of  this  Associa- 
tion, one  delegate  for  each  fifty  members  or  fraction 
thereof.  Delegates  shall  be  elected  for  terms  of  not  less 
than  two  years  and  societies  shall  report  such  elections 
to  the  Executive  Secretary  of  the  Association  in  no  event 
later  than  thirty  days  before  the  annual  session. 

Section  10.  Duties  of  Component  Society  Secretaries. 
The  secretary  of  each  component  medical  society  shall 
perform  such  duties  as  are  usual  and  customary  to  his 
office.  He  shall  maintain  the  official  roll  of  membership 
for  his  society,  shall  collect  dues  and  assessments,  and 
shall  make  official  reports  as  elsewhere  prescribed  in 
these  By-Laws  to  the  Association,  transmitting  dues  in 
behalf  of  component  society  members  He  shall  conduct 
the  official  correspondence  of  his  component  medical  so- 
ciety. 

Chapter  XIII 
FISCAL  YEAR 

The  fiscal  year  of  the  Association  and  its  component 
county  societies  shall  begin  January  1 each  year  and 
end  on  December  31  following,  but  membership  in  the 
state  Association  shall  not  lapse  until  April  1 of  that 
year. 

Chapter  XIV 
AMENDMENTS 

These  By-Laws  may  be  amended  at  any  annual  session 
by  a majority  vote  of  the  delegates  present  at  that  ses- 
sion, after  the  amendment  has  laid  upon  the  table  for 
one  day. 

Chapter  XV 
REPEALING  AUTHORITY 

Upon  adoption  of  these  By-Laws,  all  previous  By- 
Laws,  motions  of  record,  mandates,  policies,  rules  and 
regulations  in  conflict  therewith  are  hereby  repealed,  ex- 
cept that  officers  elected  to  serve  in  the  Association  and 
its  component  societies  shall  continue  their  incumbency 
until  the  completion  of  their  previously  prescribed  terms 
and  their  successors  elected  under  the  current  By-Laws. 


JULY  1970 


385 


The  President  Speaking 

‘The  Making  of  an  M.D.’ 


PAUL  B.  BRUMBY,  M.D. 
Lexington,  Mississippi 

The  summer  months  are  a happy  time  in  many  American  fami- 
lies. This  is  the  season  of  weddings  and  graduations.  There  is  a 
great  thrill  in  watching  little  rascals  in  caps  and  gowns  receiving 
diplomas  that  signify  that  they  are  mature  enough  to  begin  real 
school.  The  senior  recitals  and  senior  parties  are  all  part  of  our 
educational  system. 

The  fascinating  thing  to  me  is  that  somewhere  in  these  years 
the  heart  of  a doctor  is  made.  A great  many  follow  in  their  fa- 
ther’s footsteps;  others  have  physicians  in  their  family  background;  ; 
and  still  others  are  encouraged  by  doctors  that  they  know,  love 
and  respect.  The  picture.  The  King’s  Physician,  which  hangs  in 
many  physicians’  offices,  has  caused  many  serious-minded  youths 
to  think  of  serving  others  with  untiring  devotion. 

I believe  that  we  doctors  should  address  ourselves  to  finding 
and  encouraging  high-type  youths  to  go  into  the  field  of  medicine. 
The  lad  across  the  street  may  have  the  potential  of  a great  phy- 
sician. 

We  see  the  statement  over  and  over  that  those  who  enter  the 
field  of  medicine  do  so  because  of  renumeration  to  be  gained,  i 
Nothing  could  be  farther  from  the  truth.  No  promise  of  future 
compensation  could  sustain  an  ambitious  youth  through  the  many  | 
years  required  before  he  can  sell  his  services  in  the  health  market.  ( 
He  sees  his  fellow  graduates  who  enter  other  fields  forging  steadi-  I 
ly  ahead.  Among  nine  physicians  who  met  recently,  none  thought 
that  economic  factors  were  even  high  on  the  list  of  future  expecta-  . 
tions  of  medical  graduates.  In  fact,  they  felt  that  somewhere  in  t 
his  training,  the  physician  should  have  access  to  more  knowledge 
of  the  economics  of  medical  practice.  a 

Any  student  who  has  intellectual  ability,  self-discipline,  and  un-  : ll 
flagging  ambition  will  make  a success  in  any  endeavor  which  he  [ 
undertakes.  He  owes  no  apology  for  success.  The  repeated  asser-  S 
tions  seen  in  the  press  and  heard  repeatedly,  that  the  members  of  > i 
our  profession  are  interested  solely  in  pecuniary  gain,  are  infuriat-  p 
ing.  ***  i 


386 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


JOURNAL  OF  THE 
MISSISSIPPI  STATE 
MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

VOLUME  XI,  NUMBER  7 

JULY  1970 


Medicare’s  Part  C: 
Danger,  Dichotomy,  Anathema 


i 

Health  care  delivery  by  capitation  payment 
is  the  new  thrust  under  Medicare,  and  if  enacted 
by  the  Congress,  it  could  be  the  pivotal  aspect  of 
the  most  drastic  change  yet  wrought  by  a decade 
of  government  in  medicine.  This  is  no  fantasy, 
but  it  is  hard  legislation  already  enacted  by  the 
House  of  Representatives.  It  is  the  little-known 
Part  C of  Medicare,  now  facing  final  action  in 
the  Senate. 

Part  C,  in  a nutshell,  provides  for  care  delivery 
by  a health  maintenance  organization,  popularly 
designated  an  HMO.  This  is  simply  another  de- 
scription for  prepaid  group  practice  care,  closed 
panel  care  to  most  of  us;  for  a medical  care  foun- 
dation; or  for  a nonprofit  or  profit  corporation. 
It  departs  substantially  from  the  traditional  pri- 
vate, fee-for-service  delivery  system,  and  the 
greatest  danger  implicit  in  the  proposal  is  its  un- 
tried, untested,  and  undocumented  status. 

Part  C entered  the  Medicare  scene  abruptly 
and  reportedly  without  prior  knowledge  even  of 
the  government’s  number  one  M.D.,  Dr.  Roger 
Egeberg.  During  final  hours  of  hearings  on  the 
Social  Security  Amendments  of  1970,  HEW  Un- 
dersecretary John  G.  Veneman  made  the  pro- 
posal in  executive  session  before  the  House  Com- 
mittee on  Ways  and  Means.  It  is  believed  that 

JULY  1970 


Committee  Chairman  Wilbur  Mills  was  cool  to- 
ward it  but  agreed,  in  the  face  of  pressure  from 
his  colleagues,  to  permit  experimentation  with  the 
idea. 

In  any  event,  the  proposal  found  its  way  into 
the  bill  which  many  congressmen  voted  for  with- 
out knowing  it  was  there.  If  anything.  Part  C 
could  exert  the  most  profound  impact  upon  medi- 
cal practice  of  any  facet  of  the  public  financing 
mechanism  yet  enacted. 

II 

Part  C of  Medicare  has  its  roots  in  economy. 
This  is  to  say  that  the  government  wants  the 
same  and  more  medical  care  it  now  purchases  for 
less  outlay  of  money.  Incredible?  Not  at  all,  for 
Secretary  Robert  H.  Finch  followed  up  Under- 
secretary Veneman  by  only  a couple  of  days  and 
said  so. 

Its  provisions  make  many  assumptions,  seek 
ideals  not  readily  attainable,  and  asks  for  more 
services  for  the  same  or  less  money.  The  measure 
would  permit  HEW  to  make  contracts  with  health 
maintenance  organizations — HMO’s — and  make 
per  capita  payments  to  them  for  services  to  Med- 
icare beneficiaries.  In  lieu  of  Part  A (hospitals, 
home  health  agencies,  and  extended  care  facili- 
ties) and  Part  B (payments  for  physicians’  ser- 

3 87 


He  A t / M 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

vices  and  those  of  allied  professionals),  the  Sec- 
retary of  HEW  would  be  authorized  to  determine 
a combined  Part  A and  Part  B per  capita  rate  for 
payment,  on  a prospective  basis,  for  services  pro- 
vided by  an  HMO.  Medicare  beneficiaries  en- 
titled to  services  under  Parts  A and  B could  elect 
to  enroll  in  an  HMO. 

The  HMO  would  be  required  to  have  at  least 
half  of  its  members  under  age  65  and,  therefore, 
ineligible  for  Medicare,  and  it  could  receive  no 
more  than  95  per  cent  of  amounts  otherwise  paid 
under  fee-for-service.  For  Part  B services  only, 
the  HMO  could  receive  “two  times  the  product  of 
the  number  of  Medicare  enrollees  and  the  month- 
ly Part  B ‘premium’  established  by  the  Secretary.” 
This  simply  means  the  $10.60  per  month,  half  of 
which  is  paid  by  (or  in  behalf  of)  the  beneficiary 
and  half  by  the  government  itself.  Part  A would 
pay  the  rest. 

The  HMO  may  be  a public  or  private  organi- 
zation, nonprofit  or  for-profit,  which: 

— Provides  directly  or  through  arrangements 
with  other  health  services  on  a per  capita  basis. 

— Provides  Medicare  beneficiaries  all  of  the 
services  and  benefits  under  Parts  A and  B. 

— Provides  physicians’  services  through  em- 
ployed physicians,  partners,  or  groups  who  would 
be  reimbursed  for  services  on  a per  capita  basis 
for  enrollees. 

— Demonstrates  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Sec- 
retary proof  of  financial  responsibility  and  capa- 
bility to  furnish  comprehensive  health  services, 
including  institutional  services — efficiently,  effec- 
tively, and  economically. 

— Has  enrolled  members  at  least  half  of  whom 
are  under  age  65. 

— Assures  prompt  services  with  review  of  qual- 
ity standards. 

— Opens  enrollment  at  least  every  two  years 
and  accepts  eligible  Medicare  applicants  without 
underwriting  on  a first-come,  first-served  basis  up 
to  the  limit  of  its  capacity,  unless  such  would  re- 
sult in  more  than  half  the  enrollees  being  over 
age  65. 

Beneficiaries  could  receive  extra  emergency 
services  when  unable  to  go  to  the  HMO.  The  en- 
rollment fee  charged  the  applicant  could  not  ex- 
ceed the  present  cost  sharing  provisions  of  Parts 
A and  B,  meaning  the  $50  deductible  and  20 
per  cent  co-pay. 

Ill 

American  medicine  had  little  or  no  time  to  re- 
act or  respond  to  the  Veneman  proposal  between 


its  initial  presentation  in  executive  session  and  the 
reporting  of  the  bill  by  the  House  Committee  on 
Ways  and  Means.  While  sensing  the  dangers  of 
the  new  part,  AMA  and  most  state  medical  asso- 
ciations hold  to  the  position  that  the  delivery  sys- 
tem should  be  pluralistic,  not  monolithic.  Since 
Part  A and  B are  still  very  much  with  us,  the 
new  Part  C is  merely  a variation. 

But  principally,  AMA  did  make  a valid  point 
in  stating  that  full,  free  choice  of  physician — and 
hence,  free  choice  of  financing  mechanism,  as  the 
law  presently  stands — is  utterly  necessary.  AMA 
objected  to  the  enactment  of  Part  C without  dis- 
cussion and  testimony,  let  alone  cost  and  actuarial 
data  which  could  have  been  gleaned  from  a pilot 
program,  such  as  has  been  underway  with  the 
Health  Insurance  Plan  of  New  York,  the  major 
eastern  closed  panel  delivery  program. 

Secretary  Finch,  speaking  in  support  of  Part  C, 
said  that  “the  federal  government  is  spending 
over  $10  billion  this  year  to  buy  health  care  for 
the  aged  and  poor  . . . (and)  we  are  not  getting 
our  money’s  worth.  . . .”  This  seems  to  prove  a 
point  which  the  government  has  yet  to  learn: 
Costs  for  any  program  are  eventually  three  to 
five  times  greater  than  program  proponents  say 
they  will  be.  Why  would  Part  C be  any  different 


“One  of  them  is  my  nurse — the  rest  fill  out  the 
Medicare  forms” 


388 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


than  Part  A or  Part  B when  the  bills  are  totaled 
up?  Moreover,  it  is  highly  unlikely  that  anybody, 
the  government  or  whoever,  can  buy  more  and 
pay  less  in  today’s  marketplace. 

Then,  there  is  another  major  impediment  to 
universal  application  of  Part  C,  even  if  passed  on 
final  consideration  by  the  Senate.  Twenty-one 
states  have  laws  which  impair  prepaid  group 
practice  or  closed  panel  delivery.  Mississippi  is 
not  in  this  group. 

HEW  has  a blood-chilling  answer  for  this: 
Change  the  state  laws,  or  we  will  apply  “eco- 
nomic leverage”  with  Title  XIX  and  Title  V 
(maternal  and  child  care)  funds.  AM  A has  char- 
acterized this  action  as  “unconscionable,”  and  we 
add  a hearty  amen.  To  reduce  or  discontinue 
funds  for  two  separate  medical  programs,  enacted 
long  before  Part  C became  HEW’s  bright  idea,  is 
to  make  a mockery  of  the  initial  purpose  of  the 
affected  programs.  Moreover,  such  state  laws, 
which  the  people  had  a perfectly  legal  right  to  en- 
act, were  not  aimed  or  directly  related  toward 
any  proposal  now  being  considered. 

IV 

There  is  a strange  dichotomy  about  Part  C 
which  places  some  state  medical  associations  be- 
tween a rock  and  a hard  place.  Less  than  a dec- 
ade ago,  a number  of  medical  associations  or- 
ganized health  care  foundations  to  bargain  with 
state  welfare  programs  for  physicians’  services  or 
at  least  guarantee  equity  in  assuring  medical  ser- 
vices. California  has  been  a fountainhead  for 
foundations,  which,  incidentally,  brought  peer  re- 
view into  its  own. 

Now  the  foundations  are  in  an  enviable  posi- 
tion— if  the  cash  is  sufficient — to  snatch  Medicare 
away  from  the  Blues  and  commercial  carriers  un- 
der a law  actually  aimed  at  reducing  care  costs. 
And  as  the  law  is  presently  written,  the  Blue 
plans  and  insurance  companies  would  have  no 
recourse.  The  medical  society  foundation  merely 
qualifies  as  an  HMO,  and  the  beneficiary  elects 
to  enroll.  Exit  the  Blue  plans  and  commercial 
carriers  summarily  and  without  fanfare. 

But  there  are  also  permissive  provisions  under 
the  proposal  to  permit  for-profit  corporations  to 
qualify  as  HMO's.  Enter  here  professional  cor- 
porations, also  an  anathema  to  the  Blues  and  in- 
surers. Nor  is  this  the  end  of  the  story,  because 
the  House  Committee  on  Ways  and  Means  stated 
in  its  favorable  report  on  the  measure  that  “your 
committee  notes  that  there  is  sufficient  authority 
in  the  present  Medicaid  program  to  permit  states 
to  arrange  for  Medicaid  coverage  through  a 


Health  Maintenance  Organization.  It  would  con- 
tinue to  be  necessary,  as  required  under  present 
law,  to  guarantee  Medicaid  eligibles  freedom  of 
choice  of  health  providers.” 

But  let  none  see  a pot  of  gold  at  the  end  of 
this  rainbow  just  to  sate  an  unwholesome  appe- 
tite in  the  delivery  of  care.  It  is  axiomatic  that 
the  only  way  to  earn  money  under  Part  C as  now 
written  is  to  deliver  less  care,  and  this  likely  would 
not  be  in  the  interest  of  the  patient.  Given  a 
choice,  it  is  odds-on  that  few  Medicare  benefici- 
aries would  choose  HMO  services  over  those  of  a 
private  physician  except  in  areas  where  prepaid 
group  practice  with  affiliated  hospitals  already 
abound. 

The  impact  of  the  proposal  is  therefore  difficult 
to  assess,  although  it  portends  to  be  massive.  We 
have  problems  enough  with  Medicare  and  Med- 
icaid and  little  need  to  invite  more  and  bigger 
ones.  In  the  final  analysis,  worthy,  working  peer 
review  and  the  private  delivery  system  are  the 
measures  of  choice  in  public  financing  of  care  for 
all  patients.  Making  private  delivery  continue  to 
do  the  job  is  really  the  way  to  stop  once  and  for 
all  the  alphabetizing  of  the  law. — R.B.K. 

State  Legislation 
Is  Everybody’s  Crisis 

In  his  presidential  address  at  the  102nd  An- 
nual Session,  Dr.  James  L.  Royals  reminded  us 
how  Mississippi  medicine  moved  from  one  legis- 
lative crisis  to  another  during  two  sessions  of  the 
solons  in  1969-70.  From  legislative  clearinghouse 
reports,  other  states  have  this  problem,  too,  with 
all  sorts  of  pro  and  con  overtones. 

Hawaii  and  Maryland  are  faced  with  bills  re- 
quiring compulsory  areawide  planning  of  hospi- 
tals and  medical  facilities,  and  a Florida  proposal 
would  give  a physician  tenure  as  a hospital  staff 
member  after  a year,  thereby  denying  his  peers 
control  over  his  actions. 

If  bills  in  Arizona,  California,  Georgia,  Michi- 
gan, New  Hampshire,  New  York,  Pennsylvania, 
and  Virginia  are  successful,  hypodermic  syringes 
will  be  Rx  only  with  almost  as  much  paperwork 
as  a Medicare  claim.  Hawaii’s  lawmakers  propose 
to  guarantee  physicians  practicing  in  remote  is- 
lands an  annual  income  of  $36,000,  but  the  mid- 
Pacific  state  would  also  tie  a lot  of  strings  on 
them. 

Alaska  is  including  abortion  in  Medicaid, 
while  Florida  has  three  bills  permitting  abortion 


JULY  1970 


389 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

in  the  absence  of  any  medical  indication.  Cali- 
fornia’s legislature  will  vote  on  a measure  to  pro- 
hibit activities  of  commercial  blood  banks. 

In  Ohio,  a bill  now  pending  would  prohibit 
appearance  of  a physician  as  an  expert  witness 
unless  all  parties  to  the  case  were  previously 
furnished  all  medical  reports  pertaining  to  the 
matter  at  litigation.  Florida  is  looking  at  a huge 
appropriation  measure  for  a new  state  school  of 
osteopathy,  while  California  is  considering  re- 
quirements for  licensure  of  professional  service 
representatives  of  pharmaceutical  manufacturers. 

Massachusetts  is  trying  to  make  physicians 
write  the  generic  as  well  as  the  brand  name  on 
prescriptions.  Florida  may  make  insurance  car- 
riers and  voluntary  prepayment  sources  compen- 
sate podiatrists  for  surgery.  Administration  of 
methadone  may  become  mandatorily  reportable 
in  California. 

Pennsylvania  has  a lulu  in  a bill  which  would 
permit  the  state  to  approve  the  number  of  phy- 
sicians working  in  a hospital,  approve  accounting 
procedures  under  which  physicians  with  hospital- 
oriented  practices  are  compensated,  and  require 
financial  reports  from  the  hospitals  and  physi- 
cians. 

South  Dakota  is  about  to  require  inclusion  of 
chiropractic  benefits  in  health  insurance,  and 
Kentucky  is  bringing  optometrists  into  Medicaid. 

Most  patently  bad  laws  before  state  legisla- 
tures do  not  pass,  while  many  good  laws  are  en- 
acted. But  the  sum  total  of  the  picture  is  the  mas- 
sive commitment  which  a state  medical  associa- 
tion must  make  to  legislative  programs  in  man- 
power, time,  and  money. 

They  dare  not  do  less,  because  it  takes  only 
one  really  bad  enactment  to  exert  a tremendously 
adverse  impact  on  medical  care  and  those  who 
provide  it.  At  the  national  level  on  Capitol  Hill, 
AMA  is  faced  with  the  same  problem  on  a day- 
to-day  basis. 

The  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association,  mov- 
ing from  crisis  to  crisis  in  the  Extraordinary 
Session  of  1969  and  the  1970  Regular  Session, 
has  acted  decisively  to  beef  up  its  own  program 
with  improved  communications  and  commitments 
from  physicians  to  work  with  their  senators  and 
representatives.  One-fourth  of  the  dues  increase 
voted  by  the  102nd  Annual  Session  is  earmarked 
for  this  purpose. 

In  legislation,  what  is  past  is  not  necessarily 
prologue,  because  every  day  of  a legislative  ses- 
sion is  a new  ball  game.  The  urgency  of  physi- 
cian participation  in  state  legislation  cannot  be 


overemphasized.  Indifference  is  our  worst  enemy 
and  literally  a vote  against  the  goals  and  objec- 
tives of  care  delivery  under  our  traditional  pri- 
vate system. 

Let’s  get  ready  for  the  1971  Regular  Session 
now. — R.B.K. 

CCS  Goes  to 
State  Board  of  Health 

On  July  1,  the  state  of  Mississippi  will  unite  in- 
to the  health  care  area  a formerly  fragmented 
state  agency,  as  the  Crippled  Children’s  Service 
is  transferred  from  the  State  Department  of  Ed- 
ucation to  the  State  Board  of  Health.  This  action 
comes  about  as  a result  of  an  enactment  by  the 
1970  Regular  Session  of  the  Legislature  which 
the  state  medical  association  supported. 

CCS  was  organized  in  Mississippi  in  1936  as  an 
activity  of  the  Vocational  Rehabilitation  Division, 
and  it  has  performed  well  in  the  delivery  of  re- 
medial care  to  children.  The  $1  million  program 
is  largely  federally  assisted,  and  at  present,  there 
are  about  20,000  children  on  its  rolls  of  eligible 
beneficiaries.  In  1969,  the  service  recorded  about 
5,500  active  cases  of  eligibles  who  range  from 
the  newborn  to  age  21. 

The  medical  director  of  CCS  is  the  respected 
Jackson  orthopaedic  surgeon,  Dr.  Thomas  H. 
Blake,  and  the  administrative  director  is  Mr. 
W.  P.  Bobo.  They  are  assisted  by  a 19-member 
staff  which  includes  one  nurse.  Traditionally,  the 
State  Board  of  Health  has  worked  with  the  pro- 
gram, especially  in  furnishing  visiting  public 
health  nursing  service.  These  nurses  have  been 
alert  in  case  finding  and  referrals,  as  well  as  in 
post-service  follow  up  visits. 

The  service  conducts  clinics  regularly  at  Jack- 
son,  Clarksdale,  Columbus,  Tupelo,  Greenwood, 
Greenville,  Vicksburg,  Natchez,  Gulfport,  Pasca- 
goula, Laurel,  Meridian,  and  Memphis.  Other 
clinics  are  conducted  in  other  Mississippi  com- 
munities as  necessity  requires.  Clinics  are  general- 
ly oriented  to  orthopaedic,  neurological,  urolog- 
ical, and  surgical  conditions.  Special  emphasis  has 
been  placed  on  conditions  amenable  to  cardiac 
surgery,  and  some  evaluation  for  epilepsy  is  in- 
cluded. 

The  primary  source  of  federal  funds  is  the 
U.  S.  Children’s  Bureau  with  some  50-50  match- 
ing and  some  federal  assistance  requiring  no  state 
matching.  The  1971  fiscal  year  budget,  as  pro- 
vided by  the  Legislature,  is  about  $1.25  million. 

In  studies  by  bodies  of  the  association  and  in 
the  major  research  effort  last  year,  “Information 


390 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


ichrocidin"  Tablets  and  Syrup 

tracycline  HC1— Antihistamine— Analgesic  Compound 

h tablet  contains:  ACHROMYCIN®  Tetracycline  HC1  125  mg.;  Phenacetin  120  mg.;  Caffeine  30  mg.;  Salicylamide  150  mg.;  Chlorothen  Citrate  25  mg. 


"HROCIDIN  Tetracycline  HC1— Antihistamine— Analgesic  Compound  Tablets  and  Syrup  are  recommended  for  the  treatment 
tetracycline-sensitive  bacterial  infection  which  may  complicate  vasomotor  rhinitis,  sinusitis  and  other  allergic  diseases  of  the 
per  respiratory  tract,  and  for  the  concomitant  symptomatic  relief  of  headache  and  nasal  congestion.  For  children  and  elderly 
uients  you  may  prefer  caffeine-free  ACHROCIDIN  Syrup.  Each  5 cc  contains:  ACHROMYCIN  Tetracycline  equivalent  to 
tracycline  HCI  125  mg.;  Phenacetin  120  mg.;  Salicylamide  150  mg.;  Ascorbic  Acid  (C)  25  mg.;  Pyrilamine  Maleate  15  mg. 


ntraindications:  Hypersensitivity  to  any 
nponent. 

lining:  In  renal  impairment,  since  liver  tox- 
y is  possible,  lower  doses  are  indicated;  dur- 
prolonged  therapy  consider  serum  level 
erminations.  Photodynamic  reaction  to  sun- 
!t  may  occur  in  hypersensitive  persons, 
nosensitive  individuals  should  avoid  expo- 
e;  discontinue  treatment  if  skin  discomfort 
urs. 

cautions:  Drowsiness,  anorexia,  slight  gas- 
distress  can  occur.  In  excessive  drowsi- 
s,  consider  longer  dosage  intervals.  Persons 


on  full  dosage  should  not  operate  vehicles. 
Nonsusceptible  organisms  may  overgrow;  treat 
superinfection  appropriately.  Treat  beta- 
hemolytic  streptococcal  infections  at  least  10 
days  to  help  prevent  rheumatic  fever  or  acute 
glomerulonephritis.  Tetracycline  may  form  a 
stable  calcium  complex  in  bone-forming  tissue 
and  may  cause  dental  staining  during  tooth 
development  (last  half  of  pregnancy,  neonatal 
period,  infancy,  early  childhood). 

Adverse  Reactions:  Gastrointestinal— anorexia, 
nausea,  vomiting,  diarrhea,  stomatitis,  glossi- 
tis, enterocolitis,  pruritus  ani.  Skin— maculo- 


papular  and  erythematous  rashes;  exfoliative 
dermatitis;  photosensitivity;  onycholysis,  nail 
discoloration.  Kidney— dose-related  rise  in 
BUN.  Hypersensitivity  reactions— urticaria, 
angioneurotic  edema,  anaphylaxis.  Intracranial 
—bulging  fontanels  in  young  infants.  Teeth— 
yellow-brown  staining;  enamel  hypoplasia. 
Blood— anemia,  thrombocytopenic  purpura, 
neutropenia,  eosinophilia.  Liver— cholestasis  at 
high  dosage. 

Upon  adverse  reaction,  stop  medication  and 
treat  appropriately. 


LEDERLE  LABORATORIES,  A Division  of  American  Cyanamid  Company,  Pearl  River,  New  York  10965 


534-9 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

Systems  for  Comprehensive  Health  Planning,” 
the  state  medical  association  has  taken  the  posi- 
tion that  many  health  services  for  the  needy  are 
unnecessarily  separated  from  primary  health-ori- 
ented agencies  of  the  state.  This  remains  true  to- 
day, although  the  CCS  transfer  is  a logical  be- 
ginning step  to  correct  this  long-standing  separa- 
tion and  fragmentation.  The  legislation  effecting 
the  change  had  the  support  of  the  Department  of 
Education  and  the  State  Board  of  Health. 

As  we  move  closer  to  the  goals  of  coordinating 
this  and  similar  activities  with  Medicaid,  let  us 
seek  further  sensible  and  reasonable  steps  to  de- 
liver care  under  the  aegis  of  our  own  state  with- 
out duplication  of  effort  and  expenditure  of  pub- 
lic funds. — R.B.K. 

Hellzapoppin’  on 
Drug  Abuse  Bills 

Olsen  and  Johnson,  the  celebrated  comedy 
combination  of  the  1930’s,  had  a famous  routine 
about  baseball  with  “who’s  on  first?”  The  2nd 
Session  of  the  91st  Congress  is  little  better  off 
when  it  comes  to  the  monumental  mixup  on  drug 
abuse  legislation.  Except  they  seem  to  have  two 
runners  on  first  base  with  both  claiming  the  right 
to  be  there. 

Just  about  everybody  agrees  that  new  laws  are 
needed  to  combat  drug  abuse.  The  major  differ- 
ences are  how  it  shall  be  done  and  whether  the 
hard  liners  or  liberals  shall  prevail.  Last  year,  a 
senate  subcommittee  under  Sen.  Thomas  Dodd 
(D.,Conn.)  conducted  hearings,  drew  a bill,  got 
it  passed  in  the  Senate,  and  sent  it  to  over  to  the 
House.  There,  it  languishes  on  the  desk  of  the 
aging  speaker,  John  McCormick,  gathering  dust. 

The  Dodd  bill,  S.  3246,  resembles  a measure 
put  up  by  the  Nixon  administration,  generally  de- 
scribed as  the  hard  line  against  drug  abusers. 
Both  contain  the  “no  knock”  provision  permit- 
ting search  when  law  enforcement  officers  have 
reason  to  believe  that  violations  are  occurring  in 
areas  normally  requiring  a search  warrant  for  en- 
try. 

But  worse  yet,  both  measures  permit  the  De- 
partment of  Justice  to  rule — over  the  recommen- 
dations of  health-oriented  agencies  and  physicians 
— what  drugs  may  be  included  in  “abuse  cate- 
gories.” 

Meanwhile,  this  psychotic  Eve  of  the  mysteri- 


ously wonderful  world  of  legislation,  has  a third 
face.  Rep.  Paul  Rogers  (D.,Fla.)  has  conducted 
hearings  on  the  House  side  and  come  up  with  a 
compromise  drug  abuse  bill.  In  his  hearings,  Rep. 
Rogers  took  note  of  scientific  and  legal  witnesses 
who  testified  against  Sen.  Dodd’s  and  the  admin- 
istration’s “no  knock”  provisions.  Whereupon 
Sen.  Dodd,  fighting  for  his  political  life  in  a re- 
election  campaign,  immediately  charged  that  the 
scientists  were  under  HEW  pressure  to  testify  as 
they  did  on  pain  of  losing  lucrative  research 
grants. 

The  liberal  House  Judiciary  Committee  op- 
poses the  “no  knock”  provision  which  the  Senate 
has  adopted.  But  the  frosting  on  the  cake  came  a 
couple  of  weeks  ago  when  Chairman  Wilbur  Mills 
(D.,Ark.)  of  the  potent  Ways  and  Means  Com- 
mittee introduced  a fourth  version  which  not  only 
picks  up  the  provisions  of  the  house-ignored  Sen- 
ate measure  by  Sen.  Dodd  but  also  contains  some 
revenue-producing  provisions.  Under  congression- 
al rules,  this  measure  may  be  brought  to  the 
House  floor  under  a gag  rule  and  limited  debate. 

Now,  the  vendetta  is  Justice  against  HEW  in 
the  executive  branch  of  government,  committee 
against  committee  in  the  House,  soft  liners  versus 
hard  liners  on  every  side,  and  a parliamentary 
confusion  likely  to  tax  Robert  and  every  edition 
of  his  Rules  of  Order.  In  the  meanwhile,  the  na- 
tion needs  new  drug  abuse  legislation  and  faces  a 


“Well,  so  much  for  its  use  as  a mouthwash 


392 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


u are  considering  weight  reduction,  consider 

phenmetrazine  hydrochloride 
Endurets® 

prolonged-action  tablets 

Often  effective 

Controlled  studies  in  a general  patient  popu- 
lation have  shown  that  when  Preludin  is  used 
with  diet,  the  rate  of  weight  loss  exceeds 
that  obtained  by  placebo  and  diet. 

Long  acting 

Slow,  even  release  of  the  active  principle 
usually  suppresses  appetite  continuously  for 
about  12  hours. 

Once-a-day  dosage 

One  Endurets  tablet  after  breakfast.  It  helps 
reduce  weight  and  costs,  conveniently. 

For  contraindications,  warning,  precautions, 
and  adverse  reactions,  please  see  the  full 
prescribing  information. 

It  is  summarized  on  this  page. 

Where  there’s  no  will  there’s  a therapeutic  way. 


♦Among  persons  20%  or  more 
overweight  as  compared  with 
median  weight  for  persons  of 
like  height  and  sex. 

1.  Kannel,  W.B.,  et  al Circula- 
tion 35:734,  1967. 

2.  Thomas,  H.E.,  Jr.,  et  al.:  Med. 
Times  95:1099,  1967. 

3.  Albrink,  M.J.,  in:  Beeson, 

P.B.  & McDermott,  W.  (eds.): 
Cecil-Loeb  Textbook  of  Medicine, 
ed.  12,  Phila.:  W.B.  Saunders 
Co.,  1967. 

Preludin® 

phenmetrazine  hydrochloride 

Preludin  is  indicated  only  as  an 
anorexigenic  agent  in  the  treat- 
ment of  obesity.  It  may  be  used  in 
simple  obesity  and  in  obesity 
complicated  by  diabetes,  mod- 
erate hypertension  (see  Pre- 
cautions), or  pregnancy  (see 
Warning). 

Contraindications:  Severe 
coronary  artery  disease,  hyper- 
thyroidism, severe  hypertension, 
nervous  instability,  and  agitated 
prepsychotic  states.  Do  not  use 
with  other  CNS  stimulants, 
including  MAO  inhibitors. 
Warning:  Do  not  use  during  the 
first  trimester  of  pregnancy  un- 
less potential  benefits  outweigh 
possible  risks.  There  have  been 
clinical  reports  of  congenital  mal- 
formation, but  causal  relation- 
ship has  not  been  proved.  Animal 
teratogenic  studies  have  been 
inconclusive. 

Precautions:  Use  with  caution  in 
moderate  hypertension  and 
cardiac  decompensation.  Cases 


involving  abuse  of  or  depend- 
ence on  phenmetrazine  hydro- 
chloride have  been  reported.  In 
general,  these  cases  were 
characterized  by  excessive 
consumption  of  the  drug  for  its 
central  stimulant  effect,  and  have 
resulted  in  a psychotic  illness 
manifested  by  restlessness,  mood 
or  behavior  changes,  hallucina- 
tions or  delusions.  Do  not  exceed 
recommended  dosage. 

Adverse  Reactions:  Dryness  or 
unpleasant  taste  in  the  mouth, 
urticaria,  overstimulation, 
insomnia,  urinary  frequency  or 
nocturia,  dizziness,  nausea,  or 
headache. 

Dosage:  One  25  mg.  tablet  b.i.d. 
or  t.i.d.  Or  one  75  mg.  Endurets 
tablet  a day,  taken  by  mid- 
morning. 

Availability:  Pink,  square,  scored 
tablets  of  25  mg.  for  b.i.d.  or 
t.i.d.  administration,  in  bottles  of 
100  and  1000. 

Pink,  round  Endurets®  prolonged- 
action  tablets  of  75  mg.  for 
once-a-day  administration,  in 
bottles  of  100  and  1000. 
(B)R3-46-560-B 

For  complete  details,  please  see 
full  prescribing  information. 

Under  license  from 
Boehringer  Ingelheim  G.m.b.H. 


eigy  Pharmaceuticals  i 
ivision  of 

eigy  Chemical  Corporation 
rdsley,  New  York  10502 


i 

CM 


9 B-  TIM 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

serious  situation  with  the  Supreme  Court’s  having 
softened  up  many  of  the  laws  already  on  the 
books. 

The  experts  on  Capitol  Hill  are  quietly  laying 
odds  on  Mills  who  has  the  advantages  of  House 
rules  on  his  side  and  the  fait  accompli  Dodd  mea- 
sure through  the  Senate.  Were  it  not  so  serious 
and  urgent,  this  comedy  of  legislative  error  and 
false  pride  would  make  humorous  reading.  But 
with  the  nation  consuming  stimulant  and  depres- 
sant drugs  about  1,000  per  cent  in  excess  of  max- 
imum medical  need,  nobody  with  an  ounce  of 
perspective  and  awareness  of  the  problem  is 
laughing. — R.B.K. 

Aspirin  on  Rx? 
Some  Say  Yes! 

A major  U.  S.  industry — that  of  manufacturing 
aspirin — ought  to  be  shaking  in  its  boots.  If  it 
takes  literally  the  warning  and  admonitions  of 
Dr.  Richard  S.  Farr,  immediate  past  president  of 
the  American  Academy  of  Allergy,  the  aspirin 
makers  may  have  thoughts  of  substantially  re- 
duced sales. 

Dr.  Farr,  chief  of  allergy  and  clinical  immunol- 
ogy at  Denver’s  National  Jewish  Hospital,  says 
that  aspirin  ought  to  be  a prescription  drug.  He 
says  that  his  position  is  supported  by  the  clinical 
side  effects  of  the  world’s  most  popular  and  fre- 
quently used  pill,  and  he  says  that  laboratory 
findings  solidly  support  the  capability  of  aspirin  of 
acetylating  a wide  variety  of  body  substances.  He 
reports  having  observed  aspirin  intolerance  in  20 
per  cent  of  his  patients. 

The  United  States  turns  out  30  tons  of  aspirin 
each  working  day.  Assuming  a huge  export  mar- 
ket, this  still  adds  up  to  a wallop  of  tablets  for 
the  pill-consuming  public.  We  are  all  too  acutely 
aware  that  a substantia!  number  of  deaths,  par- 
ticularly children,  are  caused  each  year  by  as- 
pirin poisoning  through  overdosage. 

While  the  Food  and  Drug  Administration  goes 
over  the  deep  end  to  require  package  insert  warn- 
ings for  oral  contraceptives  which  are  not  usually 
prescribed  prior  to  careful  evaluation  of  the  pa- 
tient, it  appears  to  let  us  ingest  tons  of  other 
drugs  with  potentially  dangerous  consequences. 
Maybe  we  should  not  put  aspirin  on  a prescrip- 
tion basis,  but  the  views  of  this  clinician  seem  to 
underscore  how  penny  wise  and  pound  foolish  we 
can  be  with  drugs. — R.B.K. 


Homicide  Increases 
in  the  United  States 

Death  inflicted  upon  an  individual  at  the  hand 
of  another,  homicide,  is  on  the  increase  in  the 
United  States.  The  medical  implications  in  this 
most  revolting  of  all  human  behavioral  patterns 
are  clear:  Many  reasons  for  the  unnatural  act 
proceed  from  medical  conditions,  and  for  every 
successful  homicide,  there  are  many  which  are 
unsuccessful,  leaving  critical  injuries  to  be  treated. 

The  man-killing-man  rate  in  our  nation  is  up 
50  per  cent  over  1950  in  the  short  span  of  20 
years,  and  much  is  being  said  and  studied  over 
it.  Yet,  the  rate,  estimated  by  the  experts  to  be 
about  7.0  per  100,000,  is  significantly  lower  than 
it  was  in  1920  through  the  early  1930’s.  Then,  it 
stood  at  8.3  per  100,000  and  mounted  until  it 
peaked  at  10.0  per  100,000  in  1933,  the  most  vi- 
olent year  for  killings — on  a pure  statistical  basis 
— in  our  history. 

Homicide  rates,  according  to  actuaries  for  the 
Metropolitan  Life  Insurance  Co.  who  have  made 
extensive  analyses  of  killings,  vary  markedly  by 
race,  sex,  and  age.  For  example,  deaths  among 
white  females,  traditionally  the  lowest,  is  at  a 50- 
year  high  point. 

In  the  past  10  years,  the  greatest  increase, 
however,  has  been  among  white  males,  up  by  75 
per  cent.  The  rate  for  nonwhite  males  surged 
ahead  about  40  per  cent  and  for  nonwhite  fe- 
males, about  30  per  cent.  For  white  females,  it 
zoomed  ahead  by  46  per  cent. 

The  race  ratio  in  homicide  currently  shows 
that  the  rate  for  nonwhite  males  is  nine  times  that 
of  the  white  rate.  For  nonwhite  females,  it  is  six 
times  that  for  white  women.  The  age  range  in 
which  the  greatest  number  of  killings  occur  is  25- 
34,  but  the  greatest  increases  are  among  infants 
and  the  elderly. 

Behavioral  scientists  say  that  the  reasons  for 
increase  in  the  homicide  rate  are  complex  and 
not  easily  explained  or  understood.  Statistically, 
rates  rise  after  a war,  as  in  the  case  of  World 
War  I with  the  1920’s,  after  World  War  II  in 
1946,  and  after  the  Korean  War  in  1952  when 
the  curve  took  an  upward  swing.  Presumably,  the 
sharp  upswing  now  noted  results  to  some  extent 
from  the  involvement  in  Viet  Nam. 

There  is  a parallel  today  with  the  high  of  the 
1920’s  in  defiance  of  established  authority,  and  a 
disproportionate  share  of  crime  is  committed  by 
the  young  and  uprooted  poor.  The  experts  also 
assert  that  weakening  of  traditional  disciplines 


394 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


contribute  to  the  delinquency  of  the  young,  with 
the  most  extreme  expression  being  homicide. 

Annual  crime  reports  published  by  the  Federal 
Bureau  of  Investigation  place  Mississippi  last  or 
near  last  in  homicides,  and  this  is  one  time  it’s 
great  to  be  last.  The  statistics  are  of  interest  to 
physicians  who  must  see  the  consequences  of 
man’s  turning  on  man  and  who  frequently  can 
diagnose  underlying  conditions  capable  of  explod- 
ing into  this  ultimate  form  of  violence. — R.B.K. 


George  Lacey  Biles  of  Sumner,  A.  V.  Beach- 
am  of  Magnolia,  and  Nelson  O.  Tyrone  of 
Prentiss  have  been  re-elected  to  active  member- 
ship in  the  American  Academy  of  General  Prac- 
tice, upon  completing  150  hours  of  accredited 
postgraduate  study. 

P.  Temple  Carney  of  Meridian  announces  the 
opening  of  his  new  office  at  1411-22nd  Avenue, 
directly  across  from  Anderson  Hospital  Emergen- 
cy Room.  Dr.  Carney  is  a family  physician. 

Dawson  B.  Conerly,  Jr.,  of  Hattiesburg  has 
been  elected  president  of  the  Mississippi  chapter, 
American  College  of  Surgeons. 

Ralph  J.  Criss,  Jr.,  of  Coffeeville  has  moved 
his  office  to  the  Coffeeville  Clinic. 

C.  E.  Easterly  and  M.  A.  Taquino  of  Biloxi 
have  moved  their  offices  to  1210  W.  Division. 

W.  R.  Eure  and  Mrs.  Eure  of  Bay  Springs  re- 
cently won  the  sweepstakes  in  the  exhibit  of  the 
Central  Mississippi  Rose  Society  in  Jackson.  The 
Eures  have  grown  roses  as  a hobby  for  five  years. 

Charles  A.  Hollingshead,  formerly  of  Ellis- 
ville,  has  moved  his  practice  and  residence  to 
Laurel.  His  new  office  will  be  located  in  the  Med- 
ical Arts  Building,  1203  Jefferson  Street. 

Louis  H.  Jobe,  retired  Army  hospital  command- 
er, has  been  appointed  health  director  of  Harri- 
son County  and  the  Biloxi-Gulfport  area. 

Nancy  L.  Kliesch  announces  the  opening  of  her 
office  for  the  practice  of  pediatrics  and  pediatric 
cardiology  at  500  A East  Woodrow  Wilson  in 
Jackson. 

V.  E.  Landry  of  Lucedale  announces  the  new 
location  of  his  Family,  Medical  & Surgical  Clinic 


on  Summer  Street  in  the  Summer  Street  Office 
Building. 

John  T.  Lane  of  Biloxi  is  the  new  president  of 
the  Gulf  Coast  Opera  Theatre  for  the  1970-71 
season. 

Gerald  M.  Little  of  Natchez  announces  the 
removal  of  his  office  to  140  Jefferson  Davis  Blvd. 

Chester  W.  Masterson  of  Vicksburg  was  in- 
stalled as  president  of  the  Mississippi  Eye,  Ear, 
Nose  and  Throat  Association  at  its  annual  meet- 
ing in  Biloxi. 

S.  H.  McDonnieal,  Jr.  and  Mrs.  McDonnieal 
will  serve  as  second  vice  presidents  of  the  Murrah 
High  School  PTA  in  Jackson  for  the  1970-71 
school  year.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Julian  Wiener  will 
be  first  vice  presidents. 

William  M.  McKell,  Jr.  of  Jackson  announces 
the  relocation  of  his  office  at  838  Lakeland  Drive. 
Dr.  McKell  limits  his  practice  to  internal  medicine 
and  gastroenterology. 

Paul  H.  Moore  of  Pascagoula  was  installed  as 
president  of  the  Medical  Alumni  Chapter  of  the 
University  of  Mississippi  Alumni  Association  at 
the  chapter’s  annual  assembly  in  Biloxi  in  May. 

James  Clay  Hays  has  associated  with  William 
H.  Rosenblatt  of  Jackson  in  the  practice  of 
cardiology  in  Suite  615,  Medical  Arts  Building. 
1151  N.  State. 

W.  K.  Stowers  and  K.  B.  Stowers  of  Natchez 
announce  the  removal  of  their  offices  to  140  Jef- 
ferson Davis  Blvd. 

Lamar  Thaggard  of  Madden  has  been  named 
“Mississippi’s  Outstanding  Livestockman  for 
1970”  by  the  Mississippi  State  University  Block 
and  Bridle  Club. 

Charles  C.  Tyler  of  Collins  spoke  at  the  Jef- 
ferson Davis  Baptist  Brotherhood  meeting  at  Car- 
son  Baptist  Church  in  late  May. 

J.  W.  Watkins  of  Quitman  is  heading  the  1970 
campaign  to  raise  funds  for  the  Clarke  County 
Mental  Health  Association. 

Lester  D.  Webb  of  Calhoun  City  has  been 
named  “Alumnus  of  the  Year”  of  Wood  Junior 
College.  The  ceremony  took  place  during  recent 
Alumni  Day  activities  in  Mathison. 

Andrew  J.  Yates  of  Jackson  and  Robert  C. 
Tibbs  II  of  Cleveland  have  been  elected  fellows 
in  the  American  Academy  of  Pediatrics. 


JULY  1970 


397 


Summer  time. ..monilia  time! 


No  wonder  you  see  so  many  more  cases  of  vaginal 
moniliasis  during  this  season.  A damp,  warm 
bathing  suit  provides  a perfect  breeding  ground  for 
fungal  invaders.  But  your  patients  need  not  suffer 
the  pain,  the  embarrassment  and  the  discomfort 
of  these  stubborn  infections.  Nor  the  disappointment 
which  comes  when  they  find  “the  cure  didn’t  take.” 


Candeptin  avoids  disappointment. 

With  Candeptin,  you  and  your  patients  have 
reason  for  confidence.  A single,  1 4-day  course 
of  therapy  with  Candeptin  is  usually 
to  eradicate  the  invader,  while  rapidly 
itching,  burning,  discharge  and  malodor. 

And  Candeptin  is  “cidal”  as  well  as  “static”; 
100  times  more  potent  than  nystatin  in  vitro, 
it  has  achieved  culture-confirmed  cure  rates  of 
90%  and  more  (even  in  notoriously  difficult 
pregnant  patients) . Why  not  maximize  your 
chances  of  success  by  adopting  effective,  well- 
tolerated  Candeptin  as  your  agent  of  first 


Agent  of  first  choice 

Candeptin 

candicidin  VAGINAL  TABLETS/OINTMENT 


Candeptm  ®candicidin 

Formula: 

Candeptin  Vaginal  Ointment 
contains  a dispersion  of 
candicidin  powder  equivalent 
to  0.6  mg.  per  gm.  or  0.06% 
candicidin  activity  in  U.S.P 
petrolatum.  3 mg.  of  candicidin 
is  contained  in  5 gm.  of  ointment 
or  one  applicatorful.  Candeptin 
Vaginal  Tablets  contain 
candicidin  powder  equivalent  to 
3 mg.  (0.3%)  candicidin  activity 
dispersed  in  starch,  lactose  and 
magnesium  stearate. 

Indications: 

Vaginal  moniliasis  due  to  Candida 
albicans  and  other  Candida  species. 

Contraindications: 

Patient  sensitivity  to  any  of  the 
components.  During  pregnancy 
manual  tablet  insertion  may  be 
preferred  since  the  use  of  the 
ointment  applicator  or  tablet 
inserter  may  be  contraindicated. 

Caution: 

Clinical  reports  of  sensitization 
or  temporary  irritation  with 
Candeptin  Vaginal  Ointment  or 
Vaginal  Tablets  have  been 
extremely  rare.  To  avoid  re- 
infection, it  is  recommended  that 
the  patient  refrain  from  sexual 
intercourse  during  treatment 
or  the  husband  wear  a condom. 

Dosage: 

One  vaginal  applicatorful  of 
Candeptin  Ointment  or  one 
Vaginal  Tablet  is  inserted  high 
in  the  vagina,  twice  a day, 
in  the  morning  and  at  bedtime, 
for  14  days.  Treatment  may  be 
repeated  if  symptoms  persist 
or  reappear. 

Dosage  forms: 

Candeptin  Vaginal  Ointment 
is  supplied  in  75  gm.  tubes  with 
applicator  (14-day  regimen 
requires  2 tubes).  Candeptin 
Vaginal  Tablets  are  packaged 
in  boxes  of  28,  in  foil,  with 
inserter— enough  for  a full 
course  of  treatment.  Store  under 
refrigeration. 

Federal  law  prohibits  dispensing 
without  prescription.  Candeptin 
is  a registered  trade-mark  of 
Julius  Schmid,  Inc. 


JULIUS  SCHMID 
PHARMACEUTICALS 
New  York,  N.Y.  10019 


The  following  physicians  have  been  elected  to 
membership  by  their  respective  component  medi- 
cal societies  in  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  As- 
sociation and  the  American  Medical  Association. 

Evers,  Carl  Gustav,  Jackson.  Born  Lake  Ben- 
ton, Minn.,  July  30,  1934;  M.D.,  University  of 
Minnesota  School  of  Medicine,  Minneapolis, 
1959;  Interned  University  Medical  Center,  Jack- 
son,  one  year;  pathology  residency,  University 
Medical  Center,  Jackson,  July  1,  1960-October 
31,  1961  and  August  1,  1962-March  31,  1964; 
elected  January,  1970,  by  Central  Medical  Socie- 
ty- 

Kliesch,  William  Frank,  Jackson.  Born 
Franklinton,  Louisiana,  Nov.  4,  1928;  M.D., 
Louisiana  State  University  School  of  Medicine, 
New  Orleans,  1953;  Interned  Valley  Forge  Army 
Hospital,  Phoenixville,  Pa.,  one  year;  internal 
medicine  residency,  Charity  Hospital,  New  Or- 
leans, La.,  July  1,  1956-June  30,  1957  and 
Ochsner  Foundation  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  La., 
July  1,  1957-June  30,  1959;  elected  January, 
1970,  by  Central  Medical  Society. 


Graves,  Zebulan  Butler,  Hattiesburg. 
M.D.,  Tulane  University  School  of  Medi- 
cine, New  Orleans,  1926;  Interned  Hillman  Hos- 
pital, Birmingham,  Ala.,  one  year;  died  May  18, 
1970,  age  67. 


Moore,  Wallace  Crockette,  Jr.,  Rose- 
dale.  M.D.,  University  of  Tennessee  Col- 
lege of  Medicine,  1950;  Interned  John  Gaston 
Hospital,  Memphis,  Tennessee,  one  year;  died 
May  22,  1970,  age  52. 


399 


MEETINGS 


I I 

NATIONAL  AND  REGIONAL 

American  Medical  Association,  Annual  Conven- 
tion, June  20-24,  1971,  Atlantic  City,  Clinical 
Convention,  Nov.  29-Dec.  2,  1970,  Boston. 
Ernest  B.  Howard,  Executive  Vice  President, 
535  N.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111.  60610. 

Southern  Medical  Association,  64th  Annual 
Meeting,  Nov.  16-19,  1970,  Dallas.  Mr.  Rob- 
ert F.  Butts,  Executive  Director,  2601  High- 
land Ave.,  Birmingham,  Ala.  35205. 

STATE  AND  LOCAL 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association,  103rd  An- 
nual Session,  May  3-6,  1971,  Biloxi.  Mr. 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy,  Executive  Secretary, 
735  Riverside  Drive,  Jackson  39216. 

Mississippi  Academy  of  General  Practice,  Annual 
Assembly,  Oct.  20-22,  1970,  Biloxi.  Miss  Lou- 
ise Lacey,  Executive  Secretary,  P.  O.  Box 
1435,  Jackson. 

Amite-Wilkinson  Counties  Medical  Society,  Third 
Monday,  March,  June,  September,  December. 
James  S.  Poole,  Centre ville,  Secretary. 

Central  Medical  Society,  First  Tuesday,  January, 
March,  May,  September,  November,  6:30  p.m., 
Primos  Northgate  Restaurant,  Jackson.  Robert 
P.  Henderson,  Suite  B-6,  Medical  Arts  Build- 
ing, Jackson,  Secretary. 

Claiborne  County  Medical  Society,  1st  Tuesday 
each  month,  6:00  p.m.,  Claiborne  County 
Hospital,  Port  Gibson.  D.  M.  Segrest,  Port 
Gibson,  Secretary. 

Clarksdale  and  Six  Counties  Medical  Society, 
Third  Wednesday,  April  and  First  Wednesday 
November,  2:00  p.m.,  Clarksdale.  Walter  T. 
Taylor,  P.O.  Box  1237,  Clarksdale,  Secretary. 

Coast  Counties  Medical  Society,  First  Wednesday, 
January,  March,  May,  September  and  Novem- 
ber. C.  Hal  Cleveland,  P.O.  Box  1018,  Gulf- 
port, Secretary. 

Delta  Medical  Society,  Second  Wednesday,  April 
and  October.  Howard  A.  Nelson,  308  Fulton 
St.,  Greenwood,  Secretary. 

DeSoto  County  Medical  Society,  Third  Thursday, 
February  and  August,  1:00  p.m.,  Kenny’s  Res- 


400 


taurant,  Hernando.  Malcolm  D.  Baxter,  Jr., 
Baxter  Clinic,  Hernando,  Secretary. 

East  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  First  Tuesday, 
February,  April,  June,  August,  October,  and 
December.  Reginald  P.  White,  East  Mississip- 
pi State  Hospital,  Meridian,  Secretary. 

Adams  County  Medical  Society,  First  Tues- 
day, April  and  October.  Cherie  Friedman, 
and  December,  Eola  Hotel  Roof,  Natchez. 
Walter  T.  Colbert,  Jefferson  Davis  Memorial 
Hospital,  Natchez,  Secretary. 

North  Central  District  Medical  Society,  Third 
Wednesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  De- 
cember. James  E.  Booth,  Eupora,  Secretary. 

Northeast  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second 
Tuesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. S.  Jay  McDuffie,  Nettleton,  Secretary. 

North  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  First  Thurs- 
day, April  and  October,  Cherie  Friedman, 
1004  Jackson  Ave.,  Oxford,  Secretary. 

Pearl  River  County  Medical  Society,  Second  Mon- 
day, March,  June,  September,  and  December. 
J.  M.  Howell,  139  Kirkwood  St.,  Picayune, 
Secretary. 

Prairie  Medical  Society,  Second  Tuesday,  March, 
June,  September,  and  December,  A.  Robert 
Dill,  1001  Main  Street,  Columbus,  Secretary. 

Singing  River  Medical  Society,  Third  Monday, 
January,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. Donald  E.  Dore,  Singing  River  Hospital, 
Pascagoula,  Secretary. 

South  Central  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second 
Tuesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. Julian  T.  Janes,  Jr.,  304  Clark,  McComb, 
Secretary. 

South  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  Thurs- 
day, March,  June,  September,  and  December. 
W.  B.  White,  Medical  Arts  Bldg.,  Laurel,  Sec- 
retary. 

West  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  Tues- 
day, January,  April,  July,  and  October,  7:00 
p.m.,  Old  Southern  Tea  Room,  Vicksburg. 
Martin  E.  Hinman,  the  Street  Clinic,  Vicks- 
burg, Secretary. 

JOURNAL  MSM A 


Ole  Miss  Medical  Alumni  House  Adds 
New  Dimension  to  Med  Center  Complex 


The  Medical  Alumni  House  of  the  University 
of  Mississippi  Medical  Center  at  Jackson  was 
dedicated  at  a late  afternoon  ceremony  in  the 
UMC  School  of  Nursing  Auditorium.  Dr.  Hector 
S.  Howard  of  Memphis,  medical  alumni  presi- 
dent, presided. 

Dr.  Howard  gave  the  history  of  the  Medical 
Alumni  House  and  recognized  the  building  com- 
mittee. Dr.  William  E.  Bowlus  of  Jackson,  chair- 
man of  the  dedication  committee,  introduced  the 
dedicatory  speaker,  Dr.  Arthur  C.  Guyton,  chair- 


man of  the  UMC  department  of  physiology  and 
biophysics. 

Dr.  Guyton  emphasized  that  the  completion  of 
the  alumni  house  is  only  a beginning  in  the  total 
future  plans  for  the  medical  center.  He  called  on 
the  alumni  for  assistance  and  support  in  achiev- 
ing other  goals  including  a postgraduate  center 
and  recreational  facilities  for  the  medical  stu- 
dents and  their  families. 

Dr.  W.  Alton  Bryant,  vice  chancellor  of  the 
University  of  Mississippi,  and  Dr.  Robert  E.  Car- 


Examining  the  architect’s  rendering  of  the  now-fin- 
ished UMC  Medical  Alumni  House  are,  from  left, 
Drs.  Hector  S.  Howard  of  Memphis,  medical  alumni 
president;  W.  Alton  Bryant  of  Oxford,  Ole  Miss  vice 


chancellor;  Paul  H.  Moore  of  Pascagoula,  alumni 
president-elect;  Howard  A.  Nelson  of  Greenwood; 
and  Robert  E.  Carter,  medical  center  dean  and  di- 
rector. 


40  I 


JULY  1970 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

ter,  dean  and  director  of  the  University  Medical 
Center,  responded  and  accepted  the  dedicatory 
remarks. 

Dr.  J.  Daniel  Mitchell  of  Jackson,  chairman  of 
the  Finance  Committee,  dedicated  the  guest 
rooms  and  the  conference  room.  Dr.  Bowlus  rec- 
ognized the  class  representatives  present. 

The  three-story,  contemporary  structure,  cost- 
ing just  under  $700,000,  offers  40  double  rooms 
with  two  suites,  a snack  bar,  conference  facili- 
ties, and  headquarters  for  the  medical  alumni  of- 
fices, according  to  C.  W.  Bill  Price,  alumni  sec- 
retary at  Jackson. 

Alumni  offices  will  be  on  the  first  floor.  Also 
located  there  are  the  lobby  and  registration  desk, 
food  service  and  preparation  areas,  conference 
room,  hostess’  apartment,  and  mechanical  rooms. 

The  alumni  house  will  be  available  to  alumni, 
out-of-town  visitors  to  the  UMC  campus,  and 
to  physicians  attending  postgraduate  training 
courses. 

The  building  was  constructed  with  assistance 
from  the  State  Building  Commission  and  under- 
written by  Ole  Miss  medical  alumni.  It  is  expect- 
ed to  be  self-amortizing  from  room  revenues, 
food  sales,  and  other  sources. 

Architects  for  the  building  were  Bouchillon 
and  Harris  of  Jackson,  and  Jones  and  Thompson 
Construction  Company  of  Jackson  was  general 
contractor. 

An  informal  tour  of  the  Medical  Alumni  House 
preceded  the  buffet  supper  following  the  dedica- 
tion. 

Dr.  Hill  Is  Named 
Delegate  to  AMA 

Dr.  Stanley  A.  Hill  of  Corinth  has  been  ap- 
pointed to  serve  as  delegate  to  the  American 
Medical  Association  from  Mississippi.  He  suc- 
ceeds Dr.  Howard  A.  Nelson  of  Greenwood  who 
has  resigned  the  post. 

The  appointment  was  made  by  Dr.  Paul  B. 
Brumby  of  Lexington,  association  president,  who 
named  Dr.  Hill  from  his  former  post  of  alternate 
delegate.  The  unexpired  term  he  will  serve  con- 
tinues through  1970. 

Serving  with  Dr.  Hill  is  Dr.  G.  Swink  Hicks  of 
Natchez,  the  association’s  senior  delegate  whose 
current  term  is  Jan.  1,  1970,  through  Dec.  31, 
1971.  Dr.  Joseph  B.  Rogers  of  Oxford  is  alter- 
nate delegate  to  Dr.  Hicks  with  a concurrent 
term. 


Succeeding  Dr.  Hill  in  the  alternate  delegate 
post  is  Dr.  C.  D.  Taylor,  Jr.,  of  Pass  Christian, 
also  an  appointee  of  President  Brumby. 

Dr.  Taylor  is  a delegate-elect,  having  been 
named  to  a full  regular  term  by  the  House  of 
Delegates  at  the  102nd  Annual  Session.  He  en- 
ters office  on  Jan.  1,  1971,  to  serve  through  Dec. 
31,  1972.  Dr.  Hill  was  re-elected  alternate  dele- 
gate and  will  assume  that  office  concurrently  with 
Dr.  Taylor’s  becoming  the  delegate  on  next  Jan. 
1. 

Drs.  Hicks  and  Hill  were  seated  at  the  recent 
Chicago  AMA  annual  convention  with  Drs.  Rog- 
ers and  Taylor  serving  as  their  alternates. 

Under  the  apportionment  formula  of  one  AMA 
delegate  per  1,000  members  of  AMA  or  fraction 
thereof,  Mississippi  seats  two  delegates  in  the 
AMA  House. 

SAMA  Reactivated 

at  UMC 

The  Student  American  Medical  Association 
chapter  at  the  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine  has  been  reactivated. 

Some  77  members  from  the  freshman  and 
sophomore  classes  have  been  recruited.  Officers 
were  elected  from  the  first  year  students,  and 
will  serve  a one-year  term. 

Newly  elected  officers  are  Bill  W.  Long  of 
Blue  Springs,  president;  Ray  Johnson  of  Forrest, 
vice  president;  and  Sandra  Shook  of  Jackson,  sec- 
retary-treasurer. 

Plans  are  to  hold  monthly  meetings  at  noon  on 
Tuesday.  Speakers  are  being  sought  on  socio- 
economic developments  as  well  as  medical  trends. 


Newly  elected  officers  of  the  University  Medical 
Center's  SAMA  chapter  are,  from  left,  Sandy  Shook 
of  Jackson,  secretary-treasurer;  Bill  W . Long  of  Blue 
Springs,  president;  and  Ray  Johnson  of  Forrest,  vice 
president. 


402 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Book  Reviews 


Manic  Depressive  Illness.  By  George  Winokur, 
M.D.,  Paula  J.  Clayton,  M.D.,  and  Theodore 
Reich,  M.D.  186  pages.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  Y. 
Mosby  Co.,  1969.  $6.50. 


Written  by  the  psychiatry  group  at  Washington 
University,  St.  Louis,  from  the  classic  (descrip- 
tion-classification and  nomenclature)  position 
point,  this  book  is  a thorough  review  of  manic- 
depressive  reaction  with  concise  summaries  at  the 
end  of  each  chapter  and  many  paragraphs.  It  is 
reasonably  short,  thus  not  cumbersome  or  boring 
to  read. 

The  coverage  of  and  approach  to  the  illness  is 
from  the  genetic-epidemiological  as  well  as  the 
clinical. 

Some  interesting  findings  are  revealed  as  a re- 
sult of  the  authors’  clinical  research  study,  e.g., 
the  incidence  of  manic-depressive  primary  states 
are  three  times  that  of  schizophrenic  reactions; 
M-D  disorders  more  likely  to  be  associated  with 
i relapses  than  depressive  disorders  and  a consid- 
erable number  will  experience  only  one  attack 
and  most  patients  do  not  follow  a chronic  (con- 
tinuous disease)  course;  none  of  the  obsessional 
neurotics  had  attacks  of  mania;  that  bipolar  fe- 
male patients  more  likely  to  attempt  suicide  (in 
depression)  but  the  manic  episode  lasted  half  the 
time  of  men,  73  days;  the  minority  of  patients 
have  complete  and  lasting  remissions  with  depres- 
sive symptoms  the  major  problem  during  follow- 
up; a M-D  woman  with  previous  postpartum  epi- 
sode is  considered  a special  risk  in  subsequent 
post-birth  periods;  major  contribution  to  M-D  dis- 
ease seems  to  be  from  an  x-1  inked  dominant 
gene. 

Admittedly,  the  authors  had  a small  series  of 
hospital  and  clinic  patients  (51)  but  the  method- 
ology of  their  clinical-genetic  study,  which  rig- 
orously defined  M-D  disease,  seems  painstaking- 
ly sound.  They  do  not  delude  themselves  about 
the  limitations  and  shortcomings  of  their  study. 

The  authors  point  out  that  the  largest  part  of 
the  error  in  the  family  study  is  the  false-negative, 
the  person  called  well  by  family  history  but  found 
afflicted  with  some  mental  or  emotional  disorder 


by  personal  interview.  Also  that  affective  illness 
is  quite  likely  not  to  necessitate  hospitalization, 
more  often  for  mania  than  depression;  and  that 
depression  prior  to  or  after  mania  is  not  invari- 
able. 

The  indexing  of  the  symptoms  is  excellent 
from  the  standpoint  of  what  the  patient  and  fam- 
ily report  in  manias  and  depressions,  the  most  re- 
active symptom,  irritability,  “perhaps.” 

The  question  of  etiology  remains  a riddle  after 
a good  review  of  the  biologic,  psychologic  and 
social  suppositions. 

The  therapy  chapter  reminds  us  of  the  three- 
fold management  purposes:  (1)  prevent  serious 
social  and  medical  consequences  of  depression. 
(2)  temper  depressive  affect  and  alleviate  guilt 
feelings,  and  (3)  help  the  family  understand  the 
patient  and  his  illness. 

Some  new  empirical  combination  drug  ap- 
proaches are  briefly  discussed  in  addition  to  the 
more  conventional  attacks.  The  authors  feel  it  is 
not  unreasonable  to  try  new  treatments  when 
other  methods  have  failed  and  the  patient  is  se- 
verely incapacitated. 

Robert  L.  McKinley,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Crisis  Fleeting.  Original  Reports  on  Military 
Medicine  in  India  and  Burma  in  the  Second 
World  War.  Compiled  and  edited  by  James  H. 
Stone.  423  pages  with  illustrations.  Washington, 
D.  C.:  The  U.  S.  Government  Printing  Office, 
1969.  $3.75. 

This  is  a collection  of  remarkable  diaries  and 
reports  written  by  Army  Medical  Department 
personnel  while  serving  in  the  India-Burma  The- 
ater during  WWII. 

“North  Tirap  Log,”  is  a daily  diary  meticu- 
lously recorded  between  19  April  and  20  Decem- 
ber, 1943,  by  Mr.  (then  Sgt.)  R.  M.  Fromant 
while  assigned  to  an  aid  station  on  a foot  trail 
leading  from  Assam  Provine,  India,  to  the  Hu- 
kawng  Valley  of  Burma.  Here,  among  steep, 
heavily  forested  hills,  such  a long  way  from  civili- 
zation, they  provided  medical  support  to  the  en- 
gineer, quartermaster,  signal,  and  Chinese  infan- 
try troops  painfully  making  their  way  into  Burma 
to  claw  out  a new  road  through  the  jungle. 

“The  Tamraz  Diary”  is  a journal  which  Col. 


JULY  1970 


403 


THE  LITERATURE  / Continued 

John  M.  Tamraz,  MC,  compiled  while  a senior 
surgeon  in  the  China-Burma-India  Theater. 

“With  Wingate’s  Chindits”  is  the  final  report 
on  the  medical  arrangements  for  the  British  Spe- 
cial Force  which  fought  behind  enemy  lines  in 
North  Burma  in  1944. 

“Chinese  Liaison  Detail’’  is  a realistic  account 
of  medical  experiences  during  the  unbelievable 
struggle  to  build  the  Ledo  Road. 

The  controversial  exploits  of  Merrill’s  Marau- 
ders is  further  illuminated  by  “Marauders  and 
Microbes,”  which  is  a joint  personal  report  by 
two  physicians  who  served  with  the  unit  during 
those  exciting  events. 

These  humanized  “on  the  spot”  narratives 
glow  with  the  vitality  of  personal  experience. 
Several  hours  of  fascinating  reading  is  assured, 
especially  for  the  physician  who  has  served  in  ei- 
ther the  C.B.I.  Theater,  or  in  any  of  the  jungles 
of  the  South  and  Southwest  Pacific.  The  entire 
volume  adds  greatly  to  the  already  illustrious  mil- 
itary medical  history  of  World  War  II. 

Robert  E.  Blount,  M.D. 


Dr.  Arrington  Retires 
From  Blues  Board 


On  his  retirement  from  the  Board  of  Mississippi 
Blue  Cross-Blue  Shield . Meridian  physician,  Dr. 
G.  Lamar  Arrington,  Sr.,  received  special  recognition 
from  Owen  Cooper  for  his  years  of  service.  The 
presentation  took  place  at  the  annual  board  meeting 
in  Jackson , at  which  time  John  D.  Holland  of  Jack- 
son  was  elected  to  succeed  Owen  Cooper  as  Chair- 
man of  the  Board  of  Mississippi  Hospital  and  Medi- 
cal Service. 


AM  A Judicial  Council 
Plans  Ethics  Congress 

The  Judicial  Council  of  the  American  Medical 
Association  will  hold  its  3rd  National  Congress 
on  Medical  Ethics  Sept.  19-20. 

The  meeting  will  take  place  at  the  Ambassador 
West  Hotel  in  Chicago. 

The  program  will  include  panel  discussions 
and  individual  speakers  addressing  ethical  issues 
of  concern  to  the  medical  profession. 

For  further  information,  write  Judicial  Coun- 
cil, AMA,  535  North  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 
60610. 


TELEMED  Develops 
Multiprocessing  Computer 

TELEMED  Corporation,  of  Schiller  Park,  111., 
has  developed  an  on-line  multiprocessing  com- 
puter facility  for  real-time  analysis  of  medical 
data  as  an  aid  to  the  physician  in  making  diag- 
noses. 

TELEMED,  a subsidiary  of  MEDEQUIP  Cor- 
poration of  Park  Ridge,  111.,  offers  computer  anal- 
ysis of  electrocardiograms  through  a dual  con- 
figuration of  Xerox  Data  Systems  Sigma  5 com- 
puters. The  central  facility  has  the  capability  to 
handle  up  to  8600  ECGs  per  day  by  accommo- 
dating simultaneous  transmission  and  analysis  of 
data.  Multiple  telephone  lines  connect  the  central 
computer  facility  to  remote  coupled  ECG  units 
located  in  hospitals,  diagnostic  and  industrial  clin- 
ics, medical  centers,  nursing  and  convalescent 
homes,  and  physicians’  offices. 

The  computer  performs  an  analysis  which 
measures  all  pertinent  ECG  amplitudes  and  dura- 
tions, characterizes  the  wave  forms  from  each  of 
the  twelve  leads  of  the  scalar  electrocardiogram, 
calculates  such  factors  as  rate  and  electrical  axis,  ^ 
and  produces  an  interpretation  of  the  status  of  the 
electrical  function  of  the  heart  based  upon  these 
parameters.  The  analysis  is  then  transmitted  via  ; 
telephone  line  to  a teletype  unit  on  the  subscrib- 
er’s premises,  for  assessment  by  the  physician. 


404 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Dr.  Ainsworth  Is 
AUA  President-Elect 

Dr.  Temple  Ainsworth  of  Jackson  has  been 
elected  president-elect  of  the  American  Urolog- 
ical Association.  He  will  assume  office  in  May, 

The  Jackson  urolo- 
gist was  elected  at  the 
association’s  annual 
meeting  in  Philadel- 
phia, Pa. 

A native  Mississip- 
pi, Dr.  Ainsworth 
earned  his  B.S.  de- 
gree from  the  Univer- 
sity of  Mississippi  and 
his  M.D.  degree  from 
the  University  of  Vir- 
ginia. He  completed 
internship  and  uro- 
logical training  at  the 
University  of  Virginia 
Hospital.  Dr.  Ainsworth  was  a resident  in  surgery 
at  South  Mississippi  Charity  Hospital  during 
1928-29. 

Upon  completion  of  training  in  1929,  he  be- 
gan the  private  practice  of  urology  in  Jackson. 
He  is  on  the  attending  staff  of  the  Mississippi 
Baptist  Hospital,  St.  Dominic-Jackson  Memorial 
Hospital,  University  Hospital,  Doctors’  Hospital, 
and  Hinds  General. 

Long  active  in  medical  organization,  Dr.  Ains- 
worth has  served  as  president  of  the  state  medical 
association,  chaired  the  association’s  Council  on 
Medical  Education  for  a number  of  years,  and 
has  been  a member  of  the  Council  on  Medical 
Service. 

Dr.  Ainsworth  has  served  as  president  of  the 
Central  Medical  Society  and  president  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi chapter  of  the  American  College  of  Sur- 
geons. He  has  also  been  ACS  governor  for  Mis- 
sissippi. 

He  is  a diplomate  of  the  American  Board  of 
Urology,  and  a fellow  of  the  American  College 
of  Surgeons.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Ameri- 
can Society  for  Pediatric  Urology,  American  As- 
sociation of  Clinical  Urologists,  and  the  Society 
of  University  Urologists,  the  American  Medical 
Association,  and  the  Southern  Medical  Associa- 
tion. 

Dr.  Ainsworth  served  as  chairman,  department 
of  urology,  and  clinical  professor  of  urology,  at  the 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine  from 
1954-1968.  He  is  also  chairman  of  the  Mississippi 
Kidney  Foundation. 


Thoracic  Society 
Officers  Elected 

During  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Mississippi 
Thoracic  Society,  held  in  Jackson  on  Thursday, 
April  16,  new  officers  for  the  1970-71  year  were 
elected. 

New  officers  included:  Dr.  Antone  Tannehill, 
Jr.,  Tupelo,  president;  Dr.  Roland  B.  Robertson, 
Jackson,  vice-president;  Dr.  G.  Boyd  Shaw,  Jack- 
son,  secretary-treasurer;  Dr.  Guy  D.  Campbell, 
Jackson,  ATS  Advisory  Council  member;  Dr. 
John  Williams,  Greenville  and  Dr.  John  Morgan, 
Jackson,  Executive  Committee  members.  Dr. 
Boyd  Shaw  will  continue  serving  as  Tri-State 
Consecutive  Case  Conference  representative  for 
the  Society  in  planning  the  program  for  this 
meeting  jointly  sponsored  by  the  Thoracic  So- 
cieties and  TB-RD  Associations  of  Mississippi, 
Alabama  and  Louisiana. 

The  scientific  session  of  the  one-day  annual 
meeting  included  the  following  guest  speakers 
and  their  topics:  Dr.  John  Ochsner,  chairman  of 
department  of  surgery,  Ochsner  Foundation  Hos- 
pital and  Clinical  Associate  Professor,  Tulane 
University  School  of  Medicine,  New  Orleans, 
speaking  on  “Bronchial  Adenomas”  and  “Tho- 
racic Lesions  in  the  Infant  Requiring  Urgent 
Surgical  Care”;  and  Dr.  Joseph  Bates,  chief  of 
medicine,  V.  A.  Hospital  and  associate  professor 
of  medicine,  University  of  Arkansas,  Little  Rock, 
speaking  on  “Needle  Biopsy  for  Diffuse  and 
Localized  Lesions  of  the  Lungs”;  “Pneumonia — 
‘Yesterday  and  Today,’  ” and  “Pulmonary  Tula- 
remia.” 

Dr.  James  Hardy,  University  Medical  Center, 
Jackson,  presented  a special  lecture  during  the 
annual  meeting  luncheon  on  “Current  Status  of 
Lung  Transplants.”  In  addition,  case  presenta- 
tions were  made  by  the  following  Society  mem- 
bers; Dr.  Robert  Cole,  Amory;  Dr.  Benton  Hil- 
bun,  Tupelo;  Dr.  John  R.  Williams,  Greenville; 
and  Dr.  Fred  Tatum,  Hattiesburg. 

The  Mississippi  Thoracic  Society  serves  as  the 
medical  arm  of  the  MTRDA.  Physicians  inter- 
ested in  membership  in  the  Society  are  requested 
to  direct  their  inquiries  to  P.O.  Box  9865,  Jack- 
son,  Mississippi. 


JULY  1970 


405 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Construction  Begins  on 
MHA  Headquarters 

The  Mississippi  Heart  Association  broke 
ground  for  their  new  headquarters  building  at 
4830  McWillie  Circle  in  North  Jackson  with  an 
impressive  line-up  of  dignitaries  in  attendance. 

Dr.  Jetson  P.  Tatum  of  Meridian,  former 
MHA  president,  was  master  of  ceremonies.  Dr. 
Arthur  C.  Guyton,  professor  and  chairman  of  the 
department  of  physiology  and  biophysics  of  the 
University  of  Mississippi  Medical  Center,  was 
guest  speaker  for  the  ceremonies  and  following 
luncheon  at  Lefleur’s  Convention  Center.  Dr. 
Guyton  discussed  the  accomplishments  in,  and 
the  future  outlook  for,  heart  research  in  Missis- 
sippi. 

The  late  Miss  Ethel  Ketcham  of  Jackson  be- 
queathed to  the  heart  association  funds  for  the 
express  purpose  of  purchasing  property  and  with 


Breaking  ground  for  the  Mississippi  Heart  As- 
sociation’s new  headquarters  building  in  Jackson 
were,  from  left,  Dr.  Arthur  C.  Guyton  of  Jackson, 
former  president  and  guest  speaker  for  the  occasion; 
Miss  Lucile  Little  of  Jackson,  MHA  executive  di- 
rector; Dr.  G.  Spencer  Barnes  of  Columbus,  1970 
president;  Ray  R.  McCullen  of  Jackson,  state  trea- 
surer and  chairman,  building  committee;  and  Dr. 
Jetson  P.  Tatum  of  Meridian,  master  of  ceremonies 
and  past  president. 


406 


this  the  lot  was  bought,  according  to  Dr.  G.  Spen- 
cer Barnes  of  Columbus,  president. 

The  Building  Finance  Committee  is  composed 
of  Everett  Crudup  of  Meridian,  chairman, 
Charles  R.  Sayre  of  Greenwood,  Dr.  Frederick 
E.  Tatum  of  Hattiesburg,  Ray  R.  McCullen  and 
Ernest  G.  Spivey,  both  of  Jackson. 

McCullen  also  chaired  the  Building  Commit- 
tee, appointed  by  Congressman  G.  V.  Montgom- 
ery, MHA  president  in  1968.  Spivey  and  Randal 
Craft,  also  of  Jackson,  served  as  members. 

John  L.  Turner  and  Associates  of  Jackson  are 
the  architects  and  Pat  Cronin  Construction  Com- 
pany is  the  builder. 


D.  A.  Grimes  Named 


UMC  Hospital  Director 


D.  Andrew  Grimes  has  been  named  director 
of  the  University  Hospital  in  Jackson,  according 
to  Dr.  Robert  E.  Carter,  director  of  the  Universi- 
ty Medical  Center. 

The  Board  of  Trustees,  Institutions  of  Higher 

Learning,  formally 


Mr.  Grimes 


approved  the  ap- 
pointment at  the  May 
meeting. 

Grimes  succeeds 
Dr.  David  Wilson, 
who  was  hospital 
head  for  some  15 
years  prior  to  his  ele- 
vation to  assistant  di- 
rector of  the  Medical 
Center  for  health 
planning  in  1969. 

The  new  hospital 
director  joined  the 
Mississippi  staff  in 
1967  as  associate  director.  He  was  previously  as- 
sistant director  at  Vanderbilt  University  Hospital, 
administrative  research  coordinator  and  assistant 
director  of  the  Vanderbilt  University  Medical 
Center  in  Nashville. 

Grimes  holds  the  A.B.  degree  from  Washing- 
ton and  Jefferson  College  and  the  M.S.  degree 
from  the  University  of  Pittsburgh.  At  Cornell  Uni- 
versity he  had  additional  training  in  hospital  ad- 
ministration. 

He  is  affiliated  with  the  American  Hospital 
Association,  Association  of  American  Medical 
Colleges,  American  College  of  Hospital  Admin- 
istrators, Mississippi  Hospital  Association  and  So- 
ciety of  Hospital  and  Medical  Administrators. 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


MSBH  Sponsors 
Radiological  Courses 

Courses  in  radiological  health  for  x-ray  tech- 
nologists were  recently  offered  by  the  State  Board 
of  Health,  free  of  charge,  in  Jackson,  Tupelo, 
Laurel  and  Biloxi,  according  to  State  Health  Of- 
ficer Hugh  B.  Cottrell. 

Dr.  Cottrell  said  the  Southeastern  Radiological 
Health  Laboratory  in  Montgomery,  Ala.,  coop- 
erated with  the  Radiological  Health  Unit  of  the 
State  Board  of  Health  in  presenting  the  courses 
and  furnished  a team  of  instructors. 

Serving  as  coordinators  were  Ronald  J.  For- 

Isythe  and  Charles  E.  Hilton,  health  physicists  in 
the  Radiological  Health  Unit. 

“Through  these  courses,”  said  Forsythe,  “we 
hope  to  minimize  the  danger  of  radiation  expo- 
sure to  Mississippians  who  have  x-rays  performed 
for  diagnostic  interpretation  as  well  as  to  those 
operating  the  x-ray  machines.” 


The  State  Board  of  Health  offered  radiological 
health  courses  for  x-ray  technologists  in  1965,  but 
a rapid  transition  in  technology  has  taken  place 
since  then,  Forsythe  pointed  out. 

A 5-day  course,  open  only  to  instructors  in 
x-ray  technology,  was  held  June  8-12  at  the  State 
Health  Department  in  Jackson. 

“Structured  for  instructors,  this  course  present- 
ed the  principles  of  teaching  radiation  protection 
as  well  as  basic  radiological  health,”  said  For- 
sythe. 

A 2-day  course,  “designed  to  create  an  atmo- 
sphere and  feeling  for  radiation  protection  for 
both  patient  and  radiation  worker,”  was  conduct- 
ed in  four  different  locations  in  the  state,  accord- 
ing to  Forsythe. 

Eligible  for  this  course  were  professional  x-ray 
technologists  and  students  who  are  in  the  senior 
year  of  x-ray  technology  and  are  planning  on  a 
professional  career  in  the  field. 


Medical  Center  Graduates  75  M.D/s 


At  the  14th  annual  University  of  Mississippi  Med- 
ical Center  Commencement , 75  received  the  M.D. 
degree;  32,  the  B.S.  in  nursing;  11,  the  Ph.D.;  and 
four,  the  M.S.  At  left,  Chancellor  Porter  L.  Fortune 
conferred  degrees  and  Judge  James  P.  Coleman  of 
the  U.  S.  Fifth  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals,  second  left, 
was  Commencement  speaker.  Dean  of  the  School  of 
Medicine  Dr.  Robert  E.  Carter,  third  left,  presented 


medical  degree  candidates.  Dr.  Jerry  Clifford  Griffin 
of  Silver  Creek,  third  right,  was  the  recipient  of  the 
Waller  S.  Leathers  Medal,  given  annually  for  the 
highest  four-year  medical  average,  while  Mrs.  Carol 
Ann  Sitton  McGehee,  second  right,  got  the  Faculty 
Award,  which  goes  to  the  top  nursing  student.  Miss 
Christine  L.  Oglevee.  dean  of  the  School  of  Nursing, 
right,  presented  nursing  degree  candidates. 


JULY  1970 


407 


MPAC 

AMPAC 

give  you  IMPACT,  doctor! 


But  make  it  a mutual  impact,  doctor,  because  your  PAC 
needs  you  and  you  need  your  PAC.  Both  AMPAC  and 
each  of  the  50  state  PAC’s  are  voluntary,  nonprofit,  un- 
incorporated, autonomous  groups  whose  members  are 
physicians,  their  wives,  and  others  in  allied  professions. 
Every  group  is  bipartisan,  bound  by  no  party  label.  The 
voting  record,  platform,  and  program  of  a candidate — 
not  his  party — is  what  the  PAC  considers. 

The  basic  purpose  is  twofold:  To  educate  in  political 
affairs  and  to  provide  a means  through  which  the  physi- 
cian-citizen can  effectively  make  his  voice  heard  in  the  po- 
litical arena.  MPAC  is  medically  oriented  and  medically 
directed  by  a 10  member  board  consisting  of  nine  physi- 
cians and  a Woman’s  Auxiliary  representative. 

With  the  elections  behind,  MPAC  is  looking  ahead  to 
1970  when  there  will  be  a job  to  do.  Make  your  voice 
count  by  sending  your  dues  today,  $10  for  MPAC  and 
$10  for  AMPAC.  Better  send  dues  for  your  wife,  too. 


MISSISSIPPI  MEDICAL 
POLITICAL  ACTION 
COMMITTEE 


408 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Flying  Physicians 
Meet  in  Canada 

The  16th  annual  meeting  of  the  Flying  Physi- 
cians Association  will  be  held  at  the  Bayshore 
Inn,  Vancouver,  British  Columbia  on  Aug.  23- 
28. 

It  will  mark  two  firsts  for  the  group  of  flying 
doctors:  their  first  convention  outside  the  United 
States,  and  their  first  yearly  meeting  in  Canada. 

Dr.  Curtis  Caine,  Jackson  anesthesiologist,  will 
preside  over  the  five  day  meeting. 

Between  700  and  900  persons  are  expected  to 
attend  and  many  of  them  will  fly  their  own  air- 
craft to  Vancouver  International  Airport.  Tie- 
down facilities  and  space  will  be  required  for 
more  than  200  aircraft. 

I The  program  will  include  lectures  on  medical 
subjects,  aerospace  medicine,  general  aviation 
safety,  maximum  aircraft  performance,  and  other 

I related  subjects. 

Program  Chairman  Dr.  Marvin  B.  Hays,  Eu- 
reka, Cal.,  is  also  planning  a series  of  round  ta- 
ble discussions  on  such  subjects  as  instrument 
flight  routine  versus  visual  flight  routine,  how  to 
survive  a crash,  ladies  in  the  air,  lady  pilots,  get- 

Iting  along  with  the  weather,  and  engine  main- 
tenance. 

Dr.  Gordon  Hepworth,  Vancouver,  is  serving 
j as  chairman  of  the  local  arrangements  commit- 
tee. Many  of  the  key  speakers  will  be  recruited 
locally.  Assisting  Drs.  Hays  and  Hepworth  in  this 
effort  will  be  Dr.  Reginald  R.  Harper  of  North 
Surrey,  British  Columbia. 

In  the  exhibit  area  of  the  Bayshore  Inn,  reg- 
istrants will  have  the  opportunity  to  view  the  lat- 
est in  medical  and  aviation  products.  A number 
of  manufacturers  and  scientific  organizations  will 
have  exhibits  on  display.  Manufacturers  of  small 
aircraft  will  have  a number  of  planes  on  static 
display  at  Vancouver  International  Airport. 

A special  program  is  being  planned  for  the 
wives  and  children  who  attend  the  meeting.  In 
charge  of  these  activities  is  Mrs.  Regionald  R. 
Harper  of  North  Surrey,  B.  C. 

A portion  of  the  program  will  be  devoted  to 
the  Samaritan  activities  of  the  Flying  Physicians 
Association.  Many  members  are  volunteering  to 
serve  in  humanitarian  projects,  such  as  volunteer 
physicians  for  Viet  Nam  and  Project  Hope. 

The  Flying  Physicians  Association  was  started 
in  1954  by  a group  of  doctors  whose  chief  objec- 
tive was  to  organize  an  association  of  private  pi- 
lots dedicated  to  the  promotion  of  general  avia- 
tion safety  through  example  and  teaching. 


The  Association  has  grown  from  its  1955 
membership  of  700  members  to  its  present  mem- 
bership of  over  2200.  This  includes  members  in 
the  U.  S.,  Canada,  Mexico,  Puerto  Rico,  Central 
and  South  America,  the  West  Indies,  Australia, 
West  Germany,  England,  and  the  Republic  of  the 
Congo. 

Wyeth  President  Is 
Foundation  Chairman 

Herbert  W.  Blades,  president  of  Wyeth  Lab- 
oratories, has  been  elected  chairman  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  Pharmaceutical  Manu- 
facturers Association  Foundation. 

The  Foundation,  established  by  the  Associa- 
tion in  1965,  is  a 
non-profit  organiza- 
tion that  supports  re- 
search, educational 
and  scientific  projects 
in  the  field  of  clinical 
pharmacology  and  re- 
lated disciplines.  Its 
stated  purpose  is  “to 
promote  the  better- 
ment of  public  health 
through  scientific  and 
medical  research.” 

The  PMA  Founda- 
tion is  supported  by 
voluntary  contribu- 
tions from  about  100  companies  and  pharma- 
ceutical and  industry-related  organizations  and 
individuals.  Since  its  formation,  the  Foundation 
has  authorized  over  $2,200,000  to  aid  a variety 
of  activities,  including:  education  and  training 
awards  to  medical  school  faculty  members  and 
students  in  clinical  pharmacology,  and  postdoc- 
toral fellowships  in  pharmacology-morphology; 
and  fundamental  research  in  areas  of  drug  tox- 
icology, such  as  fetal-neonatal  pharmacology,  nu- 
tritional deficiencies,  dialyzable  drugs,  and  ani- 
mal-human predictability  studies. 

The  Foundation  conducts  periodic  workshops 
and  conferences  on  such  topics  as  drug  metabo- 
lism and  drug  evaluation,  and  continuing  educa- 
tion programs  in  drug  therapy  topics  for  practic- 
ing physicians,  hospitals  and  medical  societies. 

Mr.  Blades  is  also  executive  vice  president  and 
a director  of  Wyeth  Laboratories’  parent  com- 
pany, American  Home  Products  Corporation.  He 
has  been  president  of  Wyeth  since  1956,  and  has 
been  a director  of  the  Pharmaceutical  Manufac- 
turers Association  since  it  was  founded  in  1958. 


Mr.  Blades 


JULY  1970 


409 


This  “case  history”  runs  to  some  10,000  pages 


This  is  a typical  "case  history”  of  one  new  drug  — or, 
rather,  a proposed  new  drug  — assembled  for  submis- 
sion to  the  U.S.  Federal  Food  and  Drug  Administration, 
These  volumes  are  the  result  of  several  years'  work  by 
thousands  of  professional  and  skilled  personnel  in 
just  one  pharmaceutical  company's  research  labora- 
tories, and  by  hundreds  of  physicians  in  medical 
schools,  hospitals,  and  private  practice.  They  cover 
every  aspect  of  experience  with  this  proposed  new 
agent  from  chemical  laboratory  to  clinic,  from  mouse 
to  man.  Each  volume  could  conceivably  represent 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  of  financial  invest- 


ment, countless  hours  of  human  effort.  This  veritable 
mountain  of  data  stands  behind  every  new  agent 
offered  to  you  by  pharmaceutical  manufacturers  — a 
reassuring  testimonial  to  the  efficacy,  safety  and 
purity  of  the  drugs  you  will  prescribe  today  to  lower 
the  cost  of  disease  to  your  patients. 

Pharmaceutical 
Manufacturers  Association 

Pharmaceutical 
Advertising  Council 

1155  Fifteenth  St.,  N.  W„  Washington,  D.C.  20005 


This  message  is  brought  to  you  as  a 
courtesy  of  this  publication  on  behalf  of  the 
producers  of  prescription  drugs. 


Burdick 


Has  the  diagnostic  equipment  in  your  office  kept 
pace  with  your  own  knowledge  of  new  drugs, 
medicines  and  technics? 

Write  us  for  full  details  on  the  Burdick  EK-IV 
Dual-Speed  Electrocardiograph. 

KAY  SURGICAL  INC. 

663  North  State  St.  • Jackson,  Miss.  39201 


Index  to  Advertisers 


Arch  Laboratories,  Div.  of  Lewis  Howe  Co 411 

Breon  Laboratories,  Inc 8 

Bristol  Labs  16,  17 

Burroughs-Wellcome  392B 

Campbell  Soup  Company  380A 

Conal  Pharm.  Inc 380D 

Dow  Chemical  Co 3 92 A 

Eaton  Laboratories,  Div.  of  Norwich  Pharmacal  1 1 

Flint  Laboratories,  Div.  of  Travenol  Labs,  Inc.  7 

Geigy  Pharmaceuticals  392D,  393 

Hill  Crest  Hospital  6 

Hynson,  Westcott  and  Dunning,  Inc 3 

Kay  Surgical,  Inc 411 


Leonard  Wright  Sanatorium  14 

Eli  Lilly  and  Company  . front  cover,  18 

Mississippi  Hospital  and  Medical  Service  15 

MPAC-AMPAC  408 

National  Drug  Company  . 384A,  384B,  400A,  400B 

Pharmaceutical  Manufacturers  Association  410 

William  P.  Poythress  392C 

Roche  Laboratories fourth  cover 

Schering  Corporation  14A,  14B,  14C,  14D 

Julius  Schmid,  Inc 398,  399 

G.  D.  Searle  Company 380B,  380C 

Stuart  Pharmaceuticals,  Div.  of  Atlas 

Chemical  Industries,  Inc second  cover 

Wyeth  Laboratories  395,  396 


Lederle  Laboratories 


4,  10,  12,  391  Thomas  Yates  and  Company 


third  cover 


JULY  1970 


411 


Vo 


New  York’s  Medicaid  program,  often  called  an  uncontrolled  fiasco 
from  the  beginning,  will  run  up  a $1  billion  tab  in  1970.  Pro- 
gram in  New  York  City  costs  about  $700  million  of  which  hospitals 
get  52  per  cent,  nursing  homes  11  per  cent,  dentists  9.5  per  cent, 1 
physicians  6.6  per  cent,  drugs  5 per  cent,  and  remainder  for  mis- 
cellaneous services.  Tn  New  York  City,  one  out  of  four  citizens  , 
is  eligible  for  Medicaid  benefits.  ( 


!'! 

A shortage  of  dental  manpower  that  cannot  be  met  within  the  frame- 
work  of  present  dental  practice  faces  the  U.S.  Dr.  John  Zapp, 
special  assistant  for  dental  affairs  in  HEW  is  urging  organized  |!*i 
dentistry  to  assert  leadership  in  expanding  use  of  hygienists  and  : 
assistants  before  government  does  it  for  the  profession.  t)r.  Zapp 
believes  that  more  dental  schools  and  expanded  classes  will  not  be  1 
sufficient  to  meet  the  crisis f 


Data  communications,  the  business  of  a computer  talking  to  another 
computer  or  making  use  of  one  via  long  distance,  is  the  hottest  ex« 1 
panding  market  in  U.S.  By  1975,  data  communications  devices  marke  i 
will  expand  1,000  per  cent  and  could  capture  as  much  as  50  per  cen 
of  the  telephone  network  in  another  five  years.  Medicine  will  com- 
pete with  business  as  leading  major  user  of  data  communications  wi 
Hospitals,  medical  schools,  and  even  M.D. *8  using  computers. 


Child-resistant  containers  - CRC's  - are  strongly  advocated  for  R: 
packaging  by  American  Academy  of  Pediatrics,  AAP  feels  that  90  pei 
cent  of  drug  poisonings  in  children  under  five  could  be  stopped  wi* 
proper  containers.  CRC's  need  not  be  such  that  adults  have  trouble 
opening.  Specifications  for  containers  are  that  they  should  be  ef- 
fective, simple,  and  never  be  made  to  appear  as  a toy*  In  tests, 
adult  patients  with  dexterity  loss  were  able  to  -use  CRC's. 


School  nurse  practitioners  will  be  a new  breed  of  semi-autonomous 
allied  health  professionals  graduated  from  University  of  Colorado 
Medical  Center.  Program  aims  for  postgraduate  training  after  B.S. 
in  nursing  is  awarded.  SNP's  will  treat  minor  illness,  do  physical 
exams,  provide  immunizations,  and  be  able  to  assess  development  an< 
behavorial  problems  in  children.  New  curriculum  is  being  assisted 
by  a granu  to  UCMC  from  Commonwealth  Pund. 


Th 

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» EDITOR 

William  M.  Dabney,  M.D. 

* ASSOCIATE  EDITORS 
George  H.  Martin,  M.D. 

Thomas  W.  Wesson,  M.D. 

* MANAGING  EDITOR 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 

• EDITORIAL  ASSISTANT 
Nola  Gibson 

PUBLICATIONS  COMMITTEE 
Lawrence  W.  Long,  M.D. 
Chairman 

Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr.,  M.D. 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
and  the  editors 

\ 

• THE  ASSOCIATION 
Paul  B.  Brumby,  M.D. 

President 

Arthur  E.  Brown,  M.D. 

President-Elect 
Raymond  S.  Martin,  M.D. 

Secretary-Treasurer 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
Speaker 

John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Vice  Speaker 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 
H.  C.  Harrell 

Assistant  Executive  Secretary 
James  F.  McPherson,  II 
Executive  Assistant 


The  Journal  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  is  owned  and  pub- 
lished by  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association,  founded  1856.  Editorial,  ex- 
ecutive, and  business  offices,  735  Riverside 
Drive,  Jackson,  Mississippi  39216;  office 
of  publication,  1201-5  Bluff  Street,  Fulton, 
Missouri  65251.  Subscription  rate,  $7.50 
per  annum;  $1  per  copy,  as  available.  Ad- 
vertising rates  furnished  on  request. 
Second-class  postage  paid  at  the  post  office 
at  Fulton,  Missouri. 


CONTENTS 


original  papers 

Maternal  Mortality  Related 
to  Anesthesia  ( 1957- 

1967)  in  Mississippi  413  Donald  M.  Sherline, 

M.D. 

Resuscitation  of  the 

Newborn  417  Ross  E.  Smith,  M.D.,  and 
Alfred  W.  Brann,  Jr., 
M.D. 

SPECIAL  ARTICLES 

Radiologic  Seminar 
XCVIII:  Duplications  of 
the  Renal  Pelvis  and 

Ureter  424  T.  S.  McCay,  M.D. 

Proceedings  of  the  House 
of  Delegates,  102nd 

Annual  Session  427  Annual  Publication 


EDITORIALS 


Decision  on  Abortion: 
The  Next  90  Days 

Is  the  Muse  Usually 
Boozed? 

The  Durability  of  the 
Hill-Burton  Act 

Muscle  Busters  Are  Not 
Dum-dums! 

The  Bittersweet  Issue 
of  Cyclamates 


443  Real  or  Rhetorical 

445  Alcoholic  Authors 

446  First  Veto  Loss 

446  Sports  Science 

447  Tip  of  the  Iceberg 


THIS  MONTH 


The  President  Speaking  442  Our  Medical  Democracy 
Medical  Organization  451  103rd  Annual  Session 


Copyright  1970,  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


6 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  AUGUST  1970 


LSD-Alcoholism  Study 
Wins  Hofheimer  Award 

A four-year  clinical  study,  which  conclusively 
disproves  claims  that  LSD  is  effective  in  treating 
alcoholics,  has  won  the  American  Psychiatric  As- 
sociation’s Hofheimer  Award  for  1970.  The  Les- 
ter N.  Hofheimer  Prize  for  Research  was  pre- 
sented to  the  principal  investigators,  Drs.  Jerome 
Levine,  and  Arnold  M.  Ludwig,  and  research  as- 
sistant Louis  H.  Stark,  A.B.,  at  the  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  APA  in  San  Francisco. 

Dr.  Jerome  Levine,  chief,  Psychopharmacology 
Research  Branch,  Division  of  Extramural  Re- 
search Programs,  National  Institute  of  Mental 
Health,  and  Dr.  Arnold  M.  Ludwig,  director  of 
Education  and  Research,  Mendota  State  Hospital, 
Madison,  Wis.  began  their  research  investigation  of 
LSD  as  a potential  treatment  agent  in  1962,  while 
serving  with  the  Commissioned  Officer  Corps  at 
the  former  U.  S.  Public  Health  Service  Hospital  in 
Lexington,  Ky.  (now  NIMH  Clinical  Research 
Center).  They  developed  and  explored  the  use  ot 
a specialized  LSD  technique,  known  as  hypnodelic 
therapy,  in  the  treatment  of  narcotic  drug  ad- 
dicts. In  1964,  this  study  was  extended  to  re- 
search on  alcoholism  at  the  Mendota  State  Hos- 
pital. 


The  experience  and  results  have  been  com-  4 
piled  and  documented  in  a volume,  LSD  and 
Alcoholism:  A Clinical  Study  of  Treatment  Ef- 
ficacy, to  be  published  by  Charles  C Thomas, 
Springfield,  111.  This  extensive  report  includes 
sections  on  background  research  information;  de- 
tailed reports  of  the  treatment  study,  related  spe- 
cial studies,  and  follow-up  studies  of  the  alcoholic 
in  the  community;  and  an  overview  of  treatment 
efficacy.  The  emphasis  is  on  evaluation  of  treat- 
ment outcome  rather  than  the  treatment  process. 

The  investigators  conclude  from  the  findings  of 
their  four-year  clinical  study  that  dramatic  claims 
for  the  efficacy  of  LSD  treatment  in  alcoholism 
are  unjustified. 

Dr.  Levine  has  been  with  the  NIMH  since 
1964,  when  he  was  appointed  research  psychia- 
trist and  assistant  chief  of  the  Psychopharmacol- 
ogy Research  Branch.  In  1967  he  was  appointed 
to  his  present  position.  He  is  also  an  instructor 
in  psychiatry  at  the  Johns  Hopkins  University 
School  of  Medicine  in  Baltimore,  Md.  From 
1962  to  1964  he  served  as  Assistant  Chief  Psy- 
chiatrist at  the  U.  S.  Public  Health  Service  Hos- 
pital in  Lexington,  Ky.,  and  as  an  instructor  in  ^ 
clinical  psychiatry  at  the  University  of  Kentucky 
Medical  Center  in  Lexington. 

Dr.  Ludwig  is  clinical  professor  in  psychiatry  at 
the  University  of  Wisconsin  Medical  Center. 


« 4 


—The  lowest  priced  tetracycline— nystatin  combination  available— 


August  1970 

■r  Doctor: 

has  presented  testimony  to  the  Congress  agreei ng  with  the  Nixon 
: posal  to  abolish  Medicaid  in  favor  of  all-federal  health  program, 
i inistration  plan  is  a federal  health  insurance  program  for  poor 
: low  income  groups  now  qualified  for  Medicaid.  AMA's  Medicredit 
gram  would  have  government  purchase  health  insurance  for  poor  and 
e tax  credits  on  sliding  scale  in  higher  income  levels. 

Heart  of  AMA*s  Medicredit  is  a structured  peer  review 
mechanism  to  guarantee  quality  and  financial  success. 

Observers  look  for  no  action  this  year,  but  Senate 
Finance  Committee  has  instructed  staff  to  work  with 
ALIA  in  preparation  of  peer  review  amendments. 

: ee  of  the  four  CBS-TV  stations  in  Louisiana  have  offered  state 
lical  society  equal  time  to  rebut  network *s  blast  at  health  care. 

: er  CBS  refused  equal  time  to  AMA  following  slanted  ’’Don’t  Get 
k in  America"  programs,  Louisiana  stations  took  the  initiative, 
y WWL-TV  at  New  Orleans  has  balked  on  action.  The  two  Missis- 
pi  CBS  outlets  airing  programs  made  no  offer  for  equal  time. 

version  of  hospital  accreditation  standards  adopted  by  Joint 
mission  emphasizes  the  need  for  physicians  on  governing  boarcTs. 
ndards  say  that  "members  of  the  medical  staff  shall  be  eligible 
, and  should  be  included  in,  membership  on  the  hospital  governing 
y.  " Revision  also  says  that  approval  of  the  medical  staff* s by- 
s,  rules  and  regulations  "shall  not  be  unreasonably  withheld." 

k for  favorable  action  by  the  Senate  on  S.3418  which  will  give 
leal  schools  federal  assistance  to  train  family  practitioners. 

1 would  establish  five-year  program  to  expand  or  begin  new  CP 
idencies  and  also  calls  for  Secretary  of  HEW  to  appoint  a 12- 
ber  Advisory  Council  on  Family  Medicine.  Move  has  been  sparked 
successful  program  of  American  Academy  of  G-eneral  Practice. 

days  of  dangerous  fireworks  are  numbered,  under  recent  regula- 
rs issued  by  Food  and  Drug  Administration.  Ban  forbids  inter- 
ne shipment  of  large  firecrackers,  including  cherry  bombs,  roc- 
s,  salutes,  and  aerial  bombs.  Individual  fireworks  pieces  and 
ponents  with  more  than  two  grains  of  powder  fall  under  order. 


Sincerely, 


Howland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  AUGUST  1970 


1 0 

NIH  Provides 
Nursing  Grants 

New  grants  from  the  Division  of  Nursing  are 
helping  financially  distressed  nursing  schools  to 
remain  operational  until  students  who  have  al- 
ready invested  time  and  money  in  nursing  educa- 
tion can  graduate  as  scheduled  and  engage  in 
nursing  practice.  The  Division  of  Nursing  is  the 
nursing  component  of  the  Bureau  of  Health 
Professions  Education  and  Manpower  Training, 
National  Institutes  of  Health. 

A Special  Project  Grant  of  $44,649  has  been 
awarded  to  the  Memorial  Mission  Hospital  School 
of  Nursing  at  Asheville,  N.  C.  These  funds  are 
aiding  this  76  year-old  nursing  education  institu- 
tion in  the  Appalachia  area  to  complete  the  prep- 
aration of  its  last  class — 26  students  who  began 
their  training  in  1968  and  are  scheduled  to  grad- 
uate in  1971. 

As  a result  of  a Special  Project  Grant  of 
$246,162,  the  Capital  City  School  of  Nursing  in 
Washington,  D.  C.,  is  proceeding  to  complete  the 
training  of  its  last  two  classes.  The  total  Federal 
investment  in  helping  this  93  year-old  school  to 
graduate  40  new  nurses  in  1971  and  an  additional 
40  in  1972  is  expected  to  reach  $365,962. 

Further  information  about  Special  Project 


Grants  as  authorized  by  the  Health  Manpower  Act, 
and  how  they  serve  to  start  new  schools  of  nurs- 
ing and  to  help  existing  schools  remain  in  op- 
eration and  produce  greater  numbers  of  well-  ' 
prepared  nurse  practitioners  may  be  requested 
from  the  Division  of  Nursing,  9000  Rockville 
Pike,  Bethesda,  Md.  20014. 

Symposium  on 
Prevention  Released 

Information  of  special  interest  to  practicing 
physicians,  internists  and  cardiologists  is  contained 
in  a new  Heart  Association  publication  on  pre- 
ventive cardiology. 

Named  “Reducing  the  Risk  of  Coronary  and  j 
Hypertensive  Disease,”  the  book  stems  from  the 
Minnesota  Symposium  on  Prevention  in  Cardiolo-  ' 
gy  which  the  Minnesota  Heart  Association  spon- 
sored in  cooperation  with  the  Mayo  Clinic, 
Mayo  Foundation,  University  of  Minnesota,  and  l 
American  Heart  Association's  Council  on  Clinical  1 
Cardiology. 

Edited  by  Henry  Blackburn  and  Jennifer  Willis,  | 
the  book's  25  articles  cover  the  several  risk  factors 
and  provide  practical  suggestions  for  reducing 
the  risk  by  controlling  hypertension,  diet,  obesity,  j 
cigarette  smoking  and  physical  activity. 


vjjiff  C /test 

HOSPITAL 

Hill  Crest  Foundation,  Inc. 


7000  5TH  AVENUE  SOUTH 
Box  2896, 

Birmingham,  Alabama  35212 

Phone:  205-836-7201 


A patient  centered 
non-profit  hospital  for 
intensive  treatment  of 
nervous  disorders  . . . 


Hill  Crest  Hospital  was  estab- 
lished in  1925  as  Hill  Crest 
Sanitarium  to  provide  private 
psychiatric  treatment  of  ner- 
vous or  mental  disorders.  Indi- 
vidual patient  care  has  been 
the  theme  during  its  45  years 
of  service. 

Both  male  and  female  pa- 


tients are  accepted  and  depart- 
mentalized care  is  provided  ac- 
cording to  sex  and  the  degree 
of  illness. 


In  addition  to  the  psychiatric 
staff,  consultants  are  available 
in  all  medical  specialities. 


MEDICAL  DIRECTOR: 

James  K.  Ward,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 

CLINICAL  DIRECTOR: 

Hardin  M.  Ritchey,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 


HILL  CREST  is  a member  of: 

AMERICAN  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
. . . NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  PRI- 
VATE PSYCHIATRIC  HOSPITALS  . . . 
ALABAMA  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
BIRMINGHAM  REGIONAL  HOSPITAL 
COUNCIL'; 

Hill  Crest  is  fully  accredited  by  the  Joint 
Commission  on  Accreditation  ol  Hospitals 
and  is  also  approved  for  Medicare  pa- 
tients. 


Cnest 


HOSPITAL 


BIRMINGHAM,  ALABAMA 


1 I 


1 


1 Miss  Pot  Plot  Oxford  - A "secret"  marijuana  plot,  one  of 
: Thieves  Target  several  maintained  by  the  Ole  Miss  School  of 

Pharmacy,  was  raided  by  thieves  who  stripped 
mature  cannabis  plants.  Site  of  raid  was  near  Wiggins  in  Stone 
:nty.  Project  enabling  Ole  Miss  to  be  the  only  legal  pot  farmer 
U.S.  is  pharmacological  investigation  of  different  types  of  mari- 
na. Prior  to  this  research,  investigators  had  available  only 
, icit  samples  of  uncertain  origin  and  age  with  which  to  work. 


;Polio  Deaths  Atlanta  - The  U.S.  Public  Health  Service  Com- 

I orded  in  1969  municable  Disease  Center  reports  that  not  a 

single  death  from  poliomyelitis  was  recorded 
the  United  States  last  year.  Only  19  cases  of  paralytic  polio 
e reported,  and  among  these  only  one  patient  had  received  the 
cine.  In  1954,  USPHS  recorded  1,400  polio  deaths  and  more  than 
000  paralytic  cases.  During  1969,  about  26.5  million  doses  of 
cine  were  administered. 


k Force  Sacks  Washington  - The  27-member  health  care  task 

[ vate  Care  force  headed  by  the  controversial  Blue  Cross 

national  president,  Walter  J.  McNemey,  says 
:,t  it's  too  late  to  patch  up  the  present  private  care  delivery 
tern  and  that  the  nation  needs  a totally  new  program.  Three  point 
nposal  would  replace  Medicaid  with  a federal  program,  set  up  a new 
k force  to  write  a national  health  insurance  plan,  and  put  new 
>hasis  on  prepaid  group  practice  or  closed  panel  care. 


ir  Seasons  Goes  Oklahoma  City  - Four  Seasons  Pursing  Centers  of 

;o  Bankruptcy  America,  biggest  builder  and  operator  of  extended 

care  facilities  and  child  care  centers,  has  filed 
* bankruptcy  in  federal  court.  In  1969,  Four  Seasons  was  considered 
)lue  chip  stock  on  the  American  Exchange,  but  trading  was  suspended 
it  April  after  it  plummeted  to  the  bottom.  Last  two  quarters  show- 
losses  of  about  $1  million.  Four  Seasons  became  third  major  U.S. 
7?oration  to  go  under  this  year,  joining  Penn  Central  Railroad  and 
-ly  Madison  Industries. 


lering-Plough  New  York  - The  prosperous  ethical  drug  firm, 

,’ger  Is  Set  Schering,  and  Memphis-based  Plough,  Inc.  , will 

merge  to  form  a powerful  ethical  and  over- the- 
ater combine.  Plough  is  best  known  for  St.  Joseph  and  Coppertone 
les  and  actually  boasts  annual  sales  greater  than  Schering.  Since 
)rganizing  in  U.S.  after  having  alien  status  from  Nazi  Germany, 
lering  has  prospered  under  superb  management.  Its  stock  has  split 
)-for-one  on  two  occasions,  increasing  700  per  cent  in  value. 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  AUGUST  1970 


1 4 


AMA  Honors 
Science  Students 

Two  1 7-year-old  high  school  students  were 
awarded  the  top  honors  of  the  American  Medical 
Association  during  the  21st  International  Science 
Fair  in  Baltimore,  May  1 1-15. 

They  are  Beverly  A.  Fordham,  a junior  at 
Bryan  Adams  High  School  in  Dallas,  Tex.,  and 
Kevin  J.  Boran,  a senior  at  Lawton’s  Hill  School 
in  Pottsville,  Pa. 

In  addition  to  their  citations  presented  at  the 
Health  Awards  Banquet  by  Dr.  Gerald  D.  Dor- 
man, president  of  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion, they  were  honored  guests  and  exhibitors  at 
the  AMA  Annual  Convention  in  Chicago,  June 
21-25. 

They  were  selected  for  the  AMA  honors  by  a 
team  of  judges,  members  of  the  AMA  Council  on 
Scientific  Assembly,  chaired  by  Dr.  Charles  D. 
Bussey,  Dallas,  Tex. 

Other  winners,  who  received  Awards  of  Merit 
from  the  AMA,  were:  Cheryl  M.  Engleman  of 
Hazelton,  N.  D.,  James  M.  Gaither,  Evansville, 
Ind.;  Greg  Kauffman,  Albuquerque,  N.  M.,  and 
Kathy  Wendt,  Fairmont,  Minn. 

The  six  students  were  selected  for  their  ex- 
hibits in  health  studies.  Competing  students  to- 


taled 402  exhibitors  from  45  states,  the  District 
of  Columbia,  Puerto  Rico,  Canada,  Brazil,  Japan, 
the  Philippines,  Sweden  and  Switzerland. 

Miss  Fordham’s  exhibit  was  entitled,  “Deter- 
mination of  Alpha  Vigilance  Via  Electroen- 
cephalography,” and  Boran’s  was  a study  of  “The 
Effects  of  Antidiuretic  Hormone  on  Sweating  Ac- 
tivity and  Sweat  Composition.”  Both  exhibited 
in  the  International  Amphitheatre  throughout  the 
AMA  Annual  Convention. 

The  AMA  has  participated  in  the  Internation- 
al Science  Fair  since  1956  as  part  of  its  program 
to  attract  superior  students  to  the  study  of  the 
health  sciences. 

Miami  Offers 
Otolaryngology  Course 

The  University  of  Miami  School  of  Medicine, 
Division  of  Otolaryngology,  is  presenting  a post- 
graduate course  in  ENT  for  the  Family  Practi- 
tioner. 

The  course  will  offer  10  A.A.G.P.  credit 
hours,  and  will  be  held  Nov.  13-14,  1970,  at  the 
Sheraton  Four-Ambassadors  Hotel  in  Miami,  Fla. 

Course  Director  is  Dr.  Fredric  W.  Pullen  II, 
Neuro-Otologic  Laboratory,  University  of  Miami 
School  of  Medicine,  P.  O.  Box  875,  Biscayne 
Annex,  Miami,  Fla.  33152. 


LEONARD  WRIGHT  SANATORIUM 

BYHALIA,  MISSISSIPPI  3861  I TELEPHONE  A/C  601,  838-2162 

LEONARD  D.  WRIGHT,  SR.,  B.S.,  M.D.,  PSYCHIATRY 

• Established  in  1948.  Specializing  in  the  treatment  of  ALCO- 
HOLISM and  DRUG  ADDICTIONS  with  a capacity  limited 
to  insure  individual  treatment.  Only  voluntary  admissions  ac- 
cepted. 

• Located  25  miles  S.  E.  of  Memphis-Highway  78  on  20  acres 
of  beautifully  landscaped  grounds  sufficiently  removed  to 
provide  restful  surroundings. 

• The  Sanatorium  is  approved  by  The  Commission  on  Hospital 
Care  in  the  State  of  Mississippi. 


< unique  opportunity  to  invest  in  the 

health  of  America: 


agine  being  paid  for  service  to 
ousands  of  people  who  may 
ver  visit  your  office,  and  may 
ver  take  any  of  your  time  at  all! 

; service  is  called  "Multiphasic 
eening.”  You  know  of  it,  of  course, 

I no  doubt  recognize  that  some 
n of  low-cost  preventive  medicine 
jrs  the  only  real  hope  for  relieving 
growing  crisis  of  medical  care  for 
expanding  population. 

;onsider  an  entirely  new  field  that 
help  Americans  everywhere  lead 
ger,  healthier  and  more  produc- 
lives  — through  a revolutionary 
thod  of  early  disease  detection, 
nsider  that  40%  to  50%  of  those 
Pd  have  a serious  disease  or  dis- 
er-and  it  will  hardly  surprise  you 
t there’s  a broad  market  for  Multi- 
isic  Screening. 

Now  you  can  invest 

intil  now,  there  were  practically 
investment  opportunties  in  this 
1 Today,  however.  Health  Screen- 
Centers,  Inc.,  offers  you  an  invita- 
i that  changes  all  that.  Now,  you 
invest  in  this  new  and  exciting 
a of  preventive  medicine,  and  take 
active  role  in  its  growth  and 
elopment. 

rofessionally,  you  will  find  this 
h of  the  most  satisfying  invest- 
nts  you  can  make.  And,  with  your 
cial  knowledge  and  background 
lus  the  assistance  we  give  you- 
; can  also  be  the  most  profitable 
i sstment  you're  ever  likely  to  make. 

What  is  HSC? 

iealth  Screening  Centers,  Inc.,  has 
in  organized  to  coordinate  the 
nsing  and  operation  of  a nation- 
e network  of  early  disease  detec- 
i centers  — mobile  and  in-plant- 
izing  automated,  miniaturized. 
Tronic  and  computerized  equip- 
nt. 

special  staff  is  trained  to  operate 
facilities  and  to  provide  efficient. 
' '-cost  delivery  of  accurate  labora- 
/ and  physiological  test  results  to 
erri ng  physicians.  A basic  HSC 
ility  of  prime  van  and  trailer  is 
i iipped  for  fundamental  health  his- 
/ review  and  dozens  of  tests,  in- 
ding:  six  cardio-pulmonary.  three 
i rometry,  six  opthalmologic.  twelve 
od  chemistries,  together  with  a 
natology  survey,  urinalysis  and 
nm  chest  X-ray,  plus  a deter- 
nation  of  diabetes  and  heart 
jble  potential. 

he  whole  procedure  is  performed 
the  spot  — just  one  hour  per  indi- 
ual  at  a cost  of  only  $35-and  as 
i can  see  does  not  involve  the 
ctice  of  medicine  in  any  way.  HSC 
iply  sends  to  the  referring  physi- 
n computerized  test  results  which 
him  in  his  diagnosis  and  possible 
atment. 


Unlimited  market 

Think  of  the  possibilities  for  a 
mobile  multiphasic  screening  unit  in 
your  area:  company  employees, 
union  members,  school  children, 
and  perhaps  some  unstructured  in- 
digent groups  such  as  Indians,  rural 
laborers,  migrant  farm  workers.  The 
need  is  well  established.  You  will  be 
bringing  this  vital  low-cost  preventive 
medicine  to  the  very  doorstep  of 
these  people  — half  of  whom  will  not 
take  themselves  to  a physician  until 
obvious  symptoms  appear,  which 
may  be  too  late! 

As  surely  as  this  service  has 
humanitarian  overtones,  just  as 
surely  are  you  entitled  to  a profitable 
return  on  your  investment.  As  a med- 
ical man.  no  one  is  better  qualified 
than  you  to  take  part  in  this  worth- 
while enterprise.  We  want  you  to 
succeed.  We  help  you  to  succeed. 

How  HSC  helps  the  Licensee 

Health  Screening  Centers.  Inc., 
makes  continuously  available  to  in- 
vestor groups  the  necessary  techno- 
logical counsel,  sales  guidance  and 
legal  advice.  HSC  will  help  you  with 
initial  new-business  solicitations,  ad- 
vertising. publicity,  recruitment  of 
sales  and  operating  personnel.  At 
Denver  headquarters.  HSC  will 
thoroughly  train  a staff  to  operate  a 
mobile  or  in-plant  facility.  HSC  will 
assist  with  all  start-up  procedures- 
in  short,  everything  you  need  to  suc- 
cessfully operate  your  own  health 
screening  center. 


Ground-floor  opportunity 

Granted.  Health  Screening  Centers. 
Inc.,  is  a new  name  — but  so  isthevery 
concept  of  multiphasic  screening  to 
the  layman.  Anticipating  the  growing 
national  awareness  of  the  need  for 
early  disease  detection,  HSC  offers 
this  unique  opportunity  to  get  in  on 
the  ground  floor"  of  this  business  of 
screening  the  sick  from  the  well . . . an 
activity  that  need  take  very  little  of 
your  valuable  time. 

The  other  rewards 

The  physician  derives  deepest  sat- 
isfaction from  his  particular  contri- 
bution to  the  well-being  of  the  indi- 
vidual, the  community,  the  society. 
Yet,  chances  are.  your  present  in- 
vestments are  far  afield  from  your 
basic  desire  to  solve  problems  in  your 
own  profession.  Thus.  HSC  is  proud 
to  offer  a new  dimension  to  your  pro- 
fession ...  an  investment  in  the  health 
of  America  that  reaps  financial  re- 
wards in  direct  proportion  to  the 
degree  it  serves. 

Send  for  complete  facts 

Exclusive  licensee  areas  are  now 
available  to  individual  physicians  or 
groups  of  doctors.  Let  us  send  you 
complete  literature  explaining  in  de- 
tail the  HSC  Licensing  Program,  how 
it  works  and  the  profit  potential  for 
you. 

Simply  mail  your  request  on  your 
professional  letterhead,  today,  to: 
Health  Screening  Centers.  Inc..  4101 
East  Louisiana,  Denver.  Colorado 
80222.  Or  call  collect:  (303)  757-7409. 


Health  Screening  Centers,  Inc. 

Early  Disease  Detection — Aid  to  Preventive  Medicine 


A.  H.  Robins 
Acquires  IUD 

A.  H.  Robins  Company  has  acquired  the 
Daikon  Shield™,  an  intrauterine  contraceptive  de- 
vice, it  was  announced  today  by  E.  Claiborne 
Robins,  chairman  of  the  board  and  chief  execu- 
tive officer  of  the  Richmond-based  pharmaceutical 
manufacturer. 

The  product  and  its  patent  rights  were  pur- 
chased from  the  Daikon  Corporation  of  Green- 
wich, Conn.,  for  an  undisclosed  amount  of  cash. 

The  device  was  introduced  commercially  to 
the  medical  profession  in  November  1969.  In 
clinical  tests,  the  device  has  shown  promise  of  a 
lower  incidence  of  spontaneous  expulsion, 
cramping  and  bleeding  than  other  intrauterine 
devices.  These  same  tests  suggested  that  the  de- 
vice may  also  offer  greater  protection  against 
pregnancy  than  other  intrauterine  devices. 

The  Daikon  Shield,  which  marks  A.  H.  Robins 
entry  into  the  field  of  medical  devices,  will  be  add- 
ed to  the  company’s  present  product  line  and  pro- 
moted by  its  medical  service  representatives. 


Viet  Nam  Volunteer 
Program  Cited 

Dr.  Norman  W.  Hoover,  director  of  the  Ameri- 
can Medical  Association  Department  of  Interna- 
tional Medicine,  accepted  the  “Silver  Anvil” 
award  May  14  at  the  Plaza  Hotel,  New  York  City, 
on  behalf  of  the  AMA’s  Volunteer  Physicians  for 
Viet  Nam  program.  It  was  the  top  award  present- 
ed by  the  Public  Relations  Society  of  America 
in  the  category  of  international  relations. 

In  accepting  the  trophy  from  Donald  B.  Mc- 
Cammond,  PRSA  chairman  of  the  board  and 
president.  Dr.  Hoover  asked  that  the  honor  be 
shared  by  the  AMA  and  the  Agency  for  Interna- 
tional Development,  U.  S.  Department  of  State. 
Both  organizations  have  cooperated  in  the  Viet 
Nam  program  for  over  four  years  in  providing 
civilian  physicians  to  work  in  provincial  hospitals. 

Silver  Anvil  awards  have  been  presented  each 
year  since  1944  to  acknowledge  outstanding  pub- 
lic relations  programs.  The  anvil  represents  pub- 
lic relations  activities  measured  “on  the  anvil  of 
public  opinion.” 


Brief  Summary  of  Prescribing  Information— 

9-9/22/69.  For  complete  information  consult 
Official  Package  Circular. 

Indications:  Essential  hypertension.  Use  cau- 
tiously in  patients  with  renal  insufficiency, 
particularly  if  they  are  digitalized. 
Contraindications:  Anuria,  oliguria,  active 
peptic  ulceration,  ulcerative  colitis,  severe  de- 
pression or  hypersensitivity  to  its  components 
contraindicates  the  use  of  Salutensin. 
Warnings:  Small-bowel  lesions  (obstruction, 
hemorrhage,  perforation  and  death)  have 
occurred  during  therapy  with  enteric-coated 
formulations  containing  potassium,  with  or 
without  thiazides.  Such  potassium  formula- 
tions should  be  used  with  Salutensin  only 
when  indicated  and  should  be  discontinued 
immediately  if  abdominal  pain,  distension, 
nausea,  vomiting  or  gastrointestinal  bleeding 
occurs.  Use  cautiously,  and  only  when  deemed 
essential,  in  fertile,  pregnant  or  lactating  pa- 
tients. Use  in  Pregnancy:  Thiazides  cross  the 
placenta  and  can  cause  fetal  or  neonatal 
hyperbilirubinemia,  thrombocytopenia, 
altered  carbohydrate  metabolism  and  possibly 
electrolyte  disturbances.  Fatal  reactions  may 
occur  with  reserpine  during  electroshock 
therapy;  discontinue  Salutensin  2 weeks  be- 
fore such  therapy.  Increased  respiratory 
secretions,  nasal  congestion,  cyanosis  and 
anorexia  may  occur  in  infants  born  to  reser- 
pine-treated  mothers. 

Precautions:  Azotemia,  hypochloremia,  hypo- 
natremia, hypochloremic  alkalosis  and  hypo- 
kaliemia  (especially  with  hepatic  cirrhosis 
and  corticosteroid  therapy)  may  occur,  par- 
ticularly with  pre-existing  vomiting  and  diar- 
rhea. Potassium  loss  or  protoveratrine  A may 
cause  digitalis  intoxication.  Potassium  loss 
responds  to  potassium-rich  foods,  potassium 
chloride  or,  if  necessary,  discontinuation  of 
therapy.  Stop  therapy  if  protoveratrine  A 
induces  digitalis  intoxication.  Serum  am- 
monia elevation  may  precipitate  coma  in 
precomatose  hepatic  cirrhotics.  Discontinue 
therapy  2 weeks  before  surgery  or  if  myo- 
cardial irritability,  progressive  azotemia  or 
severe  depression  occur.  Exercise  caution  in 
patients  with  chronie  uremia,  angina  pec- 
toris, coronary  thrombosis  or  extensive  cere- 
bral vascular  disease  or  bronchial  asthma  and 
in  those  with  a history  of  peptic  ulceration  or 
bronchial  asthma;  in  post-sympathectomy  pa- 
tients; in  patients  on  quinidine;  and  in  pa- 
tients with  gallstones,  in  whom  biliary  colic 
may  occur.  Patients  who  have  diabetes 
mellitus  or  who  are  suspected  of  being  pre- 
diabetic should  be  kept  under  close  observa- 
tion if  treated  with  this  agent. 

Adverse  Reactions:  Hydroflumethiazide:  Skin 
rashes  (including  exfoliative  dermatitis),  skin 
photosensitivity,  urticaria,  necrotizing  angiitis, 
xanthopsia,  granulocytopenia,  aplastic 
anemia,  orthostatic  hypotension  (potentiated 
with  alcohol,  barbiturates  or  narcotics),  aller- 
gic glomerulonephritis,  acute  pancreatitis, 
liver  involvement  (intrahepatic  cholestatic 
jaundice),  purpura  plus  or  minus  throm- 
bocytopenia, hyperuricemia,  hyperglycemia, 
glycosuria,  malaise,  weakness,  dizziness,  fa- 
tigue, paresthesias,  muscle  cramps,  skin  rash, 
epigastric  distress,  vomiting,  diarrhea  and 
constipation.  Reserpine:  Depression,  peptic 
ulceration,  diarrhea,  Parkinsonism,  nasal  stuf- 
finess, dryness  of  the  mouth,  weight  gain, 
impotence  or  decreased  libido,  conjunctival 
injection,  dull  sensorium,  deafness,  glaucoma, 
uveitis,  optic  atrophy,  and,  with  overdosage, 
agitation,  insomnia  and  nightmares.  Proto- 
veratrine A:  Nausea,  vomiting,  cardiac  ar- 
rhythmia, prostration,  blurring  vision,  mental 
confusion,  excessive  hypotension  and  brady- 
cardia. (Treat  bradycardia  with  atropine  and 
hypotension  with  vasopressors.) 

Usual  Dose:  1 tablet  b.i.d. 

Supplied:  Bottles  of  60,  600,  and  1000  scored 
50  mg.  tablets. 

Salutensin 

hydroflumethiazide,  50  mg. /reserpine, 
0.125  mg.  protoveratrine  A,  0.2  mg. 

BRISTOL  LABORATORIES 
Division  of  Bristol-Myers  Company 
Syracuse,  New  York  13201 


BRISTOL 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

August  1970,  Vol.  XI,  No.  8 


Maternal  Mortality  Related  to  Anesthesia 

(1957-1967)  in  Mississippi 

DONALD  M.  SHERLINE,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


The  study  of  maternal  mortality  as  it  relates 
to  a particular  medical  discipline  has  always 
been  of  interest  to  the  alert  physician  in  his 
quest  for  medical  excellence.  The  Maternal  and 
Child  Care  Committee  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  in  conjunction  with  the  State 
Board  of  Health  reviewed  its  first  case  in  1957. 
During  the  period  1957-1967  (11  years)  there 
were  681,081  live  births  in  the  state  and  542  ma- 
ternal deaths,  a maternal  death  rate  of  7.9/10,000 
live  births.  This  report  is  concerned  with  the  nine 
maternal  deaths  (1.7  per  cent)  reported  as  di- 
rectly related  to  anesthesia. 

In  1968,  Dr.  Augusta  Webster  presented  an 
analysis  of  maternal  deaths  in  Cook  County  Hos- 
pital in  Chicago  during  the  period  1952-1965 
(13  years).  There  were  226,878  live  births  and 
234  maternal  deaths,  a maternal  death  rate  of 
10.3/10,000  live  births.  Of  particular  interest  is 
the  fact  that  there  were  eight  maternal  deaths 
(3.4  per  cent)  directly  related  to  anesthesia.1 


Read  before  the  Section  on  Obstetrics  and  Gynecology, 
102nd  Annual  Session,  Mississippi  State  Medical  As- 
sociation. Biloxi,  May  12.  1970. 

From  the  Departments  of  Obstetrics  and  Gynecology 
and  Anesthesiology,  University  of  Mississippi  School 
of  Medicine. 


Both  Bonica  and  Eastman  in  their  excellent 
textbooks  note  that  anesthesia  usually  accounts 
for  5 to  10  per  cent  of  maternal  deaths,  yet  in 
our  series  and  two  others  that  are  comparable, 
we  find  that  all  three  are  lower  than  these  esti- 
mates.2’ 3 


The  author  compares  the  circumstances 
of  maternal  deaths  related  primarily  to  anes- 
thesia in  Mississippi,  North  Carolina,  and 
Chicago’s  Cook  County  Hospital.  He  dis- 
cusses usage  of  spinal  block  and  general 
anesthesia  and  points  out  special  complica- 
tions to  watch  for. 


Maternal  Deaths 
Primarily  Related  to  Anesthesia 

State  of  Mississippi  1.7  per  cent 

Cook  County  Hospital,  Chicago  3.4  per  cent 
North  Carolina4  2.9  per  cent 

It  is  of  interest  to  speculate  on  the  reasons  for 
this  difference: 

(1)  All  three  areas,  Cook  County  Hospital, 


AUGUST  1970 


413 


MATERNAL  MORTALITY  / Sherline 

North  Carolina,  and  Mississippi  suffer  from  a 
chronic  shortage  of  adequately  trained  personnel 
to  fully  provide  obstetrical  anesthesia.  Thus,  the 
use  of  anesthesia  in  obstetrical  cases  would  most 
likely  fall  well  below  the  national  average. 

(2)  In  Mississippi  and  North  Carolina  it  would 
also  logically  follow  that  local  infiltration  and 
pudendal  block  would  be  employed  in  a high  per- 
centage of  patients  receiving  anesthesia  for  rou- 
tine deliveries  outside  of  the  larger  hospitals. 
This  would  tend  to  reduce  the  complication  rate. 
This  is  also  true  in  the  Cook  County  Hospital 
series,  where  medical  students  and  interns  man- 
age a great  number  of  the  deliveries. 

Another  corollary  of  this  shortage  of  anes- 
thesiologists, however,  is  that  other  physicians, 
nurses,  and  ancillary  personnel  must  extend  them- 
selves and  the  complication  rate  for  those  cases 
administered  anesthesia  by  this  relatively  in- 
experienced group  could  be  expected  to  be  higher. 
The  source  of  anesthesia  for  the  Mississippi  se- 
ries is  outlined  in  Table  1.  In  only  one  case  was 
an  M.D.  anesthesiologist  in  consultation. 

INADEQUATE  CASE  FINDING 

(3)  Lack  of  adequate  case  finding  could  be  im- 
plicated. In  the  state  of  Mississippi  the  only  for- 
mal source  of  cases  is  the  death  certificate.  If  the 
fact  that  the  patient  was  pregnant  or  recently 
pregnant  is  not  recorded,  the  case  may  be  missed. 

(4)  Maternal  mortality  review  is  through  a 
questionnaire  submitted  to  the  attending  physi- 
cian. Often  the  questionnaire  is  not  fully  com- 
pleted and  maternal  deaths  as  a result  of  anes- 
thetic complications  might  not  be  recorded.  In 
1966,  26  per  cent  of  the  replies  (8  cases)  were 
not  satisfactory  for  review.  Individual  hospital 
charts  are  not  reviewed  and  the  attending  phy- 
sician is  not  interviewed. 

TABLE  1 

SOURCE  OF  ANESTHESIA 
(MISSISSIPPI) 


M.D.  anesthesiologist  1 

M.D 6 

Nurse  1 

Not  stated  1 


The  Cook  County  Hospital  and  the  Mississippi 
series  are  quite  comparable  in  type  of  anes- 
thesia, obstetrical  indications  and  the  complica- 
tions encountered.  In  Mississippi  there  were  six 


deaths  related  to  spinal  block  and  three  to  gen- 
eral anesthesia.  Five  deaths  were  related  to 
cesarean  section,  two  to  vaginal  delivery  and  two 
to  sepsis  complicating  abortion  (Table  2).  The 
very  similar  Cook  County  Hospital  statistics  are 
presented  in  Table  3. 

Regional  and  general  anesthesia  in  pregnancy 
present  some  special  problems.  Usually  they  can 
be  avoided  if  they  are  anticipated,  but  prompt 
recognition  and  proper  management  of  difficul- 
ties that  do  arise  usually  prevent  serious  com- 
plications. The  most  important  of  these  prob- 
lems are  discussed  below. 

SPINAL  ANESTHESIA 

Standard  spinal  block  anesthesia  in  the  United 
States  for  both  vaginal  delivery  and  cesarean 
section  is  a single  injection  hyperbaric  technique 
using  a single  anesthetic  agent  with  a vasocon- 
strictor if  prolongation  of  the  block  is  necessary. 
One  death  in  the  Mississippi  series  was  re- 
lated to  use  of  an  isobaric  continuous  technique 
using  a mixture  of  drugs. 

Drug  dosage  for  obstetrical  spinals  has  been 
established  at  two-thirds  to  three-fourths  of  the 
dose  used  in  the  non-pregnant  patient  (Table  4). 
Failure  to  stay  below  the  maximum  recommended 
figures  will  lead  to  high  levels  inappropriate  for 
the  procedure. 

The  block  established  with  procaine  cannot 
be  expected  to  last  more  than  45  minutes.  It  is 
thus  unacceptable  for  most  cesarean  sections. 
Lidocaine,  when  combined  with  phenylephrine 
3 mg.,  will  maintain  an  adequate  level  for  only 
60  to  75  minutes  and  should  only  be  used  if  the 
procedure  can  be  safely  completed  within  that 
time  limit.  Both  tetracaine  and  dibucaine  should 
maintain  the  level  of  anesthesia  long  enough  for 
the  average  operator  to  finish  a cesarean  section 
without  difficulty. 

HYPOTENSIVE  COMPLICATIONS 

Hypotension  is  the  most  common  complica- 
tion with  spinal  anesthesia  in  pregnancy,  even 
when  staying  within  the  recommended  dose 
levels.  The  percentage  of  cases  having  significant 
hypotension  (below  100  mm  Hg  systolic  or 
two-thirds  the  preblock  level)  will  rise  as  the 
block  level  rises.  An  appropriate  level  for  a 
vaginal  delivery  is  T10-12,  and  at  that  level 
about  18  per  cent  will  have  some  hypotension. 
If  the  level  rises  to  T4,  85  per  cent  may  be  ex- 
pected to  have  some  hypotension.5 

The  etiology  of  this  hypotension  as  related  to 
anesthesia  in  the  obstetrical  patient  is  usually 
either  vena  caval  and  aortic  occlusion  or  sympa- 


4 1 4 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


TABLE  2 

ANESTHESIA  DEATHS  IN  MISSISSIPPI,  1957-1967 


Anesthesia 

Year 

Indication 

Anesthesia  Time 

Cause  of  Death 

Spinal 

1957 

Vag.  del. 

30  min. 

Cardiac  arrest 

1959 

C-section 

2 hrs. 

Cardiac  arrest 

1959 

C-section 

2 hrs.,  30  min. 

Cardiac  arrest 

1960 

C-section 

5 min. 

Cardiac  arrest 

1960 

Vag.  del. 

30  min. 

Cardiac  arrest 

1962 

C-section 

30  min. 

Cardiac  arrest 

General 

1958 

Abortion 

? 

Cardiac  arrest 

1958 

C-section 

1 hr.,  45  min. 

Aspiration  pneumonia 

1965 

Abortion 

? 

Cardiac  arrest 

thetic  block 

and  peripheral 

vasodilatation  in  a 

3.  Straight  leg  raising. 

patient  with 

a borderline  or  < 

depleted  intravascu- 

4.  Maternal  oxygen. 

lar  volume. 

Other  causes  of  hypotension  such  as 

5.  Lastly,  vasopressors, 

preferably  methenter- 

anaphylaxis  should  always  be  kept  in  mind,  how- 

mine  or  ephedrine.  Both  of  these  agents  are  cardi- 

ever. 

ac  stimulators  and  probably  do  not  decrease 

All  physicians  administering  spinal  anesthesia 
must  be  prepared  to  find  and  treat  post-block 
hypotension  by  following  a predetermined  regime. 
First,  extremely  close  monitoring  of  the  patient 
is  necessary.  Post-spinal  anxiety  and  nausea  and 
vomiting  must  be  correctly  interpreted  as  most 
likely  due  to  rapid  change  in  blood  pressure. 
Hypotension  can  occur  at  any  time  after  the 
block  is  administered,  and  simply  because  the 
medication  has  “set”  and  the  level  stable  does 
not  mean  vigilance  can  be  lessened.  If  personnel 
are  not  available  to  monitor  the  block  closely, 
the  wisdom  of  using  this  form  of  anesthesia  must 
be  seriously  questioned.  Cardiac  arrest  rarely 
arises  without  warning  but  only  after  a period  of 
hypotension  and  decreased  cardiac  and  brain 
perfusion. 

AUTOMATIC  RESPONSE 

When  hypotension  is  detected,  the  response 
should  be  automatic: 

1.  Increase  the  rate  of  infusion  of  intravenous 

fluids.  Although  5 per  cent  Dextrose  in  water  is 
the  fluid  used  most  commonly,  its  effect  on 
blood  pressure  is  extremely  transient.  Ringers 
lactate  solution  is  better  because  it  will  support 
blood  pressure  extremely  well. 

2.  Left  uterine  displacement,  either  manually 
or  by  tilting  the  patient  onto  her  left  side.  Alter- 
nating sides  every  two  minutes  until  the  block 
has  set  will  help  insure  an  equal  take. 

If  the  blood  pressure  does  not  respond  im- 
mediately and  reach  100  mm  Hg  after  30-40 
seconds  of  left  uterine  displacement  and/or  200- 
300  cc  of  Ringer’s  lactate,  the  following  addition- 
al steps  will  be  needed: 


peripheral  perfusion.  Methoxamine,  phenyleph- 
rine and  levarterenol  are  contraindicated  in  the 
obstetrical  patient.  They  produce  their  blood 
pressure  effect  primarily  by  peripheral  vasocon- 
striction and  not  cardiac  stimulation.  This  reduces 
uterine  blood  flow  and  decreases  placental  per- 
fusion. A fetus  already  in  jeopardy  may  be  un- 
able to  compensate  and  may  either  expire  or 
develop  hypoxia  and  cerebral  damage. 

RESPIRATORY  DEPRESSION 

Post-spinal  respiratory  depression  is  closely  re- 
lated to  drug  dosage,  block  level  and  airway  man- 
agement. Slight  depression  will  require  maternal 
oxygen.  More  serious  depression  of  respiration 
or  apnea  will  require  ventilatory  support.  This 
can  quite  often  be  given  by  mask  with  assisted 
or  controlled  ventilation  with  the  gas  anesthetic 
machine.  The  normal  progression  of  ventilatory 
support  would  be  mask,  then  mask  and  pharyn- 
geal airway,  and  if  respiratory  obstruction  is 
still  present  or  exchange  inadequate,  endotracheal 
intubation.  Because  of  the  unpredictability  of 
complications  following  regional  anesthesia  the 
physician  utilizing  these  techniques  must  have 
immediately  available  and  be  proficient  in  the 
use  of  masks,  laryngoscope,  endotracheal  tubes, 
and  a source  of  positive  pressure  oxygen  (prefer- 
ably a standard  gas  anesthesia  machine).  He 
must  also  be  thoroughly  familiar  with  those  anes- 
thetic techniques  and  drugs  which  are  necessary 
to  prevent  an  anesthetic  catastrophe. 

GENERAL  ANESTHESIA 

Utilization  of  general  anesthesia  by  whatever 
technique  also  implies  an  intimate  knowledge  of 


■'i  i 

•c:  i 
"5  I 


AUGUST  1970 


415 


MATERNAL  MORTALITY  / Sherline 

obstetrical  anesthetic  indications,  contraindica- 
tons  and  techniques. 

Once  labor  has  begun,  it  must  be  assumed 
that  digestion  stops  and  that  whatever  is  already 
in  the  stomach,  or  is  placed  there  subsequently, 
will  stay  there.  We  are  sometimes  lulled  into  a 
sense  of  false  security  as  in  a case  recently  re- 
ported in  which  an  apparently  properly  prepared 
obstetrical  patient  undergoing  cervical  circlage 
for  an  incompetent  cervix  aspirated  gastric  juice 
and  had  a prolonged  and  stormy  recovery.8  All 
obstetrical  patients  must  be  presumed  to  have 
either  fluid  or  solid  gastric  contents.  Endotracheal 
intubation  will  afford  the  safest  anesthesia  when 
surgical  planes  of  general  anesthesia  must  be 
used. 

COMBINED  TECHNIQUES 

Flowers  makes  a strong  plea  for  combined 
pudendal  block  and  general  analgesia  rather 
than  general  anesthesia  alone.9’ 10  This  technique 
utilizes  low  concentrations  of  nitrous  oxide  and 
methoxyflurane  for  minimal  newborn  and  ma- 
ternal depression. 

Many  people  feel  that  the  continued  use  of 
cyclopropane  in  modern  obstetrics  must  be  seri- 
ously questioned.  The  explosive  and  aspiration 
hazards  outweigh  by  far  any  advantage  of  speed 
that  cyclopropane  may  have  for  obstetrical  anes- 
thesia. There  is  no  mention  made  of  exogenous 
epinephrine,  oxytocin,  atropine  or  succinylcholine 

TABLE  3 

COOK  COUNTY  HOSPITAL  ANESTHESIA 
DEATHS 

(MATERNAL  MORTALITY) 


Anesthetic  Technique 

Spinal  3 

General  3 

Combined  (Spinal/General)  . 2 

Obstetrical  Indications 

Cesarean  section  5 

Vaginal  delivery  2 

Laparotomy 1 

Appendectomy 1 


in  the  protocols  of  the  patients  that  died  when 
cyclopropane  was  being  used.  Any  of  these  drugs 
in  combination  with  cyclopropane,  particularly 
when  associated  with  an  increased  arterial  par- 
tial pressure  of  C02,  increases  the  risk  of  cardiac 
arrhythmia  and  possible  ventricular  fibrillation. 


416 


TABLE  4 

USUAL  AND  MAXIMUM  SAFE  DOSAGES  OF 
VARIOUS  LOCAL  ANESTHETIC  AGENTS 
IN  OBSTETRICAL  SPINAL  ANESTHESIA 


Agent  Vaginal  Delivery  Cesarean  Section 


Procaine  40-60  mg.  Not  rec. 

Tetracaine  3-5  mg.  6-8  mg. 

Lidocaine 25-50  mg.  75-100 

Dibucaine  2.5-4  mg.  4-5  mg. 


Modified  from  Hingson,  R.  A.,  and  Cull,  W.  A. 6 


CONCLUSIONS 

Why  is  the  state  of  Mississippi  below  the  ex- 
pected national  maternal  mortality  rate  from 
anesthesia?  Why  were  there  no  mortalities  in  the 
last  two  years  of  the  study?  Lack  of  reporting 
may  be  a factor  but  improved  care  by  informed 
physicians  must  also  be  considered.  The  Mis- 
sissippi State  Medical  Association  and  the  Mis- 
sissippi Academy  of  General  Practice  must  be 
commended  for  their  continuing  effort  in  gradu- 
ate medical  education  for  the  practitioners  of  the 
state. 

2500  North  State  St.  (39216) 

Supported  in  part  by  NIH  General  Research  Grant 
No.  69419. 


REFERENCES 

1.  Webster,  A.:  Maternal  Deaths  at  the  Cook  County 
Hospital,  Am.  J.  Obst.  & Gynec.  191:244,  1968. 

2.  Bonica,  J.:  Principles  and  Practice  of  Obstetric 
Analgesia  and  Anesthesia,  F.  A.  Davis  Co.  1:751, 
1967. 

3.  Eastman,  N.  and  Heilman,  L.:  Williams  Obstetrics, 
13th  Edition,  Appleton,  Century  and  Crofts,  p.  472, 
1966. 

4.  Greiss,  F.  C.  and  Anderson.  S.  G.:  Elimination  of 
Maternal  Deaths  From  Anesthesia,  Obst.  & Gynec. 
29:677,  1967. 

5.  Maternal  Mortality  Committee  Exhibit:  Maternal 
Mortality  in  Mississippi,  1957-1966,  Annual  Meet-  . 
ing,  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association,  1969. 

6.  Hingson,  R.  A.  and  Cull,  W.  A.:  Conduction  An- 
esthesia and  Analgesia  in  Obstetrics,  Clinical  Obst. 
and  Gynec.  4:95,  1961. 

7.  Asling,  J.:  Hypotension  After  Regional  Anesthesia, 
Current  Concepts  and  Practice  of  Obstetrical  An- 
esthesia. Symposium — University  of  California  at 
San  Francisco,  p.  27,  April,  1969. 

8.  Greenhouse,  B.  S.,  Hook,  R.  and  Hehre,  F.  W. : 
Aspiration  Pneumonia  Following  Intravenous  Ad- 
ministration of  Alcohol  During  Labor,  J.A.M.A. 
210:2393,  1969. 

9.  Flowers,  C.  E.,  Jr.:  Obstetric  Analgesia  and  An- 
esthesia, Hoeber,  p.  154,  1967. 

10.  Flowers,  C.  E.,  Jr.:  Current  Concepts  and  Practice 
of  Obstetrical  Anesthesia,  University  of  California 
at  San  Francisco,  April,  1969. 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Seminar  on  Care  of  the  Newborn— II 


Resuscitation  of  the  Newborn 


ROSS  E.  SMITH,  M.D.,  and 
ALFRED  W.  BRANN,  JR.,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


One  of  the  two  most  common  causes  of  death 
in  the  first  day  of  life  is  asphyxia.  The  other 
cause,  which  is  intimately  related,  is  prematurity. 
In  combination,  these  two  causes  alone  account 
for  over  two-thirds  of  the  deaths  in  the  first  week 
of  life.  Time  is  of  the  essence  to  a critically  ill 
newborn  who  is  attempting  to  make  the  transi- 
tion from  his  previous,  totally  dependent,  intra- 
uterine state  to  a totally  independent,  extrauterine 
state.  Thus  an  understanding  of  some  of  the  fac- 
tors leading  to  fetal  and  neonatal  asphyxia,  and  a 
plan  of  action  for  resuscitation  of  the  asphyxiated 
infant  may  be  helpful  in  reducing  the  neonatal 
mortality  and  the  central  nervous  system  mor- 
bidity rate  from  asphyxia. 

In  the  past  few  years  much  information  has 
been  gained  regarding  maternal  and  fetal  physi- 
ology, especially  as  it  relates  to  the  influence  of 
of  labor  on  the  fetus  and  the  newborn.  This  in- 
formation. which  was  recently  reviewed  by  Dr. 
M.  E.  Towell.  has  been  helpful  in  understanding 
some  of  the  mechanisms  of  fetal  and  neonatal 
asphyxia.1 

Throughout  a normal  gestation  up  to  the  be- 
ginning of  labor,  the  fetus  is  in  a state  of  ade- 
quate oxygenation  and  not  in  a state  of  hypoxia, 
as  was  previously  thought.  As  normal  labor  pro- 
gresses, a mild  hypoxia,  hypercarbia,  and  acidosis 
develops.  This  alteration  of  the  acid  base  and 
blood  gas  status  of  the  fetus  is  related  to  the  in- 
termittent interruption  of  adequate  perfusion  of 
the  placenta  during  normal  uterine  contractions. 
It  is  not  difficult  to  understand  how  deranged 
maternal,  placental,  or  fetal  physiology  superim- 
posed on  the  normal  biochemical  asphyxia  of  la- 
bor may  significantly  reduce  the  ‘'marginal’’  oxy- 
genation of  the  fetus  and  produce  increasing  de- 


From  the  Department  of  Pediatrics,  University  of  Mis- 
sissippi School  of  Medicine,  Jackson.  Miss. 


grees  of  asphyxia.  Table  1 is  a list  of  common 
conditions  of  the  mother,  placenta  and  fetus  which 
may  significantly  alter  the  newborn’s  ability  to 
remain  oxygenated  and  may  set  the  stage  for 


The  most  common  causes  of  death  in  the 
first  day  of  life  are  asphyxia  and  prematur- 
ity. The  two  are  intimately  related  and  to- 
gether account  for  over  two-thirds  of  deaths 
in  the  first  week  of  life.  The  authors  explain 
factors  leading  to  fetal  and  neonatal  as- 
phyxia and  set  forth  a plan  of  action  for 
managing  resuscitation  of  the  asphyxiated  in- 
fant. 


fetal  or  neonatal  asphyxia.  Although  occasionally 
the  delivery  of  an  unexpected  depressed  or  as- 
phyxiated infant  occurs,  these  times  should  be 
few.  Thus,  long  before  the  actual  delivery,  many 
of  the  infants  who  are  “at  risk”  for  developing 
asphyxia  and  who  may  require  early  delivery  and 
resuscitation  at  birth  can  be  identified. 

The  respiratory,  cardiovascular,  and  biochem- 
ical responses  during  asphyxia  and  resuscitation 
have  been  well  studied  in  the  newborn  Rhesus 
monkey.2  These  responses  closely  resemble  those 
seen  in  the  infant  who  does  not  breathe  at  birth. 
During  the  initial  phase  of  experimental  asphyxia 
in  the  monkey,  there  is  a period  of  primary  hyper- 
pnea  lasting  2-3  minutes  followed  by  a period  of 
primary  apnea,  lasting  approximately  one  min- 
ute. These  two  periods  are  then  followed  by  a 
prolonged  period  of  rhythmical  gasping,  at  first 
very  deep,  then  gradually  becoming  more  shallow 
and  finally  ceasing  approximately  8.5  minutes  af- 
ter the  onset  of  the  asphyxia.  Following  this  is  the 
period  of  secondary  apnea  from  which  the  animal 
will  not  recover  unless  resuscitation  is  begun. 


AUGUST  1970 


417 


RESUSCITATION  / Smith  and  Brann 

During  this  asphyxia,  heart  rate  and  blood  pres- 
sure fall,  leading  to  ineffective  profusion  pres- 
sures, in  approximately  four  to  six  minutes  after 
the  onset  of  the  asphyxia.  Both  the  acid-base  and 
blood  gas  status  of  the  animal  change  rapidly. 
The  oxygen  content  falls  to  near  0 in  2.5  min- 
utes. The  carbon  dioxide  tension  initially  is  42 
mm/Hg  and  rises  approximately  10  mm/Hg  per 
minute.  The  pH  is  7.35  initially  and  during  the 
early  phases  of  asphyxia  falls  0.1  units/minute. 
Thus  at  the  end  of  an  8-10  minute  period  of 
asphyxia  the  p02  is  near  0,  pC02  approximately 
120  mm/Hg  and  pH  approximately  6.8. 

RESPONSE  PHASES 

These  responses  closely  resemble  responses  that 
can  occur  in  the  human  fetus  subjected  to  cord 
compression  from  any  cause  or  to  the  newborn 
infant  who  does  not  breathe  at  birth.  Frequently, 

TABLE  1 

CONDITIONS  ASSOCIATED  WITH 
ASPHYXIATION  OF  INFANTS* 


Maternal 

Mechanical 

Cephalopelvic  disproportion 
Abnormal  uterine  contraction 
Multiple  pregnancy 
Prolonged  labor 
Malposition  of  infant 
Difficult  forceps  delivery 
Abnormal  presentations 
General 
Diabetes 
Toxemia 

Hemorrhage  and  hypotension 
Oversedation 
Cardiorespiratory  disease 
Severe  anemia 
Grand  multiparity 
Juvenile  pregnancy 
Infection 
Placental 

Placenta  previa 
Abruptio  placentae 
Prolapsed  cord 
Infarction 
Infection 
Fetal 

Erythroblastosis 

Passage  of  meconium 

Fetal  bradycardia  and  tachycardia 

Intrauterine  infection 

Prematurity 

* From  W.  A.  Hodson.  Hospital  Medicine,  1960. 


the  gasping  phase  of  the  asphyxia  may  occur  in 
utero.  The  important  aspect  of  this  experimental 
data  for  clinical  purposes  in  resuscitation  is  the 
linear  relationship  between  the  duration  of  as- 
phyxia and  the  recovery  of  respiratory  function 
following  resuscitation.  For  every  minute,  af- 
ter the  last  gasp  that  resuscitation  is  delayed,  there 
will  be  a two  minute  delay  in  onset  of  gasping 
and  a four  minute  delay  in  the  onset  of  rhythmical 
breathing.  It  can  readily  be  seen  that  time  is  of 
the  essence  if  the  apneic  newborn  is  to  be  saved 
without  brain  damage.  Thus,  it  is  imperative  that 
all  medical  personnel  in  the  delivery  room  and 
nursery  be  extremely  familiar  with  the  plan  of 
action  for  resuscitation.  This  includes  the  constant 
availability  of  needed  resuscitation  equipment 
and  oxygen. 

EVALUATION  OF  INFANT  AT  BIRTH 

During  the  first  minute  after  birth  there  should 
be  a routine  followed  in  evaluating  every  baby. 
Immediately  on  delivery  the  infant’s  head  should 
be  held  down  and  the  oropharynx  should  be  suc- 
tioned prior  to  the  first  breath.  After  cord  clamp, 
he  should  then  be  placed  supine  in  a warm  en- 
vironment, with  repeated  gentle  suction  of  the 
oropharynx.  Nothing  more  than  light  slapping  of 
the  feet  should  be  used  in  stimulating  the  infant 
to  breathe. 

By  the  end  of  the  first  minute  ausculation  of 
the  heart  should  be  done  so  that  the  one  minute 
Apgar  score  can  be  determined.  On  the  basis  of  the 
Apgar  score,  the  need  for  further  resuscitative 
measures  can  be  determined.  Table  2 is  an  out- 
line of  the  Apgar  scoring  system.3  In  a large  series 
of  infants,  17,221  under  study  by  the  Collabora- 
tive Project  on  Cerebral  Palsy,  the  Apgar  scoring 
system  at  one  and  five  minutes  was  used.4  The 
following  distribution  was  seen  for  the  one  min- 
ute scores;  0-3,  6.7  per  cent;  4-6,  14.5  per  cent; 
7-10,  78.9  per  cent.  By  five  minutes,  there  were 
fewer  infants  with  low  scores:  0-3,  1.8  per  cent; 
4-6,  3.5  per  cent;  7-10,  94.8  per  cent.  When  the 
entire  series  is  broken  down  by  specific  birth 
weights,  a high  percentage  of  infants  weighing 
1500  grams  or  less  had  lower  one  and  five  minute 
Apgar  scores  than  heavier  babies.  There  was  a 
positive  correlation  between  neonatal  mortality 
rates  and  neurologically  abnormal  infants  at  one 
year  with  low  five  minute  Apgar  scores. 

Although  there  have  been  many  abuses  and 
misuses  of  the  Apgar  scoring  system  since  its 
initial  description  in  1953, 5 it  still  remains  the 
single  most  rapid  and  reproducible  scoring  sys- 
tem of  the  infant’s  status  in  the  immediate  post- 
natal period.  In  Dr.  Apgar’s  words,6  “Nine 


418 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


TABLE  2 

ACRONYM  OF  THE  APGAR  SCORE* 


Sign 


0 


Score 

1 2 


A Appearance  (color) Blue;  pale 

P Pulse  (heart  rate)  ...  Absent 

G Grimace  (reflex  irritability  response  to  stimula- 
tion of  sole  of  foot  by  glancing  slap)  No  response 

A Activity  (muscle  tone)  Limp 

R Respiration  (respiratory  effort)  Absent 


Body  pink;  extremities  Completely  pink 

blue 

Below  100  Over  100 

Grimace  Dry 

Some  flexion  of  extrem-  Active  motion 

ities 

Slow;  irregular  Good  strong  cry 


* From  Butterfield  and  Convey,  J.A.M.A.  181:353,  1962. 

months’  observation  of  the  mother  surely  war- 
rants one  minute  observation  of  the  baby.” 

INITIATION  OF  RESPIRATION 

As  mentioned  previously,  the  process  of  nor- 
mal labor  and  delivery  produces  a mild  biochem- 
ical asphyxia.  The  increasing  C02.  decreasing  pH. 
and  decreasing  oxygen  acting  on  the  medullary 
respiratory  center  and  the  peripheral  chemorecep- 
tors,  play  a major  role  in  initiating  respiration. 
Thermal  and  tactile  stimuli  also  play  a role  in 
initiating  respiration  but  are  thought  to  be  of 
secondary  importance.  In  most  infants,  the  first 
breath  is  usually  within  a few  seconds  after  birth. 
During  these  first  few  breaths,  negative  pressures 
between  20  and  70  centimeters  of  water  have  been 
recorded.  With  these  negative  pressures,  the  lungs 
rapidly  expand  and  the  functional  residual  ca- 
pacity of  the  newborn  lung  reaches  three-fourths 
of  its  normal  value  during  the  first  few  breaths. 

RESUSCITATION 

For  practical  purposes  of  identifying  infants 
who  may  require  special  resuscitative  measures, 
the  infants  are  divided  into  three  groups  by  their 
one  minute  Apgar  score:  7-10.  4-6,  and  0-3.  The 
management  for  each  of  these  groups  will  be  de- 
scribed. 

A.  Infants  with  Apgar  score  7-10 

As  was  seen  from  the  previous  study,4  the  ma- 
jority of  newborns  had  Apgar  scores  of  seven  or 
greater.  These  infants  should  require  no  more 
than  gentle  oropharyngeal  suction  with  a Delee 
trap  or  a bulb  suction. 

After  the  initiation  of  cry  and  respirations,  the 
infant  should  be  dried  and  wrapped  in  a warm 
blanket  to  insure  maintenance  of  normal  body 
temperature.  Drops  in  temperature  should  be 
avoided  to  prevent  the  severe  consequences  of 


cold  stress,  which  may  be  a marked  metabolic 
acidosis  and  an  increase  in  oxygen  consump- 
tion.7’ 8’ 9-  10  This  is  particularly  the  case  in  a 
newborn  who  has  had  a period  of  in  utero  as- 
phyxia or  is  depressed  for  other  reasons.  This 
infant  may  have  an  increased  difficulty  with 
maintenance  of  his  body  temperature,  especially 
in  a delivery  room  with  an  ambient  temperature 
of  70°F.  Skin  temperatures  may  fall  as  much 
as  0.5°F/minute  in  this  environment.11  This  fall 
in  temperature  is  obviously  accentuated  if  the  wet 
newborn  is  not  immediately  dried  and  placed  in 
a warm  environment. 

B.  Infants  with  Apgar  score  4-6 

The  largest  group  of  infants  requiring  some  form 
of  resuscitation  have  Apgars  of  4-6.  They  are 
usually  pale  or  blue  and  have  not  established 
sustained  rhythmic  respirations.  However,  the 
heart  beat  is  usually  100  or  more.  If  the  infant 
does  not  respond  within  IV2  minutes  after  birth 
following  gentle  oropharyngeal  suction  with  the 
Delee  trap  or  bulb  suction  and  slapping  of  the 
feet  lightly,  additional  measures  should  be  in- 
stituted to  prevent  further  asphyxia.  A small  plas- 
tic oral  airway  is  placed  in  the  mouth.  By  face 
mask,  oxygen  is  delivered  under  16  to  20  centi- 
meters of  water  pressure.  This  is  usually  sufficient 
to  expand  the  lungs  and  initiate  respirations  in  a 
majority  of  infants  in  this  group. 

At  this  point,  the  heart  rate  can  be  used  as 
the  single  best  indicator  of  the  success  of  resus- 
citation. If  the  heart  rate  picks  up  above  100, 
respirations  usually  begin.  If  the  heart  rate  is  be- 
low 100  and  falling,  the  resuscitative  procedure, 
outline  for  infants  with  a one  minute  Apgar 
score  of  0-3,  should  be  immediately  instituted. 

C.  Infants  with  Apgar  score  0-3 

These  infants  are  in  serious  trouble  at  birth  and 
should  have  immediate  endotracheal  intubation. 


AUGUST  1970 


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RESUSCITATION  / Smith  and  Brann 

Prior  to  the  onset  of  positive  pressure  ventilation 
(PPV)  the  glottic  and  tracheal  regions  should  be 
suctioned,  being  careful  to  remove  any  thick  mu- 
cus or  meconium.  Positive  pressure  ventilation 
with  100%  Ol>  using  pressures  not  to  exceed  25 
to  35  cm.  of  water  should  be  instituted.  As  stated 
previously,  the  length  of  PPV  required  is  propor- 
tional to  the  length  of  asphyxia.  However,  usually 
not  more  than  3-8  minutes  of  PPV  is  necessary. 
The  endotracheal  tube  should  be  removed  as 
soon  as  rhythmical  respirations  are  sustained. 

Cardiac  massage  is  a technique  that  may  be 
required  in  this  group  of  infants  whose  heart 
rate  is  inaudible  or  remains  below  60  beats  per 
minute  after  Vi  minute  of  assisted  ventilation. 
With  the  method  described  under  Procedures, 
aortic  pressures  of  60  to  80  per  cent  of  normal 
can  be  obtained.  Ventilation  must  be  maintained 
during  cardiac  massage.  A ratio  of  three  massages 
to  one  insufflation  is  ideal. 


TABLE  3 

EQUIPMENT  NECESSARY  FOR  RESUSCITATION 


1.  Suction  catheter  ( #8  infant  feeding  tube) 

2.  Mouth  or  mechanical  suction  apparatus 

3.  Plastic  infant  oropharyngeal  airway 

4.  Infant  sized  HOPE  RESUSCITATOR  (1  liter  bag) 

5.  Rubber  face  mask 

6.  02  from  wall  outlet  or  portable  tank  with  flow  meter 

7.  Laryngoscope  with  infant  blade  (straight)  with  extra 
bulb  and  batteries 

8.  Endotracheal  tubes  (sizes  8,  10,  12) 

9.  Guide  wire  for  endotracheal  tube 

10.  Syringe  and  needles 

11.  Drugs 

7.5%  sodium  bicarbonate 
Aqueous  adrenalin  1:1000 
Dextrose  solution  10%  and  50% 

Nalline® 


Fluids  and  drugs  have  a valuable  role  in  re- 
suscitation and  frequently  are  needed  in  resusci- 
tation in  this  group  of  infants.  However,  it  must 
be  stressed  emphatically,  there  is  no  substitute 
for  PPB  with  100  per  cent  oxygen.  Without  ade- 
quate oxygenation  of  the  myocardium  and  the 
respiratory  center  in  the  brain  stem,  fluids  and 
drugs  are  ineffective.  A list  of  the  useful  fluids 
and  drugs  and  their  dosages  are  given  in  Table  3. 

1.  Sodium  Bicarbonate:  As  previously  stated, 
with  severe  asphyxia  (Apgar  score  0-3),  there  is 
acidosis,  bradycardia,  hypotension  and  at  times 
cardiac  arrest.  This  clinical  condition  may  be  pres- 


ent at  birth  or  develop  in  an  infant,  Apgar  score 
4-6  who  did  not  respond  to  the  initial  resuscita- 
tive  measures.  Thus  if  the  Apgar  score  remains 
three  or  less  after  positive  pressure  ventilation, 
IVi  per  cent  sodium  bicarbonate  (4  cc/kgm)  di- 
luted with  equal  amounts  of  10  per  cent  glucose, 
should  be  given  through  the  umbilical  vein  or 
artery  catheter.  This  should  be  done  while  con- 
tinuing positive  pressure  ventilation  with  oxygen 
and  continuing  external  cardiac  massage.  If  there 
is  still  no  response,  half  of  the  initial  dose  of 
sodium  bicarbonate  should  be  repeated.  Without 
the  aid  of  pH  determinations  continued  sodium 
bicarbonate  should  be  given  with  caution. 

2.  Adrenalin:  If  after  the  above  measures, 
the  heart  rate  is  still  below  50,  0. 1-0.2  cc.  of 
aqueous  adrenalin  1:1000  diluted  in  10  cc.  10  per 
cent  glucose  should  be  given  I.V.  No  more  than 
two  doses  of  adrenalin  should  be  used. 

3.  Dextrose  Solution:  In  severely  depressed  in- 
fants who  have  not  responded  to  the  above  mea- 
sures, 1-2  cc/kgm  of  50  per  cent  glucose  diluted 
with  equal  parts  of  10  per  cent  glucose  should 
be  given  through  the  umbilical  vein  or  artery  over 
a 3-5  minute  period.  Glucose  solution  is  given  in 
the  event  that  hypoglycemia  may  be  contributing 
to  the  clinical  picture  of  severe  depression.  This 
may  be  the  case  in  infants  who  show  signs  of 
post-maturity  or  infants  who  are  low  birth  weight 
for  gestational  age. 

4.  Nalorphine  HCL  USP  (Nalline®):  The  use 

of  narcotic  antagonists  does  not  play  a prominent 
role  in  resuscitation.  Nalline®  0.1  mgm/kgm  di- 
luted in  2 cc.  of  DioW  I.V.  should  only  be  ad- 
ministered to  a severely  depressed  infant  whose 
mother  is  clearly  known  to  have  had  analgesic 
administration  shortly  before  delivery.  It  should 
be  re-emphasized  that  drug  administration  does 
not  take  the  place  of  PPV  with  oxygen. 

5.  Blood:  There  is  no  substitute  for  blood 
when  one  has  clinical  evidence  of  shock,  which 
in  the  newborn  as  in  the  older  child  is  manifested 
by  extreme  pallor.  This  may  be  suspected  when 
there  has  been  a history  of  excessive  vaginal 
bleeding  or  multiple  births,  with  one  twin  trans- 
fusing the  other.  In  case  of  emergency,  blood 
from  the  mother  can  be  used,  without  cross  match- 
ing, in  the  amount  of  10  cc/kgm  infused  into 
the  umbilical  vein.  If  there  has  been  blood  loss, 
blood  should  be  given  to  boost  the  hematocrit  to 
40  per  cent  or  above. 


POSTRESUSCITATION  CARE 


Any  infant  who  has  required  positive  pressure 
by  endotracheal  tube  should  be  treated  as  if  he 
were  at  greater  risk  throughout  his  nursery  period 


420 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


than  a child  of  an  uncomplicated  delivery.  For  the 
first  24  hours  he  should  be  observed  extremely 
closely.  The  nursery  staff  should  be  prepared  to 
reinstitute  resuscitative  measures  at  any  time. 
Care  should  be  taken  to  maintain  the  temperature 
between  36.5°C  and  37.5°C.  Oxygen  may  be 
required  in  the  initial  hours  to  reduce  the  infant’s 
cyanosis.  However,  care  should  be  taken  not  to 
continue  oxygen  longer  than  necessary  because  of 
the  danger  of  oxygen  toxicity  to  eye  and  lung. 

Oral  fluids  should  be  withheld  for  the  first  six 
hours.  However,  parenteral  fluids  with  glucose 
and  sodium  bicarbonate  may  be  necessary  to 
maintain  both  a normal  blood  sugar  and  acid  base 
status.  The  gastric  contents  should  be  aspirated, 
especially  if  there  has  been  excessive  secretion 
or  if  there  was  a history  of  polyhydramnios.  Vita- 
min K1?  1 mgm  I.M.,  should  be  given  as  in  all 
routine  deliveries,  to  prevent  hemorrhagic  disease 
of  the  newborn.  Cultures  of  blood,  cerebral 
spinal  fluid,  and  urine  along  with  a chest  film 
and  antibiotic  therapy  are  indicated  when  infec- 
tion is  suspected.  Usually  infants  requiring  ex- 
tensive resuscitation  are  started  on  prophylactic 
antibiotics.  The  antibiotics  currently  being  recom- 
mended are  aqueous  penicillin  G,  50,000  units/ 
kgm/24  hours  given  in  two  divided  doses  I.M.  or 
I.V.;  and,  Kanamycin  15  mgm/kgm/24  hours 
given  in  two  divided  doses  I.M. 

PROCEDURES 

The  procedures  to  be  used  are: 

A.  Endotracheal  Intubation 

With  the  infant  supine,  the  neck  is  slightly  hyper- 
extended  keeping  the  head  in  line  with  the  body. 
Holding  the  head  steady  with  the  right  hand,  the 
laryngoscope  is  held  in  the  left  hand  and  the 
blade  is  inserted  into  the  right  corner  of  the 
mouth  and  advanced  between  the  tongue  and 
palate.  As  advancement  is  continued,  the  blade 
is  gently  moved  to  the  midline  and  over  the  base 
of  the  tongue  to  the  space  between  the  base  of 
the  tongue  and  the  epiglottis.  Slight  lateral  pres- 
sure will  move  the  tongue  to  the  left  of  the  oral 
cavity.  With  slight  elevation  of  the  tip  of  the 
blade  the  epiglottis  is  lifted  to  expose  the  glottis. 

The  entrance  into  the  larynx  will  appear  as  a 
small  vertical  slit  bordered  posteriorly  by  the 
aryhenoid  cartilages.  It  is  important  not  to  over- 
extend the  neck  as  this  will  place  excessive  ten- 
sion on  the  epiglottis  thus  facilitating  its  move- 
ment anteriorly.  One  can  often  obtain  better  vis- 
ualization of  the  glottis  by  applying  a counter- 
force over  the  thyroid  cartilage  with  the  fifth 
finger  of  the  left  hand. 


After  obtaining  adequate  visualization  of  the 
glottic  area,  any  material  such  as  blood,  amniotic 
debris  or  mucus  should  be  gently  suctioned  out. 
The  endotracheal  tube  is  then  inserted  at  the 
corner  of  the  mouth  and  the  vocal  cords  until  the 
“shoulders”  of  the  tube  are  resting  against  the 
“false  cords.”  The  laryngoscope  is  then  with- 
drawn and  positive  pressure  ventilation  is  begun. 

B.  External  Cardiac  Massage 

In  order  to  insure  maximum  benefit  from  this 
procedure,  it  is  necessary  to  have  firm  support 
beneath  the  infant’s  thorax.  This  can  be  provided 
by  a lightly  padded  piece  of  plywood.  Allowing 
for  three  to  four  “puffs”  of  ventilation  to  provide 
the  alveoli  with  oxygen,  the  index  and  middle 
fingers  of  the  right  hand  are  placed  in  the  mid- 
portion of  the  sternum  just  at  the  left  margin. 
Enough  force  is  applied  to  depress  the  sternum 
about  one  half  to  three  fourths  of  an  inch.  The 
rate  of  massage  should  be  about  two  “beats”  per 
second  or  120  “beats”  per  minute. 

Ventilation  and  external  cardiac  massage 
should  be  performed  alternately,  in  the  ratio: 
three  massages  for  each  insufflation.  Every  five 
minutes  one  should  pause  long  enough  to  evaluate 
the  return  of  adequate  cardiac  function  (heart 
rate  >100  and  increasing  strength  of  heart  tones). 
External  cardiac  massage  should  continue  until 
adequate  cardiac  function  has  returned.  Force  of 
compression  may  be  roughly  gauged  by  palpation 
of  femoral  or  carotid  pulses. 

C.  Umbilical  Vein/Artery  Catheterization 

After  sterile  preparation  of  the  umbilicus,  a #5 
radiopaque  feeding  tube,  filled  with  sterile  sa- 
line, is  introduced  into  the  umbilical  vein.  The 
catheter  should  be  inserted  approximately  8-10 
cm.  in  infants  > 2000  gms,  and  6-8  cm.  in  in- 
fants < 2000  gms.  A firm  but  gentle  steady  pres- 
sure usually  places  the  catheter  through  ductus 
venous  into  the  inferior  vena  cava.  Following  the 
insertion  it  is  advisable  to  obtain  a portable  x-ray 
of  the  chest  to  determine  exact  location;  however, 
it  is  not  necessary  to  wait  for  the  x-ray  before 
injection  of  needed  medications,  fluids  or  blood  in 
the  delivery  room. 

If  medications  are  used,  the  concentration 
should  be  diluted  before  injection  as  indicated 
under  drug  therapy.  If  the  catheter  has  entered 
one  of  the  hepatic  veins  and  not  advanced 
into  the  inferior  vena  cava,  the  injections  of  hy- 
pertonic solutions  such  as  50  per  cent  dextrose  or 
7.5  per  cent  sodium  bicarbonate  may  cause  lo- 
calized hepatic  necrosis.  The  authors  attach  a 3- 


AUGUST  1970 


421 


RESUSCITATION  / Smith  and  Brann 

way  stopcock  to  the  umbilical  catheter  to  allow 
continuous  intravenous  fluid  administration  along 
with  possible  intermittent  blood  sampling,  yet  still 
maintaining  a closed  system  at  all  times. 

The  umbilical  venous  catheter  should  rest  in  the 
inferior  vena  cava.  If  the  catheter  has  been  ad- 
vanced too  far,  withdrawal  of  a few  cm.  should 
be  done.  However,  if  the  catheter  is  in  one  of 
the  hepatic  veins  or  even  if  it  appears  to  have 
entered  the  portal  vein  and  not  into  the  inferior 
vena  cava,  it  should  be  withdrawn  entirely  and 
replaced,  unless  sterile  technique  has  not  been 
broken,  wherein  it  may  be  simply  readvanced.  If 
there  is  any  doubt,  withdraw  the  catheter  and  re- 
place it  again  under  a new  sterile  prep  and  drape. 
Sepsis  of  the  newborn  can  easily  be  produced  by 
a break  in  the  sterile  technique  of  umbilical  vein 
insertion.  The  umbilical  venous  catheter  is  usual- 
ly continued  for  12-24  hours  after  the  immediate 
period  of  resuscitation  for  intravenous  fluid  ad- 
ministration. If  the  infant  is  stable  and  tolerating 
p.o.  glucose  water  or  formula  at  the  end  of  this 
time,  it  can  safely  be  discontinued.  If  the  catheter 
is  left  in  for  longer  than  24  hours,  many  centers 
start  the  infant  on  prophylactic  antibiotics  (see 
drugs). 

The  same  sterile  techniques  for  umbilical  ar- 
tery insertion  should  be  followed.  The  tip  of  the 
catheter  should  come  to  rest  in  the  aorta  just  above 
the  renal  artery.  This  catheter  can  be  used  for 
arterial  blood  sampling  for  pH,  pC02  and  p02. 
It  must  be  emphasized  that  difficulties  have  been 
observed  in  infants  following  umbilical  artery 
catheterization.12  The  placement  of  a catheter 
in  this  vessel  should  be  done  only  if  arterial 
blood  sampling  for  pH,  pC02,  and  p02  determi- 
nation is  planned. 

MANAGEMENT  PLAN 

A plan  of  action  for  management  of  the  se- 
verely depressed  newborn  is  as  follows: 

( 1 ) Place  infant  supine  under  a radiant  warm- 
er in  head  down  position  with  a slight  lateral 
tilt. 

(2)  Gently  suction  oropharynx  and  dry  infant. 

(3)  Insert  endotracheal  tube. 

(4)  Establish  positive  pressure  ventilation 
through  the  endotracheal  tube  with  mouth  to  tube 
ventilation. 

(5)  Cannulate  the  umbilical  vein  or  artery. 

(6)  If  HR  does  not  increase  to  100  beats  per 
minute  after  30  seconds  of  adequate  ventilation, 
begin  external  cardiac  massage. 

(7)  If  at  the  end  of  three  minutes  from  birth 


or  approximately  \Vi  minutes  from  onset  of  ade- 
quate ventilation  and  external  cardiac  massage, 
the  heart  rate  is  not  above  100  beats  per  min- 
ute, a sterile  solution  of  IVi  per  cent  sodium  bi- 
carbonate (4  cc/kgm)  diluted  with  equal  parts  of 
10  per  cent  glucose  is  injected  through  an  umbil- 
ical vein  catheter. 

(8)  If  the  heart  rate  remains  below  50,  give 
0.1  cc.  aqueous  adrenalin  1:10,000  concentra- 
tion followed  by  1-2  cc/kgm  of  50  per  cent  dex- 
trose solution  diluted  with  equal  parts  of  10  per 
cent  Dextrose  through  the  umbilical  catheter. 

(9)  Adequate  ventilation  and  external  cardiac 
massage  must  be  continued  throughout  the  entire 
time  of  drug  administration  until  adequate  spon- 
taneous ventilation  and  cardiac  activity  is  as- 
sumed. 

(10)  Transfer  the  infant  to  the  nursery  for  in- 
tensive care. 

2500  North  State  St.  (39216) 

The  authors  wish  to  thank  Dr.  Donald  Sherline  from 
the  Department  of  Obstetrics  and  Gynecology  for  his 
helpful  comments. 

REFERENCES 

1.  Towell,  M.  E. : The  Influence  of  Labor  on  the  Fetus 
and  the  Newborn,  Ped.  Clinics  N.A.  13:575-598, 
1966. 

2.  Adamsons,  K.,  Jr.,  Behrman,  R.,  Dawes,  G.  S., 
James,  L.  S.,  and  Koford,  C.:  Resuscitation  by  Pos- 
itive Pressure  Ventilation  and  Tris-hvdroxymethyl- 
aminomethane  of  Rhesus  Monkey  Asphyxiated  at 
Birth,  J.  Pediat.  65:807,  1964. 

3.  Butterfield,  J.,  and  Covery,  M.  J.:  Practical  Epigram 
of  the  Apgar  Score,  J.A.M.A.  181:353.  1962. 

4.  Drage,  J.  S.,  and  Berendes,  H.:  Apgar  Scores  and 
Outcome  of  the  Newborn,  Ped.  Clinics  N.A.  13:635, 
1966. 

5.  Apgar,  V.:  A Proposal  for  a New  Method  of  Evalu- 
ation of  the  Newborn  Infant,  Anesth.  and  Anal. 
32:260,  1953. 

6.  Apgar,  V.:  The  Newborn  (Apgar)  Scoring  System, 
Ped.  Clinics  N.A.  13:645,  1966. 

7.  Oliver,  T.  K.,  Jr.:  Temperature  Regulation  and  Heat 
Production  in  the  Newborn,  Ped.  Clinics  N.A.  22:88. 
1966. 

8.  Gandy,  G.  M.,  Adamsons,  K.,  Jr.,  and  Cunningham, 
N.:  Thermal  Environments  and  the  Acid-Base  Ho- 
meostasis in  Human  Infants  During  the  First  Few 
Hours  of  Life,  J.  Clin.  Invest.  43:751,  1964. 

9.  Adamsons,  K.,  Jr.,  Gandy,  G.  M.,  and  James,  L.  S.: 
The  Influence  of  Thermal  Factors  LTpon  Oxygen 
Consumption  of  the  Newborn  Human  Infant, 
J.  Pediat.  66:495,  1965. 

10.  Miller,  D.  L.,  and  Oliver,  T.  K.,  Jr.:  Body  Tempera- 
ture in  the  Immediate  Neonatal  Period:  The  Effect 
of  Reducing  Thermal  Losses,  Amer.  J.  Ob.-Gyn. 
94:964,  1966. 

11.  Du,  J.  H.  N.,  and  Oliver,  T.  K.,  Jr.;  The  Baby  in 
the  Delivery  Room,  a Suitable  Microenvironment, 
J.A.M.A.  207:1502,  1969. 

12.  Wigger,  H.  J.,  Bransilver,  B.  R.,  and  Blanc,  W.  A.: 
Thromboses  Due  to  Catheterization  in  Infants  and 
Children,  J.  Pediat.  76:1,  1970. 

13.  Behrman,  R.  E.,  James,  L.  S.,  Klaus,  M.,  Nelson,  N., 
and  Oliver,  T. : Treatment  of  the  Asphyxiated  New- 
born Infant.  J.  Ped.  74:981,  1969. 


422 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


MEETINGS 


NATIONAL  AND  REGIONAL 

American  Medical  Association,  Clinical  Conven- 
tion, Nov.  29-Dec.  2,  1970,  Boston.  Annual 
Convention,  June  20-24,  1971,  Atlantic  City. 
Ernest  B.  Eioward,  Executive  Vice  President, 
535  N.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111.  60610. 

Southern  Medical  Association,  64th  Annual 
Meeting,  Nov.  16-19,  1970,  Dallas.  Mr.  Rob- 
ert F.  Butts,  Executive  Director,  2601  High- 
land Ave.,  Birmingham,  Ala.  35205. 

STATE  AND  LOCAL 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association.  103rd  An- 
nual Session,  May  3-6,  1971,  Biloxi.  Mr. 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy,  Executive  Secretary, 
735  Riverside  Drive,  Jackson  39216. 

Mississippi  Academy  of  General  Practice,  Annual 
Assembly,  Oct.  20-22,  1970,  Biloxi.  Miss  Lou- 
ise Lacey,  Executive  Secretary,  P.O.  Box  1435, 
Jackson. 

Amite-Wilkinson  Counties  Medical  Society,  Third 
Monday,  March,  June,  September,  December. 
James  S.  Poole,  Centreville,  Secretary. 

Central  Medical  Society,  First  Tuesday,  January, 
March,  May,  September,  November,  6:30  p.m., 
Primos  Northgate  Restaurant,  Jackson.  Robert 
P.  Henderson,  Suite  B-6,  Medical  Arts  Build- 
ing, Jackson,  Secretary. 

Claiborne  County  Medical  Society,  1st  Tuesday 
each  month,  6:00  p.m.,  Claiborne  County 
Hospital,  Port  Gibson.  D.  M.  Segrest,  Port 
Gibson,  Secretary. 

Clarksdale  and  Six  Counties  Medical  Society, 
Third  Wednesday,  April  and  First  Wednesday, 
November,  2:00  p.m.,  Clarksdale.  Walter  T. 
Taylor,  P.O.  Box  1237,  Clarksdale,  Secretary. 

Coast  Counties  Medical  Society,  First  Wednesday, 
January,  March,  May,  September  and  Novem- 
ber. C.  Hal  Cleveland,  P.O.  Box  1018,  Gulf- 
port, Secretary. 

Delta  Medical  Society,  Second  Wednesday,  April 
and  October.  Howard  A.  Nelson,  308  Fulton 
St.,  Greenwood,  Secretary. 

DeSoto  County  Medical  Society,  Third  Thursday, 
February  and  August,  1:00  p.m.,  Kenny’s  Res- 


taurant, Hernando.  Malcolm  D.  Baxter,  Jr., 
Baxter  Clinic,  Hernando,  Secretary. 

East  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  First  Tuesday, 
February,  April,  June,  August,  October,  and 
December.  Reginald  P.  White,  East  Mississip- 
pi State  Hospital,  Meridian,  Secretary. 

Adams  County  Medical  Society,  First  Tues- 
day, February,  April,  June,  August,  October, 
and  December,  Eola  Hotel  Roof,  Natchez. 
Walter  T.  Colbert,  Jefferson  Davis  Memorial 
Hospital,  Natchez,  Secretary. 

North  Central  District  Medical  Society,  Third 
Wednesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  De- 
cember. James  E.  Booth,  Eupora,  Secretary. 

Northeast  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second 
Tuesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. S.  Jay  McDuffie,  Nettleton,  Secretary. 

North  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  First  Thurs- 
day, April  and  October.  Cherie  Friedman, 
1004  Jackson  Ave.,  Oxford,  Secretary. 

Pearl  River  County  Medical  Society,  Second  Mon- 
day, March,  June,  September,  and  December. 
J.  M.  Howell,  139  Kirkwood  St.,  Picayune, 
Secretary. 

Prairie  Medical  Society,  Second  Tuesday,  March. 
June,  September,  and  December.  A.  Robert 
Dill,  1001  Main  Street,  Columbus,  Secretary. 

Singing  River  Medical  Society,  Third  Monday, 
January,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. Donald  E.  Dore,  Singing  River  Hospital, 
Pascagoula,  Secretary. 

South  Central  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second 
Tuesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. Julian  T.  Janes,  Jr.,  304  Clark,  McComb, 
Secretary. 

South  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  Thurs- 
day, March,  June,  September,  and  December. 
W.  B.  White,  Medical  Arts  Bldg.,  Laurel,  Sec- 
retary. 

West  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  Tues- 
day, January,  April,  July,  and  October,  7:00 
p.m.,  Old  Southern  Tea  Room,  Vicksburg. 
Martin  E.  Hinman,  the  Street  Clinic,  Vicks- 
burg, Secretary. 


AUGUST  1970 


423 


Radiologic  Seminar  XCVIII 
Duplications  of  the  Renal  Pelvis  and  Ureter 


T.  S.  McCAY,  M.D. 
Jackson,  Mississippi 


In  the  normal  course  of  embryologic  develop- 
ment a single  ureteral  bud  arises  from  each  wolf- 
fian  duct.  As  development  progresses,  these  ure- 
teral buds  become  the  right  and  left  ureters.  The 
cephalic  ends  of  the  ureters  divide  to  produce 
the  renal  pelves,  calyceal  systems,  papillary 
tubules  and  collecting  tubules.  Incomplete  double 
ureter  is  formed  when  the  ureteral  buds  divide 
too  early  or  the  renal  pelvic  division  extends 
into  the  ureter.  Duplications  thus  produced  may 
vary  from  an  exaggerated  major  calyx  to  the  up- 


Sponsored by  the  Mississippi  Radiological  Society. 

From  the  Department  of  Radiology,  St.  Dominic-Jackson 
Memorial  Flospital. 


Figure  1.  Ten  minute  film  from  an  intravenous 
pyelogram.  Note  duplication  on  the  left  and  small 
pelviocalyceal  system  on  the  right. 


per  pole  of  a kidney  to  complete  division  of  the 
renal  pelvis  with  a divided  ureter  on  the  involved 
side.  In  duplications  produced  by  this  means, 
there  will  always  be  junction  of  the  divided  ureter 
proximal  to  the  urinary  bladder.  Complete  dupli- 
cations develop  when  two  separate  ureteral  buds 
arise  from  a wolffian  duct  giving  rise  to  two  en- 
tirely separate  ureters  with  separate  pelviocaly- 
ceal systems  and  separate  vesical  orifices.  Either 
complete  or  incomplete  duplication  may  be  uni- 
lateral or  bilateral. 

Recognition  of  duplications  of  the  upper  renal 
tracts  is  usually  dependent  upon  pyelography.  Oc- 
casionally one  may  suspect  duplication  on  the  ba- 
sis of  elongation  of  a kidney  on  the  plain  radio- 


Figure  2.  Tomographic  study  on  the  same  patient 
demonstrating  large  upper  pole  segment  of  the  right 
kidney  with  no  apparent  pelviocalyceal  system. 


424 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Figure  3.  Repeat  pyelogram  after  passage  of  cal- 
culus showing  duplication  bilaterally . 


siderable  segment  of  the  upper  pole  of  the  right 
kidney  lying  above  the  pelviocalyceal  system. 
Figure  3 is  from  a later  study  after  passage  of 
the  calculus,  demonstrating  return  of  function  to 
the  duplicated  right  upper  pole. 

In  summary,  duplications  of  the  renal  pelves 
and  ureters  arise  from  abnormal  divisions  of  the 
ureteral  buds  or  from  the  development  of  super- 
numery  ureteral  buds.  Recognition  of  duplica- 
tions is  important  since  associated  anomalies 
and  associated  pathologic  conditions  are  more 
frequent  than  in  normally  developed  excretory 
systems.  Pyelography  is  the  diagnostic  procedure 
of  choice  in  demonstrating  these  anomalies.  *** 


graph,  but  pyelography,  either  intravenous  or  ret- 
rograde, is  necessary  for  confirmation.  Sometimes 
recognition  of  duplications  by  intravenous  pye- 
lography can  be  difficult  when  there  is  lack  of 
function  of  the  segment  of  kidney  drained  by 
the  duplicated  system.  With  retrograde  pyelogra- 
phy, in  cases  of  partial  duplication,  there  may 
be  obstruction  of  one  of  the  duplicated  ureters 
preventing  filling.  In  complete  duplications  when 
all  terminal  orifices  are  not  recognized  and  the 
connecting  ureters  opacified,  the  diagnosis  may  be 
missed.  In  this  connection,  it  should  be  mentioned 
that  frequently  there  will  be  an  ectopic  orifice  of 
the  ureter  to  the  upper  pole  of  the  kidney  opening 
into  the  vesical  neck,  the  urethra,  seminal  vesi- 
cles, vas  deferens,  etc.  in  the  male  or  into  the 
vesicle  neck,  urethra,  vestibule,  vagina,  etc.  in 
the  female.  In  cases  where  there  is  failure  of 
opacification  of  the  duplicated  segment  of  the  up- 
per renal  tract,  pyelography  will  reveal  a de- 
creased number  of  renal  papillae  in  the  involved 
kidney. 

Apart  from  academic  interest,  recognition  of 
duplications  is  of  considerable  importance.  As  is 
the  case  with  other  organ  systems  with  develop- 
mental abnormalities,  disease  states  are  more 
common  than  in  the  normally  developed.  Changes 
of  obstructive  uropathy  are  common  in  duplicat- 
ed upper  pole  systems.  Due  to  urine  stasis,  in- 
fections are  more  common  in  duplicated  drain- 
age systems  and  stones  are  also  frequent.  In  fe- 
males with  complete  duplication  the  ectopic  up- 
per pole  ureter  will  not  infrequently  open  below 
the  level  of  the  external  sphincter  giving  rise  to 
urinary  incontinence.  Ureteroceles  are  often  seen 
associated  with  ectopic  ureteral  orifices.  Also,  in 
cases  of  complete  obstruction  with  failure  of  opac- 
ification of  the  duplicated  system,  one  may  be 
led  to  a mistaken  diagnosis  of  tumor  involvement 
of  the  involved  kidney,  the  unopacified  segment 
appearing  as  a renal  mass.  Furthermore,  it  is 
conceivable  that  a renal  tumor  could  be  present 
in  an  unopacified  duplicated  segment  and  be 
missed  entirely. 

The  presented  radiographs  are  those  of  a man 
who  presented  with  right  sided  renal  colic  symp- 
toms and  hematuria.  Intravenous  pyelography  1. 
(Figure  1 ) disclosed  a duplicated  left  upper  renal 
tract,  while  on  the  right  the  pelviocalyceal  sys-  ?. 
tern  appeared  significantly  smaller  than  the  left, 
leading  one  to  suspect  duplication  on  the  right 
with  failure  of  function  of  the  upper  pole.  A 
tomographic  study  (Figure  2)  revealed  a con- 


969  Lakeland  Drive  (39216) 

REFERENCES 

Emmett,  John  L.:  Clinical  Urography.  Philadelphia 
and  London,  W.  B.  Saunders  Company,  1964,  p. 
1010-1040. 

Paul.  Lester  W.  and  Juhl.  John  H.:  The  Essentials  of 
Roentgen  Interpretation.  New  York  and  London, 
Harper  and  Row,  1965,  p.  512-513. 

Brodeur,  Armand  E.:  Radiologic  Diagnosis  in  Infants 
and  Children.  Saint  Louis,  C.  V.  Mosby  Company, 
1965,  p.  333-335. 


AUGUST  1970 


425 


MPAC 

AMPAC 

give  you  IMPACT,  doctor! 

But  make  it  a mutual  impact,  doctor,  because  your  PAC 
needs  you  and  you  need  your  PAC.  Both  AMPAC  and 
each  of  the  50  state  PAC’s  are  voluntary,  nonprofit,  un- 
incorporated, autonomous  groups  whose  members  are 
physicians,  their  wives,  and  others  in  allied  professions. 
Every  group  is  bipartisan,  bound  by  no  party  label.  The 
voting  record,  platform,  and  program  of  a candidate — 
not  his  party — is  what  the  PAC  considers. 

The  basic  purpose  is  twofold:  To  educate  in  political 
affairs  and  to  provide  a means  through  which  the  physi- 
cian-citizen can  effectively  make  his  voice  heard  in  the  po- 
litical arena.  MPAC  is  medically  oriented  and  medically 
directed  by  a 10  member  board  consisting  of  nine  physi- 
cians and  a Woman’s  Auxiliary  representative. 

With  the  elections  behind,  MPAC  is  looking  ahead  to 
1970  when  there  will  be  a job  to  do.  Make  your  voice 
count  by  sending  your  dues  today,  $10  for  MPAC  and 
$10  for  AMPAC.  Better  send  dues  for  your  wife,  too. 


MISSISSIPPI  MEDICAL 
POLITICAL  ACTION 
COMMITTEE 


426 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Proceedings  of  the 
House  of  Delegates 

102nd  Annual  Session 
May  11-14,  1970 
Biloxi,  Mississippi 


The  67th  Annual  Session  of  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates was  convened  during  the  102nd  Annual 
Session  of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Associa- 
tion, in  pursuance  to  lawful  notice  given,  on  May 
11,  1970,  in  the  Fountain  Terrace  of  the  Hotel 
Buena  Vista  at  Biloxi,  Mississippi,  at  9:12  o’clock 
in  the  morning,  by  Dr.  James  L.  Royals,  Presi- 
dent. The  invocation  was  spoken  by  the  Rev.  El- 
ton Graves,  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church, 
Biloxi. 

After  extending  greetings,  Dr.  Royals  present- 
ed the  Vice  Speaker,  Dr.  John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  of 
Canton  and  the  Speaker,  Dr.  William  E.  Lotter- 
hos  of  Jackson,  who  assumed  the  chair.  Dr.  Wal- 
ter H.  Simmons,  Chairman  of  the  Reference 
Committee  on  Credentials,  reported  the  presence 
of  a quorum  of  registered  and  seated  delegates  in 
accordance  with  Section  3,  Chapter  V,  By-Laws 
of  the  association. 

ANNOUNCEMENT  OF  REFERENCE 

COMMITTEES 

Reports  of  Officers  and  Board  of  Trustees 
M.  Beckett  Howorth,  Jr.,  Oxford,  Chairman 
Thomas  G.  Barnes,  Greenville 
William  M.  Gillespie,  Jr.,  Meridian 
William  F.  Sistrunk,  Jackson 
E.  T.  Riemann,  Jr.,  Gulfport 
Medical  Practices 

Joseph  B.  Rogers,  Oxford,  Chairman 
Louis  A.  Farber,  Jackson 
Clyde  A.  Watkins,  Sanatorium 
W.  B.  Howard,  Pontotoc 
Joseph  B.  Johnston,  Mt.  Olive 
Miscellaneous  Business 

C.  R.  Jenkins,  Laurel,  Chairman 
Ralph  L.  Brock,  McComb 
Robert  P.  Henderson,  Jackson 
Victor  E.  Landry,  Lucedale 
William  H.  Preston,  Jr.,  Booneville 


Credentials 

Walter  H.  Simmons,  Jackson,  Chairman 
Whitman  B.  Johnson,  Clarksdale 
Kenneth  D.  Terrell,  Prentiss 
Rules  and  Order  of  Business 

Stanley  A.  Hill,  Corinth,  Chairman 
Charles  P.  Bass,  Columbia 
James  E.  Alexander,  Biloxi 

APPOINTMENT  OF  TELLERS  AND 
SERGEANTS-AT-ARMS 

J.  Dan  Mitchell,  Jackson,  Chairman 
G.  Leroy  Howell,  Starkville 
James  M.  Dabbs,  Waynesboro 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  RULES  AND  ORDER  OF  BUSINESS 

To  assist  the  Speaker  and  Vice  Speaker  in  the 
orderly  conduct  of  the  proceedings  of  this  House 
of  Delegates,  your  Reference  Committee  on  Rules 
and  Order  of  Business  makes  the  following  rec- 
ommendations: 

Conduct  of  Business.  Under  the  By-Laws,  the 
business  of  the  House  must  be  conducted  accord- 
ing to  Robert’s  Rules  of  Order,  Newly  Revised, 
and  the  Speaker  and  Vice  Speaker  should  pre- 
scribe the  order  of  business  as  set  out  in  the  By- 
Laws.  To  insure  proper  recording  of  the  transac- 
tions, all  delegates  recognized  should  identify 
themselves.  Except  for  distinguished  visitors  and 
those  having  official  capacity  in  the  association, 
unanimous  consent  should  be  obtained  for  extend- 
ing the  privilege  of  the  floor  to  nonmembers  of 
the  House  of  Delegates.  The  report  of  the  Refer- 
ence Committee  on  Credentials  should  constitute 
the  formal  and  official  roll  call  of  the  House. 

Reference  Committees.  The  purpose  of  refer- 
ence committees  is  for  affording  all  members  of 
the  association  an  opportunity  to  discuss  their 
views  on  matters  under  consideration  by  the 
House  of  Delegates. 


AUGUST  1970 


427 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

Reports.  All  reports  and  resolutions  presented 
should  be  referred  to  the  appropriate  reference 
committee  by  the  chair  immediately  after  their 
presentation,  the  only  exception  being  those  which 
are  of  such  a nature  as  to  require  no  further  con- 
sideration and  are,  therefore,  ready  for  decision 
by  vote  of  this  House.  Reports  published  in  the 
Handbook  of  the  House  of  Delegates  are  consid- 
ered to  have  been  formally  presented  and  should 
be  referred  to  appropriate  reference  committees 
by  the  chair.  Debate  should  be  reserved  on  all 
such  presentations  until  such  time  as  the  reference 
committees  conduct  formal  hearings  and  when 
they  report  to  the  House. 

Resolutions.  To  avoid  burdensome  tasks  upon 
the  reference  committees  and  to  insure  that  all 
members  have  adequate  opportunity  to  discuss 
their  views,  the  House  should  permit  no  introduc- 
tion of  resolutions  after  the  present  meeting  ex- 
cept for  ( 1 ) matters  of  an  emergency  nature,  the 
validity  of  such  emergency  to  be  determined  by 
majority  vote,  (2)  matters  relating  to  a scientific 
section  of  scientific  work,  and  (3)  proposed 
amendments  to  the  Constitution  and/or  By-Laws 
which  would  then  lie  on  the  table  for  one  year. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 

ADOPTION  OF  TRANSACTIONS 

On  motion  by  Dr.  Lawrence  W.  Long  of  Jack- 
son,  second  by  Dr.  H.  C.  Ricks,  Sr.,  of  Jackson, 
the  Transactions  of  the  66th  Annual  Session  of 
the  House  of  Delegates,  101st  Annual  Session  of 
the  Association,  May  12-15,  1969,  published  in 
Volume  X,  Number  8,  Journal  of  the  Missis- 
sippi State  Medical  Association,  August 
1969,  were  adopted. 

REMARKS  OF  THE  SPEAKER 

Dr.  William  E.  Lotterhos:  In  order  to  main- 
tain as  much  harmony  in  our  House  of  Delegates 
as  possible,  your  Speaker  and  Vice  Speaker  are 
governed  by  the  majority  opinion  of  the  members 
of  the  House.  What  this  majority  wants  and  how 
it  wants  it  to  be  done  shall  always  remain  the  ulti- 
mate determination.  However,  it  is  the  obligation 
of  the  Speaker  to  sense  this  will  of  the  House  and 
to  preside  accordingly,  and  we  will  hold  our  rul- 
ing ever  subject  to  challenge  from  a reversal  by 
the  assemblage. 

In  cognizance  with  this  concept,  we  are  recom- 
mending that  Robert’s  Rules  of  Order,  Newly 
Revised  be  the  basis  for  our  parliamentary  pro- 
cedure, and  we  would  call  to  your  attention  that 
according  to  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws  of  our 


state  medical  association  that  the  up-to-date  ver- 
sion will  be  our  guide.  Thanks  to  the  framers  of 
this  wording,  it  does  not  require  a constitutional 
change  in  order  for  us  to  do  this.  There  are  no 
rigid  codifications  of  its  rules  in  existence  and  in 
my  opinion,  parliamentary  law  serves  to  aid  an 
assembly  in  orderly,  expeditious,  and  equitable 
accomplishments  of  its  desires.  Any  compulsory 
adherence  to  an  inflexible  set  of  directives  may 
thwart  rather  than  abet  such  an  objective. 

Once  again,  this  year  the  Board  of  Trustees 
granted  your  Speaker  and  Vice  Speaker  the  op- 
portunity to  publish  the  powers  and  duties  of  ref- 
erence committees,  and  we  trust  that  you  will 
find  it  useful.  If  you  have  any  comments,  con- 
structive or  otherwise,  please  feel  free  to  express 
yourself  to  help  us  keep  this  an  up-to-date  docu- 
ment. I will  invite  your  attention  to  the  fact  that 
the  reference  committees  will  be  the  nucleus  for 
discussion  and  deliberations  on  the  issues  that 
will  help  to  set  the  future  policies  for  our  associa- 
tion. So,  once  again  we  make  a plea  for  you  to 
attend  as  many  of  the  reference  committees  as 
you  possibly  can. 

Perhaps  the  spotlight  of  this  House  of  Dele- 
gates will  be  focused  on  our  decisions  in  relation 
to  the  Himler  Report.  To  my  knowledge,  this  is 
the  first  time  in  the  history  of  organized  medicine 
that  a request  has  come  down  from  above  actual- 
ly to  seek  out  the  will  of  the  component  societies 
— to  the  very  “grass  roots”  if  you  will.  So  I hope 
that  you  all  have  familiarized  yourselves  with  the 
contents  of  this  report,  both  the  majority  and  the 
minority  recommendations,  and  I will  invite  your 
attention  to  the  very  careful  wording  of  defini- 
tions and  descriptions.  These  are  important,  and 
I hope  that  we  can  give  our  delegates  to  the  AMA 
some  clear-cut  decisions  that  will  be  carried  back 
to  our  national  meeting  in  June  of  this  year, 
which  is  to  be  held  in  Chicago. 

When  it  is  a policy  that  has  been  determined 
by  this  House,  our  delegates  are  bound  to  this  on 
the  first  balloting  or  expression  when  called  upon 
to  do  so,  but  I think  that  it  is  important  for  you 
to  know  that  our  representatives  do  have  the 
right  to  change  that  policy  according  to  the  best 
way  that  they  see  fit.  If  the  one  that  they  are 
supporting  has  been  defeated  or  altered,  I am 
sure  that  our  delegates  will  convey  to  our  national 
organization  your  wishes,  and  I have  every  confi- 
dence in  their  ability  to  make  wise  decisions  when 
called  upon  to  do  so. 

Before  we  get  down  to  business,  I would  like  to 
pause  for  a minute  to  pay  our  respects  to  a great 
Speaker,  Dr.  B.  B.  O’Mara,  who  will  no  longer 
be  meeting  with  us  in  body,  but  I am  sure  that 


428 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


his  spirit  will  be  among  us.  It  is  with  fond  recol- 
lection that  I have  cherished  his  wise  counsel, 
and  I can  still  feel  the  smarting  after  he  had  so 
ably  chastised  me  when  he  thought  it  was  appro- 
priate. So  I am  going  to  take  a special  privilege 
of  the  chair  and  recognize  Dr.  B.  B.  O'Mara  in 
memory,  and  ask  that  you  all  stand  for  a moment 
of  silent  prayer  to  honor  this  noble  speaker. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  REPORTS  OF  OFFICERS  AND 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

Your  reference  committee  thanks  Dr.  William 
E.  Lotterhos,  the  Speaker  of  our  House  of  Dele- 
gates, and  his  able  colleague  Dr.  John  B.  Howell, 
Jr.  of  Canton,  the  Vice-Speaker,  for  their  fair, 
impartial,  and  efficient  conduct  of  our  business  in 
the  House  of  Delegates.  We  appreciate  his  in- 
structive remarks  and  the  assistance  which  he 
and  Dr.  Howell  have  rendered  to  all  members  of 
the  House  and  especially  to  the  reference  com- 
mittees. 

We  approve  the  remarks  of  the  Speaker,  and 
recommend  adoption  by  the  House  of  Delegates. 

Applause  from  the  House  of  Delegates  was  giv- 
en the  report  of  the  reference  committee  on  the 
Remarks  of  the  Speaker,  and  the  report  was 
adopted. 

PRESENTATION  OF  DISTINGUISHED  GUESTS 

The  Speaker  presented  the  following  distin- 
guished guests: 

Mr.  Doyl  Taylor,  Chicago,  Director,  Depart- 
ment of  Investigation,  American  Medical  Associ- 
ation. 

Mr.  Leon  J.  Swatzell,  Memphis,  Assistant  Di- 
rector, Department  of  Field  Service,  American 
Medical  Association. 

Mr.  Sam  Cameron,  Jackson,  Assistant  Execu- 
tive Director,  Mississippi  Hospital  Association. 

Mr.  Judge  Hicks  and  Mr.  John  Sanders,  stu- 
dent delegates,  University  Medical  Center.  Jack- 
son.  Mr.  Hicks  was  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Hicks 
who  is  also  a medical  student. 

Mrs.  Gerald  D.  Dorman,  New  York,  wife  of 
the  President  of  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion. 

Mrs.  James  L.  Royals,  Jackson,  wife  of  the 
President  of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Asso- 
ciation. 

ANNOUNCEMENT  OF  NOMINATING 

COMMITTEE 

Following  a recess  for  caucuses  by  association 
districts,  the  Nominating  Committee  was  an- 
nounced: 

Howard  A.  Nelson,  Greenwood,  District  1. 

James  O.  Gilmore,  Oxford,  District  2. 


Arthur  E.  Brown,  Columbus,  District  3. 

S.  Lamar  Bailey,  Kosciusko,  District  4. 

James  Grant  Thompson,  Jackson,  District  5. 

William  M.  Gillespie,  Jr.,  Meridian,  District  6. 

C.  R.  Jenkins,  Laurel,  District  7. 

Sidney  O.  Graves,  Jr.,  Natchez,  District  8. 

C.  D.  Taylor,  Jr.,  Pass  Christian,  District  9. 

Dr.  Taylor  was  elected  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee which  conducted  an  open  meeting  on  May 
13,  1970,  and  posted  the  nominations  for  the  in- 
formation of  all  members. 

ADDRESS  OF  THE  PRESIDENT 

The  Speaker  declared  the  House  of  Delegates 
in  open  session,  and  the  President,  Dr.  James  L. 
Royals,  delivered  his  address.  The  address  has 
been  published  separately  in  Volume  XI,  Num- 
ber 7,  Journal  of  the  Mississippi  State  Med- 
ical Association,  July  1970. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  REPORTS  OF  OFFICERS  AND 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

We  applaud  and  commend  Dr.  James  L.  Roy- 
als, our  1969-70  President,  for  his  service  to  our 
association  and  for  his  address  to  this  House  of 
Delegates.  We  feel  that  Dr.  Royals  has  challenged 
us  to  continue  to  improve  the  quality  and  deliv- 
ery of  medical  care  in  Mississippi. 

We  invite  the  attention  of  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates to  the  final  paragraph  of  his  splendid  ad- 
dress: 

“The  delivery  system  is  on  trial.  Our  circum- 
stances are  neither  simple  nor  easy,  but  the  chal- 
lenges are  great  and  the  gauntlet  is  down.  Let  us 
do  what  we  must  to  insure  the  best  medical  care 
for  all  Mississippians  and  for  all  Americans.” 

Your  reference  committee  further  invites  at- 
tention to  another  poignant  quote  from  Dr.  Roy- 
als’ address: 

“The  most  tragic  hour  in  American  medicine 
comes  when  a physician  withdraws  himself  in 
spirit  and  substance  from  medical  organization. 
He  renders  himself  impotent  and  he  chips  a stone 
from  our  foundation.  The  whole  is  never  greater 
than  the  sum  of  its  parts,  and  no  man  is  an  is- 
land. His  dissent  should  not  be  translated  into 
destruction  of  his  organization,  of  his  colleagues, 
or  of  himself.  He  simply  does  not  have  that  right.” 

Your  committee  associates  itself  in  the  com- 
ment of  our  speaker  when  he  said  that  Dr.  Roy- 
als has  honored  the  office  which  sought  to  honor 
him. 

We  approve  the  address  of  the  President  and 
ask  that  it  be  published  in  the  Journal  of  the 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association. 

In  approving  unanimously  the  report  of  the  ref- 


AUGUST  1970 


429 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

erence  committee,  the  House  of  Delegates  ac- 
corded Dr.  Royals  a standing  ovation. 

SPECIAL  ADDRESS 

Dr.  Gerald  D.  Dorman  of  New  York,  President 
of  the  American  Medical  Association,  addressed 
the  House  of  Delegates  as  the  principal  speaker 
of  the  102nd  Annual  Session. 

REPORT  OF  THE  DELEGATES  TO  AMA 

Reporting  Format.  Your  Delegates  to  the 
American  Medical  Association  continue  to  limit 
their  joint  report  to  this  House  of  Delegates  to 
key  policy  actions  at  the  annual  and  clinical  con- 
ventions. Because  of  excellent  and  detailed  re- 
porting in  the  American  Medical  News  and 
Journal  AMA  of  scientific  and  subsidiary  activ- 
ities, these  aspects  would  only  be  needless  repe- 
titions and  duplications. 

Dr.  G.  Swink  Hicks  of  Natchez  completed  his 
first  full  term  of  two  years  in  1969  and  began 
serving  his  second  term  to  which  he  was  re-elect- 
ed in  1969  on  Jan.  1,  1970.  The  senior  Delegate, 
Dr.  Howard  A.  Nelson  of  Greenwood,  will  com- 
plete his  second  full  term  during  the  current  year. 
Our  able  Alternate  Delegates  are  Drs.  Stanley  A. 
Hill  of  Corinth  and  Joseph  B.  Rogers  of  Oxford. 

The  present  reporting  covers  the  118th  An- 
nual Convention  at  New  York,  July  13-17,  and 
the  23rd  Clinical  Convention  at  Denver,  Nov. 
30-Dec.  3,  both  1969.  We  are  grateful  for  the 
attendance,  participation,  and  support  at  these 
meetings  of  our  president.  Dr.  Royals,  and  our 
president-elect.  Dr.  Brumby.  Many  other  Missis- 
sippi physicians  attended  and  participated  in 
these  conventions,  contributing  to  scientific  and 
business  activities. 

New  York  Annual  Convention.  The  House  of 
Delegates  considered  59  reports  and  137  resolu- 
tions, meeting  in  formal  session  about  16  hours 
over  four  days.  Distinguished  speakers  included 
Vice  President  Agnew  and  Dr.  Roger  O.  Ege- 
berg.  Assistant  Secretary  of  HEW  for  Health  and 
Scientific  Affairs. 

Major  items  of  business  and  policy  included 
peer  review,  health  care  of  the  poor,  medical 
care  as  a matter  of  right,  Medicare  and  Medicaid, 
relations  with  hospitals,  laboratory  advertising 
and  billing,  sex  education,  and  internal  organi- 
zation and  finances  of  AMA. 

The  House  moved  decisively  on  peer  review, 
encouraging  full  and  complete  participation  and 
implementation  at  all  levels  of  medical  organiza- 
tion. The  House  stated  that  it  “knows  of  no 


greater  challenge  facing  the  profession  today 
than  to  secure  universal  acceptance  and  applica- 
tion of  the  peer  review  concept.  . . The  action 
made  it  clear  that  should  medicine  fail  in  meet- 
ing this  challenge,  the  task  will  be  done  for  us 
and  not  on  our  terms. 

In  this  same  connection,  the  delegates  recog- 
nized the  physician’s  influence  on  the  cost  of 
care,  stating  that  “the  doctor  has  a significant 
and  responsible  role  in  any  organized  effort  to 
control  health  care  expenditures.”  With  specific 
reference  to  Medicare  and  Medicaid,  the  House 
took  four  major  actions: 

— Expanded  peer  review  at  component  society 
level  to  reduce  hospital  and  extended  care  fa- 
cility stay  and  to  expand  ambulatory  care. 

— Eradication  by  the  profession  of  isolated 
abuses  by  physicians. 

— Promotion  of  innovative  health  service  de- 
livery systems  for  low  income  communities. 

— Preservation  of  care  quality  in  the  face  of 
cost  containment  measures. 

But  in  the  matter  of  Social  Security  Adminis- 
tration fee  freezes,  the  House  said  that  the  set- 
ting of  “rigid  limits  on  levels  of  payments  to  phy- 
sicians who  provide  services  appear  in  contra- 
diction to  Congressional  intent”  that  these  pa- 
tients receive  care  on  the  same  basis  as  private 
patients.  A call  was  made  for  the  Congress  to 
reassess  its  intent  and  priorities  in  relation  to 
Title  XIX. 

The  AMA  again  asked  for  the  identities  of 
physicians  said  to  have  abused  Medicare  and 
Medicaid  and  condemned  the  practice  of  release 
by  government  agencies  of  gross  amount  paid  to 
individuals  and  groups  under  the  programs  with- 
out further  explanation,  giving  a frequently  false 
impression  of  abuse. 

Your  Delegates  introduced  a resolution  in  re- 
sponse to  the  mandate  given  us  in  Resolution 
No.  3,  subject:  JAMA  Laboratory  Advertising,  at 
our  101st  Annual  Session.  A number  of  similar 
resolutions  were  introduced  by  other  states.  De- 
spite diligent  and  persistent  effort,  the  House  con- 
curred with  the  Judicial  Council’s  views  that  the 
advertising  pages  of  Journal  AMA  cannot  be  de- 
nied a lawful  activity,  including  independent  lab- 
oratories with  industrial  sponsorship. 

The  frequently  discussed  and  sometimes  mis- 
understood position  on  medical  care  as  a right 
was  clarified  to  the  extent  of  a policy  statement: 

— That  it  is  a basic  right  of  every  citizen  to 
have  available  to  him  adequate  health  care. 

— That  it  is  a basic  right  of  every  citizen  to 
have  free  choice  of  physician  and  institutions  in 
obtaining  medical  care. 

— That  the  medical  profession,  using  all  means 


430 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


at  its  disposal,  should  endeavor  to  make  good 
medical  care  available  to  each  person. 

A preliminary  policy  on  health  care  of  the 
poor  states  that  comprehensive  services  in  this 
connection  are  desirable,  that  it  must  be  a long- 
range,  continuing  program,  that  research  on  un- 
met needs  which  is  documented  should  be  im- 
plemented, that  the  poor  should  participate  in 
planning  at  community  level,  and  that  physicians 
should  work  with  organizations  in  and  out  of 
medicine  where  concern  for  care  of  the  poor  has 
been  expressed. 

The  Scientific  Assembly  was  reorganized  with 
the  several  specialty  societies  having  been  given 
a stronger  voice  in  the  affairs  of  their  respective 
sections.  Each  of  the  24  scientific  sections  is  to  be 
governed  by  a section  council  whose  members 
are  selected  by  the  appropriate  specialty  society. 
The  new  format  becomes  effective  Jan.  1,  1972. 

By-Laws  relating  to  membership  eligibility 
were  amended  to  permit  qualified  osteopaths  to 
become  full,  active  members.  While  conceding 
that  the  primary  responsibility  for  family  life  edu- 
cation is  in  the  home,  the  House  “supported  in 
principle  the  inauguration  by  State  Boards  of 
Education  or  school  districts,  whichever  is  appli- 
cable, of  a voluntary  family  life  and  sex  educa- 
tion program  at  appropriate  grade  levels.”  The 
House  supported  the  integrity  of  hospital  medi- 
cal staffs  in  self-government,  having  previously 
endorsed  the  concept  of  voting  membership  on 
hospital  governing  boards  for  physicians. 

The  financial  picture  for  AMA  is  not  bright 
with  mounting  costs,  broadened  areas  of  activity, 
and  about  $4  million  due  in  federal  income  taxes 
on  advertising.  We  forsee  a dues  increase  to  $100 
per  year  effective  in  1971. 

At  the  New  York  convention,  the  House  of 
Delegates  took  a unique  action,  electing  a num- 
ber of  senior  state  medical  association  and  na- 
tional specialty  society  executives  to  membership 
in  AMA.  Our  Executive  Secretary,  Mr.  Row- 
land B.  Kennedy,  was  among  them. 

Denver  Clinical  Convention.  Major  actions  at 
the  Denver  Clinical  Convention  included  con- 
clusive actions  on  health  care  of  the  poor,  long- 
range  planning  for  AMA,  discontinuation  of  the 
AMA-ERF  Institute  for  Biomedical  Research,  a 
statement  of  policy  on  marijuana,  private  prac- 
tice, governmental  delivery  programs,  and  costs 
of  medical  care.  The  House  of  Delegates  acted 
on  99  items  of  business  among  which  were  33  re- 
ports and  66  resolutions. 

In  taking  definitive  actions  on  health  care  of 
the  poor,  the  House  reaffirmed  its  policy  on  medi- 
cal care  as  a basic  right,  calling  for  increased 
funding  of  effective  government  programs,  proj- 


ects to  eliminate  unfavorable  environmental  con- 
ditions, increased  physician  services  in  the  urban 
slums,  expansion  of  health  careers  by  recruitment 
from  disadvantaged  areas,  better  prenatal  and 
postnatal  care,  family  planning  services,  a crack- 
down on  quackery  which  exploits  the  poor,  im- 
proved mental  health  services  programs,  and 
more  participation  in  AMA  activities  by  minority 
group  physicians. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Planning  and 
Development  for  AMA  (Himler  Report)  was  re- 
ceived formally  by  the  House  of  Delegates.  In- 
stead of  generating  the  anticipated  controversy, 
the  report  was  discussed  and  handled  with  lit- 
tle fanfare.  The  House  established  an  ad  hoc 
committee  to  receive  the  report,  to  recommend 
methodology  for  a permanent  committee,  and  to 
send  the  report  to  state  associations  requesting 
resolutions  for  consideration  at  the  1970  annual 
convention. 

After  years  of  discussion  and  debate,  the 
House  of  Delegates  adopted  as  policy  that  “can- 
nabis (marijuana)  is  a dangerous  drug  and  as 
such  is  a public  health  concern.  It  is  a psycho- 
active substance  which  can  have  a marked  del- 
eterious effect  on  individual  performance  and 
social  productivity.  A significant  number  of  ex- 
posed persons  become  chronic  users  with  con- 
comitant medical  and  interpersonal  problems.” 

The  House  stated  that  the  sale  of  marijuana 
should  not  be  legalized,  saying  that  if  potency 
were  legally  controlled,  predictably  there  would 
be  an  illicit  market  for  the  more  powerful  forms. 

The  AMA-ERF  Institute  for  Biomedical  Re- 
search, called  a noble  experiment,  was  discon- 
tinued because  of  high  costs.  The  House  could 
find  no  way  to  construct  a permanent  building 
for  the  Institute,  and  there  were  no  outside  funds 
available  to  assist  AMA  in  supporting  the  multi- 
million dollar  activity. 

The  House  created  a Committee  on  Private 
Practice,  assigning  it  to  the  Council  on  Medical 
Service.  A proposal  to  establish  a new  Council  on 
Private  Practice  was  not  favorably  considered. 
Support  for  the  Regional  Medical  Programs  un- 
der PL  89-239  was  reaffirmed,  but  the  delegates 
opposed  on-site  auditing  of  physicians’  accounts 
in  their  offices  by  government  representatives. 
Federal  licensure  was  opposed,  but  state  associa- 
tions were  urged  to  work  with  legislatures  to 
strengthen  licensure  laws.  Physicians  were  asked 
again  to  be  mindful  of  care  costs,  as  concern  was 
expressed  over  the  ever-increasing  costs  of  hos- 
pital care.  The  Medicredit  concept  for  voluntary 
national  health  insurance  was  endorsed. 

State  medical  associations  were  encouraged  to 
make  active  membership  available  to  residents 


AUGUST  1970 


431 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

and  interns  (a  benefit  available  in  Mississippi), 
and  dialogue  with  medical  students  was  recom- 
mended. 

Expression  of  Delegates.  Your  AMA  Delegates 
express  their  appreciation  to  our  own  House  of 
Delegates,  to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  to  the 
general  officers  for  support  and  the  mainte- 
nance of  continuing  communication.  We  sit  with 
the  Board  at  all  meetings  and  are  thereby  en- 
abled to  be  fully  informed  on  all  policy  develop- 
ments and  positions.  We  pledge  our  best  effort 
in  representing  your  wishes,  desires,  and  policies 
in  the  AMA  House  of  Delegates. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  REPORTS  OF  OFFICERS  AND 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

Drs.  Howard  A.  Nelson  of  Greenwood  and 
G.  Swink  Hicks  of  Natchez  have  provided  us  with 
a concise  and  informative  report  of  the  two  con- 
ventions of  the  American  Medical  Association  at 
which  they  represented  us  during  1969.  We  ap- 
preciate the  work  of  our  delegates  and  their  ser- 
vice to  the  association  and  recommend  adoption 
of  their  report. 

The  Speaker  invited  attention  to  the  portion  of 
the  report  pointing  out  that  Mr.  Rowland  B.  Ken- 
nedy, the  Executive  Secretary,  had  been  elected 
an  Affiliate  Member  of  the  American  Medical 
Association  by  its  House  of  Delegates  during  the 
1969  New  York  annual  Convention.  The  report 
of  the  reference  committee  was  adopted. 

REPORT  OF  THE  COUNCIL  ON 
CONSTITUTION  AND  BY-LAWS 

101st  Annual  Session.  At  the  1969  annual  ses- 
sion, the  House  of  Delegates  approved  two 
amendments  to  the  By-Laws  of  the  association, 
both  with  reference  to  committees. 

Section  2,  Chapter  IX,  was  amended  to  ac- 
cord constitutional  status  to  the  Committee  on 
Blood  and  Blood  Banking  as  a permanent  com- 
mittee of  the  Council  on  Medical  Service.  This 
action  did  not,  however,  confer  a vote  in  the 
House  of  Delegates  on  the  committee  members, 
since  only  elected  officers,  Trustees,  and  council 
members  have  the  vote. 

Section  2,  Chapter  VI,  was  repealed  as  regards 
a new  nominating  procedure  instituted  in  1968. 
The  traditional  method  of  making  nominations 
was  restored  and  will  be  followed  during  the 
present  annual  session. 

Two  proposed  amendments  to  the  By-Laws  at 
the  1969  annual  session  failed.  One  was  to  make 


the  Speaker  and  Vice  Speaker  of  the  House  of 
Delegates  ex  officio  members  of  the  Board  of  i 
Trustees  without  vote  and  the  other  would  have 
empowered  the  Speaker  and  Vice  Speaker  to  ap- 
point reference  committees. 

102nd  Annual  Session.  There  are  no  pending 
amendments  to  the  Constitution  or  By-Laws  lying 
on  the  table.  The  council  will  stand  in  readiness 
to  consider  any  amendments  which  are  proposed 
at  the  present  annual  session. 

The  report  of  the  council  was  received  for  in- 
formation. 

REPORT  OF  THE  COUNCIL  ON 
SCIENTIFIC  ASSEMBLY 

Organization  and  Duties.  The  Council  on  Sci- 
entific Assembly  is  a constitutional  body  of  the 
House  of  Delegates,  charged  with  the  responsi- 
bility of  planning  the  annual  session  of  the  as- 
sociation to  include  all  scientific  activities,  the 
programming,  and  the  scheduling  of  the  annual 
session  events.  The  council  membership  consists 
of  the  chairmen  and  secretaries  of  the  seven  sci- 
entific sections  and  the  secretary-treasurer,  a to- 
tal of  15  members. 

102nd  Annual  Session.  Your  council  began 
plans  for  the  102nd  Annual  Session  in  August 
1969.  The  general  format,  previously  ap- 
proved by  the  House  of  Delegates,  has  been  con- 
tinued with  general  sessions  centering  around 
broad  areas  of  specialty  interests.  To  the  maxi- 
mum possible  extent,  conflicts  in  programming 
have  been  eliminated.  The  council,  in  many  in- 
stances, has  requested  and  placed  essayists  be- 
fore sections  from  the  various  specialty  societies 
not  represented  in  the  Scientific  Assembly.  The 
membership  is  thereby  given  the  benefit  of  the 
presence  of  these  speakers  which  might  not  oth- 
erwise be  available.  The  specialty  societies  con- 
tinue to  work  closely  in  these  and  other  con- 
nections to  improve  the  quality  and  to  enhance 
the  attractiveness  of  our  programs. 

At  the  present  annual  session,  about  12  spe- 
cialty groups,  four  medical  alumni  groups,  and 
various  nonscientific  but  medically  related  bodies 
will  meet  concurrently  during  May  11-14.  We 
believe  that  this  arrangement  offers  variety  and 
combinations  of  benefits  for  the  membership  in 
attendance. 

We  have  scheduled  film  programs  again  im- 
mediately before  each  scientific  section.  We  are 
gratified  with  the  promising  quality  and  interest 
of  our  scientific  exhibits,  and  we  urge  each  mem- 
ber and  guest  in  attendance  to  avail  themselves 
of  the  benefits  of  the  Technical  Exhibit  which 
largely  supports  our  annual  session’s  scientific 
work. 


432 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Expression  of  the  Council.  Your  Council  on 
Scientific  Assembly  is  deeply  grateful  for  the 
support,  cooperation,  and  assistance  we  have  re- 
ceived in  planning  the  102nd  Annual  Session. 
We  are  especially  aware  of  the  problems  con- 
fronting our  headquarters  hotel  complex  result- 
ing from  the  devastating  experience  of  Hurricane 
Camille.  The  Buena  Vista  organization  has  done 
splendidly  in  restoring  services  and  facilities  to 
fulfill  our  contract,  and  we  will  look  forward  to 
future  annual  sessions  scheduled  for  our  Gulf 
Coast. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  MISCELLANEOUS  BUSINESS 

We  approve  the  Report  of  the  Council  on  Sci- 
entific Assembly  and  commend  Dr.  Simmons  and 
his  colleagues,  the  seven  section  chairmen  and 
secretaries,  who  prepared  for  us  such  an  excel- 
lent scientific  program. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 

REPORT  OF  THE  JUDICIAL  COUNCIL 

Constitutional  Responsibilities.  Your  Judicial 
Council  is  one  of  eight  elected  councils  of  the  as- 
sociation and  one  of  the  three  which  reports  di- 
rectly to  the  House  of  Delegates.  Under  author- 
ities contained  in  Section  4,  Chapter  IX,  of  the 
By-Laws,  the  council  is  charged  with  the  exer- 
cise of  the  judicial  powers  of  the  association  and 
the  interpretation  and  application  of  the  Prin- 
ciples of  Medical  Ethics  of  the  American  Medi- 
cal Association.  The  rulings  of  the  council  are 
subject  to  the  will  of  the  House  of  Delegates,  and 
its  judicial  decisions  may  be  appealed  to  the  Ju- 
dicial Council  of  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion. 

In  the  exercise  of  these  powers  and  discharge 
of  its  responsibilities,  the  council  endeavors  to 
work  with  general  officers,  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
and  component  medical  societies.  At  all  times, 
the  council  endeavors  to  be  responsive  to  the 
needs  and  requests  of  members  of  the  associa- 
tion. 

Medical  Ethics.  At  the  101st  Annual  Session 
in  1969,  your  council  reported  seven  opinions  to 
the  House  of  Delegates  relating  to  telephone  di- 
rectory listings,  compulsory  assessments  upon 
hospital  staff  members,  transplantation  of  human 
tissue,  drugs  and  devices,  treatment  of  obesity 
(condemnation  of  the  so-called  “rainbow  pill” 
regimen),  laboratory  services,  and  use  of  bank 
credit  cards  for  payment  of  physicians’  fees. 
Your  council  reaffirms  these  opinions. 

Two  physicians  who  are  members  of  the  asso- 
ciation asked  the  council  during  the  1969-70  as- 


sociation year  to  examine  into  a circumstance  in 
which  it  was  charged  that  a third  physician,  also 
a member  who  practiced  in  the  same  medical 
community,  occupied  offices  in  a community 
(Hill-Burton)  hospital.  The  council,  acting 
through  the  chairman,  requested  the  component 
medical  society  to  investigate  the  charge  to  de- 
termine if  sufficient  basis  existed  for  formal  ac- 
tion. 

A committee  of  the  component  society,  in- 
cluding the  district  Trustee,  conducted  the  inves- 
tigation and  found  that  the  office  in  question  was 
merely  in  close  proximity  to  the  hospital  with  a 
walkway.  The  society  expressed  the  opinion  that 
no  violation  of  law,  regulations,  or  medical  eth- 
ics had  occurred,  and  the  council  has  considered 
the  matter  closed.  The  Board  of  Trustees  also 
received  a report  in  this  connection  through  the 
Trustee,  also  at  the  request  of  the  council. 

The  council,  acting  on  prior  policies  of  the  as- 
sociation, issues  the  following  opinion: 

Physicians  should  not  maintain  offices  for  the 
conduct  of  their  regular  private  practice  for  care 
of  outpatients  in  community,  county,  nonprofit,  or 
church-affiliated  hospitals.  Exceptions  are  made 
in  the  case  of  those  physicians  whose  practice  of 
medicine  is  usually  conducted  in  the  hospital  en- 
vironment such  as  pathologists  and  radiologists. 
The  proscription  does  not  apply  to  the  private 
proprietary  hospital  or  to  physician-owners  when 
the  medical  staff  approves  the  practice. 

Discipline.  The  council  has  conducted  no  for- 
mal proceedings  as  to  disciplinary  matters  either 
by  original  jurisdiction  or  on  appeal  during  the 
association  year.  We  stand  ready,  however,  to 
respond  to  any  need  where  and  when  necessary. 

AM  A Judicial  Council.  All  opinions  and  de- 
cisions of  the  AM  A Judicial  Council  are  regular- 
ly reviewed,  and  each  member  of  your  council 
maintains  a compendium  of  these  opinions  and 
decisions  which  are  secured  and  distributed 
through  our  association’s  executive  office. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  MISCELLANEOUS  BUSINESS 

Your  reference  committee  considered  the  Re- 
port of  the  Judicial  Council,  noting  especially  the 
opinion  of  the  council  with  reference  to  physicians 
having  offices  in  hospitals.  We  concur  in  this  opin- 
ion and  recommend  adoption  of  the  report. 

Dr.  Tom  H.  Mitchell  of  Vicksburg  moved  to 
amend  the  Report  of  the  Judicial  Council  by  de- 
leting the  period  at  the  end  of  the  first  sentence 
in  the  opinion,  replacing  it  with  a comma,  and 
adding  the  words  “but  this  shall  not  exclude  the 
establishment  of  such  offices  as  may  be  necessary 
for  training  under  the  American  Board  of  Family 

43  3 


AUGUST  1970 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

Practice  or  such  other  residencies  as  may  be  so 
structured.”  The  motion  to  amend  was  seconded 
by  Dr.  S.  S.  Kety  of  Picayune.  The  Speaker  put 
the  motion  to  amend  which  was  adopted,  and  the 
main  motion  of  the  reference  committee  to  adopt 
the  report  was  passed  as  amended. 

REPORT  OF  THE  COUNCIL  ON 
MEDICAL  SERVICE 

Organization  and  Duties.  The  Council  on 
Medical  Service  is  a constitutional  body  of  the 
House  of  Delegates.  It  is  charged  with  the  re- 
sponsibility of  ascertaining  and  studying  all  as- 
pects of  medical  care  in  Mississippi.  Under  the 
council’s  jurisdiction  are  assigned  activities  of  the 
association  in  medical  service,  emergency  ser- 
vice programs,  medical  care  for  the  indigent,  and 
the  work  of  allied  medical  agencies.  The  council 
is  assisted  in  its  work  by  four  constitutional  and 
three  ad  hoc  committees.  Programs,  studies,  and 
activities  of  the  several  committees  embraced  a 
wide  range  of  subject  areas  and  policy  develop- 
ment and  implementation  during  the  1969-70  as- 
sociation year. 

Committee  on  Maternal  and  Child  Care.  The 
committee  continues  to  pursue  its  study  of  ma- 
ternal deaths  in  Mississippi,  and  during  the  year, 
it  marked  a full  decade  of  these  studies.  The  data 
have  been  processed  on  the  association  System/ 
360  computer,  and  selected  papers  from  the 
studies  have  been  published  in  the  Journal.  At 
the  101st  Annual  Session,  the  committee  present- 
ed a scientific  exhibit  on  its  work. 

Of  particular  interest  is  a recent  substudy  of 
anesthesia-related  deaths  in  the  series,  and  this  is 
being  presented  in  the  Scientific  Assembly  at  your 
102nd  Annual  Session.  The  committee  works 
closely  with  the  Department  of  Obstetrics  and 
Gynecology  of  the  University  Medical  Center. 

The  committee  continues  to  make  available 
sets  of  “Maternal  Health  Desk  Cards”  which  are 
distributed  to  hospitals  through  chiefs-of-staff  and 
chiefs  of  ob-gyn  services.  The  committee  con- 
ducts regular  quarterly  meetings  to  pursue  its 
duties  and  review  case  studies.  The  chairman  is 
Dr.  William  B.  Wiener  of  Jackson,  and  the  com- 
mittee has  seven  members  and  three  consultants 
in  medicine,  pathology,  and  anesthesiology. 

Committee  on  Mental  Health.  Continuing  its 
work  in  broad  areas  of  mental  health,  the  com- 
mittee has  been  acutely  aware  of  problems  in 
drug  addiction.  During  the  year,  it  has  conduct- 
ed educational  activities  in  this  connection  and 
made  materials  available  to  physicians  who  have 
addressed  school,  youth,  and  other  nonmedical 
audiences  on  the  subject. 


The  committee  reports  that  seven  of  the  nine 
multi-county  regions  in  Mississippi  now  have 
mental  health  centers  or  are  preparing  to  become 
operational  in  the  near  future.  Centers  are  al- 
ready open  at  Tupelo,  the  first  in  the  state,  and 
at  Oxford.  Units  for  Jackson  and  Greenville  are 
under  construction,  and  plans  are  in  advanced 
stages  for  centers  at  Meridian,  Clarksdale,  and 
Gulfport.  The  program  has  grants  totaling  $3.7 
million. 

The  chairman  is  Dr.  John  J.  Head  of  Whit- 
field, and  the  committee  has  seven  members. 

Committee  on  Occupational  Health.  The  com- 
mittee, charged  with  study  of  all  aspects  of  oc- 
cupational health,  continues  to  pursue  an  inter- 
est of  a suitable  and  adequate  legal  base  for 
Workmen’s  Compensation  in  Mississippi.  The 
1968  amendments  covered  occupational  disease. 
Additional  measures  were  pending  before  the 
1970  Regular  Session  at  the  time  of  preparation 
of  this  report. 

The  committee  continues  to  have  interest  in 
publishing  papers  in  this  area  of  interest  in  the 
Journal. 

The  chairman  is  Dr.  George  D.  Purvis  of  Jack- 
son,  and  the  committee  has  seven  members. 

Committee  on  Blood  and  Blood  Banking.  This 
committee  was  accorded  constitutional  status  by 
the  House  of  Delegates  at  the  101st  Annual  Ses- 
sion in  1969.  It  has  been  active  in  conducting 
Congressional  liaison  in  connection  with  National 
Blood  Donors  Week  and  in  the  issue  of  a com- 
memorative postage  stamp  on  blood  donors  in  a 
cooperative  effort  to  focus  attention  on  this  acute 
need. 

The  committee  has  further  pursued  studies  on 
computer-based  blood  bank  inventory  informa- 
tion systems  and  intends  to  institute,  at  the  ear- 
liest practicable  time,  a pilot  project  making  use 
of  the  association’s  computer.  Modest  financing 
will  be  required,  and  the  possibilities  of  secur- 
ing this  from  participating  medical  institutions 
will  be  explored  prior  to  requesting  support  funds. 
The  committee  has  also  considered  the  possibil- 
ity of  a grant  application  for  a demonstration 
project.  When  and  if  such  a decision  is  reached, 
the  matter  will  be  subject  to  the  usual  approval 
procedures  traditionally  followed. 

The  chairman  is  Dr.  Kenneth  M.  Heard  of 
Jackson,  and  the  committee  has  seven  members. 

Committee  on  Nursing  (ad  hoc).  The  commit- 
tee has  been  intensely  devoted  to  the  major  is- 
sue of  mandatory  licensure  for  nurses  in  Missis- 
sippi during  the  year.  At  the  101st  Annual  Ses- 
sion, the  House  of  Delegates  received  majority 
and  minority  reports  from  the  reference  commit- 
tee considering  this  matter.  Neither  was  approved 


434 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


nor  rejected,  and  the  matter  was  recommitted  to 
your  council  by  the  House  of  Delegates. 

The  association  was  then  confronted  with  a 
difficult  dilemma:  The  1970  Regular  Session  of 
the  Legislature,  before  which  the  issue  of  man- 
datory licensure  for  nurses  was  to  be  brought,  was 
to  convene  the  first  week  of  January  1970,  and 
with  great  interests  in  patient  care  at  stake,  we 
had  urgent  need  for  policy  clarification.  Useful 
debate  at  the  101st  Annual  Session,  valid  opin- 
ion, and  response  from  delegates  were  carefully 
noted  by  the  committee  and  council.  Your  coun- 
cil re-assigned  this  matter  to  the  committee  which 
conducted  meetings  both  with  nurse  organization 
representatives  and  those  of  the  hospital  associa- 
tion. Extensive  deliberation  in  executive  session 
was  carried  out. 

The  committee  reported  to  your  council  which, 
in  turn,  conducted  a special  meeting  for  consid- 
eration of  the  issue.  Taking  note  of  the  fact  that 
nurses  have  mandatory  licensure  in  42  of  the  51 
United  States  jurisdictions  and  the  fact  that  nine 
of  13  health  service  and  health-related  profes- 
sions in  Mississippi  have  mandatory  licensure, 
the  committee  viewed  the  problem  in  the  con- 
text of  discussions  before  our  House  of  Dele- 
gates in  1969.  Two  points  were  primary: 

— Whether  mandatory  licensure  would  serve 
as  an  incentive  for  improvement  in  quality  edu- 
cation toward  the  end  of  better  bedside  nursing. 

— Whether  mandatory  licensure  would  exacer- 
bate the  already-critical  shortage  of  nurses. 

The  committee  and  your  council  were  deeply 
concerned  over  any  threat  to  ( 1 ) medical  as- 
sistants to  physicians  who  might  not  qualify  for 
licensure  and  (2)  those  employed  in  hospitals 
who,  while  not  carrying  responsibilities  of  a 
nurse  in  the  literal  sense,  might  be  brought  un- 
der the  law  and  be  unable  to  qualify. 

Accordingly,  the  following  policy  position  was 
recommended  and  approved  by  the  council: 

(1)  The  association  supports  mandatory  licen- 
sure of  nurses  in  principle,  reserving  the  preroga- 
tive of  making  further  changes  and  improvement 
(in  the  proposal),  including  the  offering  of 
amendments  to  any  bill  introduced,  and  further 
reserving  to  the  Board  of  Trustees  the  prerogative 
of  final  approval  of  any  bill  presented. 

(2)  The  Committee  on  Nursing  be  utilized  in 
consultation  and  testimony  before  the  Legislature 
(within  the  framework  of  policy  established)  be- 
cause of  the  committee’s  familiarity  and  expertise 
in  the  matter. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  considered  the  work  of 
the  committee  and  the  recommendations  of  your 
council  in  December  1969  and  approved  the  pol- 
icy. The  committee  chairman  appeared  as  our 


witness  during  hearings  on  the  bill  in  the  1970 
Regular  Session.  As  this  report  is  submitted,  the 
proposal  is  still  pending,  and  the  association  con- 
tinues to  pursue  its  goals  within  the  policy  frame- 
work established. 

The  chairman  of  the  committee  is  Dr.  Tom  H. 
Mitchell  of  Vicksburg,  and  there  are  five  mem- 
bers. 

Health  Insurance  Benefits  Advisory  Commit- 
tee (ad  hoc).  This  committee  continues  to  serve 
as  the  official  medical  advisory  committee  for  op- 
eration of  Medicare  in  Mississippi  with  official 
status  before  the  Certifying  Unit  for  inpatient  fa- 
cilities, an  activity  of  the  State  Board  of  Health. 

The  committee  conducts  meetings  with  physi- 
cians experiencing  problems  under  the  program, 
the  Part  1-B  carrier,  the  Part  1-A  intermediary,  in- 
termediaries representing  extended  care  facilities, 
the  Bureau  of  Health  Insurance  of  the  Social  Se- 
curity Administration,  representatives  of  HEW, 
and  providers  of  services.  The  committee  is  not 
encouraged  over  these  conferences  as  to  results 
of  its  work  and  recommendations,  despite  its 
sincere  efforts  and  diligence. 

An  advisory  panel  of  knowledgeable  physicians 
was  appointed  to  work  in  utilization  review  as 
regards  hospitals  and  ECF’s,  primarily  with  ref- 
erence to  the  Certifying  Unit,  our  third  ad  hoc 
body. 

The  chairman  of  the  committee  is  Dr.  Mai  S. 
Riddell,  Jr.,  of  Winona,  and  there  are  seven  mem- 
bers. 

Other  Council  Activities.  Some  small  but  en- 
couraging progress  is  being  made  in  placing  prac- 
ticing physicians  as  voting  members  of  hospital 
governing  boards,  despite  opposition  to  this  by 
many  hospitals.  This  useful  and  important  means 
of  liaison  with  the  medical  staff  bears  the  en- 
dorsement of  the  Joint  Commission  on  Accredi- 
tation of  Hospitals,  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation, the  American  College  of  Surgeons  and 
most  major  national  specialty  societies,  our  own 
state  medical  association  and  most  of  our  sister 
state  medical  associations. 

We  continue  educational  efforts  and  programs 
designed  to  upgrade  emergency  medical  ser- 
vice. During  the  year,  the  helicopter  demonstra- 
tion project  has  shown  great  promise,  as  report- 
ed in  the  Journal.  Staffing  of  hospital  emer- 
gency rooms  with  physicians  has  greatly  extend- 
ed these  services,  and  we  endorse  the  various 
approved  postgraduate  and  continuing  education 
programs  for  physicians,  nurses,  and  other  allied 
professional  personnel  in  this  area  as  being  vital  to 
improvement  of  emergency  medical  services. 
There  is  a salutary  trend  in  legislative  develop- 


AUGUST  1970 


435 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

ment  on  standards  for  ambulance  and  driver 
standards. 

We  met  prior  to  the  implementation  of  Title 
XIX  Medicaid  with  state  officials  of  the  Medicaid 
Commission,  and  we  have  carefully  monitored 
program  development.  Oversight  of  program  de- 
velopment remained  a primary  responsibility  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  during  the  year,  because 
of  the  Extraordinary  Session  of  the  Legislature  to 
shape  the  program.  Your  council,  however,  is 
prepared  to  assume  oversight  of  the  ongoing  pro- 
gram when  and  if  the  Board  and  House  of  Dele- 
gates so  direct,  as  was  the  case  in  Medicare. 

The  council  expresses  appreciation  to  its  sev- 
eral committees,  some  of  which  are  among  the 
most  active  bodies  of  the  association,  and  to  our 
colleagues  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  who  have 
worked  closely  with  us,  giving  understanding  sup- 
port and  guidance  to  our  problems  and  programs. 
The  council  emphasizes  to  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates that  its  area  of  responsibility  and  concern, 
the  actual  practice  of  medicine  and  delivery  of 
care,  must  have  support  from  all  members  and 
adequate  staff  in  our  Executive  Office.  We  re- 
pledge our  best  efforts  in  carrying  out  our  work. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  MEDICAL  PRACTICES 

We  commend  the  council  for  its  work  in  our 
behalf  and  for  its  varied  and  versatile  program 
which  includes  the  work  of  four  constitutional 
committees — Mental  Health,  Maternal  and  Child 
Care,  Occupational  Health,  and  Blood  and  Blood 
Banking. 

We  approve  the  Report  of  the  Council  on  Med- 
ical Service  and  recommend  its  adoption. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 

REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

Organization  and  Duties.  The  Board  of  Trust- 
ees is  the  executive  and  governing  body  of  the 
association  during  vacation  of  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates. It  is  additionally  charged  with  the  duties 
and  responsibilities  prescribed  by  law  for  direc- 
tors of  corporations.  In  the  discharge  of  these 
duties,  the  Board  shall  have  conducted  six  meet- 
ings since  the  101st  Annual  Session.  The  Board 
met  in  May,  September  (having  been  forced  to 
cancel  a scheduled  August  meeting  because  of 
Hurricane  Camille),  December,  and  February. 
Meetings  are  scheduled  for  April  and  May.  Al- 
together, these  meetings  included  10  meeting 
days,  usually  exclusive  of  travel  time. 

Seven  officers  sit  with  the  Board  of  Trustees 
in  all  meetings.  They  are  the  president,  presi- 


dent-elect, secretary-treasurer,  speaker,  vice 
speaker,  and  AMA  delegates.  The  Board  is  as- 
sisted in  its  work  by  support  of  the  executive 
staff.  All  1969-70  meetings  were  conducted  at 
our  headquarters  building  at  Jackson. 

This  annual  report  includes  actions  on  matters 
referred  to  the  Board  by  the  House  of  Delegates 
and  those  items  relating  to  management  and  pol- 
icy functions  which  are  among  the  Board’s  re- 
sponsibilities. 

Referrals  from  the  House  of  Delegates.  Mat- 
ters referred  to  the  Board  of  Trustees  by  the 
House  of  Delegates  at  the  101st  Annual  Ses- 
sion and  actions  by  the  House  requiring  Board 
action  include: 

(a)  Blue  Cross  Group.  The  new  hospital  ser- 
vice contract  available  to  the  membership  has 
been  operational  for  a year.  It  provides  for  100 
days  per  confinement  with  a room  allowance  of 
$20  per  day  and  all  ancillary  services.  The  House 
of  Delegates  voted  to  have  the  Board  ask  the 
plan  to  pay  benefits  due  15  subscribers  in  an 
amount  of  about  $16,000  carved  out  under 
Medicare  prior  to  concluding  a nonduplication 
agreement  and  to  refer  the  matter  of  the  non- 
duplication agreement  back  to  the  Board  for  fur- 
ther study. 

The  Board  acted  on  the  mandate  of  the  House 
on  the  payback,  and  the  plan  reports  that  this 
has  been  accomplished.  The  matter  of  the  non- 
duplication agreement  has  become  moot,  since 
the  new  122X  contract  contains  a standard  pro- 
vision on  this. 

(b)  Resolution  No.  2.  This  resolution  asks 
that  the  association  “seek  amendments  to  exist- 
ing law  to  provide  for  more  proper  and  adequate 
professional  compensation”  for  autopsy.  In  ap- 
proving the  resolution,  the  House  asked  “that 
the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  association  work  out 
a suitable  fee  schedule  with  the  executive  com- 
mittee of  the  Mississippi  Association  of  Patholo- 
gists.” At  the  time  of  preparation  of  this  report, 
two  bills  to  accomplish  this  are  pending  before 
the  1970  Regular  Session  of  the  Legislature. 

One  measure  would  increase  the  fee  from  $75 
to  $250.  While  we  sponsor  and  support  the  bill, 
we  have  asked  that  the  amendment  provide  for 
payment  of  the  usual  and  customary  fee  rather 
than  for  a fixed  amount.  Prior  to  the  convening 
of  the  Legislature,  conference  was  conducted 
with  the  secretary  of  the  Mississippi  Association 
of  Pathologists,  and  a formal  letter  in  this  con- 
nection was  written  inviting  recommendations  and 
suggestions. 

(c)  Resolution  No.  3.  This  resolution  ex- 
presses the  belief  of  the  association  that  “to  re- 
place physician-to-physician  consultation  with 


436 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


physician-to-industrial  firm  consultation  (in  the 
matter  of  laboratory  services)  would  be  unwise 
and  not  in  keeping  with  good  medical  practices.” 

The  resolution  also  asked  that  we  communicate 
our  concern  over  advertisements  (for  commercial 
or  industrial  laboratories)  which  appear  in  Jour- 
nal AMA  to  the  AMA  House  of  Delegates.  Drs. 
Nelson  and  Hicks  introduced  an  appropriate  res- 
olution at  the  118th  Annual  Convention  of 
AMA  at  New  York.  There  were  10  similar  reso- 
lutions also  introduced. 

The  AMA  House,  however,  adopted  a sub- 
stitute resolution  and  a report  of  the  Judicial 
Council  which,  although  reaffirming  its  historic 
position  on  the  practice  of  pathology  being  the 
practice  of  medicine  in  every  sense,  took  notice 
of  the  court  decree  in  the  matter  of  United  States 
of  America  v.  American  College  of  Pathologists. 
Under  this  position,  nonmedical  laboratory  ad- 
vertising is  not  barred  from  Journal  AMA. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  invites  the  attention  of 
the  House  of  Delegates  to  the  fact  that  nonmedi- 
cal laboratory  advertising  is  not  accepted  in  our 
Journal  in  the  light  of  action  at  our  1969  an- 
nual session. 

(d)  Resolution  No.  4.  This  resolution  asks 
that  the  Mississippi  Medical  Political  Action 
Committee  prepare  educational  material  concern- 
ing the  coronership  and  supply  physician-candi- 
dates suitable  material,  coordination,  and  exper- 
tise and  that  MPAC  study  the  counties  of  the 
state,  encouraging  physicians  to  seek  this  office. 

The  Board  conferred  with  the  chairman  of 
MPAC  and  found  that  funds  of  the  organization 
are  extremely  restricted.  Moreover,  these  are  the 
only  funds  which  may  lawfully  be  used  in  can- 
didate support.  The  PAC  is  not  a formal  orga- 
nization in  the  sense  of  being  able  to  sustain  ser- 
vice programs  and  studies.  The  Board,  therefore, 
offered  the  best  resources  available  in  accom- 
plishing this  purpose,  the  pages  of  our  Journal, 
and  asked  the  sponsor  of  the  resolution  to  sub- 
mit materials  for  publication  in  furtherance  of 
the  objectives  which  he  sought  in  the  resolution. 

(e)  Resolution  No.  6.  For  the  first  time,  in 
1969  the  House  of  Delegates  approved  the  con- 
cept of  professional  corporations  for  physicians. 
This  resolution  called  for  our  sponsoring  an 
amendment  to  Mississippi  law  in  this  connection. 
An  association-sponsored  bill  was  introduced 
early  in  the  Regular  Session,  and  we  testified 
three  times  in  its  support  before  the  House  Com- 
mittee on  the  Judiciary.  The  measure  passed  the 
House  of  Representatives  without  a dissenting 
vote  and  is  pending  before  the  Senate  Judiciary 
Committee  “A”  at  the  time  of  preparation  of 
this  report. 


Nominations  to  State  Board  of  Health.  Follow- 
ing up  on  House  actions  in  1969,  nominations 
were  made  to  the  Governor  for  appointment  of 
three  members  of  the  Mississippi  State  Board  of 
Health.  These  are: 

For  Public  Health  District  2:  Drs.  G.  Lacey 
Biles,  Sumner;  Julian  C.  Bramlett,  Oxford;  and 
John  R.  Lovelace,  Batesville. 

For  Public  Health  District  4:  Drs.  S.  Lamar 
Bailey,  Kosciusko;  Thomas  N.  Braddock,  West 
Point;  and  Lester  D.  Webb,  Calhoun  City. 

For  Public  Health  District  5:  Drs.  Lamar  Ar- 
rington, Meridian;  John  R.  Laird,  Union;  and 
Omar  Simmons,  Newton. 

CHAMPUS.  The  association  is  in  its  14th 
year  as  fiscal  administrator  for  the  Civilian 
Health  and  Medical  Program  of  the  Uniformed 
Services  (CHAMPUS),  the  original  military  Med- 
icare. With  amendments  to  the  law  providing  out- 
patient benefits  and  inclusion  of  retirees,  the  pro- 
gram has  grown  fourfold  into  a multimillion  dol- 
lar operation.  It  remains  unique  in  these  re- 
spects: 

— It  is  the  only  medical  care  program  in  Mis- 
sissippi operated  exclusively  under  physician  con- 
trol. 

— It  is  the  only  medical  care  plan  with  a vir- 
tually unrestricted  prescription  drug  program. 

— It  is  unique  in  possessing  a true  usual  and 
customary  fee  reimbursement  system  under  med- 
ical peer  control. 

A five-member  review  committee  meets  12  to 
15  times  annually  on  claims  in  question,  and  we 
are  paying  about  94  out  of  every  100  claims  ex- 
actly as  received.  Our  reorganized  Department 
of  Medical  Care  Plans  in  our  offices  makes  pay- 
ment weekly  to  physicians  and  others  providing 
services. 

Journal  MSMA.  Our  Journal  completed 
its  first  decade  of  service  to  the  association  with 
publication  of  the  120th  consecutive  monthly  is- 
sue in  December  1969.  This  largest  single  asso- 
ciation-sponsored project  is  a team  effort  among 
the  Editors,  Committee  on  Publications,  our 
printers,  and  executive  staff.  The  Board  ex- 
presses appreciation  to  the  Editors  and  commit- 
tee for  their  faithful  and  diligent  services  and 
pledges  continued  support  to  this  vital  member- 
ship service. 

Legal  Matter.  At  the  101st  Annual  Session,  it 
was  reported  that  the  association  and  the  Execu- 
tive Secretary  had  been  named  defendants  in  the 
matter  styled  /.  P.  Culpepper,  Jr.,  v.  American 
Medical  Association.  Also  named  as  defendants 
were  the  South  Mississippi  Medical  Society  and 
two  officers.  AMA  dues  in  transit  through  the 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  in  the 


AUGUST  1970 


437 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

amount  of  about  $31,000  were  attached  by  the 
plaintiff. 

On  June  9,  the  Executive  Secretary  answered 
subpoenas  for  the  association  and  himself  in  the 
company  of  our  legal  counsel  in  Chancery  Court 
for  Forrest  County,  when  a continuance  was  or- 
dered. 

On  July  8,  the  Chancellor,  having  accepted  a 
compromise  which  was  also  accepted  by  the  plain- 
tiff, dismissed  the  suit  with  full  prejudice  as  Cause 
No.  26509  on  motion  by  plaintiff.  AMA  dues 
funds  in  the  hands  of  the  “garnishee  defendant,” 
as  the  association  was  identified,  were  thereby 
released.  Because  of  the  nature  of  the  court  or- 
der, the  matter  is  closed. 

Insurance  Programs.  In  addition  to  the  Blue 
Cross  hospital  group,  the  association  also  spon- 
sors general  accident,  disability,  health,  and  life 
programs  with  the  Continental  Casualty  Co. 
through  Thomas  Yates  and  Co.  of  Jackson,  ad- 
ministrators, and  a professional  liability  program 
through  the  St.  Paul  Companies. 

(a)  Continental  Programs.  The  group  life  pro- 
gram, one  of  the  most  recently  initiated,  has  been 
successful  to  the  point  that  benefits  have  been 
increased  by  20  per  cent  without  change  in  pre- 
mium. Where  a member  carries  the  previous 
maximum  of  $40,000,  he  now  has  $48,000  for 
the  same  premium.  We  have  recently  inaugurat- 
ed a group  ordinary  life  program  which  requires 
no  medical  examination. 

Participation  continues  to  be  excellent  in  the 
disability  income  programs,  catastrophic  hospital 
expense  program,  and  office  overhead  expense 
group.  Approximately  40  per  cent  of  the  mem- 
bership carry  some  1,200  contracts  in  these  pro- 
grams. The  administrator  makes  a full  disclosure 
reporting  to  the  Board  of  Trustees  on  all  aspects 
of  these  programs.  The  association  does  not  han- 
dle any  premiums  or  benefit  payments,  nor  does 
it  realize  any  income  from  any  insurance  pro- 
gram. We  take  the  position  that  any  profits  which 
might  thereby  accrue  should  be  passed  along  to 
participating  members  in  the  form  of  lower  pre- 
miums, increased  benefits,  or  both. 

(b)  St.  Paul  Program.  The  association  is  in  its 
9th  year  with  the  St.  Paul  professional  liability 
program  in  which  about  600  members  partici- 
pate. We  have  enjoyed  the  lowest  professional 
liability  premium  rate  in  the  United  States  as  a 
result  of  our  carefully  managed  program  and 
claims  review  counseling  by  the  Board. 

The  professional  liability  crisis  has  become 
acute  in  many  states  with  astronomical  premiums 

438 


ranging  up  to  as  much  as  $20,000  per  year  for 
certain  specialties.  The  Board  urges  that  care  and 
diligence  in  the  securing  of  this  coverage  be  ex- 
ercised and  that  threatened  or  instituted  litiga- 
tion be  brought  before  the  Board  by  any  mem- 
ber concerned.  The  frequency  of  suits  has  in- 
creased as  have  awards  and  settlements  in  Mis- 
sissippi. 

Appointments.  Under  the  provisions  of  Sec- 
tion 1,  Chapter  VII,  of  the  By-Laws,  the  ap- 
pointive powers  are  vested  in  the  President.  Dur- 
ing the  1969-70  association  year,  President 
Royals  has  made  the  following  appointments, 
each  of  which  has  the  endorsement  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees: 

(a)  Alternate  Delegate  to  AMA.  Following 
the  death  of  Dr.  B.  B.  O’Mara  of  Biloxi,  his  un- 
expired term  as  Alternate  Delegate  to  AMA  was 
filled  by  Dr.  Joseph  B.  Rogers  of  Oxford,  AMA 
Alternate  Delegate-elect. 

(b)  RMP  Representative.  President  Royals, 
upon  assuming  office,  resigned  as  the  association’s 
member  of  the  Regional  Medical  Program  Ad- 
visory Council.  He  appointed  as  his  successor 
Dr.  C.  D.  Taylor,  Jr.,  of  Pass  Christian,  our  im- 
mediate past  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

(c)  Committee  on  Publications.  This  commit- 
tee consists  of  the  three  Editors  and  three  who 
are  appointed  for  terms  of  three  years  each  by 
the  Board  of  Trustess.  To  serve  the  unexpired 
term  of  the  late  Dr.  B.  B.  O’Mara,  President 
Royals  appointed  Dr.  Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr.,  of 
McComb. 

(d)  Delta-HEW  Project.  This  program  for  a 
five-county  area,  since  identified  as  the  County 
Health  Improvement  Program  (CHIP),  is  op- 
erated by  a Committee  of  Nine  consisting  of  rep- 
resentatives of  the  state  medical  association,  the 
State  Board  of  Health,  the  University  Medical 
Center,  the  Mississippi  Medical  and  Surgical  As- 
sociation, and  consumer  representatives.  Dr. 
Temple  Ainsworth  of  Jackson,  who  represented 
the  association  on  the  committee  for  two  years, 
resigned,  and  President  Royals  appointed  Dr. 
Lyne  S.  Gamble  of  Greenville  as  successor. 

(e)  Hospital  Manpower  Study.  The  Mississippi 
Hospital  Association  received  an  RMP  grant 
with  which  to  fund  a manpower  study.  Dr.  War- 
ren N.  Bell  of  Jackson  was  named  to  represent 
the  association  as  a member  of  the  advisory  body 
to  the  project. 

(f)  Section  on  Preventive  Medicine.  When 
Dr.  Frank  K.  Tatum  of  Tupelo  retired  from  the 
practice  of  preventive  medicine,  he  also  resigned 
as  secretary  of  the  Section  on  Preventive  Medi- 
cine of  the  Scientific  Assembly.  President  Royals, 
after  consultation  with  the  section  chairman,  ap- 

JOURNAL  MSMA 


pointed  Dr.  Frank  M.  Wiygul,  Jr.,  to  serve  the 
unexpired  term  as  secretary  of  the  section. 

(g)  Medicaid  Committee.  Upon  invitation  by 
the  Mississippi  Medicaid  Commission,  President 
Royals  appointed  a five-member  Technical  Ad- 
visory Committee  on  Physicians  Services.  Mem- 
bers are  Drs.  Joe  S.  Covington  of  Meridian  (in- 
ternal medicine) , James  D.  Hardy  of  Jackson  (gen- 
eral and  thoracic  surgery),  William  J.  Carr,  Jr., 
of  Gulfport  (pediatrics),  J.  Leighton  Pettis  of 
Tupelo  (ophthalmology),  and  Tom  H.  Mitchell  of 
Vicksburg  (general  practice).  The  committee 
elected  Dr.  Covington  chairman,  and  he  serves 
as  the  association’s  representative  on  the  com- 
mission’s Advisory  Council. 

Organization  of  the  Board.  One  new  Trustee, 
Dr.  James  T.  Thompson  of  Moss  Point,  District  9, 
was  welcomed  to  the  Board  during  1969-70, 
bringing  to  a total  six  new  Trustees  named  to 
the  Board  since  1967.  Dr.  Thompson  succeeded 
Dr.  C.  D.  Taylor,  Jr.,  of  Pass  Christian  who  re- 
tired after  13  years  service,  the  last  of  which  he 
served  as  chairman. 

Officers  of  the  Board  during  1969-70  are  Drs. 
Mai  S.  Riddell,  Jr.,  of  Winona,  chairman;  J.  T. 
Davis  of  Corinth,  vice  chairman;  and  William  O. 
Barnett  of  Jackson,  secretary. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  REPORTS  OF  OFFICERS  AND 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

In  its  annual  report  to  the  House  of  Delegates, 
the  Board  of  Trustees  has  furnished  information 
* on  matters  relating  to  routine  management  of  the 
association’s  affairs  and  matters  referred  to  it  by 
the  House  of  Delegates  at  the  1969  Annual  Ses- 
sion. A reading  of  the  report  demonstrates  the 
massive  tasks  which  were  carried  out  by  the 
Board  of  Trustees.  We  approve  the  report  and  ex- 
press our  appreciation  to  the  Board  and  general 
officers  for  their  continued  exercise  of  leadership. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 

SUPPLEMENTAL  REPORT  “A”  OF 
THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

Scheduling  of  Annual  Sessions.  The  Constitu- 
tion of  the  association  provides  for  the  annual 
session,  and  under  the  By-Laws,  it  must  be  con- 
ducted prior  to  the  annual  convention  of  AMA. 
Section  2,  Article  V,  of  the  Constitution  states 
that  “the  time  and  place  for  holding  the  annual 
session  shall  be  fixed  by  the  House  of  Delegates, 
but  in  emergencies,  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall 
have  the  power  to  fix  or  change  either  the  time 
or  the  place  or  both.  . . .” 

Since  1966,  three  major  policy  changes  on 
scheduling  the  annual  session  have  been  made 


by  the  House  of  Delegates.  Until  1966,  the  an- 
nual session  was  scheduled  on  a year-to-year 
basis,  and  by  custom  and  tradition,  it  was  ro- 
tated between  Jackson  and  Biloxi.  Actually,  these 
have  long  been  the  only  two  cities  in  the  state 
with  adequate  facilities.  Because  of  scheduling 
difficulties  on  the  year-to-year  basis,  the  House 
approved  a four-year  advance  schedule,  and  the 
association  contracted  on  an  alternating  basis  for 
Jackson  and  Biloxi  1967-1970. 

Site  of  Annual  Session.  As  convention  facilities 
in  Jackson  became  less  satisfactory  and  as  the  an- 
nual session  grew  in  size  and  scope,  it  was  noted 
that  attendance  on  the  Coast  was  increasing.  At 
the  same  time.  Coast  hotel  facilities  were  im- 
proving as  major  hotels  in  Jackson  were  closed. 

At  the  99th  Annual  Session  in  1967,  the 
House  agreed  that  the  1968  meeting  would  be 
conducted  at  Jackson  to  fulfill  then-existing  con- 
tracts but  that  annual  session  thereafter  would  be 
conducted  on  the  Gulf  Coast  “until  such  time  as 
more  adequate  and  suitable  convention  facilities 
are  made  available  at  Jackson.”  There  is  no  im- 
mediate prospect  of  improvement  at  Jackson,  be- 
cause the  300-room  supermotel  now  under  con- 
struction is  incapable  of  accommodating  the  meet- 
ing. 

Resolution  No.  9.  By  tradition,  the  annual  ses- 
sion has  been  convened  during  the  second  full 
week  in  May,  thereby  conflicting  with  Mother’s 
Day  and  with  municipal  elections  during  years 
held.  Resolution  No.  9 resolves  “that  the  Board 
of  Trustees  is  empowered  to  alter  the  date  of 
the  annual  session  so  as  to  avoid  these  conflicts 
and  to  make  such  changes  as  are  necessary  and 
possible  in  contracts  with  the  headquarters  hotel 
to  accomplish  this  purpose.” 

In  implementing  the  resolution,  the  Board  was 
unable  to  alter  the  1970  contract  because  of  exist- 
ing commitments  by  the  hotel.  We  have,  how- 
ever, been  able  to  make  necessary  changes  for 
1971  through  1973: 


Annual  Session 


Dates 


102nd 

103rd 

104th 

105th 


May  11-14,  1970 
May  3-  6,  1971 
May  8-11,  1972 
Apr.  30-May  3,  1973 


To  maintain  our  four-year  advance  schedule, 
the  Board  of  Trustees  recommends  that  the  106th 
Annual  Session  be  conducted  May  6-9,  1974,  at 
Biloxi. 


REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  REPORTS  OF  OFFICERS  AND 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

In  response  to  Resolution  No.  9 adopted  at  the 


AUGUST  1970 


439 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

1969  Annual  Session,  the  Board  of  Trustees  have 
authorized  renegotiation  of  our  contracts  with  the 
Buena  Vista  for  the  103rd,  104th,  and  105th  An- 
nual Sessions  in  1971,  1972,  and  1973,  respec- 
tively, so  as  to  avoid  conflict  with  Mother’s  Day 
and  with  municipal  elections. 

The  Board  also  proposes  that  the  dates  of  the 
106th  Annual  Session  be  fixed  for  May  6-9, 
1974,  and  asks  for  authority  to  conclude  the  nec- 
essary contracts. 

We  approve  the  rescheduling  of  the  Annual 
Sessions  in  response  to  Resolution  No.  9 and  the 
proposed  meeting  dates  for  1974. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 

SUPPLEMENTAL  REPORT  “B”  OF 
THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

Himler  Report.  In  November  1965,  the  AM  A 
House  of  Delegates  authorized  and  approved  a 
planning  and  development  project  through  the 
Board  of  Trustees  who  appointed  an  ad  hoc 
committee  for  this  purpose.  The  committee  re- 
ported that  AMA  planning: 

— Could  be  made  more  effective. 

— That  it  should  not  be  separated  from  man- 
agement. 

— That  its  process  should  be  tailored  to  fit 
AMA’s  unique  situation. 

— Should  be  a commitment  of  leadership. 

— Efforts  should  be  to  enlighten  problems  for 
solution. 

Recognition  should  be  given  to  the  fact  that 
the  AMA  structure  presents  severe  limitations. 

A Committee  on  Planning  and  Development 
was  appointed  in  1968,  chaired  by  Dr.  George 
Himler  of  New  York.  The  report,  a lengthy 
document,  was  presented  to  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates at  Denver  in  1969,  and  a minority  report 
from  Dr.  John  H.  Budd  of  Ohio,  a member  of 
the  committee,  accompanied  the  majority  report. 

The  Himler  Report  is  a searching  and  thought- 
ful examination  of  medical  care  in  the  United 
States,  its  manner  of  delivery,  financing,  gov- 
ernmental influence,  medical  facilities,  man- 
power problems,  allied  professions,  and  the  phy- 
sician himself.  It  further  touches  on  medical  or- 
ganization, health  care  consumers,  and  a host  of 
related  areas. 

The  report  contains  18  groups  of  recommenda- 
tions totaling  57  in  number.  The  minority  report 
contains  19  recommendations,  each  a modifica- 
tion or  refutation  of  a corresponding  recommen- 
dation in  the  majority  report.  As  such,  the  mi- 


nority report  cannot  stand  alone  as  a substitute 
for  the  majority  report. 

As  should  be  expected  of  any  major  study  of 
this  scope,  challenge,  depth,  and  candor  dealing 
with  critical  and  painfully  difficult  problems,  the 
Himler  Report  has  evoked  controversy.  As  often 
as  not,  opposition  has  been  based  on  single  state- 
ments or  groups  of  statements  judged  alone.  Some 
appear  to  object  to  the  entire  document  as  to  con- 
tent, but  many  of  the  recommendations  flow 
from  existing  AMA  policy. 

No  attempt  was  made  by  the  AMA  House  of 
Delegates  to  act  with  finality  on  the  report  at 
Denver,  and  indeed,  they  could  not.  The  House 
voted  to  name  a committee  to  receive  the  re- 
port, to  study  its  content,  and  to  refer  it  to  the 
governing  bodies  of  constituent  state  medical  as- 
sociations. 

In  the  latter  connection,  the  AMA  House  stat- 
ed that  it  can  better  act  on  the  recommendations 
“with  the  benefit  of  individual  resolutions  to  be 
submitted  by  the  component  and  constituent  state 
associations  or  societies.”  Your  Board  of  Trustees 
has  reviewed  the  Himler  Report  and  the  minor- 
ity report  together  with  an  analysis  by  our  AMA 
Delegates,  Drs.  Nelson  and  Hicks.  They  request 
instructions  on  the  wishes  of  the  association,  rec- 
ognizing the  magnitude  of  their  tasks  at  the  Chi- 
cago annual  convention  of  AMA  in  June. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  recognizes  the  impor- 
tance of  this  report  and  the  difficulties  implicit  in 
dealing  with  its  recommendations.  The  Board 
voted  unanimously  to  transmit  the  report  to  our 
House  of  Delegates  and  to  publish  it  to  the  mem- 
bership prior  to  our  102nd  Annual  Session,  to- 
gether with  the  minority  report.  The  full  text  is 
appended  to  this  supplemental  report,  and  the 
Board  hopes  sincerely  that  every  member  of  the 
association  will  study  it  carefully  and  make  his 
wishes  known. 

President  Royals  has  agreed  to  write  every 
member  of  the  association  and  to  invite  attention 
to  this  transmittal,  asking  for  informed  opinion 
and  debate. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  encourages  compo- 
nent medical  societies  to  generate  resolutions  and 
policy  positions  on  the  majority  and  minority  re- 
ports herewith  transmitted.  We  ask  that  indi- 
vidual members  of  the  association  appear  at  the 
reference  committee  hearing  on  this  report  and 
discuss  their  views.  We  ask  these  things  toward 
the  end  of  enabling  our  AMA  Delegates  to  rep- 
resent faithfully,  accurately,  and  forcefully  the 
thinking  of  the  association  on  this  vital  matter. 

In  making  this  transmittal,  the  Board  also  re- 
cords the  fact  that  it  has  conducted  careful  and 
extensive  deliberations  over  the  majority  and  mi- 


440 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


nority  reports.  Many  points  made  have  been  con- 
curred in,  and  many  have  not.  Our  present  ob- 
jective is  to  seek  the  widest  possible  participa- 
tion in  our  decisions  by  the  membership  in  an  ef- 
fective effort  to  advance  the  best  thinking  of  our 
association  as  a contribution  to  the  delivery  of 
medical  service  in  the  United  States. 

REPORT  OF  THE  AMA  COMMITTEE 
ON  PLANNING  AND  DEVELOPMENT 

The  Report  of  the  AMA  Committee  on  Plan- 
ning and  Development  (Himler  Report)  and  the 
minority  report  (Budd  Report)  were  published  in 
full  text  both  in  Volume  XI,  Number  4,  Journal 
of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Associa- 
tion, April  1970,  and  in  the  Handbook  of  the 
House  of  Delegates,  pages  18-55. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  REPORTS  OF  OFFICERS  AND 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

The  committee  agrees  that  the  Himler  Report 
cannot  be  approved  or  rejected  in  its  entirety. 
The  committee  notes  that  many  parts  of  the  re- 
port involve  established  policies  of  the  AMA,  and 
we  recommend  approval  of  these  parts.  Many 
other  parts  involve  study  and  gathering  of  infor- 
mation, and  we  recommend  approval  of  these 
parts.  The  time  available  does  not  permit  consid- 
eration and  recommendation  relating  to  each  of 
its  separate  parts. 

Your  reference  committee  recommends  that  a 
separate  study  committee  be  appointed  to  study 
the  report  in  detail  and  to  disseminate  information 
to  the  members  of  the  Association  through  meet- 
ings of  the  component  societies  and  the  various 
hospital  staffs.  This  committee  would,  in  effect,  be 
a task  force  with  the  responsibility  of  providing 
as  much  knowledge  of  the  report  as  possible  to 
each  member  of  the  association  in  order  that  de- 
cisions of  the  association  may  be  truly  representa- 
tive of  the  consensus  of  the  entire  membership. 

Your  Reference  Committee  associates  itself  in 
the  recommendations  of  our  President  and  Board 
of  Trustees  in  requesting  every  member  of  the 
association  to  study  this  report  carefully  and  in- 
form himself  of  its  contents  because  of  the  po- 
tential impact  it  could  exert  on  the  practice  of 
medicine  and  the  delivery  of  health  care  in  the 
United  States. 

Your  Reference  Committee  further  recom- 
mends that  the  task  force  report  to  the  House  of 
Delegates  at  the  103rd  Annual  Session  in  1971 
with  the  object  of  arriving  at  a final  policy  dispo- 
sition on  the  Himler  Report. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 


SUPPLEMENTAL  REPORT  “C”  OF 
THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

Authorization  of  Building  Project.  The  propos- 
al for  a needed  addition  to  the  Central  Office 
Headquarters  building,  as  developed  and  recom- 
mended by  the  Board  of  Trustees,  was  approved 
by  the  House  of  Delegates  in  1967  and  reaffirmed 
in  1968.  Final  planning  and  development  of  the 
project,  including  financing  arrangements,  also 
approved  by  the  House  of  Delegates,  were  com- 
pleted in  late  1968  and  early  1969,  and  the 
Board  invited  bids  on  April  17,  1969.  This  was 
reported  to  the  House  of  Delegates  at  the  101st 
Annual  Session  and  was  approved. 

The  architect  for  the  project  is  William  R.  Bob 
Henry,  A. I. A.,  of  Jackson.  The  Board  of  Trustees 
named  the  Executive  Committee  as  the  Building 
Committee  to  supervise  and  oversee  all  details  in 
construction  and  finance. 

Under  authorities  granted  by  the  Board,  the 
president  signed  the  construction  contracts  and 
usual  agreements. 

Award  of  Contract.  The  Executive  Committee 
received  sealed  bids  on  May  20,  1969,  and  the 
award  was  made  to  the  lowest  and  best  bidder, 
the  Priester  Construction  Co.  of  Jackson.  The  ar- 
chitect’s estimate  was  within  1 per  cent  of  the 
successful  bid.  Basic  bids  ranged  from  a high  of 
$114,900  to  the  successful  bid  of  $100,700.  Con- 
tingent amounts  totaled  less  than  $5,000,  also  as 
estimated  accurately  by  the  architect.  Ground  was 
broken  in  early  June,  and  the  project  was  com- 
pleted in  February  1970. 

Construction  and  Reporting.  The  addition  is 
framed  with  structural  steel  with  reenforced  con- 
crete substructure  and  flooring.  The  exterior  ma- 
sonry matches  the  original  building,  and  the  qual- 
ity of  the  addition  equals  or  exceeds  that  which 
was  constructed  in  1955-56. 

The  Building  Committee  monitored  the  project 
closely  and  reported  to  the  Board  of  Trustees  at 
each  meeting  during  the  course  of  construction. 
Monthly  reports  were  made  to  the  membership 
through  illustrated  news  articles  in  the  Journal. 
The  original  building  was  repainted,  and  carpets 
which  were  14  years  old  were  replaced. 

Financing.  As  previously  approved  by  the 
House  of  Delegates,  the  addition  was  financed 
with  a bank  loan  below  the  prime  interest  rate 
and  certain  conservations  made  for  the  addition. 
The  entire  project,  to  include  construction,  pro- 
fessional services,  site  improvement  with  a vastly 
expanded  parking  area,  equipping  and  decorating 
totaled  $129,523.95  of  which  $89,000  was  fi- 
nanced with  the  bank  loan  and  $40,523.95  from 

(Turn  to  page  458) 


AUGUST  1970 


441 


Hi 


The  President  Speaking 

‘Our  Medical  Democracy’ 

PAUL  B.  BRUMBY,  M.D. 
Lexington,  Mississippi 

To  attend  a convention  of  the  American  Medical  Association 
is  the  treat  of  a professional  lifetime,  and  to  be  present  as  a state 
association  officer,  able  to  observe  at  close  range  the  decision- 
making process  in  the  House  of  Delegates  confirms  the  fact  that 
medical  organization  is  democratic  and  fair. 

At  Chicago  in  June,  I was  impressed  that  an  overriding  desire 
to  do  what  was  best  for  the  health  and  welfare  of  the  nation  was 
implicit  in  all  the  varied  and  spirited  debate  before  the  reference 
committees.  It  was  also  clearly  apparent  that  the  survival  of  the 
private  physician  in  this  environment  was  a matter  of  equal  con- 
cern. 

Many  problems  were  resolved  at  the  annual  convention,  but 
many  were  sent  back  to  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  the  various 
councils  for  further  definitive  study  and  work.  A program  for  na- 
tional professional  liability  coverage  has  been  developed,  and  it 
may  prove  to  be  of  great  value  in  the  future. 

National  health  insurance  under  many  differing  schemes  was 
thoroughly  discussed  and  while  our  own  Medicredit  approach  was 
looked  on  with  favor,  other  approaches  had  much  political  back- 
ing. The  most  innovative  approach  to  health  care  was  a forma- 
tion of  closed  panel  corporations  consisting  of  medical  society- 
sponsored  foundation  corporations  at  the  state  level  with  lesser 
corporations  consisting  of  any  or  all  members  of  the  local  society. 
These  groups  would  furnish  complete  medical  care  on  a con- 
tractual basis.  The  actual  mechanism  of  care  and  payment  for 
services  would  be  a problem  of  local  component  organizations.  ; 
This  approach  is  being  used  on  the  Monterey  peninsula  and  ful- 
fills the  closed  panel  concept  favored  by  HEW.  There  was  a 
definite  feeling  that  present  Medicaid  and  Medicare  programs 
would  be  consolidated  into  one  grand  centralized  program. 

A more  standard  method  of  reporting  infant  and  maternal 
deaths  was  demanded,  both  on  a national  and  an  international 
scale.  Our  present  method  of  comparing  American  apples  with 
foreign  oranges  is  giving  our  detractors  that  famous  cry  that  we 
are  the  15th  among  nations  in  infant  mortality. 

The  final  decision  about  abortion  was  the  masterpiece  of  the 
meeting.  Certainly  we  can  all  go  along  with  the  decision  that 
abortion  is  a medical  decision  and  procedure  and  should  be  per- 
formed only  in  an  accredited  hospital  in  conformance  with  the 
standards  of  good  medical  practice  after  consultation  with  two 
other  physicians  chosen  for  their  medical  competence.  No  doctor 
would  perform  an  abortion  if  it  violates  his  own  moral  principles. 

The  worry  about  the  Himler  report  was  abated.  This  report 
was  broken  down  into  approximately  20  individual  issues  and 
sent  to  the  various  reference  committees  which  were  concerned 
with  its  context.  From  these  committees,  it  was  sent  back  to  the 
Board  of  Trustees  for  further  consideration.  Not  once  was  that 
phrase  with  which  we  are  so  familiar — “Without  regard  to  race, 
creed,  or  ethnic  origin” — appended  to  any  resolution  adopted. 
Democracy  in  American  medicine  does  work.  *** 


442 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


r 

' JOURNAL  OF  THE 

MISSISSIPPI  STATE 
MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

VOLUME  XI,  NUMBER  8 
AUGUST  1970 


Decision  on  Abortion: 
The  Next  90  Days 


I 

rHE  eye  of  the  abortion  storm  may  have 
massed,  but  the  backside  of  this  medical,  social, 
md  moral  hurricane  is  whipping  up  a furor  which 
s not  likely  to  subside  quietly.  Take  note  of  the 
ast-breaking  succession  of  events  in  the  past  60 
lays: 

— The  AMA  House  of  Delegates  turned 
:humbs  down  on  a proposed  physician-patient- 
3nly  abortion  decision  policy,  adopting  instead  a 
vatered-down  position  which  can  be  called  only 
a little  more  liberal  than  the  1967  action. 

— The  6,000-member  National  Federation  of 
Catholic  Doctors  Guilds,  bitterly  opposed  to  the 
noderated  AMA  stand,  threatened  mass  resigna- 
tion from  organized  medicine. 

— New  York’s  “on  demand”  abortion  law  with 
no  residence  requirement  became  effective,  and 
Empire  State  hospitals  were  swamped  with  pa- 
tient-applicants. 

— Blue  Cross  ruled  that  every  member  plan 
must  provide  abortion  coverage  to  national  ac- 
:ount  subscribers — single  women  included — not 
just  as  a possible  optional  benefit  but  as  a hard 
:ondition  of  the  local  plan’s  keeping  its  name, 
symbol,  and  membership  in  the  Blue  Cross  As- 
sociation. 


— Every  state  medical  association  meeting  in 
annual  session  during  the  two  months  period  lib- 
eralized its  views  on  abortion  to  some  extent 
with  Oregon  and  South  Carolina  joining  the  “on 
demand”  side  of  the  explosive  issue. 

Top  all  this  off  with  the  frosting  on  the  cake 
when  the  United  States  Supreme  Court  rules  on 
the  constitutionality  of  state  abortion  statutes  this 
fall.  It  now  appears  that  the  euphemism  of  the 
century  is  the  view  that  1970  is  a year  of  tran- 
sition on  professional  and  public  attitudes  on 
abortion. 

II 

At  the  Chicago  annual  convention,  the  issue  of 
abortion  was  hardly  a sleeper,  but  the  delegates 
came  to  debate  with  four  pounds  of  Himler  Re- 
port and  to  get  themselves  picketed  by  the  hippies 
and  yippies.  Instead,  an  acrimonious  debate  ma- 
terialized when  a proposal  hit  the  floor  to  leave 
decisions  on  abortion  strictly  between  the  patient 
and  her  physician.  From  the  first,  it  was  apparent 
that  the  delegates  were  determined  to  stop  short 
of  putting  American  medicine  in  the  “on  demand” 
column. 

The  compromise  action  simply  permits  the  pro- 
cedure for  socio-economic  reasons  where  state 


AUGUST  1970 


443 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

law  sanctions  it  but  the  operation  may  be  per- 
formed only  in  an  accredited  hospital  after  con- 
sultation with  two  consenting  physicians.  The  ref- 
erence committee  said  that  this  position  permits 
the  procedure  by  a physician  “for  any  reason 
that  he  determines  is  in  the  best  medical  interest 
of  the  patient.” 

Spokesmen  for  the  Catholic  physicians  said 
that  the  policy  made  M.D.’s  “paid  executioners.” 
The  federation  president.  Dr.  Gino  Patola,  re- 
signed his  AMA  membership  on  the  spot  and 
called  for  like  action  by  his  6,000  colleagues.  It 
is  estimated  that  as  many  as  35,000  AMA  mem- 
bers are  Roman  Catholic. 

Some  AMA  leaders  are  disenchanted  with  the 
decision.  Dr.  Wesley  W.  Hall  of  Reno,  Nev., 
winner  of  the  four-way  race  for  president-elect, 
said  that  he  “couldn’t  live  with  the  policy”  on  a 
permanent  basis.  He  looks  for  further  moderation 
by  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  House  of  Delegates. 

Ill 

“The  patients  came  out  of  the  woodwork  on 
July  1,”  winced  a New  York  medical  society  ex- 
ecutive, commenting  on  the  state’s  new  law  which 
has  no  residence  requirement.  Within  48  hours, 
many  hospitals  had  waiting  lists  numbering  in  the 
hundreds,  and  some  administrators  were  frankly 
concerned  about  overutilization  of  inpatient  fa- 
cilities to  the  detriment  of  usual  care  delivery. 

But  two  safety  valves  on  the  law  may  prevent 
a runaway  situation  in  New  York:  Guidelines  is- 
sued by  public  health  authorities  are  introducing 
aspects  of  restraint,  and  the  procedure  may  be 
performed  on  an  outpatient  basis  when  certain 
strict  medical  minimum  conditions  are  met. 

The  Medical  Society  of  the  State  of  New  York 
has  issued  guides  to  its  27,000  members,  and  these 
parallel  closely  those  of  the  public  health  de- 
partment. But  the  state  medical  society  guides  as- 
sume critical  importance  in  that  they  may  be- 
come the  practice  standard  for  judging  malprac- 
tice cases.  The  state  statute  permits  abortion  up 
to  the  24th  week  of  gestation,  but  both  the  state 
society  and  public  health  department  advise  the 
procedure  by  or  before  the  12th  week.  Some  hos- 
pitals, also  empowered  to  adopted  guides  with 
medical  staff  approval,  are  limiting  abortion  to 
the  12th  week. 

Initially,  outpatient  abortions  could  be  per- 
formed in  a clinic  “near  a hospital”  with  addi- 
tional requirements  of  a standby  anesthesiologist 
and  blood  bank  facilities.  The  Department  of 


Health  has  receded  from  this  strict  posture 
permit  the  Planned  Parenthood  clinics  to  offer  tl 
procedure  when  qualified  physicians  are  in  a 
tendance. 

The  operation  may  be  offered  to  any  worm 
17  years  of  age  or  older,  married  or  single,  wii 
or  without  parental  consent,  and  in  selected  case 
to  younger  patients.  Most  hospitals  are  limitir 
admissions  to  bona  fide  residents  of  the  stat 
and  many  are  taking  only  residents  of  the  city  ( 
county  in  which  the  institution  is  located.  Ne 
York  Blue  Cross  had  provided  prepayment  ben< 
fits  for  the  service. 

Charges  for  the  procedure  vary  widely.  TI 
Associated  Press  reported  hospital  charges  ran; 
ing  from  $105  for  one  day  in  New  York  City 
1 8 municipal  hospitals  to  as  much  as  $350.  Phys 
dans’  fees  were  reported  to  range  from  the  hig 
side  of  that  for  D and  C to  the  $250  range.  TI 
state  society’s  guides  hold  that  after  20  week 
the  procedure  cannot  be  classified  as  an  abortic 
but  rather  as  the  actual  birth  process.  The  a< 
companying  warning  to  complete  registratior 
and  charts  underscore  medicine’s  concern  f( 
medicolegal  sequelae. 

IV 

At  Biloxi  last  May,  the  state  medical  associ: 
tion’s  House  of  Delegates  approved  abortion  f( 


444 


JOURNAL  MSM 


tj  therapeutic  indications,  fetal  considerations,  and 
th  when  the  pregnancy  results  from  rape  or  incest, 
af  The  law  presently  provides  for  termination  of 
pregnancy  when  the  life  of  the  mother  is  threat- 
's ened  or  when  the  pregnancy  results  from  rape. 

I[l  Despite  the  furor  which  the  issue  has  raised 
nationally,  only  a minority  of  states  have  changed 
ln!  abortion  laws.  Since  1967,  a fourth  of  the  states 
k — 13  to  be  exact — had  modified  statutes.  Ten 

0 states  have  enacted  amendments  which  coincide 
e|  with  the  Mississippi  policy  position.  Three  states, 
le  Alaska,  Hawaii,  and  New  York,  have  “on  de- 
mand” laws,  but  the  extracontinental  jurisdictions 

hi  have  stern  residence  requirements. 

Two  state  supreme  courts  have  reviewed  abor- 
H tion  statutes,  California  and  Massachusetts  (“Abor- 
S1!  tion  and  the  Law:  Anachronisms  Racing  Science,” 
£ J.M.S.M.A.  XI: 335  (June)  1970).  The  Cali- 
“l  fornia  tribunal  swept  aside  its  ancient  law,  but  the 
s staid  New  England  court  upheld  the  prohibitive 
}|  statute.  A federal  district  court  ruled  the  Dis- 
c trict  of  Columbia  law  unconstitutional  in  U.  S.  v. 

1 

n Vuitch,  and  the  United  States  Supreme  Court  has 
°f  accepted  the  appeal.  This  is  the  pivotal  and  prob- 
ably decisive  case  in  which  a ruling  is  expected 
this  fall. 

The  indicators  seem  to  show  high  pressure 
from  society  for  a modification  of  outdated  abor- 
tion laws.  The  AMA  action  cannot  be  con- 
strued literally  as  opposed  to  the  popular  trend, 
because  half  of  the  delegates  are  from  states 
where  neither  policy  nor  law  has  been  changed. 
If  anything,  the  AMA  moved  cautiously  with  a 
wait-and-see  attitude.  The  rancor  of  the  debate 
really  represented  another  aspect  of  the  contro- 
versy, not  necessarily  the  central  medical  issue. 

The  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  is 
preparing  to  go  to  the  197 1 Regular  Session  of  the 
Legislature  and  seek  amendments  to  the  abortion 
law  in  accordance  with  the  action  of  the  House 
of  Delegates.  These  will  include  therapeutic  abor- 
tion where  the  health  of  the  mother  is  threat- 
ened, where  there  is  a probability  that  the  infant 
would  be  born  deformed,  or  when  the  pregnancy 
results  from  incest.  The  provision  now  in  the  law 
t permitting  the  procedure  when  pregnancy  results 
from  rape  should  be  clarified  to  include  forcible 
and  statutory  rape. 

Key  developments  to  watch,  in  the  meanwhile, 
are  the  stability  of  the  AMA  policy,  the  New 
York  experience,  further  direction  of  the  Blue 
plans  and  the  health  insurance  industry,  and  the 
U.  S.  Supreme  Court  where  just  five  men  can 
make  the  entire  issue  rhetorical  in  the  next  90 
days. — R.B.K. 


Is  the  Muse 
Usually  Boozed? 

This  observation  may  cost  the  Journal  some 
good  papers,  since  it  attaches  an  unpleasant  stig- 
ma to  the  craft  of  writing.  Dr.  Donald  W.  Good- 
win of  St.  Louis,  professor  of  psychiatry  at  Wash- 
ington University  School  of  Medicine,  believes 
that  writers,  as  a group,  have  a tendency  to  be 
alcoholics. 

“Whether  as  Hemingway  said,  most  good 
writers  are  alcoholics  is  uncertain,  but  apparent- 
ly a large  number  are,”  he  says. 

“Of  the  seven  Americans  who  were  awarded 
the  Nobel  prize  for  literature,  four,  according  to 
their  biographers,  were  alcoholics,  and  the  fifth 
drank  heavily.” 

Dr.  Goodwin  reports  that  of  the  well-known 
American  writers  of  the  past  century  “quite  pos- 
sibly one-third  to  one-half  could  be  considered  al- 
coholic.” He  lists  five  principal  reasons  for  his 
premise: 

— Writing  is  a form  of  exhibitionism,  and  al- 
cohol lowers  inhibitions  and  can  bring  out  ex- 
hibitionism. 

— Writing  requires  an  interest  in  people,  and 
alcohol  increases  sociability  and  makes  people  in- 
teresting. 

— Writing  requires  self-confidence,  and  alco- 
hol bolsters  it. 

— Writing  is  lonely  work,  and  alcohol  as- 
suages loneliness. 

— Writing  requires  intense  concentration,  and 
alcohol  relaxes. 

Dr.  Goodwin  goes  on  to  contend  that  careful 
writing  consists  of  an  endless  chain  of  small  de- 
cisions, choosing  the  best  work,  excluding  this, 
including  that,  and  the  good  writer,  while  work- 
ing, is  an  obsessional.  He  argues  that  restricting 
obsessions  to  the  8-to-5  workday  is  difficult,  as 
the  wheels  of  the  mind  keep  turning.  He  reports 
that  writers  are  notorious  sufferers  of  insomnia,  so 
they  turn  to  the  cup  that  cheers  for  emancipation 
from  the  tyranny  of  mind  and  memory. 

In  defense  of  the  origin  of  the  printed  word, 
let  it  be  noted  that  virtually  every  art  form  ful- 
fills Dr.  Goodwin’s  criteria  for  the  writer  boozing 
it  up.  So  do  many  forms  of  work  in  this  world  of 
technology.  Let  us  take  whatever  comfort  there 
may  be  in  the  view  of  medicine  that  alcoholism 
is  a disease,  albeit  within  the  realm  of  possibility 
that  honest,  hard  work  could  exacerbate  it. 

Please  have  no  fears  in  submitting  manuscripts 
to  the  Journal:  The  Editors  have  yet  to  give 
one  the  sniff  test. — R.B.K. 


AUGUST  1970 


445 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

The  Durability  of  the 
Hill-Burton  Act 

President  Nixon  suffered  his  first  drubbing  on  a 
veto  after  a year  and  a half  in  office  when  the 
Congress  overrode  his  disapproval  of  the  1970 
amendments  to  the  Hill-Burton  Act.  A strange 
alliance  of  Southern  conservatives  joined  forces 
with  Northern  liberals  to  carry  the  day  against 
the  President. 

The  $1.26  billion  program  carried  certain 
strings  which  the  White  House  couldn’t  swallow. 
It  continues  the  formula  of  grants  for  hospital 
construction  first  begun  in  1948  as  well  as  $1.5 
billion  in  federal  loan  guarantees  with  the  gov- 
ernment obligated  to  pay  up  to  3 per  cent  of  in- 
terest charged. 

The  President  had  asked  Congress  to  dis- 
continue the  grants  and  to  substitute  instead  a sys- 
tem of  loans  for  hospital  construction  and  mod- 
ernization. The  Senate  ignored  the  plea,  passing 
a generous  measure  which  was  trimmed  in  con- 
ference with  the  House  of  Representatives.  More- 
over, the  provisions  require  the  administration 
to  spend  the  entire  appropriation  within  the  fiscal 
year. 

The  latter  provision  added  insult  to  injury  in 
incurring  the  Presidential  wrath.  The  White  House 
said  that  a program  is  pointless  if  the  executive 
department  has  no  discretion  to  exercise  over  it. 
Capitol  Hill  observers  say  that  the  spend-all 
clause  was  put  into  the  bill  after  the  administra- 
tion dragged  its  feet  on  spending  other  health 
appropriations. 

Southerners  voted  to  override  the  President, 
because  the  1970  amendments  provide  extra  help 
for  low-income  states.  The  Northerners  want  fed- 
eral money  under  whatever  condition  it  is  avail- 
able. The  combination  was  unbeatable  for  the 
party  stalwarts  who  lost  badly  in  their  effort  to 
sustain  the  veto. 

A veto  and  subsequent  override  on  an  ap- 
propriations measure  involving  only  slightly  more 
than  one-half  of  1 per  cent  of  the  budget  is  nor- 
mally not  big  news.  But  a clear  pattern  emerges 
in  the  attitude  of  the  states  toward  preserving  an 
institution  which  has  been  accepted  with  near- 
universal  acclaim,  the  Hill-Burton  formula  for 
hospital  construction  financing.  It  will  probably 
remain  on  the  health  care  scene  for  decades  to 
come. — R.B.K. 


Muscle  Busters  Are 
Not  Dum-dums! 

Physical  fitness  has  been  receiving  the  empha- 
sis long  its  due  with  just  about  everybody  getting 
into  the  act.  We  have  the  President’s  Council  on 
Physical  Fitness  which  has  been  able  to  attract 
such  stellar  personalities  as  Stan  Musial  as  chair- 
man. But  the  skilled  individuals  who  devote  their 
careers  to  physical  fitness,  those  with  degrees  in 
physical  education,  are  generally  regarded  as  oc- 
cupying a low  rung  on  the  academic  ladder. 

Theodore  W.  Landphair,  writing  in  The  Na- 
tional Observer , notes  that  “in  most  places,  physi- 
cal education  ranks  with  typing  and  remedial 
English  in  esteem  and  professorial  pecking  or- 
der.” He  says  that  when  a football  player  is  in- 
troduced as  an  engineering  major,  the  reaction  is 
that  “he’s  bright  for  an  athlete,”  but  when  the 
same  player  is  identified  as  a PE  major,  he’s 
just  another  dum-dum. 

Landphair  writes  that  at  State  University  Col- 
lege at  Brockport,  N.  Y.,  there  is  a new  look  for 
physical  education.  The  department  threatens  the 
philosophers  and  scientific  eggheads  as  it  seeks  a 
new  image  for  the  physical  education  major  and 
professor. 

Brockport  will  henceforth  refer  to  its  PE  de- 
partment as  that  of  “sport  science,”  relating  more 
to  cultural  phenomenon  than  to  sweaty  athletes 


“/  have  good  news  for  yon — but  first,  would  you 
mind  drinking  this?” 


446 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


straining  against  the  weights.  In  fact,  the  school’s 
new  working  definition  of  sport  is  “the  act  of 
vying  physio-cognitive  behavior  against  an  ob- 
stacle in  a competitively  structured,  institution- 
alized situation.-' 

Brockport  officials  say  that  the  new  look  for 
physical  education  is  long  overdue,  because  the 
nation,  during  the  autumn  months,  bets  $135  mil- 
lion a week  on  football,  and  respected  newspapers 
devote  five  or  six  pages  daily  to  sports. 

Whatever  the  case  at  Brockport,  we  use  the 
amusing  story  to  underscore  the  merit  in  physical 
fitness  and  to  record  esteem  for  those  who  teach 
and  coach.  Called  by  any  name,  the  work  of 
building  sound  bodies  is  a worthy  and  meritori- 
ous calling. — R.B.K. 

The  Bittersweet 
Issue  of  Cyclamates 

The  Food  and  Drug  Administration’s  decision 
on  cyclamates  is  getting  another  roasting  from 
Congress,  this  time  for  permitting  further  use  of 
the  substances  in  dietary  foods.  Rep.  L.  H.  Foun- 
tain (D.,  N.  C.),  chairman  of  the  House  Gov- 
ernment Operations  Subcommittee,  has  blasted 
HEW  Secretary  Elliott  Richardson’s  department 
for  inconsistency  and  possible  illegal  action. 

Rep.  Fountain  charges  that  cyclamates,  ordered 
off  the  mass  market  because  evidence  showed 
they  produced  bladder  cancer  in  laboratory  ani- 
mals, are  now  being  treated  as  a drug  by  FDA  in 
issuing  permission  to  use  them  in  dietary  foods. 
Yet,  Fountain  said,  there  has  been  no  testing  and 
investigation  required  for  a new  drug. 

He  said  that  the  food  sales  would  be  uncon- 
trolled and  could  result  in  widespread  use  of  a 
dangerous  substance.  His  argument  centers  around 
the  order  issued  by  former  HEW  Secretary  Rob- 
ert Finch  under  the  Delany  Amendment  which 
prohibits  any  supplement  which  can  be  shown  to 
produce  cancer  in  animals  or  man. 

The  ruckus  is  only  the  tip  of  the  iceberg,  be- 
cause cyclamate  makers,  hard  hit  by  the  order, 
are  working  quietly  behind  the  legislative  scenes 
on  government  subsidies  to  recoup  part  of  the 
losses  when  the  $100  million  industry  was  vir- 
tually wiped  out.  Many  feel  that  the  dietary  food 
provision  is  part  of  the  ploy. 

The  entire  matter  has  been  clouded  by  sur- 
prise moves,  sudden  bureau  decisions,  and  un- 
expected reactions  from  Congress  and  executive 
departments.  In  the  meanwhile,  an  estimated  3 
million  patients  need  foods  with  non-nutritive 


sweeteners  as  essential  adjuncts  to  preventive  ther- 
apy. Let’s  have  a quick  end  to  the  politicians’ 
handling  of  this  matter  and  get  it  into  the  hands 
of  the  scientists. — R.B.K. 


CIRCUIT  COURSES 

University  of  Mississippi  Medical  Center  Circuit 
Courses  will  resume  in  the  fall  for  the  13th  con- 
secutive year.  Supported  by  a grant  from  E.  R. 
Squibb  and  Sons,  the  postgraduate  hometown 
refresher  series  is  presented  by  the  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  the  Mississippi 
Academy  of  General  Practice  and  the  Mississippi 
State  Medical  Association.  Circuit  Courses  on  the 
1970-71  roster  will  return  to  last  season’s  eight 
host  cities. 

FUTURE  CALENDAR 
November  4,  1970 

Pulmonary  Seminar  (Tentative  Date) 
December  1 1 , 1970 

Gynecologic  and  Obstetrical  Infec- 
tions Seminar 

Dr.  Lampton  Named 
RMP  Director 

Dr.  T.  D.  Lampton  has  been  named  director 
of  the  Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Program  head- 
quartered at  the  University  of  Mississippi  Medi- 
al Center  in  Jackson. 

Former  assistant  MRMP  coordinator,  Dr. 
Lampton  is  a graduate  of  Millsaps  College  and 
the  University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine, 
where  he  is  a medicine  assistant  professor.  He 
took  his  internship  at  the  University  of  Texas 
Branch  Hospital  in  Galveston  and  his  internal 
medicine  residency  at  the  University  of  Missis- 
sippi Medical  Center. 

In  1968,  Dr.  Lampton  joined  the  Medical  Cen- 
ter staff  as  an  instructor  in  medicine  and  MRMP 
categorical  coordinator  for  stroke  and  heart  dis- 
ease. As  director,  he  assumes  a newly-created 
post,  with  Dr.  Guy  D.  Campbell  serving  as  Mis- 
sissippi Regional  Medical  Program  coordinator. 


AUGUST  1970 


447 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 


Lewis,  Fredric  Austin,  Jackson.  Bom  Fayette- 
ville, Ark.,  November  30,  1939;  M.D.  Tulane 
University  School  of  Medicine,  New  Orleans,  La., 
1965;  interned  Charlotte  Memorial  Hospital, 
Charlotte,  N.  C.,  one  year;  pathology  residency, 
same,  five  months;  radiology  residency,  same, 
Jan.  1967-Oct.  1969;  elected  May  5,  1970,  by 
Central  Medical  Society. 


Dean,  Sara  Ruth,  Canton.  M.D.,  University  of 
Virginia  School  of  Medicine,  1922;  interned  Uni- 
versity of  Virginia  Hospital,  one  year;  residency, 
New  England  Hospital  for  Women  and  Children, 
Boston,  Mass.,  1923-1924;  residency.  Children’s 
Hospital,  Denver,  Colo.,  1926-1928;  died  Feb.  24, 
1970,  age  71. 


John  K.  Abide  of  Cleveland  announces  the  mov- 
ing of  his  offices  to  801  First  Street.  Dr.  Abide 
was  formerly  located  on  Commerce  Street. 

James  W.  Allison  has  associated  with  the  Vicks- 
burg Clinic  in  the  department  of  general  practice. 

A.  V.  Beacham  of  Magnolia  has  been  appointed 
by  Gov.  John  Bell  Williams  to  serve  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi Commission  of  Hospital  Care.  Dr.  Beach- 
am is  a former  director  of  the  Alcoholic  Beverage 
Control  division. 

Hugh  L.  Boyd  announces  the  opening  of  his 
office  for  general  practice  at  1200  Washington 
Avenue,  Ocean  Springs. 

Louis  Jennings  Owens  has  associated  with  his 
father-in-law,  Charles  E.  Catchings  of  Wood- 
ville,  in  the  practice  of  medicine  at  the  Catchings 
Clinic. 


Douglas  L.  Conner  of  Starkville  is  a member 
of  the  newly-formed  committee  of  Mississippi 
business  and  professional  leaders,  whose  purpose 
is  to  assist  the  state  in  moving  peacefully  into 
further  school  desegregation. 

Marion  E.  Cockrell,  Jr.,  of  Laurel  has  quali- 
fied as  a diplomat  of  the  American  Board  of  Ob- 
stetrics and  Gynecology  and  is  now  a fellow  of 
the  American  College  of  Obstetrics  and  Gynecol- 
ogy. 

Harris  Vann  Craig  of  Natchez  was  speaker  at  a 
special  Mississippi  Heart  Association-sponsored 
meeting  for  physicians  from  Natchez  and  adjoin- 
ing areas.  His  topic  was  techniques  of  cardio- 
pulmonary resuscitation. 

William  N.  Crowson  of  Clarksdale  has  ac- 
cepted the  post  of  assistant  chief  of  surgery  at  the 
Veterans’  Administration  Hospital  in  Memphis, 
effective  Aug.  1 . Dr.  Crowson  will  also  become 
assistant  professor  of  surgery  at  the  University  of 
Tennessee  School  of  Medicine  in  Memphis. 

Robert  Donald  of  Pascagoula  is  that  city’s  Jaycee 
of  the  Year.  Dr.  Donald  was  recognized  at  the 
special  awards  banquet  for  founding  the  Jaycee 
International  Medical  Supplies  Project. 

Leonard  W.  Fabian  of  Jackson  and  UMC  was 
visiting  professor  at  Montefiore  Hospital  in  New 
York  City  recently. 

Elmo  P.  Gabbert,  formerly  of  Fayette,  an- 
nounces his  association  with  J.  W.  Hollings- 
worth of  Meadville  for  the  general  practice  of 
medicine. 

Ephraim  S.  Garrett,  Jr.,  of  Biloxi  has  received 
a “second  diploma”  in  honor  of  the  50th  anni- 
versary of  his  graduation  from  Tulane  Univer- 
sity. Dr.  Garrett  attended  the  University’s  1970 
graduation  when  diplomas  were  presented  to  the 
1920  graduates. 

Armin  F.  Haerer  of  Jackson  and  UMC  partic- 
ipated in  a workshop  sponsored  by  NIH  on 
anticonvulsant  levels.  The  conference  was  held 
in  Warrington,  Va. 

Jim  G.  Hendrick  of  Jackson  has  been  appointed 
a member  of  the  Committee  on  Public  Informa- 
tion of  the  American  Academy  of  Pediatrics.  The 
seven-member  committee  was  named  by  the  AAP 
Executive  Board  as  a permanent  arm  of  the 
Academy. 

George  Henneberger  announces  the  opening  of 
his  office  for  the  practice  of  obstetrics  and  gyne- 
cology at  the  Women’s  Clinic  at  1618  Ingalls 
Avenue  in  Pascagoula. 


448 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Leroy  Howell  of  Starkville  has  been  notified  of 
his  passing  the  examination  and  other  qualifica- 
tions to  become  a diplomate  of  the  American 
Board  of  Family  Practice. 

Ben  B.  Johnson  of  Jackson  and  UMC  partici- 
pated in  the  Mississippi  Kidney  Foundation 
program  for  the  joint  meeting  of  the  Clarksdale 
Lions,  Rotary.  Exchange,  and  Civitan  Clubs. 

Andy  E.  Kirk  of  Starkville  announces  the  re- 
location of  his  office  at  209  South  Lafayette. 

Herbert  G.  Langford  of  Jackson  and  UMC  met 
with  the  American  Heart  Association  risk  factor 
screening  committee  in  Minneapolis  recently. 

Harold  G.  Magee  of  Yazoo  City  was  presented 
a Mississippi  Jaycee  Governor  award  by  the  Ya- 
zoo County  Jaycees  at  their  installation  banquet. 
The  award  is  a recognition  of  outstanding  con- 
tributions to  and  achievement  in  the  Jaycee  or- 
ganization. 

John  A.  Murfee,  Jr.,  announces  the  opening 
of  his  office  for  diseases  of  the  ear,  nose  and 
throat  and  plastic  surgery  of  the  head  and  neck 
at  Medical  Arts  Building,  221  Seventh  Street 
North,  Columbus. 

Shanti  Pandey  has  opened  offices  for  the  prac- 
tice of  general  medicine  and  specializing  in  ob- 
stetrics and  gynecology  at  the  corner  of  Harrison 
and  Magnolia  Streets  in  Fayette.  He  is  associated 
with  Enrique  Flechas. 

Ben  B.  Rader,  Jr.  has  associated  with  William 
E.  Lotterhos,  Hardy  Woodbridge,  and  Ben- 
jamin F.  Banahan,  Jr.  in  the  practice  of  family 
medicine  at  the  Family  Medical  Center,  4660  Mc- 
Willie  Drive,  in  Jackson. 

E.  P.  Robbins  of  Brookhaven  announces  the  re- 
moval of  his  office  from  the  Medical  Building,  222 
South  Church  Street,  to  136  East  Chippewa  Street. 

Virginia  Tolbert  of  Ruleville  gained  a seat  on 
the  Ruleville  Board  of  Aldermen  in  a runaway 
victory  over  three  other  contenders  recently  in  a 
special  municipal  election. 

James  C.  Totten,  Jr.  of  Pascagoula  presented  a 
program  on  air  and  water  pollution  in  Jackson 
County  to  his  medical  society  at  its  quarterly 
meeting.  The  Singing  River  Medical  Society  has 
now  undertaken  a study  of  pollution  within  Jack- 
son  County. 

James  C.  Waites  of  Laurel  has  been  elected  to 
the  board  of  directors  of  Laurel  Federal  Savings 
and  Loan  Association. 


Noel  C.  Womack,  Jr.,  of  Jackson  has  been  ap- 
pointed chairman  of  the  Task  Force  Committee 
on  Health  by  William  E.  Lotterhos  of  Jackson, 
chairman  of  the  Governor’s  Committee  on  Chil- 
dren and  Youth. 

MSU  Announces 
Seminar  in  Hypnosis 

A new  graduate  course.  Seminar  in  Hypnosis, 
has  been  introduced  at  Mississippi  State  Univer- 
sity. The  three  semester  hour  course  will  be 
taught  by  Department  of  Educational  Psychol- 
ogy associate  professor.  Dr.  J.  M.  Woolington. 

The  course  is  designed  to  acquaint  the  student 
with  the  theoretical  and  applied  aspects  of  hyp- 
nosis, stressing  appropriate  experimental  and  clin- 
ical techniques.  Lectures  will  cover  the  major  di- 
visions: introduction  to  hypnosis,  history,  theo- 
ries, suggestibility,  phenomena,  stages  (depths) 
of  hypnosis,  psychodynamics  of  hypnotic  induc- 
tion, techniques  and  applications. 

Registration  will  be  open  only  to  ( 1 ) advanced 
graduate  students  majoring  in  psychology  or  edu- 
cational psychology,  (2)  students  who  are  enrolled 
in  medical  or  dental  school,  and  (3)  physicians, 
dentists,  and  psychologists  who  are  currently  em- 
ployed but  wish  to  increase  their  knowledge  and 
proficiency  in  this  area.  Medical  interns  and  resi- 
dents are  also  eligible. 

Seminars  will  be  offered  periodically  accord- 
ing to  demand.  Initially,  the  course  will  be 
taught  on  campus  one  night  per  week,  two  and 
one-half  hours  per  night,  for  fifteen  weeks.  The 
Division  of  General  Extension  is  making  future 
arrangements  for  offering  the  course  anywhere 
in  the  state  where  need  arises. 

A minimum  of  between  five  and  ten  persons 
will  be  needed  to  materialize  a class  in  a par- 
ticular area.  Estimated  cost  is  about  $200.00  per 
person.  Depending  on  the  needs  of  the  local  in- 
dividuals involved,  the  class  could  be  conduct- 
ed one  or  more  nights  weekly  or  on  weekends  to 
get  in  a total  of  3 7 Vi  hours  of  instruction. 

Dr.  Woolington  has  had  15  years  of  experi- 
ence in  this  field  and  is  qualified  as  an  “expert 
witness”  to  give  testimony  in  court  in  the  field  of 
hypnosis.  He  is  a licensed  psychologist  and  holds 
membership  in  the  Mississippi,  Southeastern  and 
American  Psychological  Associations,  American 
Orthopsychiatric  Association,  American  Society  of 
Clinical  Hypnosis,  and  Society  for  Clinical  and 
Experimental  Hypnosis.  He  is  a Diplomate  in  Ex- 
perimental Hypnosis  (American  Board  of  Exam- 
iners in  Psychological  Hypnosis). 


AUGUST  1970 


449 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

UMC  Ups 
Faculty  to  182 

The  University  of  Mississippi  Medical  Center 
has  added  23  faculty  members  since  January, 
1970,  upping  the  total  of  full-time  medical  and 
nursing  faculty  to  182. 

Two  new  professors  have  joined  the  School  of 
Medicine,  Dr.  James  R.  Dawson,  Jr.,  pathology, 
and  Dr.  Joe  Robert  Norman,  medicine. 

Dr.  Norman,  who  is  Christmas  Seal  professor  of 
pulmonary  diseases  and  associate  professor  of 
physiology  and  biophysics,  holds  a B.S.  degree 
from  Howard  College  and  an  M.D.  degree  from 
the  Medical  College  of  Alabama.  He  did  both  his 
internship  and  residency  at  the  Medical  College  of 
Alabama,  where  he  was  appointed  instructor  in 
medicine,  advancing  to  associate  professor. 

Prior  to  his  Mississippi  appointment,  Dr.  Daw- 
son had  been  chairman  of  the  pathology  depart- 
ment at  the  University  of  Minnesota  School  of 
Medicine  since  1949.  He  earned  B.A.  and  M.D. 
degrees  from  Vanderbilt  University,  where  he  also 
took  his  internship  and  residency.  He  is  a former 
faculty  member  of  Cornell  University  and  Van- 
derbilt University  Schools  of  Medicine. 

School  of  Medicine  additions  at  the  assistant 
professor  level  include  Dr.  Ernst  Schmidt,  phar- 
macology; Dr.  Jesse  G.  Mullen,  anesthesiology; 
Dr.  Thomas  Sajwaj,  psychiatry;  Dr.  Joseph  Lin- 
coln Arceneaux,  microbiology;  Dr.  James  M. 
Goodman,  surgery  (surgical  illustrations)  and  de- 
partment art  director;  Dr.  H.  Davis  Dear,  med- 
icine, and  Dr.  Harris  J.  Granger,  physiology  and 
biophysics. 

Instructor  appointments  in  the  medical  school 
are  Dr.  Harvey  N.  Chapin,  psychiatry;  Dr.  Rob- 
ert J.  Hamernik,  anesthesiology;  Malcolm  Donald 
May,  medicine  (inhalation  therapy);  Ojus  Mal- 
phurs,  Jr.,  surgery  (otolaryngology);  Dr.  Ronald 
Gordon  Benson,  obstetrics  and  gynecology;  Dr. 
Ancel  C.  Tipton,  Jr.,  medicine  (neurology);  Hays 
Williams,  anatomy,  and  Dr.  Lynda  Lee,  pre- 
ventive medicine  (medical  genetics)  and  pediat- 
rics. Miss  Mary  Joan  Rouke  is  a new  associate 
in  obstetrics  and  gynecology  in  connection  with 
the  nurse  midwifery  program. 

New  School  of  Nursing  faculty  are  associate 
professor  Mrs.  Themetris  Emma  J.  Highsmith,  as- 
sistant professors  Mrs.  Ethel  R.  MacArthur  and 
Mrs.  Helene  A.  Willingham  and  instructors  Mrs. 
Barbara  Kay  Cater  and  Mrs.  Landa  Gayle  Strum. 


Family  Planning 
Serves  Four  Counties 

The  State  Board  of  Health’s  Family  Planning 
Project  is  currently  serving  over  1800  patients  in 
Hinds,  Madison,  Rankin  and  Warren  counties,  ac- 
cording to  Dr.  H.  B.  Cottrell,  executive  officer, 
State  Board  of  Health. 

An  average  of  21  clinics  are  held  each  month, 
and  an  average  of  18  patients  are  seen  at  each 
clinic,  according  to  Dr.  W.  E.  Riecken,  Jr.,  di- 
rector of  the  project. 

The  project  staff  now  consists  of  Dr.  Riecken, 
a supervising  nurse,  three  clerks  and  two  health 
aides,  working  at  a location  on  Woodrow  Wilson 
Avenue. 

This  staff  supplements  the  personnel  of  the 
various  county  health  departments,  and  medical 
services  also  are  provided  by  OB-GYN  resi- 
dents at  the  University  of  Mississippi  Medical 
Center. 

The  staff  also  maintains  a central  register  of 
family  planning  for  Hinds  County  in  cooperation 
with  the  Community  Services  Association  (OEO) 
project  in  Hinds  County. 

A report  by  Dr.  Riecken  summarizing  the  ac- 
tivities of  the  program  during  its  first  ten  months 
of  existence  (it  began  July  1,  1969)  shows  207 
clinics  held  and  a total  of  2217  visits  by  the 
1822  patients. 

The  report  also  shows  that  46  per  cent  of  the 
women  using  the  service  expressed  a preference 
for  oral  contraceptives,  while  44  per  cent  chose 
intrauterine  devices.  Six  per  cent  chose  creams 
or  foams,  and  three  per  cent  chose  use  of  a 
diaphragm,  while  one  per  cent  chose  various 
other  means  of  contraception. 

Occupational  Health 
Congress  Slated 

The  30th  Annual  AMA  Congress  on  Occupa- 
tional Health  is  set  for  Sept.  30-Oct.  1,  1970,  in 
Los  Angeles. 

Sponsored  by  the  AMA  Council  on  Occupa- 
tional Health,  the  Congress  will  convene  at  the 
Century  Plaza  Hotel.  The  Congress  program  is 
acceptable  for  12 Vi  elective  hours  by  the  Ameri- 
can Academy  of  General  Practice. 

The  annual  Physician’s  Award  of  the  Presi- 
dent’s Committee  on  Employment  of  the  Handi- 
capped will  be  presented  during  the  Congress 
program  at  noon,  Oct.  1. 

There  is  no  registration  fee,  and  all  interested 
persons  are  invited  to  attend. 


450 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Format  Announced  for  103rd  Annual 
Session;  Exhibits,  Essays  Are  Invited 


The  Council  on  Scientific  Assembly  has  an- 
nounced the  schedule  of  section  meetings  for  the 
103rd  Annual  Session  and  invited  papers  and 
exhibits  from  the  membership.  The  1971  con- 
clave is  set  for  Biloxi 
May  3-6,  1971. 

Dr.  Raymond  S. 
Martin,  Jr.,  of  Jack- 
son,  chairman  of  the 
15-member  council, 
said  that  the  seven 
sections  of  the  Scien- 
tific Assembly  will 
meet  on  three  of  the 
four  convention  days 
with  Monday  re- 
served for  the  House 
of  Delegates  and  ref- 
erence committees. 

“By  issuing  this 
early  invitation,”  Dr.  Martin  said,  “we  hope  to 
encourage  the  membership  to  participate  actively 
by  presenting  papers  and  scientific  exhibits.” 

The  council’s  announcement  said  that  members 
interested  in  presenting  papers  should  send  ab- 
stracts to  appropriate  section  officers  at  the  earli- 
est date.  The  sections  will  choose  in-state  or  mem- 
ber essayists  by  or  before  the  end  of  the  year, 
Dr.  Martin  said. 

Expressing  satisfaction  that  the  1970  scientific 
exhibit  was  the  largest  in  annual  session  history, 
i the  council  acted  to  add  to  participation  incen- 
tives. The  cash  purse  or  honorarium  for  the  best 
scientific  exhibit  by  a member  or  members  of 
the  association  will  be  continued.  Dr.  Martin  said. 
In  addition,  there  will  be  two  honorable  mention 
awards,  and  every  author  in  the  scientific  ex- 
hibit will  be  presented  with  a certificate  of  par- 
ticipation. 

The  council  will  continue  to  separate  scientific 
exhibits  as  to  those  presented  by  association  mem- 
bers and  out-of-state  guests.  Out-of-state  exhibits 
are  not  eligible  for  the  honorarium  but  do  com- 


pete for  the  Scientific  Achievement  Award,  a 
bronze  medallion. 

The  announcement  said  that  Monday,  May  3, 
will  be  devoted  to  the  opening  meeting  of  the 
House  of  Delegates  at  which  Dr.  Walter  C.  Borne- 
meier  of  Chicago,  president  of  the  American 
Medical  Association,  will  speak.  Reference  com- 
mittee meetings  and  hearings  on  resolutions  and 
reports  are  slated  for  the  afternoon  segment  of 
the  first  day. 

The  Scientific  Assembly  and  all  exhibits  open 
Tuesday  morning,  May  4,  with  the  general  session 
on  obstetrics  and  gynecology  set  for  9:00  o’clock. 
Surgery  meets  at  2:00  o’clock  in  the  afternoon, 
and  plans  have  been  made  for  concomitant  meet- 
ing that  day  of  the  Mississippi  Chapter  of  the 
American  College  of  Surgeons. 

Three  general  sessions  are  scheduled  for 
Wednesday,  May  5,  with  the  morning  devoted  to 
the  general  session  on  medicine.  The  afternoon 
programs,  moved  up  half  an  hour  to  1:30,  in- 
clude preventive  medicine  and  general  practice. 
An  association-wide  social  occasion  has  been  put 
on  the  evening  agenda  for  Wednesday,  the  coun- 
cil said. 

The  closing  day  of  the  meet  features  simul- 
taneous morning  sessions  of  pediatrics  and  eye, 
ear,  nose,  and  throat  with  the  adjourned  meet- 
ing of  the  House  of  Delegates  and  election  of 
1971-72  officers  set  for  the  afternoon. 

Dr.  Martin  said  that  as  many  as  15  specialty 
society  and  related  meetings  will  occur  during  the 
four-day  convention.  Another  feature  to  be  con- 
tinued under  a revised  format  is  the  medical  mo- 
tion picture  program  which  will  be  presented  daily 
at  the  conclusion  of  morning  general  sessions. 

Members  interested  in  presenting  papers  be- 
fore any  of  the  seven  general  sessions  are  en- 
couraged to  write  section  officers,  furnishing  an 
abstract  of  the  proposed  essay.  1970-71  section 
officers  are: 

— EENT:  Dr.  Richard  L.  Blount  of  Jackson, 


Dr.  Martin 


AUGUST  1970 


45  1 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

chairman,  and  Dr.  James  K.  Williams  of  Pas- 
cagoula, secretary. 

— General  Practice:  Dr.  James  O.  Stephens  of 
Magee,  chairman,  and  Dr.  W.  Johnson  Witt  of 
Jackson,  secretary. 

— Medicine:  Dr.  C.  Ralph  Daniel,  Jr.,  chair- 
man, and  Dr.  S.  H.  McDonnieal,  Jr.,  secretary, 
both  of  Jackson. 

— Obstetrics  and  Gynecology:  Dr.  William  S. 
Cook  of  Jackson,  chairman,  and  Dr.  Warren 
Plauche  of  Biloxi,  secretary. 

— Pediatrics:  Dr.  John  D.  McEachin  of  Meridi- 
an, chairman,  and  Dr.  John  R.  Jackson,  Jr.,  of 
Hattiesburg,  secretary. 

— Preventive  Medicine:  Dr.  Hugh  B.  Cot- 
trell, chairman,  and  Dr.  Frank  M.  Wiygul,  Jr., 
secretary,  both  of  Jackson. 

— Surgery:  Dr.  M.  Beckett  Howorth,  Jr.,  of 
Oxford,  chairman,  and  Dr.  Benton  M.  Hilbun  of 
Tupelo,  secretary. 

Dr.  Martin  said  that  applications  for  scientific 
exhibit  space  should  be  addressed  to  him  or  the 
council  at  the  state  association  headquarters,  735 
Riverside  Drive,  Jackson  39216.  Applications 
should  be  made  in  letter  form,  he  added,  and 
should  include  the  title  of  the  exhibit,  names  of 
authors,  minimum  requirements  in  linear  feet  of 
wall  space,  and  any  special  requirements  such  as 
special  electrical  service  or  other  needs  not  usual- 
ly furnished  by  convention  hotels. 

The  council  said  that  plans  are  being  made 
for  medical  alumni  occasions  and  include  Ole 
Miss,  Tennessee,  Tulane,  and  Vanderbilt.  Addi- 
tional innovations,  designed  to  improve  the  value 
and  attractiveness  of  the  annual  session,  will  be 
announced  soon.  Dr.  Martin  said, 

AMA  Staff 
Reorganizes 

The  AMA  Department  of  Postgraduate  Pro- 
gram has  been  divided  into  the  Department  of 
Medical  Instrumentation  and  the  Department  of 
Scientific  Assembly.  The  former  will  be  directed 
by  Dr.  Ralph  E.  DeForest,  and  the  latter  by  Ralph 
P.  Creer. 

This  separation  was  decided  upon  by  the  AMA 
Board  of  Trustees  at  its  meeting  in  Washington, 
D.  C. 

The  Board  also  changed  the  name  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Emergency  and  Disaster  Medical  Care 
to  the  Committee  on  Emergency  Medical  Ser- 
vices. It  asked  the  members  to  advance  liaison 


with  state  medical  societies  in  order  to  stimulate 
wider  planning  and  implementation  of  emergency 
and  disaster  care  programs. 

Dr.  Mitchell  Is 
New  SBH  Appointee 

Dr.  Shelby  W.  Mitchell,  director  of  the  Jones 
County  Health  Department  for  the  past  14  years, 
has  been  appointed  director  of  Local  Health  Ser- 
vices of  the  Mississippi  State  Board  of  Health, 
effective  July  1. 

He  succeeds  Dr.  Steven  L.  Moore,  who  left 
the  State  Board  of  Health  some  six  months  ago 
to  take  over  the  directorship  of  State  Compre- 
hensive Health  Planning. 

In  announcing  Dr.  Mitchell’s  appointment, 
State  Health  Officer  Hugh  B.  Cottrell  said,  “Dr. 
Mitchell  comes  to  the  state  health  department 
with  a keen  knowledge  of  the  operation  of  public 
health  on  a local  level,  and  his  direction  and 
guidance  to  the  state’s  82  county  health  depart- 
ments will  make  for  an  efficient  overall  opera- 
tion.” 

In  1956,  Dr.  Mitchell  became  health  officer  of 
Jones  County,  and  shortly  thereafter  Jasper  and 
Covington  Counties  united  with  Jones  to  form  a 
health  district,  which  he  has  directed  continuous- 
ly- 

Last  December,  Dr.  Mitchell’s  responsibilities 
were  greatly  increased  when  he  was  named  act- 
ing director  of  12  county  health  departments  in 
the  central  and  southern  part  of  the  state — Lau- 
derdale, Newton,  Scott,  Smith,  Simpson,  Copiah, 
Lamar,  Forrest,  Perry,  Pearl  River,  Hancock  and 
Harrison. 

A native  of  Copiah  County,  Dr.  Mitchell  at- 
tended Copiah-Lincoln  Junior  College  and  earned 
the  B.S.  degree  at  Mississippi  College  and  the 
M.S.  degree  at  the  University  of  Mississippi. 

He  completed  the  first  two  years  of  his  medical 
studies  at  the  University  of  Mississippi  Medical 
School  in  Oxford,  where  he  was  president  of  his 
class,  and  received  the  M.D.  degree  from  the 
Medical  College  of  Alabama.  He  holds  the  de- 
gree of  Master  in  Public  Health  from  the  School  of 
Public  Health,  Tulane  University. 

Following  his  internship  at  Lloyd  Nolan  Hos- 
pital, Fairfield,  Alabama,  Dr.  Mitchell  returned  to 
Mississippi  and  served  as  staff  physician  at  El- 
lisville  State  School  for  one  year  before  entering 
public  health  service. 

Dr.  Mitchell  and  his  wife.  Dr.  Maura  J.  Mitch- 
ell, who  is  a practicing  physician,  make  their  home 
in  Ellisville,  where  she  is  associated  with  the  El- 
lisvi lie  State  School. 


452 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Book  Reviews 

Symposium  on  Cancer  of  the  Head  and  Neck — 
Total  Treatment  and  Reconstructive  Rehabilita- 
tion. By  John  C.  Gaisford,  M.D.,  Editor.  381 
pages  with  583  illustrations.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V. 
Mosby  Co.,  1969.  $31.50. 

This  symposium  with  54  distinguished  con- 
tributors was  presented  in  Pittsburgh  in  Dec.,  1968. 
The  various  authors  present  the  overall  manage- 
ment of  head  and  neck  cancer  with  emphasis  on 
reconstructive  rehabilitation  by  various  plastic 
surgical  technics. 

A comprehensive  survey  of  the  problem  is  pre- 
sented under  ten  separate  headings.  The  subjects 
which  were  assigned  to  the  individual  authors  are 
well  covered.  There  are  a few  errors  which  were 
not  corrected  in  proofreading.  For  example,  on 
page  17  the  dosage  of  Keflin  is  presented  as  10 
grams  every  four  hours,  far  in  excess  of  the  rec- 
ommended dosage. 

The  symposium  was  sponsored  by  the  Educa- 
tional Foundation  of  the  American  Society  of 
Plastic  and  Reconstructive  Surgeons,  Inc.  and  will 
be  chiefly  of  interest  to  plastic  surgeons.  The 
background  material  is  of  interest  to  other  spe- 
cialists who  work  in  this  field,  as  well  as  to  gen- 
eral surgeons  with  a special  interest  in  head  and 
neck  cancer  surgery.  Rapid  changes  in  radiation 
therapy  and  chemotherapy,  as  well  as  in  surgery, 
limit  the  period  during  which  the  decisions  reached 
will  be  authoritative. 

The  sections  on  the  surgical  management  of 
radioosteonecrosis  of  the  head  and  neck  and  on 
problem  tumors  of  the  head  and  neck  are  par- 
ticularly interesting. 

The  recorded  round  table  discussions  at  the  end 
of  each  of  the  ten  sessions  add  to  the  enjoyment 
of  the  volume. 

The  book  is  definitely  of  interest  to  anyone 
seeking  a broad  view  of  head  and  neck  cancer, 
and  it  will  be  of  greatest  interest  to  the  plastic 
surgical  resident  and  specialist. 

W.  C.  Shands,  M.D. 


Personnel  Administration  and  Labor  Relations 
in  Health  Care  Facilities.  By  James  O.  Hepner, 
Ph.D.;  John  M.  Boyer;  and  Carl  L.  Westerhaus. 
370  pages.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mosby  Co.,  1969. 
$15.00. 

Probably  the  most  compelling  area  in  health 
care  management  today  provides  the  subject  of 
this  volume.  Inclusion  of  hospitals  and  similar  in- 
stitutions under  the  Fair  Labor  Standards  Act  and 
other  related  federal  statutes  has  occasioned  a 
marked  increase  in  the  “payroll  increment”  of 
institutional  costs.  On  a national  level,  personnel 
cost  represents  approximately  70  per  cent  of  the 
total  operating  costs  of  hospitals. 

Another  area  that  has  entered  the  management 
picture  with  impact  is  that  of  labor  relations.  A 
concerted  effort  is  being  mounted  by  organized 
labor  to  unionize  hospital  and  other  health  fa- 
cility employees.  Health  care  employees  are  par- 
ticularly attractive  to  labor  unions  both  as  to 
their  number  and  the  potential  dues  dollar. 

Our  current  health  institution  managers  are  not 
experienced  in  these  areas  simply  because  it  has 
never  been  a “necessary”  interest  as  to  day-to- 
day  operations.  As  a result  most  are  finding  it 
necessary  to  become  knowledgeable  and  proficient 
in  the  shortest  possible  time  in  personnel  man- 
agement and  labor  relations. 

The  authors  have  produced  a volume  which 
should  be  useful  to  any  person  involved  with  the 
management  of  health  care  facilities,  as  well  as 
to  those  who  may  have  a continuing  interest  in 
the  forces  at  work  within  the  health  care  delivery 
system.  Dr.  Hepner  teaches  in  a graduate  pro- 
gram for  health  care  administration  while  Messrs. 
Boyer  and  Westerhaus  are  personnel  managers. 

The  first  half  of  the  book  is  devoted  to  a gen- 
eral overview  of  the  hospital  as  an  institution  and 
its  behavior,  organization  and  economics.  Person- 
nel management  and  administration  are  viewed 
in  conceptual  terms.  The  latter  chapters  of  the 
volume  are  more  specific  in  dealing  with  person- 
nel policies  and  procedures,  legislation,  collective 
bargaining,  health  manpower  needs  and  train- 
ing. 

C.  Chandler  Clover.  F.A.C.H.A. 


AUGUST  1970 


45  3 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

UMC  Establishes 
Home  Dialysis  Unit 

Now  dialysis  patients  at  the  University  Medical 
Center  can  pack  up  and  go  home  for  good,  taking 
their  artificial  kidneys  with  them. 

A recently-established  home  dialysis  training 
center  enables  patients  to  train  at  the  Medical 
Center,  then  transfer  to  their  own  home  units,  ex- 
panding the  UMC  artificial  kidney  unit  into  a 
state-wide  program. 

By  removing  restrictions  caused  by  the  limited 
number  of  kidneys  in  the  Jackson  unit  and  drastic- 
ally cutting  the  cost  of  dialysis,  the  home  plan 
opens  up  the  lid  on  how  many  Mississippi  lives 
can  be  saved. 

Hospital  dialysis  runs  about  $10,000  per  pa- 
tient annually,  while  a home  unit  takes  only 
around  $3,000  for  supplies  after  the  initial  $6,000 
equipment  outlay.  The  home  training  project  is 
funded  by  the  Department  of  Vocational  Rehabil- 
itation, the  Kidney  Foundation  and  other  donors, 
including  the  Association  of  Operating  Room 


A late-June  open  house  formally  initiated  the  new 
home  dialysis  training  center  at  the  University  Med- 
ical Center.  The  home  program,  established  with 
$30,000  in  Kidney  Foundation  funds  which  were 
matched  four-to-one  by  the  Department  of  Voca- 
tional Rehabilitation' s $120,000  is  aimed  at  teaching 
dialysis  patients  self  care.  Among  principals  were, 
from  left,  vocational  rehabilitation  state  director 
John  Webb,  home  dialysis  patient-trainee  David 
Lammons  of  Belzoni,  assistant  nursing  supervisor 
Mrs.  Peggy  Baugh  and  Hinds  County  Kidney  Foun- 
dation outgoing  president  Dr.  H.  C . Ricks. 


Technicians  and  interested  individuals.  Additional 
support  from  Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Pro- 
gram helps  train  the  backup  medical  team. 

The  Kidney  Foundation  raised  $30,000  through 
private  contributions,  matched  on  a one-to-four 
basis  with  a $120,000  grant  from  the  Vocational 
Rehabilitation  Department,  which  also  helps  qual- 
ified home  patients  in  purchasing  kidneys  and 
first-year  supplies. 

Set  up  to  train  a class  of  four  patients  in  an 
eight-week  course,  the  home  center  will  con- 
stantly be  in  use.  As  each  group  “graduates,”  a 
new  class  from  the  principal  chronic  unit  will  be- 
gin. Six  “alums”  are  already  home  with  their 
units  and  another  class  is  in  session. 

Other  health  professionals,  including  physi- 
cians, nurses,  technicians,  dieticians,  administra- 
tors and  social  workers  can  also  take  advantage 
of  the  new  facilities.  A Medical  Center  nephrolo- 
gy course,  offered  as  part  of  the  University  of 
Mississippi  Postgraduate  Institute  in  the  Medical 
Sciences,  prepares  hometown  physicians  to  work 
with  their  patients’  units. 

The  artificial  kidney  unit  at  the  Medical  Cen- 
ter, besides  maintaining  patients  on  the  waiting 
list  for  home  training,  will  ultimately  serve  as  a 
mechanical  and  medical  backup  for  home  pa- 
tients and  continue  to  be  an  emergency  unit  for 
acute  hospital  inpatients. 

This  decentralization  of  the  UMC  unit,  which 
will  take  dialysis-dependent  patients  through  the 
main  unit  back  to  their  homes,  is  aimed  at  elim- 
inating long-term  hospital  care.  And  that  goal, 
kidney  unit  officials  agree,  is  gradually  nearing 
attainment. 

SBH  Now  Finances 
Immunizations 

The  State  Board  of  Health  picks  up  the  tab, 
starting  July  1,  for  immunization  programs 
which,  for  the  past  eight  years,  have  been  largely 
federally  financed. 

One  example  is  the  measles  program. 

The  federal  Vaccine  Assistance  Act  of  1962, 
through  which  federal  funds  bought  vaccines  in 
huge  quantities  for  state  use,  was  enlarged  in 
1965  to  include  measles  vaccine. 

The  federal  program  expired  a year  ago,  and 
the  state  now  must  buy  most  of  its  own  vaccine. 

Dr.  Durward  Blakey,  director  of  the  agency’s 
Division  of  Preventable  Disease  Control,  said  that 
measles  vaccine  was  ordered  for  the  fiscal  year 
starting  July  1. 

“There  may  be  some  counties,”  he  said,  “where 
reserve  supplies  have  run  low  and  where  indi- 


454 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


viduals  asking  for  a measles  immunization  have 
had  to  have  it  postponed. 

“But  we  now  have  adequate  amounts  to  con- 
tinue the  maintenance  program  we  began  about  a 
year  ago,  after  the  blitz  which  effectively  cut 
down  the  measles  threat.” 

The  “blitz”  to  which  Dr.  Blakey  referred  saw 
the  State  Board  of  Health  administer  300,000 
doses  of  measles  vaccine,  starting  in  April  of 
1966,  when  the  vaccine  first  became  available. 

“That  massive  effort,”  said  Dr.  Blakey,  “en- 
abled us  to  bring  measles  under  control  enough 
so  that  we  now  need  smaller  amounts  of  vac- 
cine— enough  for  a good  maintenance  program.” 

The  maintenance  program,  he  said,  immunizes 
children  as  they  reach  the  age  of  one  and  in- 
volves private  physicians  as  well  as  the  State 
Board  of  Health.  He  called  this  “keeping  up  with 
the  birth  rate.” 

Some  federal  funds  for  vaccines,  he  said,  are 
still  available  to  the  State  Board  of  Health,  but 
these  funds  are  limited  to  immunizations  for 
Rubella,  or  German  measles— a major  cause  of 
birth  defects. 

Dr.  Blakey  noted  an  increase  in  measles  in  the 
state,  with  65  cases  of  measles  so  far  this  year 
as  compared  to  24  cases  for  the  entire  previous 
year. 

Dr.  Blakey  said  this  is  not  considered  a serious 
increase,  since  “better  surveillance”  of  measles 
cases  could  account  for  some  of  the  increase. 

He  said  measles  immunization  is  important, 
however,  and  he  said  the  supply  ordered  by  the 
State  Board  of  Health  “is  sufficient  to  maintain  a 
safe  level  of  immunization  for  the  state.” 

Hospital  Association 
Elects  Officers 

Lowery  A.  Woodall,  executive  director  of  For- 
rest General  Hospital  in  Hattiesburg,  was  elected 
Mississippi  Hospital  Association  president  for 
1970-71  at  the  39th  annual  convention  at  Biloxi. 
Outgoing  MHA  president  is  Richard  H.  Malone, 
president  of  Hinds  General  Hospital  in  Jackson. 

The  new  president-elect  is  James  L.  Townsend, 
administrator  of  East  Bolivar  County  Hospital  in 
Cleveland. 

Malone  was  elected  MHA  delegate  to  the 
American  Hospital  Association,  and  D.  A.  Lingle, 
administrator  of  King's  Daughters  Hospital  in 
Greenville,  was  named  alternate  delegate. 

Named  to  the  MHA  Board  of  Governors  were 
Thomas  O.  Logue,  Jr.,  Southwest  Mississippi  Gen- 


eral Hospital,  McComb;  D.  Andrew  Grimes,  di- 
rector of  University  Hospital  in  Jackson;  and 
Charles  W.  Shepherd,  Watkins  Memorial  Hospital 
in  Quitman. 

The  delegates  elected  C.  Philip  Wimberly,  Me- 
morial Hospital,  Gulfport,  as  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Delegates,  succeeding  C.  Chandler 
Clover,  Doctors  Hospital  of  Jackson. 

Named  to  the  board  of  Blue  Cross  were  Fred 
Lavender,  Noxubee  General  Hospital,  Macon,  and 
Lowery  Woodall. 

Dr.  Dan  Mitchell  Is 
Alum  President-Elect 

Dr.  J.  Daniel  Mitchell  of  Jackson  has  been 
named  president-elect  of  the  University  of  Mis- 
sissippi Medical  Alumni.  He  will  take  office  in 
June,  1971. 

Long  active  in  organized  medicine.  Dr.  Mitchell 

is  a member  of  Cen- 
tral Medical  Society, 
Mississippi  State  Med- 
ical Association,  and 
the  American  Medical 
Association.  He  has 
served  as  chairman  of 
the  Public  Health  and 
Legislation  Committee 
for  Central  Medical 
Society  and  is  current- 
ly MSMA  Mid-State 
vice  president.  He  is 
secretary-treasurer  of 
the  Mississippi  Medi- 
cal Political  Action 

Committee. 

Dr.  Mitchell  was  assistant  chief  of  staff  at 
Hinds  General  Hospital  and  became  Chief  of 
Staff  in  1969.  He  is  a member  of  the  Long  Range 
Building  Committee  for  Hinds  General. 

The  Jackson  general  practitioner  is  a member  of 
the  Board  of  Directors  for  the  Ole  Miss  General 
Alumni  Association  and  served  as  a member  of 
the  Building  Committee  for  the  Medical  Alumni 
House  on  the  Jackson  campus  of  the  University. 
He  is  presently  on  the  Steering  Committee  for 
the  operation  of  the  Medical  Alumni  House  and 
is  class  representative  of  his  medical  class  of 
1954  for  the  UM  Alumni  Association. 

He  received  his  B.A.  degree  from  the  Uni- 
versity of  Mississippi  and  completed  two  years  of 
medical  school  there  before  earning  his  M.D.  de- 
gree from  the  University  of  Tennessee.  Dr.  Mitch- 
ell interned  at  St.  Joseph  Hospital  in  Memphis. 


Dr.  Mitchell 


AUGUST  1970 


455 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Surgery  on  Coronary 
Artery  Course  Set 

The  Adolf  Gundersen  Medical  Foundation  and 
the  Wisconsin  Heart  Association  will  present  a 
Symposium  on  “Surgery  and  the  Coronary  Artery 
— An  Evaluation’’  on  Sept.  23,  1970.  The  course 
will  take  place  in  Valhalla  Hall,  Wisconsin  State 
University  at  LaCrosse. 

Registration  fee  is  $10.00  and  includes  the 
printed  proceedings  of  the  symposium.  Advance 
registration  is  required. 

Program  chairman  is  Dr.  A.  Erik  Gundersen, 
Department  of  Thoracic  Surgery,  Gundersen 
Clinic,  Ltd.,  of  LaCrosse. 

The  course  is  approved  for  five  hours  post- 
graduate credit  by  the  American  Academy  of 
General  Practice. 

Special  guest  speaker  is  Dr.  Igor  Shkotaba,  Di- 
rector of  the  Institute  of  Cardiology,  Academy  of 
Medical  Sciences,  Moscow,  U.S.S.R. 


Auxiliary  Plans 
AMA-ERF  Campaign 


The  Woman’s  Auxiliary  to  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  has  begun  working  on  its  AMA- 
ERF  campaign  for  1970-71.  At  a recent  meeting  in 
the  auxiliary’s  office  in  the  state  headquarters  build- 
ing, Mrs.  Curtis  Caine  of  Jackson,  center,  auxiliary 
president,  discusses  fund-raising  plans  with  Mrs. 
Doyle  P.  Smith  of  Jackson,  at  left,  incoming  chair- 
man, and  Mrs.  Arthur  E.  Brown  of  Columbus  who 
has  served  as  chairman  for  12  years. 


AMA  President-Elect 
Is  State  Native 

Dr.  Wesley  Whitfield  Hall,  the  new  president- 
elect  of  the  American  Medical  Association,  is  a 
native  of  Mississippi. 

He  is  a brother  of  Dr.  Toxey  Hall  of  Belzoni 
and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Stone  of  Shelby  and  a neph- 
ew of  Judge  Toxey 
Hall  of  Columbia. 

Born  in  Lumberton, 
Dr.  Hall  was  the  son 
of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Wes- 
ley Hall.  The  family 
moved  to  Ruleville  in 
1915  and  later  to  Gun- 
nison and  Shelby.  His 
father  was  a member 
of  the  State  Board  of 
Health  for  16  years 
and  served  one  turn 
as  president. 

Dr.  Hall  received 
his  B.A.  degree  cum 
laude  from  Mississippi  College  in  1926,  studied 
medicine  at  the  University  of  Mississippi  for 
two  years  and  got  his  M.D.  degree  from  Tulane 
University  in  1930. 

He  served  his  internship  and  surgery  residency 
at  the  Baroness  Erlanger  Hospital  at  Chattanooga, 
and  then  went  into  the  practice  of  medicine  and 
surgery  at  Shelby. 

In  1943  he  was  one  of  three  Mississippians 
elected  a senior  fellow  of  the  American  College 
of  Surgeons. 

Dr.  Hall  moved  to  Reno,  Nev.,  that  year  and 
subsequently  became  secretary  and  then  for  sev- 
eral years  president  of  the  Nevada  Medical  So- 
ciety. 

He  has  served  for  24  years  either  as  delegate 
or  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  AMA 
and  was  chairman  of  the  board  for  two  years. 

The  surgeon  has  served  as  chief  of  staff  at  both 
Reno  hospitals,  St.  Mary’s  and  Washoe  General 
Hospital. 

He  spoke  to  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  As- 
sociation at  its  100th  annual  session  in  1968  in 
Jackson. 

Dr.  Hall’s  son.  Dr.  Wesley  W.  Hall,  Jr.,  a grad- 
uate of  the  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine,  completed  his  residency  in  surgery  in 
Denver  in  July.  He  has  joined  his  father  in  the 
practice  of  general  surgery  in  Reno. 


456 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Mr.  Whitaker  Selected 
for  USPHS  Study 

A Mississippian  is  contributing  to  the  develop- 
ment of  nationwide  programs  that  are  designed 
to  improve  patient  care  in  hospitals  and  nursing 
homes. 

Harold  H.  Whitaker,  supervisor  of  the  Health 
Insurance  Unit  of  the  State  Beard  of  Health,  has 
been  selected  by  the  U.S.  Public  Health  Service 
to  serve  on  a panel  of  specialists  that  will  review 
a course  of  study  and  12  syllabi  prepared  for 
professional  personnel  involved  with  the  Medi- 
care and  Medicaid  programs. 

The  materials  were  developed  recently  by  Tu- 
lane  University,  through  contract  with  the  USPHS, 
as  a part  of  a program  to  upgrade  services  in 
hospitals,  nursing  homes  and  other  facilities  cer- 
tified under  Titles  XVIII  and  XIX  of  the  Social 
Security  Act. 

Whitaker,  with  other  members  of  the  reviewing 
panel,  will  be  in  New  Orleans,  July  14-16,  audit- 
ing a prototype  course  now  in  progress  at  Tulane 
University  and  evaluating  12  short  course  train- 
ing syllabi. 

After  modifications  recommended  by  the  panel, 
the  6-week  course,  entitled  ‘'Health  Facilities  Sur- 
vey Improvement  Program,”  will  be  offered  to 
state  surveyors  through  other  universities  in  the 
United  States. 

The  in-depth  training  syllabi  that  the  panel  will 
evaluate  are  designed  to  meet  the  needs  of  sur- 
veyors, consultants,  and  health  facility  adminis- 
trators. 

Each  syllabus  covers  a subject  area  related  to 
conditions  that  must  be  complied  with  by  pro- 
viders of  health  care  under  Medicare  and  Med- 
icaid, such  as  physical  environment,  pharmaceu- 
tical services,  nursing  service  and  dietary  service. 

Joining  the  State  Board  of  Health  in  1966, 
shortly  after  it  was  designated  as  the  survey  and 
certification  agency  for  providers  of  health  ser- 
vices under  Medicare,  Whitaker  assisted  in  selling 
up  the  Health  Insurance  Unit  and  has  served  as 
its  supervisor  for  over  four  years. 

Whitaker’s  responsibilities  were  expanded  in 
early  1970  when  the  State  Board  of  Health  en- 
tered an  agreement  with  the  Mississippi  Medicaid 
Commission  to  perform  certification  functions  for 
the  Medicaid  program. 

A native  of  Clarksdale,  Whitaker  received  his 
B.S.  degree  in  accounting  from  Mississippi  State 
University.  He  was  engaged  in  hospital  adminis- 
tration for  eight  years  prior  to  joining  the  State 
Board  of  Health. 


CPR  Course  Offers 
Teacher-Training 


A class  of  16  instructors  from  across  the  state 
were  in  Jackson  for  a Cardiopulmonary  Resuscita- 
tion Faculty  Training  Course,  offered  jointly  by  the 
Mississippi  Heart  Association , Mississippi  Regional 
Medical  Program  and  the  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine.  Taught  by  a team  of  three,  par- 
ticipants learned  CPR  techniques,  as  well  as  certain 
legal  aspects.  At  left.  Dr.  John  Busey  of  Jackson  ob- 
serves while  Dr.  James  M.  Cooper  of  Tupelo , right, 
practices  on  a resuscianne. 

Family  Practice  to 
Give  Second  Exam 

The  American  Board  of  Family  Practice  will 
give  its  second  examination  for  certification  in 
various  centers  throughout  the  United  States.  The 
examination  will  be  over  a two-day  period  on 
February  27-28,  1971. 

Information  regarding  the  examination  and  el- 
igibility can  be  obtained  by  writing: 

Dr.  Nicholas  J.  Pisacano.  Secretary-Treasurer, 
American  Board  of  Family  Practice.  Inc.,  Uni- 
versity of  Kentucky  Medical  Center,  Annex  #2, 
Room  229.  Lexington.  Kentucky  40506. 


AUGUST  1970 


457 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

association  sources.  We  were  most  fortunate  in 
paying  no  closing  costs  other  than  a recording  fee 
of  $6. 

Insurance.  Necessary  additional  insurance  cov- 
erage has  been  purchased,  and  we  have  had  all 
mechanical  equipment  inspected  by  an  indepen- 
dent safety  engineer.  The  coverage  includes  na- 
tural and  fire  hazard  losses,  liability,  medical  pay- 
ments, and  mechanical  equipment.  We  have  also 
made  the  necessary  adjustments  in  title  insurance 
to  protect  the  association's  additional  investment. 

Expression  of  the  Board.  The  Board  of  Trust- 
ees has  commended  the  Building  Committee  and 
all  associated  with  the  project.  The  new  and 
needed  space  is  already  contributing  to  greater 
office  efficiency,  and  the  association  has  a valu- 
able, appreciating  investment  in  our  building. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  REPORTS  OF  OFFICERS  AND 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

We  commend  the  Board  and  those  who  worked 
actively  in  the  building  addition  project.  Our  as- 
sociation now  has  new  and  useful  facilities  for 
the  conduct  of  our  affairs,  and  your  committee 
urges  every  member  of  the  association  to  visit  his 
building  and  see  this  valuable  asset.  We  approve 
the  project  and  recommend  adoption  of  the  re- 
port. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 

SUPPLEMENTAL  REPORT  “D'’  OF 
THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

Your  Board  of  Trustees,  acting  as  the  interim 
executive  and  governing  body  of  your  association, 
feel  that  we  must  speak  to  you  frankly  and  can- 
didly. We  have  carefully  considered  the  content 
of  this  report  and  are  unanimous  in  presenting  it 
to  you.  We  support  it  fully  and  ask  that  you,  the 
House  of  Delegates,  give  it  your  most  serious 
consideration.  We  realize  that  some  of  the  recom- 
mendations are  painful  but,  nonetheless,  we  feel 
that  medicine  will  suffer  the  consequences  if  we, 
your  elected  officers,  abdicate  our  responsibility 
to  you.  We  must  lead  every  member  to  devote 
himself  personally  and  financially  to  meeting  the 
many  crises  facing  medicine.  We  have  come  to 
realize  that  we  in  medicine  react  to  change  but 
we  seldom  initiate  change  on  our  own. 

The  Crisis.  The  1968  Legislature  took  office 
amid  social,  educational,  and  financial  turmoil. 
In  addition  to  local  problems,  local  action  was 
necessary  to  implement  federal  programs  such  as 
Title  XIX.  At  your  direction  we  launched  an  ag- 
gressive educational  campaign  to  get  Title  XIX 


implemented  in  Mississippi.  Even  though  we 
spoke  clearly,  we  could  not  make  our  voices 
heard  in  the  Legislature.  We  failed  completely 
and  Title  XIX  was  not  passed  in  the  first  bien- 
nium. Our  ineffectiveness  was  demonstrated  again 
when  the  Legislature  placed  an  optometrist  on 
the  State  Board  of  Health  in  spite  of  our  vigorous 
opposition. 

The  Extraordinary  Session  of  1969  was  called 
to  consider  Medicaid  along  with  other  difficult  is- 
sues. We  again  offered  ourselves  as  consultants  to 
the  Legislature  on  this  program  of  such  vital  con- 
cern to  medicine.  In  spite  of  our  diligent  efforts, 
the  program  was  written  largely  “without  us.” 
With  certainty  we  did  not  lead  in  the  enactment 
of  the  law. 

The  first  annual  Regular  Session  of  1970 
showed  the  widening  cleavage  between  organized 
medicine  and  the  Legislature.  Among  the  dam- 
aging legislation  introduced  were  bills  to: 

— Add  a pharmacist  to  the  State  Board  of 
Health. 

— License  physical  therapists  and/or  correc- 
tive therapists  without  examination,  thereby  de- 
stroying the  four-year  work  of  the  medical  and 
physical  therapy  associations  to  secure  a sound 
law  to  protect  the  public. 

— Provide  that  malpractice  claims  and  those 
for  negligence  against  physicians  may  be  ordered 
paid  by  juries  without  corroborative  medical  evi- 
dence. 

— Add  two  dentists  (for  a total  of  three)  to 
the  State  Board  of  Health. 

— Require  the  State  Board  of  Health  to  grant 
licensure  to  osteopaths  by  reciprocity. 

— Create  a new  State  Board  of  Health  with 
only  one  of  nine  members  named  by  MSMA  and 
transferring  present  physician-members  to  a new 
Board  of  Medical  Examiners. 

We  expect  no  special  or  favored  position  with 
the  Legislature  but  we  do  desire  fair  treatment 
and  impartial  hearings  on  matters  relating  to 
health  and  medical  care.  Over  the  years  there 
have  been  many  issues  we  have  opposed  but  in 
1970  we  were  attacked  openly  and  we  were 
forced  to  expend  our  time  and  our  substance  in 
fighting  these  threats. 

Verbal  excesses  by  some  of  the  lawmakers  re- 
flected bitterness  and  animosity  against  the  medi- 
cal association.  Late  in  February  1970.  the  diffi- 
culties seemed  to  peak.  Your  leadership  requested 
a joint  meeting  with  health  committees  of  both 
chambers  and  our  mutual  problems  were  openly 
discussed.  The  message  from  the  Legislators  was 
unmistakably  clear.  It  is  not  enough  for  us  to  have 
our  staff  carry  messages,  give  written  testimony 


458 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


and  for  them  to  make  day  to  day  contacts.  The 
senators  and  representatives  asked  for  continual 
communication  with  their  constituent  physicians. 
We  must  commit  ourselves  in  this  connection. 

After  this  meeting  most  of  the  damaging  leg- 
islation was  put  aside.  Even  so,  we  were  told  to 
expect  renewed  onslaught  in  1971.  We  were  ad- 
vised in  writing  that  punishing  legislation  would 
be  introduced  and  likely  passed  unless  we  formu- 
late more  adequate  handling  of  malpractice 
claims  and  review.  We  were  notified  that  our  po- 
sition against  chiropractic  is  tenuous  and  passive 
and  that  this  cult  would  probably  be  licensed  in 
the  future  unless  we  formulated  a positive  pro- 
gram against  it.  While  the  scoreboard  looks  good 
in  1970,  we  must  act  decisively  or  anticipate  seri- 
ous and  major  reversals  in  the  future. 

On  the  positive  side  in  1970  we  did  manage  to 
have  two  measures  passed. 

— Professional  Corporation  Law. 

— Increased  fees  for  autopsies  when  ordered 
by  agencies  of  government. 

Recommendations.  We  feel  an  intense  person- 
al commitment  and  financial  sacrifice  must  be 
made  by  all  our  members  if  we  are  to  be  success- 
ful in  meeting  the  challenge  against  medicine.  To 
have  a positive  program  we  must  develop  policy 
positions  before  a session  of  the  legislature  meets. 
We  must  initiate  legislation  when  indicated. 

An  informed  membership  can  effectively  coun- 
sel with  their  legislators.  To  keep  the  member- 
ship fully  informed  on  all  legislative  issues  the 
weekly  legislative  report  should  be  sent  to  all 
members  of  the  association. 

The  legislative  council  should  meet  frequently 
and  not  less  than  once  monthly  when  the  legisla- 
ture is  in  session. 

The  Emergency  Medical  Care  Unit  must  be 
continued.  There  should  be  increased  participa- 
tion from  the  ranks  of  medicine  to  assure  a Doc- 
tor of  the  Day  for  every  working  legislative  day. 

An  association  executive  must  be  at  the  capitol 
each  working  day. 

Our  participation  in  AMPAC  and  MPAC 
(Mississippi  Medical  Political  Action  Committee) 
should  be  increased  and  billings  to  all  members 
under  the  policy  previously  adopted  by  the  House 
of  Delegates  as  to  its  voluntary  aspects  be  made. 
We  can  also  undertake  to  relieve  volunteer  phy- 
sician-secretaries of  component  medical  societies 
of  dues-billing  burden  with  the  new  and  addition- 
al resources  and  in  this  way,  we  can  increase  the 
efficiency  of  our  revenue  collections.  The  two  so- 
cieties now  billing  for  PAC  dues  produce  virtual- 
ly two-thirds  of  our  PAC  members. 

To  finance  this  positive  program  a dues  in- 


crease is  mandatory.  In  1969,  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates accepted  a report  that  there  would  be  a dues 
increase  in  1971.  We  have  an  even  greater  need 
now.  We  therefore  recommend  a dues  increase 
to  $100.00  annually.  The  $40.00  increase  ear- 
marked as  follows:  $10  for  legislative  and  gov- 
ernment relations,  $10  for  peer  review  and  med- 
ical service  activities,  $10  for  cost-of-living  in- 
creases, and  $10  for  the  building. 

The  Gauntlet.  We  have  other  challenges  and 
needs  in  addition  to  the  legislative  crisis.  Medi- 
cine is  under  attack  in  the  halls  of  Congress,  in 
government  programs  and  on  the  television  net- 
works. Specifically,  we  are  challenged  in  legisla- 
tion, public  affairs,  health  care  delivery,  and  peer 
review.  We  have  the  facility,  the  physical  hard- 
ware and  the  staff  core  with  capability  and  ex- 
perience. We  come  to  you,  the  membership,  for 
adequate  financing  and  personal  commitment.  We 
feel  that  the  membership  will  give  freely  of  their 
time  and  their  substance  if  we  present  the  true 
facts,  unvarnished  and  of  the  whole  cloth.  If  we 
ask  less  from  you,  we  fail  in  our  position  of  trust. 

We  do  not  stand  alone  in  the  battle  against  in- 
flation, government  encroachment,  and  a climate 
generally  unfavorable  to  medicine.  Other  state  as- 
sociations and  the  AMA  also  have  these  prob- 
lems. Most  all  of  the  state  associations  will  have 
dues  to  the  $100  level  by  1971.  We  must  contin- 
ue to  support  AMA  as  it  works  in  our  behalf  at 
the  national  level.  If  medicine’s  house  is  divided 
between  the  national  and  local  level  it  is  not  like- 
ly to  stand. 

We  must  have  a viable  peer  review  program  or 
be  swallowed  up  by  society  and  government  med- 
ical care  programs.  Can  we  equate  the  recom- 
mended dues  increase  with  devastating  malprac- 
tice legislation  that  would  increase  our  premiums 
many  times?  Can  we  equate  continued  full  sup- 
port of  AMA  against  national  compulsory  health 
insurance? 

We  have  no  guarantee  that  the  positive  pro- 
gram outlined  in  this  report  will  assure  us  victory, 
but  we  do  guarantee  that  no  program  will  insure 
the  defeat  of  medicine  as  we  know  it  today. 

Conclusion.  Let  all  understand — we  are  asking 
you,  the  membership,  for  both  financing  and  per- 
sonal commitment.  We  must  make  up  our  minds 
to  work  unceasingly  and  to  pay  our  bills.  While 
we  can  guarantee  no  results  our  failure  to  act 
will  guarantee  the  consequences.  Let  us  pick  up 
the  gauntlet. 

RESOLUTION  NO.  5,  FINANCIAL 
NEEDS  OF  THE  ASSOCIATION 

Delta  Medical  Society  Delegation:  Resolved, 
That  this  House  of  Delegates  endorses  the  prin- 


AUGUST  1970 


459 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

ciple  for  the  necessity  of  a dues  increase  for  the 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  as  will  be 
proposed  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  at  the  102nd 
Annual  Session. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  REPORTS  OF  OFFICERS  AND 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

This  report  of  the  Board  challenges  every 
member  of  the  association  to  make  a personal 
commitment  of  time  and  money  to  his  association 
in  behalf  of  the  practice  of  medicine  and  im- 
provement in  the  health  care  delivery  system.  We 
consider  this  challenge  important  and  urgent  and 
we  approve  the  recommendations  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  for  a dues  increase  effective  in  1971  to 
$100  with  amounts  of  the  increase  earmarked  for 
various  activities,  as  recommended  by  the  Board, 
which  we  feel  must  be  supported. 

Of  equal  importance  is  the  request  for  a per- 
sonal commitment  from  every  member  of  the  as- 
sociation. In  our  discussions,  the  Chairman  of  the 
Council  on  Legislation,  Dr.  C.  D.  Taylor,  Jr.  of 
Pass  Christian,  recommended  that  every  physi- 
cian in  Mississippi  be  requested  to  give  one  day 
each  year  of  his  time  to  legislative  activities  and 
your  reference  committee  feels  that  such  a con- 
tribution would  be  of  immense  value  in  our  pro- 
grams. 

We  commend  this  recommendation  to  the 
membership  and  approve  the  report  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees. 

Resolution  No.  5,  submitted  by  the  Delta  Med- 
ical Society,  recognizes  the  need  for  increased 
revenues,  and  we  approve  the  resolution  and 
thank  the  society  for  its  support  in  this  matter. 

In  discussion.  Dr.  Lawrence  W.  Long  on  a 
point  of  inquiry  asked  if  AMA  dues  were  still 
compulsory  in  Mississippi,  and  the  Speaker  re- 
plied in  the  affirmative.  The  report  of  the  refer- 
ence committee  was  adopted. 

SUPPLEMENTAL  REPORT  “E”  OF 
THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

Prior  Actions.  In  1958,  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates accorded  constitutional  status  to  the  Griev- 
ance Committee  whose  purpose,  according  to  our 
By-Laws,  “shall  be  to  prevent  or  resolve  misun- 
derstandings, to  clarify  and  adjust  differences  be- 
tween physician  and  patient,  and  to  assist  in 
maintaining  high  levels  of  professional  deport- 
ment already  established  by  the  Principles  of 
Medical  Ethics.”  The  committee,  consisting  of  one 
member  from  each  association  district,  has  gen- 
erally functioned  in  an  appellate  capacity  and  in 


concert  with  grievance  committees  of  component 
medical  societies. 

In  1968,  the  House  of  Delegates  approved  a 
program  of  Fee  Review  Committees  for  compo- 
nent medical  societies,  and  more  recently,  medi- 
cal organization  has  adopted  the  concept  of  peer 
review.  This  concept  contemplates  the  functions 
of  a grievance  committee  and  fee  review  com- 
mittee, but  it  also  makes  clear  that  this  is  a task 
for  physicians. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  believes  that  physicians 
should  make  judgments  on  the  quality  of  medi- 
cal care  and  professional  compensation  therefor. 
Under  no  circumstances  should  these  tasks  be 
delegated  or  given  by  default  to  nonmedical 
sources.  We  have  witnessed,  however,  this  trend 
in  and  among  insurance  companies,  voluntary 
prepayment  plans,  and  fiscal  administrators  for 
government  medical  care  financing  programs. 

Peer  Review.  The  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion strongly  urges  each  state  medical  association 
to  establish  a peer  review  program.  The  Board  of 
Trustees  feels  that  we  should  make  judgments  in 
this  connection  and  prove  ourselves  worthy  to 
have  our  judgments  accepted  by  medical  care  fi- 
nancing sources.  There  is  no  greater  challenge 
before  American  medicine,  and  if  we  do  not  pre- 
pare ourselves  to  perform  these  tasks  and  prompt- 
ly undertake  them,  we  may  be  assured  that  they 
will  be  performed  for  us  by  others  outside  of  med- 
icine. 

Many  state  medical  associations,  in  response  to 
the  AMA  peer  review  program,  have  organized 
themselves  to  carry  out  this  important  function 
which  ought  to  be  performed  only  by  physicians. 
The  Illinois  State  Medical  Society  has  such  a 
program,  and  agreements  have  been  made  with 
Medicare  and  Medicaid  in  that  state  for  the  med- 
ical society  to  perform  peer  review.  The  govern- 
ment payment  sources  have  agreed  to  abide  by 
the  society’s  rulings. 

This  places  great  responsibility  on  medical  or- 
ganization, and  such  a program  will  require  dedi- 
cated and  energetic  physicians  on  peer  review 
committees  and  additional,  competent  staff.  The 
Board  of  Trustees  has  begun  implementation  of 
this  program  with  the  appointment  of  a nine- 
member  Committee  on  Peer  Review  as  an  ad  hoc 
body.  We  propose  to  formalize  this  program  into 
a single  state-wide  endeavor  with  the  broadest 
possible  participation,  reservation  of  decision- 
making to  the  local  professional  community 
through  component  medical  society  committees, 
and  continual  liaison  with  medical  care  financing 
sources  through  our  state  association  executive 
staff. 


460 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Objectives  and  Responsibilities.  Peer  review 
perates  essentially  in  two  areas,  scientific  and 
conomic.  Scientifically,  we  are  concerned  with 
le  quality  of  medical  care.  We  are  interested  in 
le  organization  and  delivery  of  care  and  avail- 
bility  and  accessibility.  We  are  just  as  interested 
i problems  of  underutilization  of  health  care  re- 
ources  and  facilities  as  we  are  in  problems  of 
iverutilization,  a wasteful  drain  on  manpower,  fa- 
ilities,  and  funds. 

Economically,  peer  review  is  a two-way  street. 
Ve  are  interested  in  fair  and  just  compensation 
ar  quality  services  rendered,  preferably  under 
he  concept  of  usual  and  customary  fees  which 
ve  also  have  endorsed.  We  are  equally  concerned 
vhen  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  excessive 
.‘harges  have  been  made  or  when  any  charge  re- 
ates  to  what  physicians  may  determine  to  be  an 
unnecessary  service.  We  are  interested  in  proper 
md  optimum  and  maximum  benefit  use  of  the 
lealth  care  dollar,  whether  personal  and  out-of- 
nocket  or  from  tax  (public)  sources. 

We  feel  that  the  time  has  come  to  gather  the 
unctions  of  grievance  committee  work,  fee  re- 
view, and  related  activities  under  the  single  ban- 
ner of  peer  review.  We  recommend  that  our  asso- 
:iation  take  the  initiative  in  this  respect  and  that 
vve  undertake  these  tasks  with  diligence  and  seri- 
Dusness  of  purpose. 

Program  Formalization.  The  Board  therefore 
recommends  that  our  previously  announced  poli- 
cy relating  to  fee  review  be  re-applied  to  peer  re- 
view and  that  Section  3,  Chapter  X.  of  the  By- 
Laws  prescribing  the  Grievance  Committee  be  re- 
pealed and  the  following  new  section,  identically 
numbered,  be  adopted: 

Section  3.  Peer  Review.  The  Committee  on 
Peer  Review  shall  consist  of  nine  members,  one 
from  each  Association  district,  appointed  for 
terms  of  three  years  each  so  as  to  provide  for  ap- 
pointment of  three  members  annually.  Members 
of  this  committee  shall  not  simultaneously  serve 
on  any  disciplinary  body  of  the  Association  or  its 
component  medical  societies.  To  this  committee 
shall  be  assigned  the  work  of  peer  review,  includ- 
ing but  not  limited  to  resolution  of  differences 
between  patient  and  physician,  review  of  the 
quality  of  medical  care,  adequacy  and/or  reason- 
ableness of  fees,  whether  due  or  paid  from  pri- 
vate or  public  sources,  utilization  of  health  care 
resources,  and  liaison  with  private  and  public 
sources  of  medical  care  financing.  The  committee 
is  empowered  to  encourage  a response  from  any 
member  of  the  Association  in  writing  or  by  per- 
sonal appearance,  authority  to  initiate  investiga- 
tions on  its  own  motion,  and  authority  to  file 


charges  against  a member  in  the  name  of  the 
committee  before  the  Judicial  Council  or  a disci- 
plinary body  of  a component  medical  society. 
Under  no  circumstances,  however,  shall  the  Com- 
mittee on  Peer  Review  exercise  any  disciplinary 
function  nor  shall  it  be  empowered  to  alter  the 
status  or  standing  of  any  member.  The  committee 
shall  be  empowered  to  prescribe  its  rules  of  opera- 
tion which  shall  not  be  in  conflict  with  the  policies 
or  By-Laws  of  the  Association. 

Staff  Support.  For  the  committee  to  function 
effectively,  it  must  enjoy  substantial  staff  support 
in  assembling  quantities  of  data,  in  the  conduct  of 
liaison  with  insurance,  prepayment,  and  admin- 
istrative organizations,  and  in  the  preparation  of 
communications  and  reports.  Mindful  of  this 
need,  the  Board  has  provided  for  a qualified  ex- 
ecutive with  adequate  research  and  secretarial 
assistance  and  direct  access  in  reporting  to  the 
Executive  Secretary.  The  staff  will  also  carry  out 
the  wishes  and  directions  of  the  committee  in 
communicating  with  counterpart  committees  of 
component  medical  societies. 

Concomitant  Recommendation.  The  Board  has 
reported  that  the  Legislature  has  advised  the  as- 
sociation in  writing  that  unless  a review  activity 
is  made  available  to  patients,  especially  with  ref- 
erence to  medicolegal  problems,  we  may  expect 
enactment  of  a measure  which  would  permit  pay- 
ment of  malpractice  or  negligence  awards  by 
juries  without  corroborative  medical  evidence. 
The  Board  recommends  that  each  major  medical 
community  and  component  medical  society  reac- 
tivate physician-attorney  committees  so  that  the 
work  of  peer  review  may  be  continually  com- 
municated to  the  legal  profession. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  REPORTS  OF  OFFICERS  AND 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

The  Board  has  initiated  a peer  review  program 
at  state  level  and  in  this  report  recommends  that 
this  program  be  extended  to  every  component 
medical  society  of  the  association. 

We  recognize  the  importance  and  timeliness  of 
a valid  peer  review  system  and  its  importance  as 
an  instrument  of  self-regulation.  Your  committee 
points  out  that  peer  review  is  in  no  way  punitive 
but  rather  is  educational  and  corrective. 

We  are  pleased  to  see  that  the  Board  has 
planned  extensive  staff  support  for  this  program, 
and  we  recommend  that  the  system  of  peer  re- 
view as  outlined  in  the  report  be  instituted  at  the 
earliest  possible  time. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 


AUGUST  1970 


461 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

REPORT  OF  THE  COUNCIL 
ON  CONSTITUTION  AND  BY-LAWS 

In  its  supplemental  report  on  peer  review,  the 
Board  of  Trustees  recommends  repeal  of  Section 
3,  Chapter  X of  the  By-Laws,  presently  provid- 
ing for  the  Grievance  Committee,  and  substitut- 
ing therefor  a provision  for  establishing  a Com- 
mittee on  Peer  Review,  which  will  consist  of  nine 
members  with  terms  of  three  years  each. 

The  proposed  amendment  prescribes  the  duties 
of  the  committee.  We  approve  this  proposal  and 
recommend  that  the  following  be  added  at  the 
end  of  the  new  section:  “The  committee  shall  al- 
so encourage  and  assist  component  medical  so- 
cieties in  forming  Committees  on  Peer  Review  at 
the  local  level.” 

We  recommend  adoption  of  this  amendment  to 
the  By-Laws,  as  amended. 

The  report  of  the  council,  acting  as  a reference 
committee,  was  adopted. 

SUPPLEMENTAL  REPORT  “F”  OF 
THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

Resolution  No.  6.  At  the  101st  Annual  Session 
in  1969,  the  House  of  Delegates  adopted  Resolu- 
tion No.  6,  subject:  Professional  Corporations, 
introduced  by  the  West  Mississippi  Medical  So- 
ciety. The  resolution  recommended  association 
approval  of  incorporation  by  physicians  in  an  ef- 
fort to  achieve  greater  tax  equity  and  to  enjoy 
business  privileges  long  available  to  other  en- 
deavors. The  resolution  directed  that  necessary 
legislation  be  drafted  and  introduced  in  the  1970 
Regular  Session  of  the  Mississippi  Legislature. 

Enactment.  The  association-sponsored  measure 
was  House  Bill  48,  introduced  in  our  behalf  by 
Hon.  Fred  Lotterhos  of  Hinds  County.  We  re- 
ceived valuable  guidance  and  assistance  by  the 
House  Committee  on  the  Judiciary  to  which  the 
bill  was  referred  and  especially  from  the  chair- 
man, Hon.  H.  L.  Merideth  of  Washington  Coun- 
ty. The  association  presented  testimony  in  sup- 
port of  the  measure  on  three  occasions. 

The  enactment  amends  Section  5390-42  of  the 
Mississippi  Code  of  1942,  Annotated.  It  defines 
“professional  service”  as  a personal  service  to  the 
public  which  “requires  as  a condition  precedent 
the  obtaining  of  a license  or  other  legal  authoriza- 
tion and  which  prior  to  the  passage  of  this  act 
and  by  reason  of  law  could  not  be  performed  by  a 
corporation.” 

We  were  also  successful  in  securing  the  privi- 
lege of  incorporation  by  solo  practitioners,  as  re- 
quested by  a floor  amendment  to  Resolution  No. 
6 at  the  101st  Annual  Session. 


Benefits.  Not  every  physician  will  find  it  prof- 
itable or  even  economical  to  incorporate,  and  the 
Board  of  Trustees  advises  members  to  consult  le- 
gal counsel  and  personal  auditors  (C.P.A.’s)  as 
to  their  individual  circumstances,  potential  ad- 
vantage, and  possible  disadvantage.  The  Board 
also  advises  that  financial  vehicles  be  chosen  with 
care  from  among  the  many  reliable  sources  avail- 
able. Benefits  available  are  many  and  substan- 
tial, because  the  Mississippi  enactment  confers 
upon  professional  incorporators  the  benefits  of  the 
Mississippi  Business  Corporation  Act  or  that  re- 
lating to  conventional  corporations.  Among  these 
benefits  are: 

— Deferred  compensation  (retirement)  plans 
qualified  under  Section  401(a)  of  the  Internal 
Revenue  Code  of  1954,  permitting  full  deduction 
from  federal  taxes  of  contributions  to  such  plans. 

— Progressive  vestment  under  such  plans 
where  the  beneficiary  shall  have  been  deemed  to 
have  received  no  income  until  actual  payment  of 
benefits. 

— Group  life  insurance  with  premiums  fully 
deductible. 

— Death  benefits  up  to  $5,000  without  taxa- 
tion either  to  the  professional  corporation  or  to 
recipients. 

— Sick  pay  with  tax  exclusions  up  to  $100  per 
week. 

— Workmen's  Compensation,  exclusion  from 
gross  income  of  travel  expense,  meals,  and  lodg- 
ing under  certain  circumstances,  and  other  mis- 
cellaneous benefits. 

Expression.  The  Board  of  Trustees  expresses 
satisfaction  over  the  success  of  this  project  and 
expresses  appreciation  to  the  membership,  the 
Legislature,  the  Governor,  and  all  concerned  with 
the  full  and  final  implementation  of  Resolution 
No.  6. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  REPORTS  OF  OFFICERS  AND 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

In  response  to  Resolution  No.  6 adopted  at  the 
101st  Annual  Session  in  1969,  the  association 
sponsored  legislation  during  the  1970  regular  ses- 
sion to  amend  appropriate  statute  to  provide  for 
professional  corporations  for  professional  individ- 
uals. 

The  Board  informs  us  that  the  sound  and  use- 
ful law  was  enacted  and  we  express  our  appreci- 
ation to  the  Legislature  for  this  enactment. 

We  caution  all  members  of  the  association  who 
contemplate  incorporation  to  consult  with  tax  ad- 
visers and  legal  counsel. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 


462 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


REPORT  OF  THE  SECRETARY-TREASURER 

Dr.  Walter  H.  Simmons:  Duties  and  Responsi- 
bilities. As  an  elected  general  officer  of  the  asso- 
fiation,  your  Secretary-Treasurer  is  charged  with 
such  duties  as  ordinarily  devolve  upon  the  secre- 
tary of  a corporation  by  law,  custom,  and  usage. 
Additionally,  he  is  the  constitutional  designee  as 
chairman  of  the  Council  on  Scientific  Assembly 
and  member  ex  officio  of  councils  and  committees. 

Membership.  The  modest  but  encouraging 
growth  trend  in  membership  continued  through 
1969  with  an  increase  of  about  5 per  cent.  The 
total  as  of  Dec.  31,  1969,  is: 

1,331  paid  Active  members 
68  Emeritus  members 
46  members  exempt  from  dues  other 
than  Emeritus 

This  is  a total  of  1,445  for  1969,  representing 
a net  gain  of  66  members  over  1968.  The  total 
for  1970  membership  as  of  May  5 is: 

1,311  paid  Active  members 
68  Emeritus  members 
37  members  exempt  from  dues  other 
than  Emeritus 

Fiscal  Reporting.  In  accordance  with  usual 
practice,  your  Secretary-Treasurer  submits  a con- 
densed statement  of  your  association’s  fiscal  con- 
dition as  an  attachment  to  this  report.  The  Coun- 
cil on  Budget  and  Finance  has  reviewed  the  re- 
port of  audit,  fiscal  records,  and  has  reported  to 
the  Board  of  Trustees  in  this  connection.  An 
overall  budget  of  $215,741  has  been  recommend- 
ed to  and  approved  by  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
and  a copy  of  the  budget  is  attached  to  this  re- 
port. This  amount  is  exclusive  of  funds  which  the 
association  will  expend  in  payment  of  professional 
fees  and  authorized  benefits  under  the  Civilian 
Health  and  Medical  Program  of  the  Uniformed 
Services  (CHAMPUS)  which  will  be  reimbursed 
to  the  association  by  the  Department  of  Defense. 
It  is  projected  that  these  funds  will  amount  to 
about  $1.8  million  in  1970. 

Constitutional  Duties.  Your  Secretary-Treasur- 
er, as  an  ex  officio  member  of  councils  and  com- 
mittees, meets  with  various  official  bodies  of  the 
association  and  sits  with  the  Board  of  Trustees  as 
a general  officer.  Activities  related  to  service  as 
chairman  of  the  Council  on  Scientific  Assembly 
have  been  reported  separately. 

MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 
CONDENSED  STATEMENT  OF 
FINANCIAL  CONDITION 
DECEMBER  31,  1969 


ASSETS 

Current  Assets 
General  Fund 

Cash  on  deposit  . . $137,208  $ 

Due,  Journal  advertisers  . 4,591 


Due,  CHAMPUS  38,499 

Other  receivables  704 

Prepaid  expenses  810  181,812 

Fixed  Assets 

Building  and  equipment,  less  de- 
preciation   172,403 

Land  13,605  186,008 

Other  Assets 

Deferred  CHAMPUS  expenses  3,340 

Refundable  deposits 25  3,365 

Total  book  assets  $371,185 

LIABILITIES  AND  NET  WORTH 
Current  Liabilities 

Accrued  expenses $ 4,796  $ 

Construction  contract  payable  . 24,761 

AM  A dues  in  transit  16,670 

AMA  dues  pending  245 

CHAMPUS  capitalization  100,000 

Current  mortgage  14,808 

Accrued  taxes 4,499 

Accrued  interest  payable  908 

Accounts  payable,  CHAMPUS  . 108  166,795 

Long  Term  Liabilities 

Mortgage  52,732 

Deferred  income  13,766  66,498 

Net  Worth  137,892 

Total  liabilities  and  net  worth  $371,185 


REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  REPORTS  OF  OFFICERS  AND 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

Your  reference  committee  appreciates  the  re- 
port of  the  Secretary-Treasurer,  Dr.  Walter  H. 
Simmons  of  Jackson.  We  are  encouraged  by  the 
stability  and  modest  growth  of  membership  and 
we  commend  Dr.  Simmons  for  his  work  in  our 
behalf,  both  as  Secretary-Treasurer  and  as  Chair- 
man of  the  Council  on  Scientific  Assembly. 

We  approve  the  report  and  recommend  its 
adoption  by  the  House  of  Delegates. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 

REPORT  OF  THE  COUNCIL  ON  BUDGET 

AND  FINANCE 

Report  of  the  Secretary-Treasurer.  We  have 
considered  the  fiscal  portion  of  the  report  of  the 
Secretary-Treasurer,  and  we  have  examined  the 
operation  of  the  association  with  respect  to  all  fis- 
cal activities,  including  the  report  of  the  indepen- 
dent certified  public  accountant.  The  findings  are 
to  the  satisfaction  of  your  council.  Prior  to  this 
annual  session,  we  have  met  for  this  purpose  and 
conferred  with  the  Board  of  Trustees.  We  have 
determined  that  all  accounts,  receipts,  and  dis- 
bursements are  regular,  proper,  and  authorized. 

Association  Budget.  We  have  considered  the 
1970-71  budget  for  operation  of  your  association, 
and  we  have  conferred  with  the  Board  of  Trust- 
ees who  have  approved  our  recommendations. 
Each  item  in  the  budget  has  been  carefully  eval- 
uated as  to  necessity  and  adequacy.  We  recom- 
mend a total  budget  of  $215,741.00  for  general 
operation  of  all  activities  in  departments  of  the  as- 


AUGUST  1970 


463 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

sociation,  including  production  of  your  Journal. 
The  overall  budget  is  exclusive  of  professional 
fees  for  the  CHAMPUS  Program  which  are  re- 
imbursed to  the  association  by  the  Department  of 
Defense.  For  1970,  we  estimate  that  this  amount 
will  be  $1.8  million.  We  recommend  adoption  of 
the  budget  as  being  a realistic  minimum  for  the 
continued  effective  operation  of  your  association. 

Insurance  and  Safeguards.  We  have  examined 
a survey  of  insurance  owned  by  the  association 
on  its  properties  and  against  certain  liabilities 
which  conceivably  could  be  incurred,  and  we  find 
it  adequate.  We  have  also  examined  the  addition- 
al insurance  which  has  been  obtained  on  the 
building  addition,  including  increased  title  insur- 
ance and  insurance  on  all  mechanical  installations 
which  have  been  inspected  by  an  independent 
safety  engineer.  Suitable  safeguards  for  disburse- 
ment procedures,  the  handling  of  incoming  funds 
as  recommended  by  our  certified  public  account- 
ant, and  proper  safeguarding  of  records  have 
been  provided  and  each  has  been  examined  by 
your  council.  We  find  these  to  be  adequate  and 
sufficient  for  our  needs. 

Service  to  Component  Medical  Societies , Your 
council  has  determined  that  the  central  office  is 
able  to  offer  a new  service  to  component  medical 
societies  of  the  association  with  reference  to  mem- 
bership. Effective  this  year  and  for  the  1971 
membership  year,  the  central  office  will  prepare 
statements  and  bill  physicians  directly  for  com- 
ponent society,  state  association,  AMA  dues  and 
voluntary  AMPAC  and  MPAC  dues,  furnishing 
a postage-paid,  return  envelope  with  the  billing. 
We  believe  this  will  add  greatly  to  the  efficiency 
of  our  dues  collections  and  that  it  will  ease  a great 
burden  from  volunteer  physician-secretaries  of 
component  medical  societies. 

No  billing  will  be  made  unless  clearance  has 
been  obtained  from  the  component  medical  so- 
ciety. 

The  report  of  the  council  was  adopted. 

REPORT  OF  THE  EXECUTIVE  SECRETARY 

Mr.  Rowland  B.  Kennedy:  Scope  of  Report. 
Your  Executive  Secretary,  under  the  By-Laws, 
reports  to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  as  such  has 
submitted  about  70  written  reports  during  the 
1969-70  association  year.  The  present  report  is 
one  of  highlights  and  of  the  headquarters  staff.  It 
is  purposely  abbreviated  to  avoid  any  lengthy  du- 
plication or  any  discussion  of  association  policy. 

Executive  Staff.  With  authority  from  the  Board 
of  Trustees,  the  staff  was  reorganized  in  June 


1969  into  working  departments.  A new  Executive 
Assistant  was  appointed  and  assigned  general  ac 
counting  and  internal  management  duties,  am 
the  Department  of  Medical  Care  Plans  was  ex 
panded  to  accommodate  the  growing  CHAMPUJ 
program  which  increased  more  than  50  per  cen 
in  1969.  We  were  also  fortunate  in  securing  < 
journalism  graduate  to  serve  as  Editorial  Assistant  I 
for  your  Journal. 

Since  the  1969  annual  session,  the  staff  hae 
been  expanded  by  four,  and  more  recently,  the 
Board  has  authorized  appointment  of  a third  ex- 
ecutive in  an  effort  to  cope  realistically  witf 
growing  challenges  in  legislation  and  other  critica1 
activities.  We  remain  understaffed  for  assignee 
and  necessary  duties. 

We  can,  however,  measure  improvements  anc 
results  as  the  staffing  pattern  becomes  more  real- 
istic. Your  Executive  Secretary  has  recommend- 
ed that  further  additions  be  authorized  by  the! 
Board  in  the  interest  of  association  programs  and 
support  for  official  bodies. 

Legislation.  Two  sessions  of  the  Legislature 
have  been  conducted  since  the  1969  annual  ses- 
sion, and  the  interests  of  physicians  and  medicine! 
are  frequently  at  stake  in  pending  laws  and  pro- 
grams. The  Board  has  concurred  in  a proposal  to! 
intensify  our  legislative  communications  to  all; 
members.  Virtually  all  additional  staff  recom-s 
mended  will  serve  in  legislative  activities  and  ini 
medical  service  programs. 

Building  Addition.  The  staff  was  privileged  to 
serve  in  a coordinating  capacity  with  the  Build- 
ing Committee  in  the  urgently  needed  building 
expansion  project.  We  deeply  appreciate  the  ad- 
dition which  was  essential  to  basic  association 
services  and  support  of  official  programs  and  ac- 
tivities. The  refurbishing  of  your  original  1 4-year- ! 
old  building  concomitantly  with  the  construction 
of  the  addition  has  given  the  association  a valu- 
able working  facility  as  well  as  a sound  invest- 
ment. 

Workload  and  Service  Potential.  With  a well- 
trained  and  experienced  staff  core,  we  have  the 
capability  of  furnishing  needed  support  for  grow- 
ing responsibilities  and  challenges  in  activities. 
The  past  year  was  a difficult  one  for  your  staff, 
because  no  previous  year  required  more  produc- 
tivity in  legislation,  government  relations,  associ- 
ation programs,  medical  care  plans  administra- 
tion, or  in  our  share  in  the  construction  project. 

We  stand  ready  to  offer  the  membership  ad- 
ditional services,  and  we  are  uniquely  situated  to 
do  so  with  core  experience,  data  processing  hard- 
ware, more  adequate  office  facilities,  and  updat- 
ed equipment.  Of  particular  value  is  the  physi- 


464 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


dans’  data  management  service  which  can  be 
furnished  much  less  expensively  than  comparable 
commercial  services.  We  invite  your  appraisal  of 
this  proposed  service  in  the  Technical  Exhibit  of 
the  present  annual  session. 

The  Board  has  recognized  that  we  have  special 
need  for  executives,  and  none  need  be  reminded 
that  the  years  of  the  ’70’s  will  try  sorely  the  ca- 
pacity of  the  association  to  carry  out  the  wishes 
and  objectives  of  the  membership. 

Personal  Expression.  The  new  association  year 
will  mark  my  20th  as  your  Executive  Secretary. 
The  decade  ahead  will  be  difficult,  but  your  ex- 
ecutive staff  pledges  its  best  efforts  to  serve  you  in 
meeting  the  challenge  to  deliver  more  and  better 
medical  care  under  our  private  system.  I am 
deeply  grateful  to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  general 
officers,  official  bodies  of  your  association,  and  to 
the  component  societies  for  the  opportunity  of 
working  in  your  behalf. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  REPORTS  OF  OFFICERS  AND 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

The  committee  is  pleased  with  the  report  of  the 
Executive  Secretary  and  would  like  to  take  this 
opportunity  to  recognize  the  20th  anniversary  of 
his  service  to  the  association  and  the  excellence 
of  his  performance  in  the  various  aspects  of  his 
duties  during  all  these  years.  We  remind  the 
House  of  Delegates  and  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
his  statements  concerning  the  work  load  of  his 
staff,  and  we  commend  them  for  emulating  his 
example  of  excellence. 

Applause  from  the  House  of  Delegates  was 
given  the  report  of  the  reference  committee  on 
the  Report  of  the  Executive  Secretary,  and  the 
report  was  adopted. 

REPORT  OF  THE  THE  COMMITTEE 

ON  AMA-ERF 

Dr.  Raymond  F.  Grenfell:  Organization  and 
Duties.  Your  Committee  on  the  American  Medi- 
cal Association  Education  and  Research  Foun- 
dation is  an  ad  hoc  body  of  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates. Its  principal  duty  is  to  encourage  members 
of  the  association  and  the  Woman’s  Auxiliary  to 
support  AMA-ERF  with  voluntary,  tax-deducti- 
ble contributions.  Every  dollar  received  goes  to 
medical  education  or  research,  and  the  donor 
may  even  earmark  his  gift  for  a particular  institu- 
tion. No  administrative  expense  for  the  conduct 
of  fund-raising  campaigns  comes  from  gifts:  At 
national  level,  AMA  pays  the  full  cost  of  founda- 
tion administration,  and  at  state  level,  the  associ- 
ation pays  for  all  solicitation  costs. 

1969  Contributions.  Last  year,  our  total  gift  to 


the  University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 
and  Medical  Center  was  $12,099.97,  represent- 
ing $9,410.17  contributed  by  Mississippi  physi- 
cians and  Auxiliary  members.  The  remainder 
represents  undesignated  gifts  which  are  equally 
distributed  among  all  accredited  four-year  medi- 
cal schools  by  AMA-ERF. 

1970  Program.  Our  total  contributions  declined 
in  1970,  and  we  have  presented  the  University 
with  $11,102.40,  representing  $8,615.94  ear- 
marked for  the  school  and  $2,486.46  in  the  un- 
designated foundation  fund  distribution.  This 
year  our  per  capita  physician  gift  remained  high- 
er than  those  in  our  four  neighboring  states: 


State  No.M.D.’s  Total  PerM.D. 

Alabama  2,122  $ 630.00  $ .30 

Arkansas  1,288  995.00  .77 

Louisiana  2,170  3,685.00  1.69 

Mississippi  1,429  6,330.00  4.43 

Tennessee  2,891  8,888.00  3.09 


Our  Auxiliary  gave  $2,682.56  in  the  1970 
campaign,  a commendable  increase  over  the  1969 
total  of  $1,750.43.  We  continue  to  work  with  the 
University  in  solicitation  mailings,  and  we  thank 
our  president,  Dr.  James  L.  Royals,  for  his  sup- 
port in  this  work.  We  urge  every  association  and 
Auxiliary  member  to  contribute  next  year. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  MISCELLANEOUS  BUSINESS 

Your  reference  committee  considered  the  an- 
nual report  of  our  Committee  on  AMA-ERF, 
and  we  are  extremely  gratified  to  note  that  Mis- 
sissippi physicians  continue  to  give  more  on  a per 
capita  basis  to  medical  education  than  physicians 
in  Arkansas,  Louisiana,  Tennessee  or  Alabama. 
We  encourage  this  program  and  ask  that  the  as- 
sociation continue  to  support  it  by  solicitation  of 
all  physicians  for  voluntary  contributions  to  med- 
ical education.  We  approve  the  report  of  this 
committee  and  thank  the  members  for  their  good 
service  to  medical  education  and  to  our  associa- 
tion. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 

AUXILIARY  OFFICERS 

The  Speaker  presented  Mesdames  Louis  C. 
Lehmann  of  Natchez,  1969-70  President  of  the 
Woman's  Auxiliary  to  the  Mississippi  State  Med- 
ical Association,  and  Curtis  W.  Caine  of  Jackson, 
1970-71  President,  who  addressed  the  House  of 
Delegates. 

1970  MSMA-ROBINS  AWARD 

President  Royals  presented  the  1970  Mississip- 
pi State  Medical  Association-Robins  Award  to 
Dr.  W.  J.  Aycock  of  Calhoun  City  for  outstand- 


AUGUST  1970 


465 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

ing  community  service  by  a physician.  Mr.  Wil- 
lard Duvall  of  New  Orleans,  district  manager  for 

A.  H.  Robins  Co.,  assisted  Dr.  Royals  in  the  pre- 
sentation. 

SCIENTIFIC  EXHIBIT  AWARD 

Dr.  Walter  H.  Simmons,  chairman  of  the 
Council  on  Scientific  Assembly,  presented  the 
Aesculapius  Award,  an  honorarium  of  $500,  to 
Dr.  James  P.  Spell  of  Jackson  for  the  best  scien- 
tific exhibit  by  a member.  Dr.  Spell’s  exhibit  was 
“Systemic  Clues  to  Occult  Cancer.” 

RESOLUTION  NO.  1,  IN  MEMORIAM 

Dr.  Walter  H.  Simmons:  Whereas,  There  are 
absent  from  among  our  numbers  21  members 
who  have  been  called  by  Divine  Providence  since 
the  101st  Annual  Session;  and 

Whereas,  Although  we  are  grieved  upon  the 
passing  of  these  beloved  colleagues  and  friends, 
we  are  inspired  by  their  lives  of  service  and  pro- 
fessional attainment;  and 

Whereas,  This  expression  of  our  grief,  deep 
affection,  and  respect  should  be  recorded  perma- 
nently among  official  records  of  the  Mississippi 
State  Medical  Association,  now  therefore,  be  it 
Resolved,  That  this  House  of  Delegates  does 
mourn  the  passing  of  the  following  esteemed  col- 
leagues: 

John  C.  Adams,  Greenwood,  August  28,  1969 
William  H.  Anderson,  Booneville,  May  9,  1969 
George  G.  Armstrong,  Sr.,  Houston,  November 
17,  1969 

John  R.  Bane,  Jr.,  Jackson,  October  26,  1969 
James  E.  Coe,  Lambert,  June  18,  1969 
J.  Kenneth  Cooke,  Houston,  Texas,  February  11, 
1970 

James  H.  Fox,  Jackson,  January  8,  1970 
Thomas  W.  Frazier,  Crawford,  May  11,  1969 
Edward  L.  Gilbert,  DeKalb,  July  11,  1969 
James  C.  Green,  Tupelo,  December  3,  1969 
Percy  P.  Haslitt,  Ocean  Springs,  May  19,  1969 
Isaac  C.  Knox,  Sr.,  Vicksburg,  September  1,  1969 
Luther  L.  McDougal,  Tupelo,  December  12, 
1969 

Junius  K.  Oates,  Laurel,  July  22,  1969 

B.  B.  O’Mara,  Biloxi,  May  24,  1969 

Luther  B.  Otken,  Greenwood,  November  25, 
1969 

Daniel  H.  Raney,  Mattson,  November  27,  1969 
Milton  H.  Robertson,  Corinth,  March  13,  1970 
George  T.  Warren,  Brookhaven,  May  30,  1969 
Oliver  B.  Wingo,  Sardis,  January  31,  1970 
Maurice  R.  Wingo,  Pass  Christian,  October  25, 
1969 

466 


ACTION  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES 

Without  objection,  Resolution  No.  1 was  acted 
upon  without  referral  and  adopted  by  the  House 
of  Delegates  with  all  present  standing  in  silent 
tribute. 

RESOLUTION  NO.  2,  AMENDMENT 
OF  ABORTION  LAWS 

Dr.  J.  Purves  McLaurin,  Jr.:  Whereas,  Mis- 
sissippi law  prohibits  abortion  except  where  con- 
tinuation of  the  pregnancy  poses  a threat  to  the 
life  of  the  patient  or  where  the  pregnancy  results 
from  forcible  or  statutory  rape,  and 

Whereas,  A significant  number  of  states  have 
recognized  that  abortion  may  be  lawfully  per- 
formed when  one  of  the  foregoing  conditions  pre- 
vails or  when  the  pregnancy  results  from  incest, 
when  continuation  of  the  pregnancy  poses  a 
threat  to  the  health  of  the  patient,  and/or  when, 
in  cognizant  medical  opinion,  there  is  a probabil- 
ity that  the  infant  will  be  born  deformed,  and 

Whereas,  The  American  Medical  Association 
and  the  American  College  of  Obstetricians  and 
Gynecologists  have  respectively  approved  abor- 
tion under  any  one  of  the  foregoing  conditions, 
and 

Whereas,  There  is  strong  opinion  among  cit- 
izens  of  the  state  and  the  medical  profession  that  • 
the  Mississippi  law  should  be  amended  to  reflect 
these  additional  socially  and  medically  acceptable 
conditions  under  which  this  procedure  may  be 
performed,  now,  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  policy  of  the  Mississippi 
State  Medical  Association  be  that  abortion  should  ; 
not  be  performed  except  when  ( 1 ) the  pregnancy 
results  from  forcible  or  statutory  rape  or  from  in- 
cest, (2)  continuation  of  the  pregnancy  poses  a 
threat  to  the  life  or  health  of  the  patient,  or  (3) 
when,  in  cognizant  medical  opinion,  there  is  a { 
probability  that  the  infant  will  be  born  deformed  | 
and  that  the  procedure  be  undertaken  by  a physi- 
cian only  ( 1 ) when  consultation  has  been  ob- 
tained in  writing  from  another  physician  and  (2) 
the  procedure  is  performed  in  a licensed  hospital, 
and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  this  policy  in  no  way  alters  the 
association’s  long-standing  view  that  criminal  or 
illicit  abortion  be  vigorously  prosecuted  under  ap- 
plicable criminal  law,  and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  amendments  in  existing  Mis- 
sissippi law  be  sought  to  implement  this  policy 
during  the  1971  Regular  Session  of  the  Mississip- 
pi Legislature. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  MEDICAL  PRACTICES 

This  resolution  proposes  that  the  policy  of  the 
association  be  that  abortion  should  not  be  per- 

JOURNAL  MSMA 


formed  except  when  ( 1 ) the  pregnancy  results 
:rom  forcible  or  statutory  rape  or  from  incest, 
(2)  continuation  of  the  pregnancy  poses  a threat 
to  the  life  or  health  of  the  patient,  or  (3)  when, 
in  cognizant  medical  opinion,  there  is  a probabili- 
ty the  infant  will  be  born  deformed  and  the  pro- 
cure be  undertaken  by  a physician  only  ( 1 ) 
vhen  consultation  has  been  obtained  in  writing 
from  another  physician  and  (2)  the  procedure  is 
Derformed  in  a licensed  hospital. 

This  proposal  in  no  way  alters  the  association’s 
ong-standing  policy  that  criminal  or  illicit  abor- 
tion be  vigorously  prosecuted  under  the  applica- 
ble criminal  law.  We  approve  this  resolution  and 
recommend  its  adoption  by  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates. We  further  request  that  necessary  legisla- 
tion be  drafted  and  submitted  to  the  1971  regular 
session. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 

RESOLUTION  NO.  3,  LIMITED 
LICENSURE  OF  PHYSICIANS 

Drs.  Richard  C.  Fleming,  Jr.,  and  William  M. 
Gillespie,  Jr.:  Whereas,  There  presently  exists  a 
serious  shortage  of  physicians  in  the  state  of  Mis- 
sissippi, with  a doctor-population  ratio  of  1 : 1,400 
as  compared  with  the  national  average  of  1:700, 
and 

Whereas,  The  physician  shortage  is  especially 
acute  in  many  of  the  State-operated  institutions — 
medical  and  surgical  (charity)  hospitals,  mental 
hospitals,  mental  retardation  school,  tuberculosis 
sanitarium,  county  public  health  departments, 
and  penal  institutions,  and 

Whereas,  In  an  attempt  to  provide  more  ade- 
quate medical  and  health  care  to  the  patients 
served  by  such  State-operated  institutions,  it  has 
been  necessary  for  many  years  to  employ  the  ser- 
vices of  certain  carefully-selected  and  competent 
Foreign  Medical  Graduates,  who  are  not  eligible, 
due  to  lack  of  U.  S.  Citizenship  and/or  non-pos- 
session of  ECFMG  certification,  to  be  examined 
for  full  Mississippi  medical  licensure,  and 

Whereas,  The  impending  application  of  most 
of  these  same  State-operated  institutions  to  par- 
ticipate in  Medicare  and  Medicaid  requires  that 
all  physicians  providing  care  in  these  institutions 
be  licensed,  in  some  form,  to  practice  medicine 
by  the  State  of  Mississippi,  and 

Whereas,  Many  other  States  in  this  country 
already  have  provision  for  the  granting  of  limited 
or  institutional  licensure,  for  practice  restricted  to 
the  institutions  of  employment,  and 

Whereas,  There  is,  at  present,  no  provision 
for  any  form  of  limited  or  institutional  licensure 
to  practice  medicine  in  a restricted  capacity  in  the 
State  of  Mississippi,  now  therefore,  be  it 


Resolved,  That  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association,  through  affirmative  action  of  its 
House  of  Delegates,  requests  the  State  Board  of 
Health  to  expedite  the  establishment  of  a cate- 
gory of  limited  or  institutional  licensure,  annually 
renewable,  for  certain  carefully  selected  foreign 
medical  graduates  on  the  recommendation  of  the 
superintendent  and/or  board  of  trustees  of  the 
state  institution,  the  component  medical  society 
in  whose  professional  jurisdiction  the  institution  is 
located,  the  state  medical  association  Trustee  in 
that  district,  and  the  medical  member  of  the  State 
Board  of  Health  in  that  Public  Health  District. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  MISCELLANEOUS  BUSINESS 

This  resolution  asks  that  certain  carefully  se- 
lected foreign  medical  graduates  be  given  limited 
licensure  in  order  to  serve  in  certain  institutions 
operated  by  the  State  of  Mississippi.  We  concur 
in  this  resolution,  recommending  only  a minor 
change  in  the  resolving  clause.  We  recommend 
that  the  resolving  clause  be  amended  as  follows: 

“ Resolved , That  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association  through  informative  action  of  its 
House  of  Delegates  request  the  State  Board  of 
Health  to  expedite  the  establishment  of  a category 
of  limited  institutional  licensure,  annually  renew- 
able, for  certain  carefully  selected  foreign  medi- 
cal graduates  on  recommendation  of  the  superin- 
tendent and  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  State  in- 
stitutions, the  component  medical  society  in  whose 
professional  jurisdiction  the  institution  is  located, 
the  state  medical  association  Trustee  in  that  dis- 
trict, and  the  medical  member  of  the  State  Board 
of  Health  in  that  public  health  district.” 

We  feel  that  this  will  assist  in  alleviating  to 
some  extent  the  shortage  of  physicians  in  this 
state  and  meet  the  challenge  of  certain  medico- 
legal urgencies  which  we  face. 

Your  reference  committee  recommends  the 
adoption  of  Resolution  No.  3,  as  amended. 

The  report  was  discussed  by  Drs.  Dewitt  Ham- 
rick of  Corinth,  H.  C.  Ricks,  Sr.,  of  Jackson, 
C.  D.  Taylor,  Jr.,  of  Pass  Christian,  James  Grant 
Thompson  of  Jackson,  Guy  T.  Vise  of  Meridian. 
President  Royals  reported  receiving  a telegram 
stating  that  the  Mississippi  Psychiatric  Society  op- 
posed the  resolution. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 

RESOLUTION  NO.  4,  STATUTORY 
STANDARDS  OF  PRACTITIONERS 

Dr.  Lawrence  W.  Long:  Whereas,  The  Mis- 
sissippi State  Medical  Association  is  dedicated  to 
the  conservation  and  protection  of  the  health  of 
all  citizens,  and 

Whereas,  The  cult  of  chiropractic  constitutes 


AUGUST  1970 


467 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

a hazard  to  rational  health  care  because  it  is  a 
false  dogma  based  on  a totally  unscientific  prem- 
ise and  whose  practitioners  rigidly  adhere  to  their 
irrational,  unscientific  beliefs,  and 

Whereas,  The  State  of  Mississippi,  through 
the  wisdom  of  its  Legislature,  has  consistently  re- 
jected the  repeated  demands  of  the  cult  of  chiro- 
practic to  be  licensed  and  accorded  the  sanction 
and  badge  of  respectability  by  the  state,  and 
Whereas,  The  position  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  is  substantiated  by  an  over- 
whelming preponderance  of  documented,  scientif- 
ic evidence  and  by  the  formal  findings  and  dec- 
larations of  the  United  States  Government,  and 
Whereas,  In  this  era  of  scientific  advance- 
ment there  cannot  be  permitted  to  exist  a double 
standard  of  health  care  for  the  citizens  of  Missis- 
sippi, one  scientific  and  one  cultist,  now,  there- 
fore, be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  House  of  Delegates  of  the 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  directs  that 
whatever  legislation  is  necessary  be  drafted  and 
introduced  in  the  next  Regular  Session  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi Legislature  to  require  that  chiropractors 
and  any  other  practitioners  who  hold  themselves 
out  as  competent  to  diagnose  and  treat  human 
disease  must  meet  the  same  standards  of  educa- 
tion and  training  as  doctors  of  medicine. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  MISCELLANEOUS  BUSINESS 

This  resolution  offers  a positive  program  for 
combating  the  cult  of  chiropractic  in  Mississippi. 
We  heard  excellent  testimony  in  this  connection, 
and  we  are  grateful  for  the  presence  of  Mr.  Doyl 
Taylor,  Director  of  the  AMA  Department  of  In- 
vestigation, Chicago,  who  came  to  our  convention 
to  assist  us  in  this  respect. 

The  Legislature  has  stated  that  unless  the  as- 
sociation adopts  a positive  program  on  chiroprac- 
tic that  we  are  likely  to  have  a licensure  law  in 
the  immediate  future.  We  feel  that  this  is  a posi- 
tive program,  and  it  roughly  approximates  the  de- 
cision handed  down  by  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court 
in  the  case  of  England  v.  Louisiana.  This  would 
achieve,  in  effect,  in  statute  what  was  achieved 
by  court  decree  in  the  Louisiana  case. 

We  earnestly  recommend  that  the  Board  of 
Trustees  and  the  Council  on  Legislation  work 
vigorously  to  implement  this  resolution  in  the 
1971  regular  session  of  the  Mississippi  Legisla- 
ture. We  approve  the  resolution  and  urge  all 
members  to  support  the  implementation. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 


RESOLUTION  NO.  6,  EXEMPTION 
FROM  DUES  BASED  ON  AGE 

Dr.  Walter  H.  Simmons:  Whereas,  The  By- 
Laws  of  the  American  Medical  Association  pro- 
vide that  a member,  upon  request,  may  be  exempt 
from  dues  for  life  when,  on  January  1 of  the  year 
for  which  the  exemption  is  to  become  effective, 
he  has  attained  the  age  of  70,  and 

Whereas,  The  By-Laws  of  the  Mississippi 
State  Medical  Association,  while  providing  many 
and  liberal  bases  for  exemption  from  dues  but 
which  provide  no  basis  for  such  exemption  by  rea- 
son of  having  attained  age  70,  and 

Whereas,  It  is  fitting  and  appropriate  that 
loyal  members  of  the  association,  upon  attain- 
ment of  age  70,  be  recognized  by  relief  from  dues 
upon  request  and  that  there  be  a parallel  basis  for 
such  exemption  with  that  of  the  American  Medi- 
cal Association,  now,  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  Section  4(a),  Chapter  I,  By- 
Laws  of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Associa- 
tion, is  amended  to  add  at  the  end  of  the  section: 
“Members  who  shall  have  attained  age  70  and 
who  have  been  active  members  of  the  association 
for  any  10  consecutive  years  may,  upon  request, 
be  exempt  from  dues  for  life  effective  January  1 
after  the  70th  birthday,  and  such  exemption  shall 
continue  so  long  as  the  member  continues  in 
good  standing  in  his  component  medical  society.” 

REPORT  OF  THE  COUNCIL  ON 
CONSTITUTION  AND  BY-LAWS 

The  purpose  of  this  resolution  is  to  bring  into 
agreement  certain  provisions  relating  to  active 
membership  between  the  state  medical  associa- 
tion and  AMA. 

To  accomplish  this  purpose,  it  is  necessary  to 
amend  Section  4(a),  Chapter  I of  the  By-Laws  to 
provide  that  “members  who  shall  have  attained 
age  70  and  who  have  been  active  members  of  the 
association  for  any  ten  consecutive  years  may  up- 
on request  be  exempt  from  dues  for  life  effective 
January  1,  after  the  70th  birthday  and  such  ex- 
emption shall  continue  so  long  as  the  member 
continues  in  good  standing  in  his  component  med- 
ical society.” 

We  approve  this  amendment  and  recommend 
its  adoption. 

The  report  of  the  council,  acting  as  a reference 
committee,  was  adopted. 

RESOLUTION  NO.  7,  BURDENS  OF 
MEDICAID  UPON  PHYSICIANS 

Dr.  Norman  W.  Todd:  Whereas,  The  Missis- 
sippi State  Medical  Association  supported  enact- 
ment of  a Medicaid  program  in  its  commitment 
and  desire  to  continue  to  render  the  best  possible 


468 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


medical  services  to  all  citizens  of  our  state,  and 

Whereas,  This  program  is  administered  and 
directed  by  a statutory  commission  of  the  State  of 
Mississippi  which  is  duly  empowered  to  prescribe 
regulations  and  administrative  practices,  and 

Whereas,  The  Mississippi  Medicaid  Commis- 
sion has  published  a Physicians’  Manual  contain- 
ing regulations  and  administrative  requirements 
which  place  burdensome  and  time-consuming  pa- 
perwork tasks  upon  physicians  in  practice,  and 

Whereas,  Claims  forms  prescribed  are  need- 
lessly complex,  requiring  employment  of  addition- 
al clerical  personnel  in  physicians’  offices,  and 
procedures  for  securing  professional  compensation 
for  care  of  Old  Age  Assistance  recipients  under 
Medicare  and  Medicaid  are  unrealistically  com- 
plicated and  costly  in  time  and  money  to  prac- 
titioners, and 

Whereas,  Payment  services  under  Medicaid 
are  excessively  slow  and  uncertain,  now,  there- 
fore, be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association,  while  reaffirming  its  commitment  to 
render  the  best  possible  medical  services  to  all 
citizens,  does  protest  and  condemn  the  excessive- 
ly burdensome  regulations  and  requirements  of 
the  Mississippi  Medicaid  Commission,  does  call 
for  elimination  of  these  bureaucratic  measures 
which  contribute  nothing  to  medical  care,  and 
does  call  for  simplification  of  paperwork  associ- 
ated with  the  filing  of  claims  and  for  payment 
of  such  claims  within  reasonable  periods  of  time. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  MEDICAL  PRACTICES 

This  resolution  points  out  that  the  Medicaid 
Program  requires  extensive  use  of  complex  forms, 
resulting  in  paperwork  burdens  upon  practition- 
ers. 

We  approve  the  resolution  but  recommend 
adoption  of  the  following  substitute  resolving 
clause: 

Resolved,  That  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association  while  reaffirming  its  commitment  to 
render  the  best  possible  medical  services  to  all 
citizens  does  protest  the  excessively  burdensome 
regulations  and  requirements  of  the  Mississippi 
Medicaid  Program,  especially  the  amount  of  pa- 
perwork associated  with  claims  filing,  and  does  re- 
quest that  forms  be  simplified  and  clarified  by 
the  commission  by  December  31,  1970,  and  be  it 
further 

Resolved , That  Old  Age  Assistance  patients  be 
served  by  submission  of  a single  claim  to  be  Part 
1-B,  Medicare  carrier  which,  in  turn,  would  gen- 
erate the  necessary  claim  for  the  Medicaid  Pro- 
gram, and  be  it  further 


Resolved,  That  the  association  does  offer  its 
services  to  the  commission  in  achieving  these 
goals  to  improve  the  program  and  to  lessen  bur- 
dens upon  practicing  physicians.” 

Your  Reference  Committee  recommends  ap- 
proval of  the  resolution  as  amended. 

Dr.  Clyde  A.  Watkins  of  Sanatorium  moved  to 
amend  the  substitute  resolving  clause  by  insert- 
ing the  words  “board  of  trustees  of  the”  immedi- 
ately following  the  words  “does  offer  its  services 
to  the”  in  the  third  “resolved”  and  the  motion 
was  seconded  by  Dr.  Frank  M.  Davis  of  Corinth. 
The  motion  to  amend  was  adopted,  and  the  main 
motion  was  adopted  as  amended. 

RESOLUTION  NO.  8.  MEDICAL 
STUDENT  MEMBERSHIP 

Dr.  M.  Beckett  Howorth,  Jr.:  Whereas,  The 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  proudly  ac- 
cepts its  responsibilities  to  medical  education  and 
to  the  medical  students  who  are  our  next  profes- 
sional generation,  and 

Whereas,  The  AMA  House  of  Delegates  has 
requested  each  state  medical  association  to  pro- 
vide a degree  of  membership  for  medical  stu- 
dents, and 

Whereas,  The  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  asso- 
ciation has  approved  this  proposal,  as  has  at  least 
one  component  medical  society  of  the  association, 
the  North  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  now, 
therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  The  Mississippi  State  Medical  Asso- 
ciation does  establish  a degree  of  membership  for 
medical  students  which  shall  be  dues-free,  that 
said  students  shall  be  regularly  enrolled  in  a med- 
ical school  approved  by  AMA  which  is  located 
in  Mississippi,  that  application  for  membership 
shall  be  submitted  to  the  association,  that  a spe- 
cial component  shall  be  provisionally  created  and 
provisionally  chartered  by  the  Board  of  Trustees 
as  regards  the  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine  and  such  component  shall  be  designat- 
ed the  University  Medical  Society  whose  mem- 
bers may  conduct  their  own  society  affairs  under 
the  Constitution  and  By-Laws,  including  the  elec- 
tion of  their  own  officers  and  voting  delegates  to 
the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association,  and 
that  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  implement  this 
resolution,  taking  such  additional  actions  as  are 
deemed  necessary  to  fulfill  its  purpose,  and  be  it 
further 

Resolved,  That  this  resolution  be  implemented 
without  amendment  to  the  By-Laws  at  this  time, 
pending  amendment  of  the  AMA  By-Laws  as  to 
the  student  membership  and  that  criteria  for 
membership  prescribed  in  MSMA  By-Laws  re- 
lating to  doctors  of  medicine  may  be  waived  to 


AUGUST  1970 


469 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

the  extent  necessary  to  accomplish  these  purposes 
for  student  membership  by  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  REPORTS  OF  OFFICERS  AND 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

This  resolution  proposes  that  a degree  of  mem- 
bership be  created  for  medical  students  in  Mis- 
sissippi and  provides  for  their  participation  in  the 
work  and  affairs  of  our  association.  Your  Refer- 
ence Committee  feels  that  this  resolution  and  the 
proposal  have  great  merit,  and  we  approve  the 
establishment  of  a degree  of  membership  for  med- 
ical students  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the 
resolution. 

We  recommend  that  only  those  students  in  the 
last  two  years  of  training  be  eligible  for  member- 
ship. We  point  out  that  this  would  permit  those 
in  the  first  and  second  years  to  participate  in  the 
Student  American  Medical  Association  chapter 
which  has  recently  been  reactivated  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine. 

We,  therefore,  request  the  Board  of  Trustees  to 
provide  for  provisional  organization  and  provi- 
sional charter  of  the  University  Medical  Society 
and  for  election  to  membership  of  those  students 
who  apply. 

Dr.  J.  T.  Davis  of  Corinth  moved  to  amend 
the  last  sentence  of  the  reference  committee's  re- 
port to  insert  the  words  “a  degree  of  member- 
ship" immediately  before  the  words  “and  for  elec- 
tion to"  and  the  motion  was  seconded  by  Dr. 
S.  Jay  McDuffie  of  Nettleton.  The  motion  to 
amend  was  adopted,  and  the  main  motion  was 
adopted  as  amended. 

RESOLUTION  NO.  9 

Resolution  No.  9 was  withdrawn  from  consid- 
eration by  the  House  of  Delegates. 

RESOLUTION  NO.  10,  ASSOCIATION 
FINANCIAL  MANAGEMENT 

Dr.  J.  T.  Davis:  Whereas,  Matters  relating  to 
association  finances  and  the  budget  have,  for 
many  years,  been  responsibilities  of  the  Council 
on  Budget  and  Finance,  a three-member  body, 
and 

Whereas,  The  association,  as  has  been  true 
of  virtually  all  state  medical  associations,  has  in- 
creased its  programs  of  service,  extended  its  ac- 
tivities, and  experienced  growth  in  financial  op- 
erations, and 

Whereas,  It  is  desirable  for  the  association  to 
have  the  benefit  of  a broader  base  of  financial 
management  and  monitoring  than  can  now  be 


provided  with  a three-member  body,  now,  there- 
fore, be  it 

Resolved,  That  Section  7,  Chapter  IX,  By- 
Laws  of  the  association,  be  amended  to  provide 
for  a five-member  Council  on  Budget  and  Fi- 
nance with  terms  so  arranged  that  not  more  than 
two  members  are  elected  annually  by  the  House 
of  Delegates,  and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  this  amendment  become  opera- 
tive at  the  103rd  Annual  Session  in  1971  so  as  to 
provide  for  orderly  arrangement  and  succession 
in  terms  of  members  of  the  expanded  council. 

REPORT  OF  THE  COUNCIL  ON 
CONSTITUTION  AND  BY-LAWS 

This  resolution  proposes  an  expansion  of  the 
membership  of  the  Council  on  Budget  and  Fi- 
nance to  five  members  from  the  present  three 
members,  and  it  involves  making  a minor  change 
in  Section  7,  Chapter  IX  of  the  By-Laws. 

We  approve  this  amendment  and  recommend 
that  it  be  adopted  now  to  become  operative  at 
the  103rd  Annual  Session  in  1971  so  as  to  provide 
for  orderly  arrangement  and  succession  in  terms 
of  members  of  the  expanded  council. 

The  report  of  the  council,  acting  as  a reference 
committee,  was  adopted. 

RESOLUTION  NO.  11,  EMERGENCY 
MEDICAL  HELICOPTER  PROJECT 

Dr.  Howard  A.  Nelson:  Whereas,  The  State 
of  Mississippi,  through  Mississippi  State  Univer- 
sity and  other  cooperating  organizations,  has  con- 
ducted a demonstration  project  on  utilization  of 
helicopters  for  emergency  medical  transportation 
with  bases  at  Greenwood,  Jackson,  and  Hatties- 
burg, and 

Whereas,  The  medical  profession,  through  ex- 
perience in  the  Korean  War  and  the  War  in  Viet 
Nam,  recognizes  the  helicopter  as  means  of  med- 
ical air  evacuation  and  emergency  service  trans- 
portation without  parallel  in  the  saving  of  human 
life  in  rapid  movement  of  accident  victims  and 
other  emergency  patients  to  centers  of  care,  and 

Whereas,  The  demonstration  grant  under 
which  the  project  is  being  conducted  will  soon 
expire,  and 

Whereas,  The  project  should  be  continued  in 
the  interest  of  care  of  accident  and  emergency 
patients  and  eventually  established  as  a service 
for  Mississippians,  now,  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association  applauds  the  emergency  helicopter 
service  as  vital  to  the  public  health  and  urges  its 
continuation  by  the  State  of  Mississippi  offering 
support  and  endorsement  of  the  service. 


470 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  MEDICAL  PRACTICES 

This  resolution  applauds  the  emergency  heli- 
copter demonstration  project  and  recommends 
continuation  of  service  by  the  State  of  Mississippi. 
We  approve  the  resolution  and  recommend  its 
adoption. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 

RESOLUTION  NO.  12,  INCENTIVE 
TO  PRACTICE  IN  RURAL  AREAS 

Dr.  Guy  T.  Vise:  Whereas,  There  is  a short- 
age of  physicians  in  Mississippi  where  the  ratio  is 
approximately  half  the  physicians  to  population 
that  it  is  nationally,  and 

Whereas,  The  need  for  physicians  is  especial- 
ly acute  in  rural  areas  where  physician  to  popula- 
tion ratio  is  even  less  than  the  low  state  average, 
and 

Whereas,  Medical  organization,  in  its  contin- 
uing effort  to  present  positive  programs  for  as- 
sured care  delivery  to  the  American  people,  earn- 
estly seeks  solutions  to  these  perplexing  prob- 
lems, now,  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association  recommends  that  appropriate  tax  in- 
centives be  provided  to  physicians  who  elect  to 
practice  in  rural  areas  of  Mississippi  and  of  other 
states  and  further  recommends  that  the  Internal 
Revenue  Code  of  1954  be  accordingly  amended 
to  provide  this  incentive. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  MISCELLANEOUS  BUSINESS 

This  resolution  recognizes  the  shortage  of  phy- 
sicians in  Mississippi  and  seeks  certain  amend- 
ments to  the  Internal  Revenue  Code  of  1954  to 
provide  tax  incentives  for  physicians  to  practice 
in  rural  areas  of  the  United  States.  We  approve 
the  resolution  and  recommend  its  adoption. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 

RESOLUTION  NO.  13,  SUPPLY 
OF  PHYSICIANS 

Dr.  Paul  B.  Brumby:  Whereas,  The  Missis- 
sippi State  Medical  Association  recognizes  that 
there  is  a shortage  of  physicians  in  our  state,  and 

Whereas,  The  association  earnestly  seeks  so- 
lutions to  this  urgent  problem  in  the  interest  of 
delivering  medical  care  to  all  Mississippians,  and 

Whereas.  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine  is  the  state’s  primary  source 
of  physicians,  now,  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association  calls  on  the  State  of  Mississippi  to  do 
those  things  necessary  in  support  of  the  Universi- 


ty of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine  to  increase 
the  size  of  classes  of  medical  students  to  the  end 
that  the  state  may  enjoy  the  benefits  of  larger 
graduating  classes,  and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  the  association  does  endorse 
such  action  and  does  offer  its  support  in  partner- 
ship with  the  state  in  achieving  this  worthy  end. 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  MISCELLANEOUS  BUSINESS 

This  resolution  calls  on  the  State  of  Mississippi 
to  do  those  things  necessary  in  support  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine  to  in- 
crease the  size  of  classes  of  med:cal  students  to 
the  end  that  the  State  may  enjoy  the  benefits  of 
larger  graduating  classes. 

Your  reference  committee  concurs  with  the 
proponent  of  the  resolution  in  that  the  University 
of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine  is  our  primary 
source  of  physicians.  We,  therefore,  offer  our  en- 
dorsement and  support  of  any  such  programs 
which  will  assist  the  University  in  enlarging  classes 
and  the  supply  of  physicians  in  our  State  and  call 
on  all  physicians  to  give  of  their  best  efforts  in 
this  connection. 

Dr.  Ralph  L.  Brock  of  McComb  moved  to 
amend  the  report  of  the  reference  committee  by 
deleting  the  period  in  the  last  sentence  and  add- 
ing the  words  ‘'and  be  referred  to  the  Council  on 
Legislation  for  implementation."  Dr.  H.  C.  Ricks, 
Sr.,  seconded  the  motion  to  amend  which  was 
adopted.  The  main  motion  was  adopted  as 
amended. 

RESOLUTION  NO.  14,  LOCATION 
OF  TRAINING  FACILITY 

Dr.  James  Grant  Thompson:  Whereas,  The 
Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Mental  Institutions  of 
the  State  of  Mississippi  has  seriously  and  careful- 
ly considered  the  location  of  a training  institution 
for  the  training  of  mentally  retarded  individuals 
and 

Whereas,  Representatives  from  three  locali- 
ties adequately  presented  to  this  Board  their  rea- 
sons why  this  facility  should  be  located  in  their 
areas,  and 

Whereas,  The  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Men- 
tal Institutions  of  the  State  of  Mississippi  has  de- 
cided that  due  to  certain  existing  conditions  the 
facility  should  be  located  at,  in,  or  near  Oxford, 
Mississippi,  now,  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  The  Mississippi  State  Medical  Asso- 
ciation does  urge  the  approval  of  the  location  of 
the  training  institution  for  the  training  of  mental- 
ly retarded  individuals  to  be  in  or  near  Oxford, 
Mississippi. 


AUGUST  1970 


471 


HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES  / Continued 

REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  MISCELLANEOUS  BUSINESS 

This  resolution,  emanating  from  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  Mental  Institutions  of  the  State  of 
Mississippi,  refers  to  location  of  a training  facility 
which  is  being  considered  and  planned  for  North 
Mississippi  for  the  mentally  retarded.  The  resolu- 
tion recommends  that  the  institution  be  located  in 
or  near  Oxford,  Mississippi. 

We  had  informed  discussion  in  this  connection, 
and  we  concur  with  those  who  support  the  loca- 
tion of  the  institution  in  or  near  Oxford  and  rec- 
ommend adoption  of  the  resolution. 

Dr.  William  E.  Lotterhos,  speaking  as  a mem- 
ber of  the  House,  moved  to  amend  the  report  of 
the  reference  committee  by  deleting  from  the  last 
sentence  the  words  “concur  with”  and  substitut- 
ing therefor  the  words  “have  confidence  in  the 
judgment  of”  and  the  motion  was  seconded  by 
Dr.  J.  T.  Davis.  The  motion  to  amend  was  adopt- 
ed, and  the  main  motion  was  adopted  as  amend- 
ed. 

RESOLUTION  NO.  15,  CONDUCT 
OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  DELEGATES 

Dr.  Howard  A.  Nelson : Whereas,  Section  4, 
Chapter  V,  By-Laws  of  the  Association  provides 
that  meetings  of  the  House  of  Delegates  shall  be 
conducted  according  to  Robert’s  Rules  of  Order, 
Newly  Revised,  and 

Whereas,  The  House  of  Delegates  of  the 
American  Medical  Association  has  adopted  the 
Sturgis  Standard  Code  of  Parliamentary  Proce- 
dure, and 

Whereas,  It  is  desirable  for  the  House  of  Del- 
egates of  this  Association  to  seek  a parallel  par- 
liamentary guide  now,  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  Section  4,  Chapter  V of  the  By- 
Laws  be  amended  to  delete  Robert’s  Rules  of 
Order,  Newly  Revised  and  substitute  therefor 
Sturgis  Standard  Code  of  Parliamentary  Proce- 
dure. 

Resolution  No.  15,  having  been  introduced  on 
the  final  day  of  the  annual  session  and  seeking  an 
amendment  to  the  By-Laws,  was  received  and 
placed  on  the  table  for  one  year  under  the  rules 
of  the  House  of  Delegates. 

OFFICIAL  ATTENDANCE 

The  official  attendance  was  announced  as  be- 
ing 917  to  include  473  physicians,  210  members 
of  the  Woman’s  Auxiliary,  114  exhibitors,  106 
guests  and  others,  and  14  staff. 


REPORT  OF  THE  REFERENCE  COMMITTEE 
ON  RULES  AND  ORDER  OF  BUSINESS  | 

Conduct  of  Business.  Your  reference  commit- 
tee commends  the  Speaker  and  Vice  Speaker  for 
the  outstanding  manner  in  which  they  have  con- 
ducted business  before  this  House  of  Delegates. 
We  believe  that  all  members  will  wish  to  associ- 
ate themselves  in  this  connection  and  in  an  ex- 
pression of  appreciation  to  these  officers.  We  ap- 
prove the  remarks  of  the  Speaker. 

Resolution.  Your  reference  committee  desires 
to  offer  the  following  resolution  for  consideration 
by  the  House  of  Delegates: 

Whereas,  The  102nd  Annual  Session  of  the 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association  has  been 
conducted  in  Biloxi,  Mississippi,  during  the  peri- 
od May  11-14,  1970,  and 

Whereas,  The  annual  session  has  been  most 
profitable  and  enjoyable  for  for  all  who  have  been 
in  attendance,  now,  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  expressions  of  deep  apprecia- 
tion are  made  to  the  officers,  Trustees,  and  Coun- 
cil on  Scientific  Assembly  for  the  stimulating  and 
worthwhile  scientific  program;  to  the  management 
of  the  Buena  Vista  and  other  participating  hotels; 
to  the  press,  radio,  and  television  for  coverage  of 
our  activities;  to  the  gracious  ladies  of  the  Aux- 
iliary who  always  contribute  so  substantially  to 
our  meetings;  to  the  technical  exhibitors  and  their 
professional  service  representatives;  to  our  scien- 
tific exhibitors;  to  our  distinguished  guests;  and  to 
all  who  shared  in  the  responsibilities  of  planning, 
organizing,  and  conducting  this  great  annual  ses- 
sion. 

Your  reference  committee  recommends  adop- 
tion of  this  resolution. 

The  report  of  the  reference  committee  was 
adopted. 

REPORT  OF  THE  ELECTION  OF  OFFICERS 

President-elect:  Arthur  E.  Brown,  Columbus. 

Vice  Presidents:  John  R.  Lovelace,  Batesville; 
J.  Dan  Mitchell,  Jackson;  Eldon  L.  Bolton,  Bi- 
loxi. 

Secretary-Treasurer:  Raymond  S.  Martin,  Jr., 
Jackson  ( 1973) . 

Speaker:  William  E.  Lotterhos,  Jackson  (1973). 
Vice  Speaker:  John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  Canton 
(1973). 

Associate  Editor:  George  H.  Martin,  Vicksburg 
(1972). 

Delegate  to  AMA:  C.  D.  Taylor,  Jr.,  Pass  Chris- 
tian ( 197 1-72) . 

Alternate  Delegate  to  AMA:  Stanley  A.  Hill, 
Corinth  (1971-72). 


472 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Board  of  Trustees:  Lyne  S.  Gamble,  Greenville, 
District  1;  James  O.  Gilmore,  Oxford,  District 
2;  J.  T.  Davis,  Corinth,  District  3 (1973). 

Council  on  Budget  and  Finance:  Daniel  L.  Hol- 
lis, Biloxi  (1973). 

Council  on  Constitution  and  By-Laws:  Arthur  E. 
Brown,  Columbus  (1973). 

Judicial  Council:  William  E.  Weems,  Laurel,  Dis- 
trict 7;  Wendall  B.  Holmes,  McComb,  District 
8;  James  T.  Thompson,  Moss  Point,  District  9 
(1973). 

Council  on  Legislation:  Arthur  A.  Derrick,  Jr., 
Durant,  District  4;  John  G.  Caden,  Jr.,  Jack- 
son,  District  5;  Frank  H.  Tucker,  Jr.,  Meridian, 
District  6 (1973). 

Council  on  Medical  Education:  Charles  N.  Floyd, 
Gulfport  ( 1973) . 

Council  on  Medical  Service:  Charles  R.  Jenkins, 
Laurel,  District  7;  Jack  A.  Atkinson,  Brook- 
haven,  District  8;  Bedford  F.  Floyd,  Jr.,  Gulf- 
port, District  9 (1973). 


CONSTITUTION  AND  BY-LAWS 

At  the  close  of  business,  an  amendment  to  Sec- 
tion 4,  Chapter  V,  of  the  By-Laws,  as  proposed 
in  Resolution  No.  15,  was  lying  on  the  table, 
pending  action  at  the  103rd  Annual  Session. 

CLOSING  CEREMONIES 

There  being  no  further  business,  the  Speaker 
returned  the  gavel  to  President  Royals.  The  Oath 
of  Office  was  administered  to  Dr.  Paul  B.  Brum- 
by, the  President-elect,  by  Dr.  Mai  S.  Riddell,  Jr., 
Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  after  which 
Dr.  Brumby  addressed  the  House  of  Delegates. 

Dr.  James  Grant  Thompson  of  Jackson  pre- 
sented the  Thompson  Memorial  Past  President’s 
Pin  to  Dr.  Royals. 

The  House  of  Delegates  was  adjourned  sine 
die  at  4:28  o’clock  in  the  afternoon.  May  14, 
1970. 


PRN 

An  invitation  to  dinner  was  sent  to  the  town’s  new  doctor.  In 
reply,  the  hostess  received  an  absolutely  illegible  letter.  “I’ll  have 
to  know  if  he  accepts  or  not,”  she  said. 

“Why  don’t  you  take  it  to  the  druggist?”  her  husband  suggested. 
“They  can  always  read  doctors’  notes  no  matter  how  badly  they’re 
written.” 

His  wife  went  to  the  drug  store  and  handed  her  druggist  the 
slip  of  paper.  He  looked  at  it,  went  into  the  dispensary  and  re- 
turned a few  minutes  later  with  a bottle  of  pills.  "Here  you  are, 
Ma’am,”  he  said.  "That’ll  be  $2.75.” 


AUGUST  1970 


473 


This  “case  history”  runs  to  some  10,000  pages 


This  is  a typical  "case  history"  of  one  new  drug  -or, 
rather,  a proposed  new  drug  - assembled  for  submis- 
sion to  the  U.S.  Federal  Food  and  Drug  Administration, 
These  volumes  are  the  result  of  several  years’  work  by 
thousands  of  professional  and  skilled  personnel  in 
just  one  pharmaceutical  company's  research  labora- 
tories, and  by  hundreds  of  physicians  in  medical 
schools,  hospitals,  and  private  practice.  They  cover 
every  aspect  of  experience  with  this  proposed  new 
agent  from  chemical  laboratory  to  clinic,  from  mouse 
to  man.  Each  volume  could  conceivably  represent 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  of  financial  invest- 


ment, countless  hours  of  human  effort.  This  veritable 
mountain  of  data  stands  behind  every  new  agent 
offered  to  you  by  pharmaceutical  manufacturers  — a 
reassuring  testimonial  to  the  efficacy,  safety  and 
purity  of  the  drugs  you  will  prescribe  today  to  lower 
the  cost  of  disease  to  your  patients. 

Pharmaceutical 
Manufacturers  Association 

Pharmaceutical 
Advertising  Council 

1155  Fifteenth  St.,  N W„  Washington,  D C.  20005 


This  message  is  brought  to  you  as  a 
courtesy  of  this  publication  on  behalf  of  the 
producers  of  prescription  drugs. 


Burdick 


Taste! 


ANTACID 


Your  ulcer  patients  and 
others  will  love  it.  Specify 
DICARBOSIL  144's  — 144  tab- 
lets in  1 2 rolls. 


ARCH  LABORATORIES 

319  South  Fourth  Street.  St.  Louis,  Missouri  63102 


DIRECTED,  DEEP- 
TISSUE  HEATING 
WITH  THE  MW-200 
MICROWAVE  UNIT 

The  MW-200’s  simplicity 
of  operation  and  ease 
of  electrode  application 
have  contributed  much 
to  the  popularity  of  mi- 
crowave diathermy.  Mi- 
crowave radiations  can  be  reflected,  focused 
and  directed.  Treatment  intensities  may  be 
preset. 

Write  us  for  descriptive  literature  and  com- 
plete price  information. 

KAY  SURGICAL  INC. 

663  North  State  St.  * Jackson,  Miss. 


Index  to  Advertisers 


Arch  Laboratories 475 

Breon  Laboratories 0 

Bristol  Labs 16,  17 

Burroughs-Wellcome  436D 

Campbell  Soup  Company  436A 

Carlton  Corporation  12 

Dow  Chemical  440A 

Eaton  Laboratories  11 

Flint  Laboratories  7 

Health  Screening  Centers,  Inc.  15 

Hill  Crest  Hospital  10 

Hynson,  Westcott  and  Dunning,  Inc 3 

Kay  Surgical,  Inc 475 


Lederle  Laboratories  4,  6 

Leonard  Wright  Sanatorium 14 

Eli  Lilly  and  Company  Front  cover,  18 

MPAC,  AMPAC 426 


National  Drug  Company  . 444A,  444B,  464A,  464B 


Pharmaceutical  Manufacturers  Association 474 

William  P.  Poythress  and  Co.,  Inc 440B 

Roche  Laboratories  Fourth  cover 

Schering  Corporation  14A,  14B 

G.  D.  Searle  Co 436B.  436C 

Smith,  Kline  and  French  second  cover 

Thomas  Yates  and  Company  third  cover 


AUGUST  1970 


475 


The  half  life  of  medical  knowledge  is  only  eight  years,  and  this  i 
emphasized  in  a recent  paper  by  Dr.  Robin  W.  Bell-Irving  of  Van- 
couver. Writing  on  "physician  obsolescence , ’*  he  says  that  six 
reasons  get  us  ou t- o f-date:  Ourselves  and  "unlearning; " misunder-, 

standing  about  practice  patterns;  town-gown  controversy;  the  monej 
government  axis;  hospitals;  and  relationship  to  the  health  care  te: 
Bell-Irving  formula  is  postgraduate  study  and  ’’personalized'*  practj 


A six-county  family  planning  program  has  been  funded  in  central  Mi. 
sissippi  by  0E0.  Thrust  of  project  is  medical  guidance  for  female 
participants  in  Attala,  Carroll,  Choctaw,  Holmes,  Montgomery,  and 
Webster  counties.  Features  of  program  include  physicians*  service, 
counseling,  supplies,  and  where  necessary,  transportation  to  clinij 
Project  is  aimed  at  serving  low  income  families.  Initial  grant  is 
$33,000  on  application  of  f 153, 000  for  entire  program. 

i ■■■■"■■  f 

Family  practitioners  are  earning  more  since  the  advent  of  Medicare 
and  Medicaid  in  1965",  but  they  are  also  working  longer  hours.  Thi 
is  the  finding  of  the  American  Academy  of  General  Practice  in  a 
study  involving  1,000  general  practitioners.  Only  those  physician 
working  66  to  70  hours  a week  managed  to  improve  income  by  26  per 
cent,  while  41-to-45  hour  per  week  M.D. *s  enjoyed  less  than  6 per 
cent  gain.  Study  counters  accusation  of  zooming  incomes. 


Special  telephone  equipment  for  the  handicapped  can  be  an  importar 
rehabilitation  aid.  In  a demonstration  project  involving  300  dis- 
abled patients,  N.Y.  Medical  Center  and  American  Tel  and  Tel  fumjl] 
ed  special  phones,  each  tailored  to  individual  patient  need,  to  tl 
seriously  impaired  patients.  Follow  up  investigation  showed  how 
easy-to-use  phones  improved  morale  and  even  helped  patients  to  en- 
gage in  useful,  productive  activities. 


Mutagenic  properties  of  LSD  have  apparently  been  demonstrated  by 
vestigators  at  George  Washington  University.  Sample  was  127  preg- 
nancies in  112  women  who  ingested  100  micrograms  of  drug  before  03 
during  pregnancy.  Of  these,  there  were  65  abortions  and  62  term 
births.  Fifty- three  abortions  were  therapeutic  with  some  related  ;o 
LSD.  Among  the  62  infants,  56  were  normal  except  for  one  prematun 
who  died,  and  six  had  congenital  defects  attributed  to  LSD  use. 


Volume  XI 
Number  9 

September  1970 


• EDITOR 

William  M.  Dabney,  M.D. 

• ASSOCIATE  EDITORS 
George  H.  Martin,  M.D. 

Thomas  W.  Wesson,  M.D. 

• MANAGING  EDITOR 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 

• EDITORIAL  ASSISTANT 
Nola  Gibson 

• PUBLICATIONS  COMMITTEE 
Lawrence  W.  Long,  M.D. 

Chairman 

Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr.,  M.D. 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
and  the  editors 

• THE  ASSOCIATION 
Paul  B.  Brumby,  M.D. 

President 

Arthur  E.  Brown,  M.D. 

President-Elect 
Raymond  S.  Martin,  M.D. 

Secretary-Treasurer 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
Speaker 

John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Vice  Speaker 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 
H.  C.  Harrell 

Assistant  Executive  Secretary 
James  F.  McPherson,  II 
Executive  Assistant 


The  Journal  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  is  owned  and  pub- 
lished by  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association,  founded  1856.  Editorial,  ex- 
ecutive, and  business  offices,  735  Riverside 
Drive,  Jackson,  Mississippi  39216;  office 
of  publication,  1201-5  Bluff  Street,  Fulton, 
Missouri  65251.  Subscription  rate,  $7.50 
per  annum;  $1  per  copy,  as  available.  Ad- 
vertising rates  furnished  on  request. 
Second-class  postage  paid  at  the  post  office 
at  Fulton,  Missouri. 


CONTENTS 


ORIGINAL  papers 

Acute  Alcoholic 
Hepatitis — A Review 

of  32  Cases  477  William  M.  McKell, 
Jr.,  M.D.,  and  Lidio 
O.  Mora,  M.D. 

Twenty-Seven  Months  of 
Chemoprophylaxis  for 

Prevention  of  Tuberculosis 

in  Mississippi  485  Lee  R.  Reid,  M.D. 

Acute  Bacterial  Infections 

in  the  Newborn  493  Dennis  I.  Wright,  M.D., 

and  Alfred  W.  Brann, 
Jr.,  M.D. 

SPECIAL  ARTICLES 

Radiologic  Seminar  XCIX: 

Endometriosis:  An 
Unusual  Cause  of 

Colon  Obstruction  502  Walter  T.  Colbert, 

M.D. 

Fifty-One  Years  in  the 
Art:  A Family 

Physician  Remembers  504  Profile  of  Service 


EDITORIALS 


The  College  and  Cancer: 

Saga  of  Enlightened 

Leadership  507  Reasons  for  Registries 

Rx  for  Inflation  and 

Drug  Costs  509  Bargains  in  Health 

Why  Not  More  Dental 

Care  Insurance?  510  Just  3 out  of  100 


Ingratitude  and  Calumny 

and  Sen.  Hughes  51 1 Take  AMA  on! 

Button  Power,  Teenage 

Style  512  Don’t  Meth  Around 


THIS  MONTH 

The  President  Speaking  506  ‘Dilemma  in  Blue’ 
Medical  Organization  519  New  Membership  Service 


Copyright  1970,  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


6 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  SEPTEMBER  1970 


with  the  field  of  host  resistance  as  an  approach 
to  the  control  of  virus  infections. 

Still  another  section  describes  enzymes,  and 
particularly  the  ribonuclease  enzyme,  “as  a model 
from  which  we  may  learn  how  to  design  medi- 
cines to  combat  disease  at  the  molecular  level.” 

In  briefly  relating  the  steps  by  which  a new 
product  proceeds  from  discovery  to  marketing,  the  j 
booklet  underlines  the  importance  of  industry- 
government  cooperation  in  producing  safe  and  ef- 
fective medicines. 

“There  were  851  major  new  medicines  de- 
veloped from  1940  through  1969  and  nearly  two- 
thirds  of  these  originated  in  the  United  States,”' 
the  booklet  says.  “In  the  last  three  years,  as  an 
example,  50  totally  new  drugs  and  vaccines  were 
added  to  the  armament  of  the  physician  . . . and 
48  of  them  emerged  from  pharmaceutical  industry 
research.” 

The  16-page  booklet  has  several  full-color  il- 
lustrations of  the  cell,  the  central  and  peripheral 
nervous  system,  normal  and  hypertensive  blood 
vessels,  and  a laboratory  model  of  the  ribo- 
nuclease enzyme.  A bibliography  lists  22  books 
on  the  health  sciences. 

Single  copies  are  available  on  request  from  the 
Public  Relations  Division,  Pharmaceutical  Manu- 
facturers Association,  1155  Fifteenth  Street, 
N.  W.,  Washington,  D.  C.  20005. 


LEONARD  WRIGHT  SANATORIUM 

BYHAUA,  MISSISSIPPI  3861 1 TELEPHONE  A/C  601,  838-2162 

LEONARD  D.  WRIGHT,  SR.,  B.S.,  M.D.,  PSYCHIATRY 

• Established  in  1948.  Specializing  in  the  treatment  of  ALCO- 
HOLISM and  DRUG  ADDICTIONS  with  a capacity  limited 
to  insure  individual  treatment.  Only  voluntary  admissions  ac- 
cepted. 

• Located  25  miles  S.  E.  of  Memphis-Highway  78  on  20  acres 
of  beautifully  landscaped  grounds  sufficiently  removed  to 
provide  restful  surroundings. 

• The  Sanatorium  is  approved  by  The  Commission  on  Hospital 
Care  in  the  State  of  Mississippi. 


PMA  Produces 
New  Booklet 

The  quest  of  pharmaceutical  industry  scientists 
for  the  medicines  of  tomorrow  is  described  in  a 
new  illustrated  booklet  published  by  the  Phar- 
maceutical Manufacturers  Association. 

Entitled  Molecules,  Medicines  and  You, 
the  booklet  depicts  in  lay  language  the  unending 
search  for  new  and  improved  products  along  such 
frontier  areas  as  molecular  biology  and  tells  what 
scientists  know — and  do  not  know — about  the 
ways  medicines  work  within  the  body. 

The  booklet  first  describes  the  cell  and  the  ap- 
proach scientists  are  taking  to  find  out  how  speci- 
fic drugs  link  to  cell  molecules,  one  reason  being 
to  eliminate  or  minimize  side  effects.  Another 
section  relates  how  today’s  researchers  study 
molecular  disturbances  in  the  nervous  system  and 
seek  specific  medicines  to  restore  its  intricate  bal- 
ance and  the  patient’s  mental  health. 

A third  section  deals  with  malfunctions  of  the 
heart  or  blood  vessels,  noting  that  scientists  are 
delving  into  the  “exciting  field  of  microvessels  . . . 
on  the  frontier  where  coronary  heart  disease  be- 
gins.” Viruses  are  another  subject,  with  the 
gains  through  immunization  mentioned,  along 


1 


i Doctor: 


September  1970 


i cal  care  foundations  under  the  control  of  physicians  are  shaping 
s the  health  care  delivery  system  of  the  1970 fs.  Developed  in 
fomia,  the  foundation  concept  is  moving  east  with,  recently- 
iated  organizations  in  Colorado  and  New  Mexico.  Iowa  is  also 
ing  up  statewide  foundation,  and  Florida  and  Georgia  are  now  in 
1 planning  stages. 


Foundations  are  medical  association-sponsored,  nonprofit 
entities  standing  between  the  provider  and  third  parties. 
Seart  of  system  is  peer  review  and  physician  control  of 
professional  fee  payment.  California  foundations  admin is 
ter  both  Medicare  and  Medi-Cal  (Medicaid). 


amates  are  out  under  new  Food  and  Drug  Administration  order  which 
all  use  of  artificial  sweeteners  in  class7  New  edict  comes  after 
1 ruling  on  cyclamate-sweetened  soft  drinks  and  extends  to  fruits 
vegetables.  Food  processors  say  that  losses  of  inventories  to  be 
royed  will  run  into  the  millions.  Under  FDA  order,  there  is  no 
ision  for  a hearing  or  appeal  to  stay  the  action. 

isrsity  Medical  Center  has  announced  a new  training  program  for 
ial  hygienists.  Course  will  be  2l  months  in  duration,  and  first 
s will  consist  of  20  trainees.  Program  is  under  UMC*s  Office  of 
ed  Health  Professions,  and  director  is  Dr.  James  R.  Hatten,  in- 
ctor  in  surgery  (dentistry).  Funds  for  project  were  provided  by 
regular  session  of  legislature,  and  project  is  supported  by  the 
issippi  Dental  Association. 

al  Security  Administration  warns  that  misleading  advertisements 
being  sent  to  Medicare  beneficiaries  "in  the  Mississippi  area, 
in gs  promote  supplemental  insurance  for  sale  by  mail  and  tend  to 
impression  that  company  is  connected  with  SSA.  One  mailer  uses 
ndow  envelope  which  closely  resembles  those  used  by  government 
ail  benefit  checks.  Most  carriers  selling  supplemental  insurance 
reputable  and  describe  policies  honestly. 

bill  introduced  In  U. S.  Senate  would  provide  $4*5  million  for 
ly  practice  scholysbips  and  residencies.  Sponsored  by  five 
blican  senators,  S.  425b  would  offer  500  medical  scholarships 
200  residencies  in  first  year.  Awardees  would  agree  to  practice 
reas  with  physician  shortages  or  serve  migratory  farm  workers. 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  SEPTEMBER  1970 


1 0 

U.S.P./N.F.  Merger 
Talks  Begin 

U.S.P./N.F.  unification  was  discussed  by  offi- 
cials of  the  United  States  Pharmacopeial  Con- 
vention, Inc.  and  the  American  Pharmaceutical 
Association  at  A.Ph.A.  headquarters  in  late  sum- 
mer. 

Following  the  meeting,  it  was  announced  that 
an  agreement  had  been  reached  to  develop  a 
master  plan  for  a cooperative  venture  between 
the  U.S.P.  and  N.F.  Following  development  by 
the  staffs  of  U.S.P.  and  N.F.,  the  plan  is  to  be  con- 
sidered by  the  A.Ph.A.  Board  of  Trustees  and  the 
U.S.P.C.  Board  of  Trustees. 

Representing  U.S.P.  at  the  meeting  were  Dr. 
John  H.  Moyer,  President;  Dr.  Paul  L.  McLain, 
Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees;  Dr.  William 
M.  Heller,  Executive  Director;  Dr.  Thomas  J. 
Macek,  Director  of  Revision;  and  Joseph  G. 
Valentino,  J.D.,  Executive  Associate.  Represent- 
ing A.Ph.A.  at  the  meeting  were  Dr.  William  S. 
Apple,  Executive  Director;  Grover  C.  Bowles, 
D.Sc.,  Treasurer  and  member  of  the  Executive 
Committee;  Dr.  Edward  G.  Feldmann,  Associate 
Executive  Director  for  Scientific  Affairs;  and  Dr. 
John  V.  Bergen,  Director  of  the  National  For- 
mulary. 


A resolution  was  adopted  at  the  April  meeting 
of  the  U.  S.  Pharmacopeial  Convention  urging  in- 
tensified efforts  “to  coordinate  the  activities  and 
programs  of  the  United  States  Pharmacopeia  and 
the  National  Formulary,  and  to  explore  the  ad- 
vantages and  feasibility  of  unification  of  these  ac- 
tivities and  programs  with  the  objective  of  pro-  ) 
ducing  a single  compendium  of  standards  and  tests  \ 
for  official  drugs  and  dosage  forms.” 

Wyeth  Adds 
to  Tubex  Line 

Wyeth  Laboratories  has  added  diphenhydra- 
mine  hydrochloride,  50  mg.  per  ml.,  to  its  Tubex 
line  of  unit  dose  medications  in  prefilled  sterile 
cartridge-needle  units. 

Diphenhydramine  is  supplied  in  packages  of 
ten-1  ml.  Tubex  units. 

With  the  addition  of  diphenhydramine  hydro- 
chloride, Wyeth's  Tubex  line  of  injectables  now  i 
includes  37  drugs  and  68  dosage  variations — con-  t. 
tinuing  to  make  it  the  broadest  line  of  prefilled 
injectables  available. 

Also,  Wyeth's  unit  dose  medications  include 
an  extensive  selection  of  oral  solids,  liquids  and 
suppositories  in  Redipak®  single-unit  packages  for 
hospitals. 


yjkff  G/tegf 

HOSPITAL 

Hill  Crest  Foundation,  Inc. 


7 000  5TH  AVENUE  SOUTH 
Box  2896, 

Birmingham,  Alabama  35212 

Phone:  205-836-7201 


A patient  centered 
non-profit  hospital  for 
intensive  treatment  of 
nervous  disorders  . . . 


Hill  Crest  Hospital  was  estab- 
lished in  1925  as  Hill  Crest 
Sanitarium  to  provide  private 
psychiatric  treatment  of  ner- 
vous or  mental  disorders.  Indi- 
vidual patient  care  has  been 
the  theme  during  its  45  years 
of  service. 

Both  male  and  female  pa- 


tients are  accepted  and  depart- 
mentalized care  is  provided  ac- 
cording to  sex  and  the  degree 
of  illness. 


In  addition  to  the  psychiatric 
staff,  consultants  are  available 
in  all  medical  specialities. 


MEDICAL  DIRECTOR: 

James  K.  Ward,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 

CLINICAL  DIRECTOR: 

Hardin  M.  Ritchey,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 

HILL  CREST  is  a member  of: 

AMERICAN  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
. . . NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  PRI- 
VATE PSYCHIATRIC  HOSPITALS  . . . 
ALABAMA  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
BIRMINGHAM  REGIONAL  HOSPITAL 
COUNCIL. 

Hill  Crest  is  fully  accredited  by  the  Joint 
Commission  on  Accreditation  of  Hospitals 
and  is  also  approved  for  Medicare  pa- 
tients. 

G/iest 

HOSPITAL 

BIRMINGHAM,  ALABAMA 


. 


! 

I 


: day  Weekend  New  York  - The  Norwegian  Medical  Association  has 
• sures  Workers  released  a study  report  of  the  two-day  weekend 

which,  it  seriously  concludes,  is  too  short. 

: ings  say  that  pressures  on  Norwegians  to  get  out  of  town  Friday 
;moon,  fight  traffic,  live  it  up  until  Sunday,  and  return  ex- 
; ted  leaves  them  unfit  to  begin  normal  workweek  on  Monday.  Re- 
: suggests  32-hour  week  with  three  days  off  but  doesn't  say  how 
: of  the  same  with  extra  day  would  help  dilemma. 


Gets  Clean  Washington  - The  tempest  in  a shaker  over  pos- 

i,  of  Health  sible  dangers  of  monosodium  glutamate,  popular 

and  widely  used  flavor  enhancer  in  foods,  is 
i‘.  National  Academy  of  Sciences  and  National  Research  Council 
j'!  MSG  clean  bill  of  health  after  safety  was  questioned  along  with 
.amates.  FDA  still  got  in  last  word  with  statement  that  since 
*e  is  no  nutritional  value  in  MSG,  it  should  not  be  in  ingredients 
»aby  foods. 


>oration  Guides  Chicago  - Generalized  criteria  for  profitability 
Outlined  of  organizing  a professional  corporation  by  M.D. *s 

have  been  drawn  by  practice  management  consultants, 
t rule  of  thumb,  there  should  be  at  least  two  physicians  or  more  in 
aaership  with  individual  earnings  of  $35,000  per  year  before  taxes. 
;ributions  to  retirement  should  be  about  $7,000  annually  over  20 
’s  per  professional  shareholder.  Marginal  practice  situations, 
guides,  should  be  surveyed  before  incorporating. 


I Accredits  46  Jackson  - Forty-six  of  Mississippi's  128  hospitals 
be  Hospitals  are  fully  accredited  by  the  Joint  Commission  on 

Accreditation  of  Hospitals,  according  to  new  list 
b released.  For  first  time,  there  are  no  provisional  or  temporary 
bifications,  and  most  encouraging  sign  is  that  many  smaller  hos- 
ils  have  now  qualified.  JCAH  also  reports  no  accredited  extended 
3 facilities  in  state  and  only  one  fully  accredited  nursing  home. 


pital  Costs  Chicago  - The  American  Hospital  Association  says 

v Major  Rise  hospital  expenses  increased  17.3  per  cent  in  1969 

over  1968  and  upsurge  shows  no  sign  of  abating, 
patient  day  costs  rose  to  national  average  of  $70  from  $61  year 
Dre.  Personnel  continues  to  be  major  cost  factor  with  almost  $10 
Lion  payroll  in  nation's  6,000  community  hospitals.  Typical  ratio 
280  hospital  employees  per  100  patients,  up  from  272  in  1968.  To- 
institutional  employment  is  now  2.4  million  in  7,150  public  and 
vate  hospitals. 


Levothyroxine  has  a high  binding  capacity  for 
serum  proteins  in  contrast  to  other  thyroid 
medicaments  that  may  contain  a thyroactive 
agent  with  low  binding  capacity.  The  bound 
levothyroxine  is  totally  measurable  using  the  serum 
PBI  test.  It  is  not  unusual  to  find  PBI  levels  of 
8-10  meg.  per  100  ml.  of  serum.  \ 
INDICATIONS:  SYNTHROID  (sodium  levothyroxine) 
INJECTION  is  specific  replacement  therapy 
for  diminished  or  absent  thyroid  function 
resulting  from  primary  or  secondary  atrophy  of 
the  gland,  congenital  defect,  surgery,  excessive 
radiation,  or  antithyroid  drugs.  It  is  indicated  in 
myxedematous  coma  and  other  thyroid 
dysfunctions  where  rapid  replacement  of  the 
hormone  is  required.  When  a patient  does  not 
respond  to  oral  therapy,  SYNTHROID  (sodium 
levothyroxine)  INJECTION  may  be  administered 
intravenously. 

PRECAUTIONS:  As  with  other  thyroid 
preparations,  overdose  may  cause  diarrhea  or 
cramps,  nervousness,  tremors,  tachycardia, 
insomnia  and  continued  weight  loss.  These  effects 
may  become  apparent  in  from  4 days  to  three 
weeks.  Therefore,  patients  should  be  kept  under 
close  observation.  Medication,  in  such  cases, 
should  be  stopped  for  2 to  6 days,  then  resumed 
at  a lower  level.  In  patients  with  diabetes  „ 

mellitus,  look  for  possible  changes  in  metabolic 
activity  which  may  affect  insulin  or  other 
antidiabetic  drug  dosage  requirements. 
CONTRAINDICATIONS:  Thyrotoxicosis,  acute 
myocardial  infarction. 

SIDE  EFFECTS:  Side  effects  are  secondary  to 
increased  rates  of  body  metabolism:  sweating, 
heart  palpitations  with  or  without  pain,  leg 
cramps,  weight  loss,  diarrhea,  vomiting  and 
nervousness.  Myxedematous  patients  with  heart 
disease  have  died  from  abrupt  increases  in 
dosage  of  thyroid  drugs.  In  most  cases,  a 
reduction  in  dosage  followed  by  a more  gradual 
adjustment  upward  will  indicate  the  patient's 
dosage  requirements  without  the  appearance  of 
side  effects. 


DOSAGE  AND  ADMI 

myxedematous  stupor  o 
of  severe  heart  disease, 

SYNTHROID  (sodium  levothyroxine)  INJl 
may  be  administered  intravenously  utilizii 
solution  containing  100  meg.  per  ml.  Dete 
effects  are  usually  observed  by  the  sixth 
after  injection  and  are  fully  appreciated 
the  following  day.  A repeat  injection  of  1 
200  meg.  may  be  given  on  the  second  dc 
significant  improvement  has  not  occurred, 
intravenous  use  of  sodium  levothyroxine  ir 
myxedematous  coma  is  advantageous  bei 
produces  a predictable  increase  in  the 
concentration  of  protein-bound  iodine, 
eliminates  the  need  for  multiple  doses  unti 
therapy  is  reinstated,  circumvents  the  unc 
of  oral  absorption,  and  avoids  the  risk  o 
pulmonary  aspiration. 

SUPPLIED:  SYNTHROID  (sodium  levothyr 
INJECTION  is  supplied  in  10  ml.  vials  con 
500  meg.  of  lyophilized  active  ingredien 
10  mg.  of  Mannitol,  N.F.;  a 5 ml.  vial  co 
Sodium  Chloride  Injection,  U.S.P.  is  provi 
as  diluent. 


Also  supplied  as  SYNTHROID  (sodium 
levothyroxine)  TABLET  in  color  coded  co 
tablets,  and  in  seven  strengths:  0.025  mgj 
(orange),  0.05  mg.  (white),  0.1  mg.  (yell 
0.15  mg.  (violet),  0.2  mg.  (pink),  0.3  mg 
(green),  and  0.5  mg.  (blue).  Each  strengt 
supplied  in  bottles  of  100  and  500  tabl 


Synthroid 

(sodium  levothyroxine,  F 


Injection 


FLINT  LABORATORI 


DIVISION  OF  TRAVENOL  LABORATORIES.  INC. 
Morton  Grove,  Illinois  60053 


In  tablet  form  this  single  entity 
synthetic  thyroid  provides 
smooth,  predictable  response 
for  thyroid  replacement.  An 
excellent  drug  for  long-term 
therapy. 


But  in  an  emergency,  when 
rapid  replacement  is  needed  to 
sustain  life,  prompt  clinical 
response  is  essential.  SYNTHROID 
injection  makes  this  therapy 
instantly  available.  Is  it  available 
in  your  hospital? 


When  an  ambulance  arrives 
with  the  unexpected  patient 
presenting  the  classical  picture 
of  myxedema  coma,  is  your 
hospital  suitably  equipped?  It 
is  if  SYNTHROID®  (sodium 
levothyroxine)  injectable  is  at 
hand.  You  are  also  ready°to 
conveniently  handle  post- 
operative thyroid  medication 
situations  until  oral  therapy  can 
be  reinstated. 


Military  Surgeons  Hold 
77th  Annual  Meeting 

Emphasizing  the  theme  “Controversies  in  Med- 
icine,” medical  officers  of  the  three  military  ser- 
vices will  convene  with  physicians  of  the  Public 
Health  Service  and  the  Veterans  Administration 
for  the  77th  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Association  of 
Military  Surgeons  of  the  United  States,  to  be 
held  at  the  Washington  Hilton  Hotel  Nov.  29- 
Dec.  2,  V.Adm.  George  M.  Davis,  MC,  USN, 
the  Surgeon  General  of  the  Navy  and  President 
of  the  Association,  has  announced. 

Medicine’s  top  man  in  the  Nixon  Administra- 
tion, Dr.  Roger  O.  Egeberg,  the  Assistant  Secre- 
tary for  Health,  Education  and  Welfare,  will 
deliver  the  keynote  address  on  Monday  morning, 
Nov.  30. 

As  currently  planned,  the  scientific  program, 
under  the  direction  of  R.Adm.  George  H.  Reifen- 
stein,  MC,  USNR,  will  begin  with  a discussion 
on  “Controversies  of  Management:  Inflammatory 
Bowel  Disease,”  with  W.  M.  Lukash,  MC,  USN 
as  Chairman,  assisted  by  Lt.C.  W.  Boyce,  MC. 
USA  as  Co-Chairman. 

Other  topics  of  clinical  medical  interest  will  in- 
clude panel  discussions  centering  on  “Controver- 
sies in  Management  of  Neurosurgical  Problems, 
Intercranial  Foreign  Bodies  . . . ,”  moderated 
by  Dr.  C.  Hunter  Shelden,  and  “The  Federal 
Physician’s  Attitude  Toward  Alcoholism.”  moder- 
ated by  Capt.  C.  L.  Waite,  MC,  USN.  Capt. 
Waite’s  panel  will  also  discuss  “Computers  and 
Medicine,  a Perspective.”  These  panels  will  be 
conducted  on  Dec.  1 and  2,  respectively. 

Following  the  Awards  Program  on  Tuesday, 
an  additional  panel  will  take  as  its  topic,  “Prob- 
lems Involved  in  Integrating  Teaching  and  Re- 
search.” The  program  will  be  chaired  by  Capt. 
J.  William  Cox,  MC,  USN. 

Col.  Nelson  Irey,  MC,  USA  Ret.  will  deliver 
the  Sustaining  Membership  Lecture  entitled,  “Con- 
troversies of  Diagnosis:  Alleged  Drug  Reactions.” 
R.Adm.  F.  P.  Ballenger,  MC,  USN,  General 
Chairman  of  the  convention,  will  act  as  moder- 
ator. 

The  William  C.  Porter  Lecture  in  Psychiatry 
will  be  given  this  year  by  Capt.  Ransom  Arthur, 
MC,  USN.  His  paper  is  entitled,  “Success  Is  Pre- 
dictable.” The  Porter  Lecture  was  established  in 
1958  by  the  Association,  which  has  been  called 
the  Medical  Society  of  the  Federal  Agencies,  to 
honor  William  C.  Porter,  a pioneer  in  military 
psychiatry. 


calcium  glycerophosphate,  calcium  lactate 


To  bring  effective  calcium  therapy  to  the 
patient,  Calphosan  may  be  administered  intra- 
muscularly . . . without  pain,  inflammatory  reactions, 
induration  or  sloughing.  Injections  twice  weekly 
for  a series  of  5 to  10  injections  are  recommended. 

Average  dose  per  injection:  One  or  two  10  ml. 
injections  of  Calphosan  each  week  for  the 
first  four  or  five  weeks,  and  on  a when-needed 
basis  thereafter. 

Calphosan  is  a specially  processed  solution  of 
calcium  glycerophosphate  and  calcium  lactate, 
containing  1%  of  each,  in  a physiological  solution  of 
sodium  chloride.  Each  10  ml.  contains  50  mg.  of 
calcium  glycerophosphate,  50  mg.  calcium  lactate, 
with  0.25%  phenol  as  preservative.  Available  in 
10  ml.  ampules  in  boxes  of  10s  and  100s; 

60  ml.  multiple-dose  vials.  Also  available  as 
Calphosan  with  B-12.  U.  S.  Patent  No.  2657172. 

Contraindication:  Hypercalcemia;  neoplastic 
diseases;  and  fully  digitalized  patients.  Do  not  use 
intramuscularly  in  infants  and  young  children. 
Before  starting  therapy,  consult  complete 
product  literature. 

Write  for  free  copy  of  ‘‘Calcium:  The  Ubiquitous 
and  Essential  Element”  and  for  samples. 


CARLTON 


Tenafly,  New  Jersey  07670 


Aerosol  Sputum 
Unit  Developed 

A machine  to  help  eliminate  the  hazard  of 
contamination  in  the  respiratory  disease  diag- 
nostic areas  of  hospitals  and  clinics  during  the 
collection  of  aerosol  induced  sputum  samples,  has 
been  developed  by  a Brigham  Young  Univer- 
sity professor. 

Dr.  Marcus  M.  Jensen,  who  specializes  in  the 
environmental  control  of  airborne  microorganisms, 
has  designed  a mobile  aerosol-sputum  induction 
unit  to  be  used  in  conjunction  with  the  laboratory 
diagnosis  of  tuberculosis  and  other  respiratory 
diseases. 

Four  prototype  machines  have  been  in  use  in 
Los  Angeles  hospitals  during  the  past  year.  These 
have  been  successful  enough  to  prompt  further 
orders  which  are  presently  being  executed  by  a 
Provo  firm. 

The  top  half  of  Dr.  Jensen's  unit  has  a fold- 
down shelf  and  two  doors  which  open  out  to  form 
a cubicle  which  is  called  the  “hood.”  The  patient 
is  seated  facing  the  hood  which  is  made  from 
stainless  steel. 

The  output  tube  from  a standard  commercial 
nebulizer  attaches  to  a nozzle  on  the  outside  of 
the  hood,  and  a disposable  tube  carries  the  aerosol 
mist  from  the  nozzle  to  the  patient’s  mouth.  The 
inhalation  of  the  mist  by  the  patient  induces 
coughing  which  in  turn  carries  microorganisms  or 
cancer  cells  from  the  lungs  in  the  sputum.  The 
sputum  samples  are  collected  and  analyzed  by 
the  laboratory.  All  airborne  droplets  generated  by 
the  induced  coughing  are  drawn  by  a strong  air- 
stream  into  the  unit  and  trapped  by  an  absolute 
filter. 

The  stainless  steel  hood  can  be  easily  decon- 
taminated between  patients  by  swabbing  with  an 
effective  germicide.  A storage  compartment  is  pro- 
vided for  the  nebulizer  and  for  items  such  as  spu- 
tum containers  and  disposable  tubes.  The  com- 
plete unit  can  be  readily  moved  from  patient  to 
patient  if  necessary. 

Dr.  Jensen  developed  the  mobile  aerosol- 
sputum  induction  unit  in  association  with  Dr. 
Seymour  Froman  of  the  Olive  View  Hospital, 
in  Olive  View,  Calif.  Several  years  ago,  Dr.  Fro- 
man convinced  Dr.  Jensen  that  there  was  a need 
to  protect  hospital  personnel  from  contaminated 
air  in  diagnostic  areas.  Then,  as  Jensen  produced 
the  prototypes  and  refinements,  Froman  tested 
them  under  actual  clinical  conditions  and  sug- 
gested various  improvements. 


Brief  Summary  of  Prescribing  Information- 

9-9/  22/ 69.  For  complete  information  consult 
Official  Package  Circular. 

Indications:  Essential  hypertension.  Use  cau- 
tiously in  patients  with  renal  insufficiency, 
particularly  if  they  are  digitalized. 
Contraindications:  Anuria,  oliguria,  active 
peptic  ulceration,  ulcerative  colitis,  severe  de- 
pression or  hypersensitivity  to  its  components 
contraindicates  the  use  of  Salutensin. 
Warnings:  Small-bowel  lesions  (obstruction, 
hemorrhage,  perforation  and  death)  have 
occurred  during  therapy  with  enteric-coated 
formulations  containing  potassium,  with  or 
without  thiazides.  Such  potassium  formula- 
tions should  be  used  with  Salutensin  only 
when  indicated  and  should  be  discontinued 
immediately  if  abdominal  pain,  distension, 
nausea,  vomiting  or  gastrointestinal  bleeding 
occurs.  Use  cautiously,  and  only  when  deemed 
essential,  in  fertile,  pregnant  or  lactating  pa- 
tients. Use  in  Pregnancy:  Thiazides  cross  the 
placenta  and  can  cause  fetal  or  neonatal 
hyperbilirubinemia,  thrombocytopenia, 
altered  carbohydrate  metabolism  and  possibly 
electrolyte  disturbances.  Fatal  reactions  may 
occur  with  reserpine  during  electroshock 
therapy;  discontinue  Salutensin  2 weeks  be- 
fore such  therapy.  Increased  respiratory 
secretions,  nasal  congestion,  cyanosis  and 
anorexia  may  occur  in  infants  born  to  reser- 
pine-treated  mothers. 

Precautions:  Azotemia,  hypochloremia,  hypo- 
natremia, hypochloremic  alkalosis  and  hypo- 
kaliemia  (especially  with  hepatic  cirrhosis 
and  corticosteroid  therapy)  may  occur,  par- 
ticularly with  pre-existing  vomiting  and  diar- 
rhea. Potassium  loss  or  protoveratrine  A may 
cause  digitalis  intoxication.  Potassium  loss 
responds  to  potassium-rich  foods,  potassium 
chloride  or,  if  necessary,  discontinuation  of 
therapy.  Stop  therapy  if  protoveratrine  A 
induces  digitalis  intoxication.  Serum  am- 
monia elevation  may  precipitate  coma  in 
precomatose  hepatic  cirrhotics.  Discontinue 
therapy  2 weeks  before  surgery  or  if  myo- 
cardial irritability,  progressive  azotemia  or 
severe  depression  occur.  Exercise  caution  in 
patients  with  chronie  uremia,  angina  pec- 
toris, coronary  thrombosis  or  extensive  cere- 
bral vascular  disease  or  bronchial  asthma  and 
in  those  with  a history  of  peptic  ulceration  or 
bronchial  asthma;  in  post-sympathectomy  pa- 
tients; in  patients  on  quinidine;  and  in  pa- 
tients with  gallstones,  in  whom  biliary  colic 
may  occur.  Patients  who  have  diabetes 
mellitus  or  who  are  suspected  of  being  pre- 
diabetic should  be  kept  under  close  observa- 
tion if  treated  with  this  agent. 

Adverse  Reactions:  Hydroflumethiazide:  Skin 
rashes  (including  exfoliative  dermatitis),  skin 
photosensitivity,  urticaria,  necrotizing  angiitis, 
xanthopsia,  granulocytopenia,  aplastic 
anemia,  orthostatic  hypotension  (potentiated 
with  alcohol,  barbiturates  or  narcotics),  aller- 
gic glomerulonephritis,  acute  pancreatitis, 
liver  involvement  (intrahepatic  cholestatic 
jaundice),  purpura  plus  or  rninus  throm- 
bocytopenia, hyperuricemia,  hyperglycemia, 
glycosuria,  malaise,  weakness,  dizziness,  fa- 
tigue, paresthesias,  muscle  cramps,  skin  rash, 
epigastric  distress,  vomiting,  diarrhea  and 
constipation.  Reserpine:  Depression,  peptic 
ulceration,  diarrhea,  Parkinsonism,  nasal  stuf- 
finess, dryness  of  the  mouth,  weight  gain, 
impotence  or  decreased  libido,  conjunctival 
injection,  dull  sensorium,  deafness,  glaucoma, 
uveitis,  optic  atrophy,  and,  with  overdosage, 
agitation,  insomnia  and  nightmares.  Proto- 
veratrine A:  Nausea,  vomiting,  cardiac  ar- 
rhythmia, prostration,  blurring  vision,  mental 
confusion,  excessive  hypotension  and  brady- 
cardia. (Treat  bradycardia  with  atropine  and 
hypotension  with  vasopressors.) 

Usual  Dose:  1 tablet  b.i.d. 

Supplied:  Bottles  of  60,  600,  and  1000  scored 
50  mg.  tablets. 

Salutensin 

hydroflumethiazide,  50  mg./reserpine, 
0.125  mg.  protoveratrine  A,  0.2  mg. 

BRISTOL  LABORATORIES 
Division  of  Bristol-Myers  Company 
Syracuse,  New  York  13201 


BRISTOL 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

September  1970,  Vol.  XI,  No.  9 


Acute  Alcoholic  Hepatitis— 
A Review  of  32  Cases 


WILLIAM  M.  McKELL,  JR.,  M.D.  and  LIDIO  O.  MORA,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


The  clinically  recognizable  effects  of  heavy 
alcohol  consumption  on  the  liver  range  from  com- 
pletely reversible  fatty  infiltration  to  chronic  ir- 
reversible cirrhosis  with  its  varied  complications. 
There  is  general  agreement  as  to  the  existence  of  a 
definite  syndrome  in  alcoholics  characterized 
clinically  by  jaundice,  leukocytosis,  fever  and 
abdominal  pain,  and  histologically  by  cellular 
necrosis,  parenchymal  disorganization  and  a type 
of  hyaline  degeneration.  It  has  been  suggested 
that  this  entity  is  the  link  between  the  alcoholic 
fatty  liver  and  nutritional  cirrhosis.1’  2 

Acute  alcoholic  hepatitis  is  the  most  widely 
used  label  for  this  condition,  however  a multipli- 
city of  names  exist:  “florid  cirrhosis,1'1  “ste- 

atonecrosis-Mallory  body  type,”3  “progressive  al- 
coholic cirrhosis,”4  “acute  hepatic  insufficiency 
of  the  chronic  alcoholic”5  and  “sclerosing  hyaline 
necrosis  of  the  liver.”6  The  variablity  of  terms 
used  to  denote  this  syndrome  indicate  the  differ- 
ent criteria  used  in  selection  of  cases.  Therefore 
the  clinical  picture  and  prognosis  may  differ  mark- 
edly, depending  on  which  author  one  reads. 

From  the  Department  of  Medicine,  Division  of  Gastro- 
enterology, University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medi- 
cine. 


Most  studies  have  required  the  presence  of 
“alcoholic  hyaline,”  seen  almost  exclusively  in 
livers  of  alcoholics,  for  inclusion  into  this  syn- 


Acute  alcoholic  hepatitis  comprises  the 
syndrome  frequently  seen  in  alcoholics 
characterized  clinically  by  jaundice,  leuko- 
cytosis, fever  and  abdominal  pain,  and  his- 
tologically by  cellular  necrosis,  parenchymal 
disorganization  and  a type  of  hyaline  degen- 
eration. The  authors  discuss  32  cases,  de- 
fining significant  prognostic  features  and 
management. 


drome.  Mallory7  in  1911  first  described  this  his- 
tologic abnormality  consisting  of  a coarse  acido- 
philic meshwork  of  hyalinized  cytoplasm,  often 
perinuclear,  which  is  seen  frequently  in  alcoholic 
liver  disease. 

The  present  study  was  undertaken  for  the  pur- 
pose of  reviewing  experience  in  Mississippi  with 
this  entity  and  in  order  to  attempt  to  define  any 
significant  prognostic  features  which  would  be  val- 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


477 


ALCOHOLIC  HEPATITIS  / McKell  et  al 


uable  to  the  clinician  in  his  approach  to  the  pa- 
tient with  acute  alcoholic  hepatitis. 

Clinical  Material:  The  material  available  for 
analysis  consisted  of  clinical  records  and  liver 
sections  of  32  patients,  from  both  the  Veterans 
Administration  Hospital  and  the  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine.  In  thirteen  (40.6 
per  cent)  of  these,  classified  as  Group  A,  both 
clinical  and  histologic  criteria  for  acute  alcoholic 
hepatitis  (AAH)  were  met.  In  the  great  majority 
of  instances  they  presented  with  fever,  abdominal 
pain,  and  jaundice.  Upon  examination,  they  were 
found  to  have  abdominal  tenderness  and  hepa- 
tomegaly, with  temperature  elevations  and  leuko- 
cytosis also  present.  Liver  biopsies  revealed  focal 
cellular  necrosis,  polymorphonuclear  infiltration, 
Mallory  bodies  and  parenchymal  disorganization. 
These  acute  changes  were  superimposed  on  vari- 
ous degrees  of  fatty  metamorphosis  and  cirrho- 
sis. 

In  fourteen  patients  (43.7  per  cent),  classi- 
fied as  Group  B,  the  classical  clinical  features 
were  absent,  only  the  histologic  criteria  were  ob- 
served. In  Group  C,  consisting  of  five  patients 
(15.6  per  cent),  the  clinical  criteria  alone  were 
met,  without  the  classic  acute  histologic  findings 
being  seen.  The  survival  rate  in  the  entire  series 
was  62  per  cent,  54  per  cent  of  those  in  Group 
A surviving,  71  per  cent  of  Group  B and  60  per 
cent  of  Group  C. 


JAUNDICE 
ASCITES 
ANOREXIA 
WEIGHT  LOSS 
ABDOMINAL  PAIN 
FEVER 

G.  I.  BLEEDING 


91  % 


Survivors 

Non-survivors 


Figure  1 


Methods:  All  sections  studied  were  stained  with 
hematoxylin  and  eosin.  The  specific  findings  noted 
and  graded  were:  fat,  presence  and  type  of  cir- 


rhosis, inflammation,  Mallory  bodies,  cholestasis, , 
and  necrosis.  The  degree  of  fatty  infiltration  and 
number  of  Mallory  bodies  were  each  graded  as 
± to  4+.  The  presence  of  fat  or  Mallory  bodies 
in  less  than  five  per  cent  of  cells  was  categorized  as 
±,  in  5-25  per  cent  of  the  cells  as  1 + , in  25-50 
per  cent  of  the  cells  as  2+,  in  50-75  per  cent  of 
the  cells  as  3 + , and  in  greater  than  75  per  cent 
of  the  cells  as  4-K  Cirrhosis  was  classified  as  (a) 
“diffuse,  Laennec  type,”  or  (b)  “mixed  cirrho- 


HEPATOMEGALY 


SPLENOMEGALY 

ABDOMINAL 

TENDERNESS 

NEUROLOGICAL 

ABNORMALITIES 

ALTERED 

SENSORIUM 


Figure  2 


sis.”8  Inflammation  and  cholestasis  were  each 
recorded  as  mild,  moderate  or  marked,  and  ne- 
crosis and  focal  or  diffuse. 

Incidence:  Ages  of  patients  ranged  from  27  to 
68  with  an  average  age  of  48.15  years.  The 
average  age  of  those  who  expired  was  51.08  years, 
of  the  survivors  46.40  years.  A sex  incidence  in 
this  series  would  not  be  valid  since  the  majority 
(22  patients,  or  68.7  per  cent)  of  our  patients 
were  from  the  Veterans  Administration  Hospital. 
There  were  only  three  females  included  in  our 
study.  There  were  24  white  and  eight  black  pa- 
tients included. 

Clinical  History  and  Physical  Status:  This 
being  a retrospective  study,  no  reliable  data  on 
the  adequacy  of  nutritional  habits,  years  of  signifi- 
cant alcohol  intake,  or  interval  between  the  last 
drink  and  time  of  admission  to  the  hospital  was 
available.  It  was  usually  inferred  in  the  charts 
that  the  years  of  heavy  drinking  had  been  “many” 
or  the  patient  was  referred  to  as  a “chronic  alco- 
holic.” The  primary  symptoms  elicited  from  these 
patients  upon  their  admission  to  the  hospital  are 
shown  in  Figure  1. 

The  most  common  presenting  complaints  in 
those  patients  who  ultimately  survived  were  fever 
(this  was  confirmed  by  documentation  of  an  oral 
temperature  greater  than  99  degrees  on  day  one 
or  two  of  hospitalization  in  all  cases)  in  65  per 
cent,  and  jaundice  (this  was  noted  to  be  clinically 


478 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


evident  and  chemically  proven  in  all  cases)  in 
50  per  cent.  Also  elicited  in  the  histories  of  sur- 


Figure  3 


viving  patients  were  weight  loss  (45  per  cent); 
abdominal  swelling  (found  clinically  to  be  accum- 
ulation of  ascitic  fluid)  in  40  per  cent;  and  in  35 
per  cent  each,  anorexia,  abdominal  pain  and 
gastrointestinal  bleeding  (either  hematemesis  or 
melena).  In  those  patients  who  died  of  this  ill- 
ness, or  some  complications  thereof,  during  this 
admission,  91  per  cent  complained  of  abdominal 
swelling,  75  per  cent  of  GI  bleeding,  66  per  cent 
of  jaundice  and  65  per  cent  of  fever.  As  can  be 
readily  noted  this  latter  group,  from  history  alone, 
were  sicker  on  admission  than  those  who  survived. 

The  physical  abnormalities  noted  to  be  present 
on  admission  are  shown  in  Figure  2.  Despite  the 
variance  in  the  clinical  histories  between  the  sur- 
vivors and  non-survivors,  it  is  noted  that  the 
physical  findings  were  remarkably  similar.  It 
should  be  pointed  out  however  that  two  items  listed 
as  historical  findings  were  borne  out  on  physical 


examination  and  were  significantly  different  be- 
tween the  two  groups,  these  being  ascites  and  evi- 
dence of  gastrointestinal  bleeding.  Other  than 
these  and  jaundice  and  fever  (also  listed  as  his- 
torical findings),  the  more  frequent  physical  ab- 
normalities were  hepatomegaly,  neurological  ab- 
normalities, and  an  altered  sensorium. 

Laboratory  Values:  The  incidence  of  abnormal 
hematologic  and  biochemical  values  (including 
various  tests  of  liver  function)  is  shown  in  Figure 
3.  These  refer  to,  in  the  vast  majority,  tests  per- 
formed on  admission  or  within  48  hours  thereof. 
The  most  commonly  noted  abnormalities  were 
anemia  (found  in  75  per  cent  of  survivors  and 
100  per  cent  of  non-survivors),  hyperbilirubine- 
mia of  the  direct-reacting  fraction  (seen  in  75 
per  cent  of  survivors  and  91  per  cent  of  non-sur- 
vivors) and  abnormal  retention  of  bromsulphal- 
ein  (occurring,  of  those  tested,  in  94  per  cent  of 
survivors  and  100  per  cent  of  non-survivors) — 
this  of  course  is  readily  explainable  by  the  fre- 
quent accompanying  hyperbilirubinemia.  The  ane- 
mia was  relatively  mild,  the  hemoglobin  being 
between  10  and  13.8  gm  in  53  per  cent  of  cases. 
The  leukocytosis  seen  in  40  per  cent  of  the  sur- 
vivors and  66  per  cent  of  non-survivors  was 
usually  mild  (only  seven  patients  or  22  per  cent 
had  a total  WBC  greater  than  15,000/mm3)  and 
was  of  a normal  differential  count.  The  SGOT 
levels  were  elevated  in  only  40  per  cent  and  25 
per  cent  of  survivors  and  non-survivors  respective- 
ly and  the  alkaline  phosphatase  levels  were  ab- 
normal in  only  10  per  cent  of  survivors  and  50 
per  cent  of  non-survivors.  This  was  somewhat 
suprising,  for  the  biochemical  abnormality  in 
A.A.H.  has  been  described  as  suggesting  liver  cell 
damage  with  some  intrahepatic  obstruction.9 

There  was  hypoalbuminemia  noted  in  roughly 
one-half  of  both  groups,  however  hyperglobuline- 
mia  was  noted  in  one  third  of  the  non-surviving 
patients,  but  only  in  five  per  cent  of  survivors. 
Prolonged  prothrombin  times  were  noted  in  ap- 
proximately one-half  cases  in  each  group,  hypoka- 
lemia in  one-third,  and  elevations  of  serum  cho- 
lesterol in  one-fourth.  There  was  a rather  marked 
difference  in  the  frequency  of  hyponatremia  and 
of  elevated  BUN  levels  between  the  two  groups, 
the  serum  sodium  being  less  than  140  mEq/L  in 
35  per  cent  of  survivors,  but  in  83  per  cent  of 
those  who  did  not  survive;  azotemia  was  noted 
in  10  per  cent  and  58  per  cent  of  survivors  and 
non-survivors  respectively. 

Histologic  Changes:  The  incidence  of  various 
histologic  abnormalities  is  shown  in  Figure  4. 
Cirrhosis  was  seen  in  almost  all  cases,  being  ab- 
sent in  only  25  per  cent  of  the  cases  who  survived. 
The  incidence  of  Laennec’s  and  ‘‘mixed"  cirrhosis 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


479 


ALCOHOLIC  HEPATITIS  / McKell  et  al 

was  equal  in  the  non-survivors  (50  per  cent 
each),  and  the  “mixed”  type  was  seen  twice  as 
frequently  in  the  survivors  as  in  the  Laennec  type 
(50  per  cent  and  25  per  cent  respectively). 

Fatty  metamorphosis  of  some  degree  was  seen 
in  all  patients,  ranging  from  slight  (±)  to  3 + 
(occurring  in  50-75  per  cent  of  all  cells).  There 
was  no  significant  difference  in  the  amount  of 
fat  seen  between  the  two  groups.  An  inflammatory 
cell  response  consisting  of  polymorphonuclear 
leukocytes  and  round  cells,  as  in  the  Laennec  type 
leukocytes  and  round  cells  was  seen  to  some  de- 
gree in  all  sections.  This  was  more  marked  in 
those  who  expired  than  in  survivors.  Mallory  bod- 
ies were  seen  in  all  patients  except  one  case  who 
died  eight  days  after  admission.  Their  prevalence 
ranged  from  slight  to  3+,  with  no  significant  dif- 
ference between  survivors  and  nonsurvivors. 

TABLE  4 


% INCIDENCE  OF  HISTOLOGIC  FEATURES 


Histologic  Feature 

Group 
SURVIVORS  NON-i 

SURVIVORS 

Cirrhosis 

None  

25 

0 

1 aen  nee's  (a)  

25 

50 

Mixed  ( b ) 

50 

50 

Fat 

0 

0 

0 

+ 

40 

25 

+ 

20 

42 

-H-  

20 

25 

+++  

20 

8 

++++  

0 

0 

Inflammation 

0 

0 

0 

Mild  

20 

9 

Moderate  

55 

25 

Marked  

25 

66 

Mallory  Bodies 

0 

0 

8 

+ 

15 

9 

+ 

35 

25 

++  

35 

25 

+++  

15 

25 

-H-++  

0 

8 

Cholestasis 

0 

25 

8 

Mild  

50 

17 

Moderate  

20 

33 

Marked  

5 

42 

Necrosis 

0 

15 

17 

Focal 

70 

50 

Diffuse  

15 

33 

In  one  patient,  a 46-year-old  black  female  who 
died  eleven  days  after  admission,  Mallory  bodies 
were  noted  in  75-100  per  cent  of  cells.  Cho- 
lestasis was  present  in  seven  per  cent  of  the  sur- 
vivors and  92  per  cent  of  the  non-survivors,  with 
the  bile  casts  noted  in  75  per  cent  of  the  latter. 
Necrosis,  either  diffuse  or  focal,  was  seen  in 
approximately  85  per  cent  of  each  group. 

DISCUSSION 

There  is  general  agreement  as  to  the  existence 
of  a definite  syndrome  in  the  alcoholic,  usually 
acute  and  with  rather  significant  morbidity  and 
mortality,  which  is  characterized  clinically  by  fever 
and  jaundice  and  histologically  by  a peculiar 
form  of  hepatic  intracellular  hyaline.  The  overall 
outlook  for  this  entity  ranges  from  quite  good  to 
almost  invariably  fatal,  depending  to  a great  ex- 
tent on  one’s  criteria  for  patient  selection.  Phillips 
and  Davidson5  divided  their  group  of  fifty-six 
patients  into  two  groups:  one  with  “the  lesion 
complex”  (hyaline  degeneration,  cellular  necrosis 
and  parenchymal  disorganization),  and  one  group 
without  “the  lesion  complex.”  Of  the  28  patients 
in  Group  118  died,  running  an  average  course  of 
1 1.7  days,  whereas  of  the  26  patients  in  Group  II, 
only  five  died. 

Mallory  bodies  are  usually  thought  indicative 
of  a poor  outcome.  A group  of  40  patients  with 
fatty  metamorphosis  and/or  portal  cirrhosis,  one- 
half  with  and  one-half  without  Mallory  bodies 
was  studied.11  The  “Mallory  body  group”  was 
found  to  have  more  hospitalizations,  more  hema- 
temesis  and  ascites,  less  hepatosplenomegaly,  less 
neurological  and  psychiatric  findings,  greater 
BSP  retention  (the  remainder  of  liver  function 
tests  being  essentially  equal),  more  acute  and 
chronic  changes  on  liver  biopsy  and  the  appear- 
ance of  more  serious  sequelae.  Kern,  Mikkelsen 
and  Turriff11  found  that  of  35  patients  with 
biopsy-proven  hyaline  necrosis,  37  per  cent  died 
during  that  hospitalization  (in  contrast  to  only 
nine  per  cent  of  228  patients  in  whom  hyaline 
changes  were  not  found).  This  poor  prognosis 
extended  to  those  patients  in  whom  the  hyaline 
necrosis  was  morphologically  not  typical  and 
limited  to  only  a few  cells. 

On  the  other  end  of  the  spectrum  there  have 
been  reported  five  cases  of  “A.A.H.  without 
jaundice,”  only  two  of  whom  had  Mallory’s  hya- 
line and  none  of  whom  died.  Green  et  al12  stud- 
ied 50  cases,  only  two  of  whom  died  (one  of 
staphylococcal  pneumonia  and  one  from  sepsis) 
and  it  is  their  recommendation  that  the  diagnosis 
be  reserved  for  chronic  alcoholics  with  a history 
of  drinking  up  to  the  time  of  admission  who  pre- 
sent the  clinical  picture  of  acute  hepatic  insuf- 


480 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


TABLE  5 

CAUSE  OF  DEATH  AND  COMPLICATING  DISEASES 


Interval  in  Days  Between 

Patient  Age  Cause  of  Death  Admission  and  Death 


A.C.B.  56  Hepatic  coma,  GI  bleeding,  fresh  myo-  2 

cardial  infarction 

W.H.T.  33  Hepatic  coma,  pancreatitis,  pericarditis,  14 

renal  failure 

C.E.R.  68  Hepatic  coma,  pulmonary  edema  1 

L.J.R.  51  Hepatic  coma  7 

R.D.B.  57  Hepatic  coma,  pseudomonas  septicemia  7 

C.B.M.  43  Hepatic  coma,  G.I.  bleeding  35 

T.D.  50  Hepatic  coma  1 

H.P.  55  Hepatic  coma  8 

E.E.B.  59  Hepatic  coma  28 

H.M.  59  Hepatic  coma,  pneumonia  24 

G.R.  50  Hepatic  coma,  pneumococcal  pneumonia,  2 

perforated  gastric  ulcer  with  peritonitis, 
subarachnoid  hemorrhage,  portal  vein 
thrombosis 

E.A.  46  Hepatic  coma  11 


ficiency  and  show  fat,  necrosis,  inflammation,  and 
Mallory  bodies  on  liver  sections. 

In  the  present  series  of  32  patients,  twenty  of 
whom  survived  and  12  of  whom  expired,  no 
significant  difference  was  observed  in  the  presence 
or  absence  of  or  prevalence  of  Mallory  bodies  in 
the  histologic  sections.  In  addition  to  the  vari- 
ability of  classification  of  the  syndrome  of  A.A.H. 
in  the  literature,  there  is  also  some  variance  as  to 
what  constitutes  a Mallory  body.  The  hyaline 
bodies  are  variously  described  as  rounded  or 
irregular  hyaline  masses,  as  being  initially  finely 
granular  and  later  condensed  and  homogenous,  as 
lumpy,  as  a course  acidiophilic  meshwork-often 
perinuclear,  as  ramified  hyaline  material  or  re- 
fractive hyaline  bodies  near  the  nucleus,  or  orig- 
inally by  Mallory,  as  a coarse  hyaline  meshwork. 

Both  the  discrete  rounded  bodies  and  the 
hyaline  degenerative  changes  were  accepted  as 
Mallory  bodies  for  the  purpose  of  this  review. 
These  changes  were  excluded  from  other  “hya- 
line-appearing” artifacts  such  as  free  extracel- 
lular hyaline  cells  with  uniformly-staining  eosino- 
philic cytoplasm,  and  the  presence  of  condensed 
eosinophilic  cytoplasm  seen  in  cells  occupied 
primarily  by  fat.  These  changes  of  alcoholic 
hyaline  are  thought  by  most  to  represent  swollen 
altered  mitochondria. 

The  clinical  picture  consisted  of,  for  the  most 
part  in  our  series,  a known  alcoholic,  average 
age  48.15  years,  presenting  with  fever,  jaundice, 
ascites  and  gastrointestinal  bleeding.  The  ascites 
and  bleeding  were  more  ominous  signs,  and  as 


would  be  expected,  were  less  common  in  the  pa- 
tients who  survived. 

On  physical  examination,  these  patients,  in 
addition  to  the  fever,  jaundice  and  ascites  were 
found  to  have  hepatomegaly,  neuropsychiatric 
signs,  and  abdominal  tenderness.  These  altera- 
tions do  not  differ  from  those  found  in  alcoholics 
with  chronic  liver  disease  without  superimposed 
A.A.H.  The  fever  and  abdominal  tenderness 
(complaints  of  abdominal  pain  were  not  nearly 
so  prominent  in  this  series  as  are  present  in  most 
reviews  of  this  entity)  have  been  emphasized  in 
the  literature  as  being  characteristic  of  this  entity. 
Though  fever  and  abdominal  tenderness  when 
found  in  an  alcoholic  should  certainly  bring 
to  mind  the  syndrome  of  A.A.H.,  the  number 
of  other  conditions  frequently  responsible  for 
such  would  prevent  these  findings  from  being 
considered  characteristic.  The  point  has  been 
made12  that  because  of  the  frequent  presenting 
clinical  picture  of  abdominal  pain,  nausea,  vomit- 
ing, fever  and  leukocytosis  these  patients  are  often 
misdiagnosed  as  that  of  an  acute  surgical  abdo- 
men. 

There  have  been  various  attempts  in  the  litera- 
ture to  incriminate  certain  laboratory  abnormali- 
ties as  having  characteristic  or  prognostic  signifi- 
cance. Anemia,  reticulocytosis,  and  leukocytosis 
have  been  reported  in  60-80  per  cent  of  cases.3 
Anemia  and  leukocytosis,  both  quite  mild,  were 
prevalent  in  our  patients,  being  slightly  more 
frequent  in  the  non-survivors.  Reticulocyte  counts 
were  not  obtained  frequently  enough  for  this  to 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


481 


ALCOHOLIC  HEPATITIS  / McKell  et  al 

be  a valid  consideration.  We  did  not  find,  as  did 
Phillips  and  Davidson,5  that  the  degree  of  leuko- 
cytosis paralleled  the  severity  of  illness. 

The  biochemical  aspects  of  renal  manifestations 
in  liver  disease  include  oliguria,  hypotension, 
azotemia,  hyponatremia,  and  hyperkalemia.  Hec- 
ker  and  Sherlock13  have  proposed  that  the  degree 
of  hyponatremia  has  prognostic  value:  that  so- 
dium levels  of  less  than  130  are  serious  and  that 
those  of  less  than  120  are  ominous. 

In  our  series,  the  nonsurvivors  had  an  inci- 
dence of  azotemia  six  times  that  of  the  survivors, 
however  only  one  of  these  had  a blood  area  nitro- 
gen greater  than  60  mg.  per  cent.  As  with  almost 
any  disease  or  syndrome,  one  would  certainly 
expect  a higher  mortality  rate  with  an  accom- 
panying rise  in  the  BUN,  and  A.A.H.  is  no  dif- 
ferent in  that  respect. 

Also  the  incidence  of  hyponatremia  in  the  pres- 
ent series  was  83  per  cent  in  the  non-survivors  as 
compared  to  35  per  cent  in  those  who  survived. 
There  were  eight  patients  who  had  or  developed 
a serum  sodium  of  120  mEq/L  or  below,  and 
none  of  these  eight  survived.  In  three  of  these 
patients  the  BUN  was  normal.  The  degree  of 
hyponatremia,  if  the  serum  sodium  was  less  than 
130,  was  the  most  definite  laboratory  indicator 
of  a poor  outcome  of  any  test  we  obtained,  how- 
ever this  apparently  is  true  of  chronic  alcoholic 
liver  disease  in  general,  regardless  of  whether 
A.A.H.  is  superimposed. 

HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA 

Hyperbilirubinemia  was  almost  universal,  in 
fact  it  has  been  listed  as  criteria  for  inclusion  in 
the  syndrome.  Phillips  and  Davidson5  felt  that  the 
degree  of  elevation  of  the  icterus  index  may  be 
prognostic  and  it  may  be  noted  in  our  series 
that  six  out  of  the  seven  patients  whose  total 
serum  bilirubin  exceeded  15  mg.  per  cent  died. 
The  SGOT  has  been  said,  if  elevated,  to  be  the 
best  laboratory  test  in  predicting  the  presence  of 
A.A.H.14  It  is  known,  that  though  there  is  usually 
a greater  degree  of  cellular  necrosis  in  A.A.H. 
that  the  serum  SGOT  is  only  modestly  elevated. 
It  has  been  postulated  that  in  hyaline  necrosis, 
the  cells  “die  slower.”16  We  were  quite  surprised 
at  the  rather  low  frequency  (40  per  cent  in  sur- 
vivors and  25  per  cent  in  non-survivors)  of  SGOT 
elevation  in  our  series.  In  only  four  cases  did  we 
find  the  SGOT  to  be  200  units  or  greater,  two  of 
these  died  after  one  and  two  days  hospitalization 
each  and  in  one  there  was  noted  at  autopsy  a 
fresh  myocardial  infarction.  We  found  as  have 
others1-  5’  15  that  an  elevation  of  the  alkaline 


phosphatase  was  not  the  rule.  In  the  series  of 
Beckett  et  al9  however,  the  laboratory  picture! 
was  described  as  that  of  “liver  cell  damage  with 
some  intrahepatic  obstruction,”  implying  that 
there  is  typically  an  elevation  of  both  the  SGOT  . 
and  alkaline  phosphatase.  It  is  felt  that  the 
hypoalbuminemia  and  hyperglobulinemia,  rather 
than  being  representative  of  this  rather  acute 
syndrome,  simply  reflect  the  degree  and  chronic- 
ity  of  the  underlying  liver  disease.  It  is  well 
established  that  these  two  protein  abnormalities 
plus  “beta-gamma”  bridging  in  the  protein  elec- 
trophoresis strip  are  classical  findings  in  hepatic 
cirrhosis. 

PROTHROMBIN  TIME 

It  had  been  our  experience  with  other  types  of 
serious  and  occasionally  terminal  liver  disease, 
including  that  due  to  alcohol  abuse,  that  the 
prothrombin  time  was  the  most  valuable  tool  in 
our  laboratory  (prior  to  the  illness  reaching  the 
degree  of  severity  at  which  significant  hyponatre- 
mia develops)  in  predicting  the  immediate  prog- 
nosis. Harinasuta  et  al3  found  in  their  series  of 
175  patients  with  A.A.H.  that  the  degree  of 
hypoprothrombinemia  was  a useful  prognostic 
tool,  however  Ugarte  et  al16  noted  that  the  mag- 
nitude of  alteration  in  the  prothrombin  time  did 
not  differ  from  that  found  in  the  general  alcoholic 
population.  We  found  prolongation  of  the  pro- 
thrombin time  in  approximately  one-half  of  the 
cases  in  both  the  survivors  and  non-survivors, 
making  this  neither  an  almost  universal  labora- 
tory abnormality  nor  one  of  significant  prognostic 
import. 

So  in  addition  to  presenting  with  fever,  jaun- 
dice, ascites,  gastrointestinal  bleeding,  hepatomeg- 
aly with  abdominal  tenderness  and  some  element 
of  neuropsychiatric  aberration,  our  “typical” 
middle-aged  alcoholic  will  be  found  to  have  ane- 
mia, leukocytosis,  and  hyperbilirubinemia.  If  he 
be  one  who  is  ultimately  to  die  during  this  hos- 
pitalization, he  may  also  be  found  to  have  azote- 
mia and  hyponatremia  and  the  above-mentioned 
hyperbilirubinemia  to  be  in  excess  of  15  mg.  per 
cent. 

ADEQUATE  MANAGEMENT 

There  is  insufficient  space  to  undertake  a de- 
tailed discussion  of  management  of  A.A.H.,  how- 
ever an  adequate  program  must  include  the  fol- 
lowing: bed  rest  for  what  may  be  a rather  pro- 
longed period  of  time,  until  evidence  of  acute 
hepatocellular  injury  subsides;  adequate  diet  and 
vitamin  replacement.  The  diet  should  provide  ad- 
equate calories,  proteins,  and  fat  to  make  the 
diet  palatable.  A regular  diet  in  which  the  pa- 


482 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


tient  has  some  choice  in  menu  selection  and  in 
which  fried  and  greasy  foods  are  kept  to  a mini- 
mum, serves  the  purpose.  Folate  and  Vitamin 
B6  depletion  are  known  to  interfere  with  DNA 
and  enzyme  synthesis17  and  should  therefore  be 
replaced  in  therapeutic  amounts. 

Salt  restriction,  usually  200-500  mg.  sodium, 
may  be  indicated  if  fluid  retention  exists.  The 
addition  of  potassium  supplementation  and 
Vitamin  K may  also  be  required.  Hepatic  coma, 
gastrointestinal  bleeding,  superimposed  infections, 
and  renal  complications  or  combinations  thereof 
must  be  managed  accordingly  and  with  great 
care,  for  the  complicating  presence  of  any  one 
of  these  greatly  worsens  the  prognosis  in  A.A.H. 
The  causes  of  death  in  our  twelve  patients  who 
expired  are  shown  in  Figure  5.  As  can  be  seen, 
hepatic  coma  was  the  sole  cause  of  or  a major 
contributing  factor  in  the  death  of  each  of  the 
twelve  patients.  Major  infections  were  present  in 
three,  severe  gastrointestinal  hemorrhage  in  two, 
and  renal  failure  in  only  one. 

GLUCOCORTICOID  USAGE 

The  use  of  glucocorticoids  in  the  treatment  of 
inflammatory  liver  disease  remains  controversial. 
Because  of  the  mesenchymal  cell  proliferation18 
and  inflammatory  response  in  A.A.H. , adrenal 
steroids  may  well  have  a place  in  management 
here.  Short-term  courses  of  glucocorticoids  may 
be  of  some  benefit  in  reducing  the  anorexia  and 
allowing  correction  of  the  existing  protein  and 
vitamin  depletion,  thereby  promoting  liver  cell 
regeneration. 

If  one  elects  to  use  these  drugs,  he  must  cer- 
tainly keep  in  mind  the  influence  of  steroids  on 
the  precipitation  of  bleeding  peptic  ulcers,  the 
presence  of  complicating  infections,  and  the  false 
sense  of  security  one  might  obtain  from  the  more 
rapid  decline  in  serum  bilirubin  and  sense  of  well- 
being produced  in  the  patient.  The  Copenhagen 
study  group  for  liver  disease,19  in  investigating 
the  use  of  corticosteroids  on  survival  of  patients 
with  cirrhosis,  came  to  the  following  preliminary 
conclusions: 

1.  Prednisone  worsens  the  prognosis  in  patients 
with  persistent  ascites. 

2.  In  female  patients  without  ascites,  predni- 
sone treatment  improves  the  prognosis. 

3.  In  the  remainder,  primarily  male  alcoholics, 
the  prognosis  is  probably  not  influenced  by  the 
use  of  prednisone. 

Steroids  were  used  in  six  of  our  patients,  in 
four  of  the  survivors  and  in  two  who  died.  In  a 
retrospective  view  of  such  a small  sample,  cer- 
tainly no  conclusions  can  be  drawn. 

What  is  needed  in  the  complete  management 


of  these  patients,  especially  those  who  progress 
to  either  chronic  cirrhosis  or  fulminant  hepatic 
failure  and  death,  is  the  prevention  of  mesenchy- 
mal reaction  and  fibrosis,  removal  of  toxic  factors 
from  the  blood,  hepatic  support,  and  the  addition 
of  deficient  factors  to  the  circulation  while  the 
patient  is  essentially  without  a liver,  thereby  allow- 
ing time  for  hepatic  regeneration.  Certain  rather 
involved  programs  which  may  well  offer  much  in 
the  future  management  of  these  patients  are  per- 
fusion of  the  patient’s  blood  through  an  isolated 
pig  liver,  cross  circulation  with  human  volunteers, 
exchange  blood  transfusion,  plasmapheresis,  and/ 
or  transplantation.  At  the  present  time,  only 
plasmapheresis  seems  to  be  practical  enough  to 
be  considered  for  use  in  the  small  private  hospital. 

SUMMARY 

Thirty-two  cases  of  acute  alcoholic  hepatitis 
were  presented  and  the  clinical,  laboratory  and 
histologic  features  were  discussed.  The  mortality 
rate  in  the  series  was  38  per  cent.  The  typical 
picture  is  that  of  a known  alcoholic,  average  age 
48.15  years,  presenting  the  fever,  jaundice,  ascites 
and  gastrointestinal  bleeding,  who  upon  examina- 
tion is  found  to  have  hepatomegaly,  neuropsychi- 
atric signs  and  abdominal  tenderness.  Those  who 
survived  had  a lesser  incidence  of  azotemia,  hy- 
ponatremia, marked  hyperbilirubinemia  (15  mg. 
per  cent),  hyperglobulinemia,  and  elevation  of 
the  alkaline  phosphatase.  Prognostically,  there 
was  noted  no  significant  histologic  features,  speci- 
fically the  authors  did  not  find  any  real  difference 
in  the  incidence  of  Mallory  bodies  between  sur- 
vivors and  non-survivors. 

838  Lakeland  Drive  (39216)  (Dr.  McKell) 

Acknowledgements:  The  authors  wish  to  thank  Dr. 
Catherine  G.  Goetz  for  her  invaluable  assistance  in  re- 
viewing the  histologic  sections  with  us. 

REFERENCES 

1.  Popper,  H.;  Szanto,  O.  B.  and  Parthasarathy,  M.: 
Florid  Cirrhosis.  A Review  of  35  Cases,  Am.  J.  Clin. 
Path.  25:889,  1955. 

2.  Betrand,  L.;  Reynolds,  T.  B.  and  Michel,  FI.:  Lame- 
crose  hyaline  sclerosante  du  foie  alcolique  (entite: 
anatomo-clinique  et  hemodynamique.  Son  potentiel 
cirrhogene),  Press.  Med.  74:2837,  1966. 

3.  Harinasuta,  U.;  Chomet,  B.;  Ishak,  K.  and  Zimmer- 
man, H.  J.:  Steatonecrosis-Mallory  Body  Type,  Medi- 
cine 46: 141,  1967. 

4.  Hall.  E.  M.  and  Morgan,  W.  A.:  Progressive  Alco- 
holic Cirrhosis:  Clinical  and  Pathological  Study  of 
68  Cases,  Arch.  Path.  27:672,  1939. 

5.  Phillips,  G.  B.  and  Davidson,  C.  S.:  Acute  Hepatic 
Insufficiency  of  the  Chronic  Alcoholic,  Arch.  Int. 
Med.  94:585,  1954. 

6.  Edmondson,  H.  A.;  Peters,  R.  L.;  Reynolds,  T.  B. 
and  Kuzma,  O.  T.:  Sclerosing  Hyaline  Necrosis  of 
the  Liver  in  the  Chronic  Alcoholic:  A Recognizable 
Clinical  Syndrome,  Ann.  Int.  Med.  59:646,  1963. 

7.  Mallory,  F.  B.:  Cirrhosis  of  the  Liver:  Five  Differ- 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


483 


ALCOHOLIC  HEPATITIS  / McKell  et  al 

ent  Types  of  Lesions  From  Which  It  May  Arise, 
Bull.  Johns  Hopkins  Hosp.  22:69,  1911. 

8.  Steiner,  P.  E.  and  Higginson,  J.:  Definition  and 
Classification  of  Cirrhosis  of  the  Liver,  Acta  Un. 
Int.  Cancr.  17:581,  1961. 

9.  Beckett,  A.  G.;  Livingston,  A.  V.  and  Hill,  K.  R.: 
Acute  Alcoholic  Hepatitis,  Brit.  Med.  J.  2:113,  1961. 

10.  Rice,  J.  D.,  Jr.  and  Yesner,  R.:  The  Prognostic 
Significance  of  So-called  Mallory-Bodies  in  Portal 
Cirrhosis,  Arch.  Int.  Med.  105:99,  1960. 

11.  Kern,  W.  H.;  Mikkelsen,  W.  P.  and  Turrill,  F.  L.: 
The  Significance  of  Hyaline  Necrosis  in  Liver  Bi- 
opsies, Surgery,  Gyn.  & Ob.  129:749,  1969. 

12.  Green,  J.;  Mistilis,  S.  and  Schiff,  L.:  Acute  Alcoholic 
Hepatitis.  A Clinical  Study  of  Fifty  Cases,  Arch. 
Int.  Med.  112:67,  1963. 

13.  Hecker,  R.  and  Sherlock,  S.:  Electrolyte  and  Cir- 
culatory Changes  in  Terminal  Liver  Failure,  Lancet 
2:1121,  1956. 


14.  Wessler,  S.  and  Avioli,  L.  V.:  Alcoholic  Hepatitis, 
JAMA  203:865,  1968. 

15.  Schaffner,  F.;  Loebel,  A.;  Weiner,  H.  A.  and  Barka, 
T.:  Hepatocellular  Cytoplasmic  Changes  in  Acute 
Alcoholic  Hepatitis,  JAMA  183:343,  1963. 

16.  Ugarte,  G.;  Iturriaga,  H.  and  Insunza,  I.:  Some  Ef- 
fects of  Ethanol  on  Normal  and  Pathologic  Livers,  1 
in  Progress  in  Liver  Diseases,  Vol.  1;  Ed.  by  Popper, 
H.  and  Schaffner,  F.,  New  York,  Grune  and  Strat- 
ton, 1970,  p.  355. 

17.  Leevy,  C.  M.:  Clinical  Diagnosis,  Evaluation  and 
Treatment  of  Liver  Disease  in  Alcoholics,  Fed.  Proc. 
26:1474,  1967. 

18.  Ien  Hove,  W.;  Cherrick,  G.  and  Leevy,  C.  M.: 
Morphologic  and  Enzymatic  Changes  Induced  by 
Ethanol,  Clin.  Res.  13:262,  1965. 

19.  Copenhagen  Study  Group  for  Liver  Diseases:  A 
Controlled  Trial  of  Prednisone  Treatment  in  Cir-  1 
rhosis.  Effect  of  Prednisone  on  the  Survival  of  Pa- 
tients With  Cirrhosis  of  the  Liver,  Lancet  1:119, 
1969. 


OUT  OF  THIS  WORLD 

The  exobiologists  whose  field  is  the  science  of  extraterrestial 
life  forms  are  divided  as  to  the  presence  of  intelligent  beings  on 
planets  in  the  universe.  Consider  these  two  diametrically  opposite 
views: 

“There  is  nobody  on  Mars,  and  I am  positive.  It  hasn't  shown 
up  on  my  teenage  daughter’s  telephone  bill.” 

“There  is,  without  question,  intelligent  life  on  the  moon.  How 
do  I know?  Well,  you  don’t  see  them  spending  $24  billion  to 
come  down  here  to  pick  up  rocks.” 


484 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Twenty -Seven  Months  of 
Chemoprophylaxis  for  Prevention  of 

Tuberculosis  in  Mississippi 

LEE  R.  REID,  M.D. 
Jackson,  Mississippi 


No  practical  method  is  available  at  the  present 
time  that  will  directly  prevent  the  first  infection 
by  the  tuberculosis  bacillus.  This  can  only  be  at- 
tempted indirectly  by  keeping  the  uninfected  indi- 
vidual from  contact  with  active  cases  through  re- 
duction of  the  number  of  such  cases  available  for 
contact.  Therefore,  complete  tuberculosis  control 
will  have  to  be  directed,  at  present,  toward  pre- 
venting non-communicable,  primary  cases  of  tu- 
berculosis from  converting  into  reactivated  cases 
who  transmit  the  disease.  Another  facet  of  the 
problem  is  to  protect  the  uninfected  person  from 
reactivated  cases  among  those  who  had  been  con- 
sidered, erroneously,  to  be  inactive. 

Both  of  these  problems  can  be  handled,  in  a 
majority  of  instances,  by  the  simple  use  of  isoni- 
azid,  prophylactically.  This  drug,  if  taken  in  prop- 
er doses  regularly  for  12  months,  will  prevent 
the  primary  disease  from  progressing  to  the  clini- 
cal stage  (reactivation,  secondary  or  adult  tuber- 
culosis) in  almost  all  cases.  It  will  also  prevent 
reactivation  of  inactive  disease  in  most  instances. 

Late  in  1967,  a committee  from  several  organi- 
zations interested  in  tuberculosis  published  a re- 
port dealing  with  prevention  of  tuberculosis  by 
the  use  of  isoniazid.1  In  November,  1967,  a 
state-wide  program  was  instituted  in  Mississippi 
by  the  Tuberculosis  Control  Unit  of  the  Division 
of  Preventable  Disease  Control  of  the  Mississippi 
State  Board  of  Health.  This  was  reported  in  July. 
1968. 2 The  present  article  is  to  report  the  results 
of  this  program  from  November,  1967,  to  Feb- 
ruary, 1970. 

From  the  Tuberculosis  Control  Unit.  Division  of  Pre- 
ventable Disease  Control.  Mississippi  State  Board  of 
Health,  Jackson. 


Briefly,  our  program  of  chemoprophylaxis  is 
based  upon  research  by  the  U.S.P.H.S.3  They 
found  that  isoniazid  was  successful  in  preventing 


During  27  months  between  1967  and  1970, 
more  than  14,500  high  risk  patients  in  Mis- 
sissippi were  given  isoniazid  prophylactically 
for  tuberculosis.  The  program  was  carried 
out  by  county  health  departments  under  the 
direction  of  the  Tuberculosis  Control  Unit 
of  the  Division  of  Preventable  Disease  Con- 
trol of  the  State  Board  of  Health.  Among 
these  patients,  no  proven  cases  of  tuber- 
culosis developed  in  those  who  took  isoni- 
azid as  directed.  Thirty-two  proven  cases 
were  found;  11  of  these  did  not  take  the 
drug  as  directed  and  the  other  21  were  found 
to  have  developed  the  disease  before  the 
prophylactic  therapy  was  initiated. 


the  occurrence  of  active,  clinical  tuberculosis 
among  high  risk  groups  in  around  60  per  cent  of 
their  cases.  This  extensive  work  showed  that  of 
70,000  people  forming  the  basis  of  the  study, 
698  developed  active  clinical  tuberculosis.  Out  of 
the  698  proven  cases,  502  were  among  those  re- 
ceiving placebo  and  only  196  were  among  those 
who  received  isoniazid.  This  clearly  indicated  its 
value.  However,  the  drug  failed  to  protect  196  of 
the  patients.  There  is  little  doubt  that  a large  per- 
centage of  the  failures  were  among  those  who  did 
not  take  the  drug  regularly  nor  for  the  prescribed 
length  of  time.  The  protection  that  was  afforded 

48  5 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS  / Reid 

in  such  a high  risk  group  amply  justifies  the  pro- 
cedure. 

Chemoprophylaxis  is  carried  out  by  giving  iso- 
niazid  at  the  rate  of  300  milligrams  per  day  to 
adults  and  dosage  of  5 milligrams  per  pound  (10 
milligram  per  kilo)  to  children,  daily  for  one  year. 

When  our  program  was  launched  in  November, 
1967,  we  were  not  able  to  put  the  information  on 
punch  cards  for  data  processing.  Because  of  this, 
the  individuals  reported  here  are  included  in  only 
one  group  of  reasons  for  prophylaxis  (categories). 
These  categories  were  listed  in  priority  order  and 
the  highest  one  applicable  was  used.  Our  choices 
as  to  the  priority  order,  by  our  own  admission, 
are  open  to  question.  It  was  decided,  however, 
that  to  prevent  confusion,  we  would  not  change 
these  priorities  until  we  could  process  the  data  by 
machine.  Most  of  the  persons  in  the  series  could 
be  included  in  two  or  more  categories,  but  to 
try  to  do  this  without  the  aid  of  machine  process- 
ing would  have  presented  difficulties  we  were  not 
prepared  to  handle.  Beginning  February  1,  1970, 
information  has  been  put  on  punch  cards  and  will 
be  tabulated  at  regular  intervals  in  the  future. 

From  Novmeber  1,  1967,  to  January  31,  1970, 
14,633  persons  were  started  on  chemoprophylaxis 

TABLE  1 

REASONS  FOR  DISCONTINUATION  OF 
ISONIAZID 

From  11/1/67  to  9/1/69,  3,532  persons  terminated 
chemoprophylaxis.  Of  this  number  2,193  completed  12 
months  of  the  drug.  The  following  are  the  reasons  for 
termination  of  the  drug  by  the  other  1,339  cases. 


1.  Uncooperative 720 

2.  Lost  to  follow-up  291 

3.  Drug  reaction  (real  or  imaginary)  90 

a.  Allergy  (skin  rash)  27 

b.  Nausea  27 

c.  Dizziness 16 

d.  Gains  weight  5 

e.  “Kidney  trouble”  5 

f.  “Nervousness”  3 

g.  “Pleurisy”  pain 3 

h.  Rapid  pulse  1 

i.  Hypertension  1 

j.  “Fever”  1 

k.  Epileptic  seizures  (?)  1 

4.  Discontinued  on  advice  of  private  physician  88 

5.  Died  of  unrelated  causes  61 

6.  Put  on  chemotherapy  57 

7.  On  advice  of  Tuberculosis  Control  Unit 24 

8.  Religious  convictions 4 

9.  Others  4 


in  Mississippi.  This  is  at  the  rate  of  624.3  per 
100,000  population,  based  on  1968  population 
estimate  of  2,344,000  for  the  state.4 

The  categories  included  in  our  program  (all 
those  recommended  as  high  risk  individuals  in 
the  original  report)  are  as  follows: 

1 . Household  contacts 

2.  Positive  tuberculin  below  age  of  20 

3.  Tuberculin  converter 

4.  Ex-patient  (diagnosed  case)  with  inade- 
quate or  no  previous  chemotherapy  with  isoni- 
azid. 

5.  X-Ray  changes  suggestive  of  tuberculosis 
with  positive  tuberculin. 

6.  Pregnancy 

7.  Special  clinical  situations  with  positive  tu- 
berculin such  as  corticosteroid  treatment,  gas- 
trectomy, leukemia  or  Hodgkins’  disease,  unstable 
severe  diabetes,  or  silicosis. 

8.  Measles  or  whooping  cough  with  positive 
tuberculin. 

9.  Positive  tuberculin,  age  20  years  or  over 
with  negative  x-ray. 

Category  9 required  at  least  a 10  mm  Mantoux 
reaction  or  Grade  3 Heaf;  all  others,  5 mm  Man- 
toux or  grade  2 Heaf. 

In  the  categories  listed  above,  only  two  need 
to  be  discussed.  The  other  seven  are  self-explana- 
tory. 

Household  Contacts  (Category  No.  1) 

Persons  in  household  contact  with  an  active 
case  of  tuberculosis  are  in  the  greatest  danger  of 
contracting  the  disease.  There  were  two  suggested 
methods  for  managing  household  contacts  men- 
tioned in  the  original  publication.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9  First,  that  all 
members  of  the  household  be  skin  tested  and  the 
positive  reactors  be  given  isoniazid.  The  negative 
reactors  were  to  be  retested  at  three  month  inter- 
vals and  the  ones  that  converted  to  positive  were 
placed  on  the  drug.  Second,  offered  as  an  alterna- 
tive plan,  was  to  place  all  members  of  the  house- 
hold on  isoniazid,  regardless  of  the  result  of  the 
tuberculin  test.  This  latter  policy  was  adopted  for 
two  reasons.  First,  our  limited  nursing  personnel 
would,  in  many  instances,  not  be  able  to  repeat 
skin  tests  at  regular  intervals.  Second,  it  would 
have  been  difficult  to  explain  to  some  of  our  fami- 
ly groups  why  some  of  them  would  have  to  take 
the  drug  and  others  would  not.  The  lack  of  under- 
standing, we  feared,  would  contribute  to  lagging 
interest  and  poor  cooperation.  The  low  degree  of 
toxicity  of  isoniazid  allowed  us  to  temper  the  ideal 
with  the  practical  and  give  it  to  some  who  might 
not  actually  need  it.  Household  contacts  had 
14  x 17  chest  films  at  three  month  intervals  dur- 


486 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


TABLE  2 


NEGATIVE  SPUTUM  INDIVIDUALS  CHANGED  FROM  CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS 

TO  CHEMOTHERAPY 


1 

6 

2 

H . 2 

6 

Unk. 

Unk. 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

3 

84 

1 

H . 3 

7 

X 

X 

X 

Death  Certificate  (?) 

11 

18 

1 

H • 3 

7 

Unk. 

Unk. 

X 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

12 

24 

9 

H . 4 

6 

X 

X 

X 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

13 

28 

9 

H • 3 

-1 

X 

X 

X 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

16 

19 

3 

H . 1 

14 

X 

X 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

17 

28 

1 

H . 3 

6 

X 

Unk. 

Unk. 

X 

No  recent  X-ray  (Hurricane) 

18 

7 

1 

9** 

5 

X 

Unk. 

Unk. 

X 

No  recent  X-ray  (Hurricane) 

20 

28 

1 

M.12 

8 

X 

X 

Private  M.D.  Order  (Need?) 

22 

16 

1 

H.4 

2 

X 

X 

X 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

24 

69 

1 

H . 2 

-1 

X 

Unk. 

Unk. 

X 

No  recent  X-ray  (Hurricane) 

25 

51 

5 

M .15 

3 

X 

X 

X 

Private  M.D.  Order  (Need?) 

26 

63 

5 

H . 2 

-1 

X 

X 

X 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

27 

24 

9 

M.  15 

-1 

X 

X 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

28 

14 

2 

H.4 

1 

X 

X 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

30 

9 

1 

Neg. 

9 

X 

X 

X 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

32 

71 

9 

H.3 

4 

X 

X 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

33 

29 

1 

H.l 

-1 

Unk. 

Unk. 

X 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

40 

5 

2 

H.4 

1 

X 

X 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

45  ' 

4 

2 

H.3 

-1 

X 

X 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

50 

41 

9 

M .10 

-1 

X 

X 

* 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

52 

1 

1 

H.l 

7 

X 

X 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

53 

46 

9 

H.3 

-1 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

56 

5 

2 

H.3 

1 

X 

X 

X 

Suspicious  X-ray 

57 

53 

9 

H.4 

3 

X 

Neg. 

Private  M.D.  Order  (Need?) 

* Record  lost  in  Hurricane  Camille 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


487 


CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS  / Reid 

ing  the  period,  if  possible.  If  not,  they  were  made 
at  least  at  beginning  and  end  of  prophylaxis. 

Positive  Tuberculin  (10  mm.  reaction  or  grade 
III  Heaf)  Age  20  or  Over  With  Negative  X-Ray 
(Category  No.  9) 

This  category  deserves  special  mention  as  the 
one  composed  of  people  with  a Mantoux  of  10 
mm  or  Heaf  Grade  3 tuberculin  test  but  with  a 
negative  14x17  chest  film.  Minor  calcific  deposits 
in  the  hilar  areas  and  a few  flecks  of  calcium  in 
the  lung  fields  are  usually  disregarded  and  cases 
showing  them  are  read  as  negative.  This  attitude 
is  due  to  the  prevalence  of  histoplasmosis  in  this 
area  of  the  country.  The  first  invasion  of  the  body 
with  mycobacterium  tuberculosis  may  be  on  a very 
minor  scale.  The  residuals  of  this  infection  may 
be  so  small  as  to  be  undetectable  by  x-ray.  In 
these  cases,  the  evidence  of  the  disease  will  be 
represented  only  by  a positive  reaction  to  tuber- 


culin. Still,  these  persons  with  “negative”  chest 
films  are  in  some  danger  of  reactivation  of  the 
tiny  lesion,  resulting  in  a clinical  and  communi- 
cable disease. 

Figure  1 shows  the  number  of  individuals 
treated  by  category  based  on  14,633  persons 
receiving  chemoprophylaxis  from  November, 
1967  to  February,  1970. 

As  expected,  category  No.  9,  those  individuals 
with  a 10  mm  or  over  Mantoux  or  grade  3 or  over 
Heaf  tuberculin  test  but  without  x-ray  evidence 
of  disease,  composed  our  largest  group  with  50.0 
per  cent.  Household  contacts,  category  No.  1, 
rated  second  with  27.0  per  cent.  Category  No.  2, 
a positive  tuberculin  below  the  age  of  20  years, 
rated  third  with  12.6  per  cent. 

Figure  2 shows  distribution  by  age.  This  data 
was  based  on  persons  terminated  between  Novem- 
ber 1,  1967,  and  September  1,  1969,  numbering 
3,532.  It  is  noted  that  the  groups  including  the 
teenagers  made  up  22.2  per  cent  of  the  total  num- 
ber. The  middle-aged  (41  to  60  years)  group 


Figure  1.  Indications  for  prophylaxis  in  14,633  persons  who  received  isoniazid  be- 
tween 11/1/67  and  2/1/70. 


488 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


500 


459 


Figure  2.  Ages  of  3,532  persons  whose  chemoprophylaxis  was  terminated  between 
11/1/67  and  9/1/69. 


showed  30.7  per  cent. 

Table  1 shows  reasons  for  discontinuation  of 
isoniazid.  An  analysis  of  the  table  shows  that  of 
3,532  whose  drug  was  terminated  between  No- 
vember 1,  1967,  and  September  1,  1969,  2,193 
or  62.1  per  cent  took  the  whole  year  of  medica- 
tion. 

Reasons  for  Discontinuation  of  Isoniazid 

1.  Uncooperative: 

The  greatest  handicap  to  success  in  chemopro- 
phylaxis are  those  people  who  refuse  to  take  the 
drug  as  directed.  Of  the  3,532  persons  upon  whom 
treatment  had  been  terminated,  720  were  unco- 
operative and  took  the  drug  issued  to  them  only 
for  a few  days  or  weeks.  Others  took  it  so  irregu- 
larly as  to  be  of  questionable  benefit.  This  was 
not  unexpected.  Even  in  treatment  of  active  dis- 
ease, when  the  patient  knows  recovery  istelf  de- 
pends upon  taking  the  drug,  it  is  difficult  to  get 
some  patients  to  cooperate  in  the  matter  of  self- 
administered  treatment  at  home. 

Figure  3 shows  the  length  of  time  that  the 
3,532  cases  who  were  terminated  between  No- 
vember 1,  1967,  and  September  1,  1969,  took 
the  drug.  This  shows  that  the  third  and  sixth 
month  of  the  treatment  year  seem  to  be  the  crucial 
time  for  giving  up  treatment.  This,  however,  prob- 


ably reflects  the  fact  that  many  cases  were  con- 
tacted at  three  month  intervals  when  the  next 
three  months  supply  of  the  drug  was  to  be  issued 
and  an  x-ray  made.  At  this  time,  the  nurses 
learned  that  the  patient  was  not  taking  the  isonia- 
zid. Two  thousand  one  hundred  ninety-three  cases 
(62.1  per  cent)  endured  to  the  end  and  finished 
a complete  12  months  of  continuous  medication. 

It  will  be  noted  that  most  ot  the  patients  who 
finished  at  least  six  months  of  isoniazid  went  on 
and  took  the  drug  for  the  whole  year.  The  greatest 
number  of  “dropouts”  were  during  the  first  6 
months. 

2.  Lost  to  Follow-up: 

Two  hundred  and  ninety-one  people  moved  and 
could  not  be  located  for  further  treatment  and 
followup. 

3.  Drug  Reactions: 

Ninety  had  drug  reactions.  Unfortunately,  com- 
plaints listed  in  this  group  are  largely  unconfirmed. 
They  were  the  reasons  given  to  the  nurses  when 
individuals  were  confronted  with  the  fact  that 
they  had  not  been  in  for  a refill  of  the  isoniazid 
order  then  due.  A few  skin  rashes  were  confirmed 
by  the  nurses.  Most  of  the  other  complaints  were 
probably  excuses  given  by  those  who  could  neither 
comprehend  the  necessity  for  nor  the  principles 
of  prophylaxis. 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


489 


CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS  / Reid 

4.  Drug  discontinued  on  advice  of  private  phy- 
sician: 

In  88  instances  the  family  physician  objected 
to  the  use  of  the  drug  for  various  reasons,  the 
most  frequent  being  the  result  of  his  patient  com- 
plaining to  him  of  bizarre  symptoms  in  order  to 
escape  taking  the  medication.  Some  physicians, 
not  being  familiar  with  the  drug  and  knowing  that 
it  was  being  given  prophylactically,  simply  felt 
it  was  probably  not  worthwhile.  One  case  was 
hospitalized  and  a liver  abnormality  was  found. 
Proof  that  it  was  due  to  the  isoniazid  was  rather 
weak  and  sketchy,  but  the  drug  was  not  given 
to  this  patient  after  that,  at  this  physician’s  re- 
quest. 

Not  all  the  physicians  concerned  were  con- 
tacted. We  found  that  many  people  who  had  quit 
taking  the  drug,  when  questioned  by  the  nurse, 
gave  the  family  physician’s  objection  as  an  excuse. 
In  a substantial  number  of  instances,  when  the 
private  physician  was  contacted,  it  was  found  that 
the  patient  had  misrepresented  the  facts. 

5.  Died  of  unrelated  causes: 

Sixty-one  persons  died  while  under  prophylaxis, 
from  unrelated  causes. 

6.  Put  on  chemotherapy: 

Between  November  1,  1967,  and  February  1, 
1969,  57  persons  of  the  14,633  taking  chemo- 
prophylaxis were  put  on  chemotherapy  for  various 
reasons.  The  subject  is  discussed  later  in  this  re- 
port under  “Individuals  shifted  from  chemopro- 
phylaxis to  chemotherapy.’* 

7.  On  advice  of  Tuberculosis  Control  Unit: 

Twenty-four  people  were  taken  off  chemopro- 
phylaxis after  being  started  on  it  by  error;  an 
illustration  being  some  housheold  contacts  who 
were  put  on  the  drug  when  the  index  case  was 


Figure  3.  Months  on  chemoprophylaxis  for  3,532 
persons  whose  treatment  was  terminated  between 
11/1/67  and  9/ 1/69. 


found  to  have  been  diagnosed  tuberculosis  on 
basis  of  an  error  in  laboratory  reporting,  etc. 

8.  Religious  convictions: 

Four  persons  started  the  drug,  then  gave  it  up 
because  of  religious  reasons. 

9.  Others: 

Three  individuals  with  mental  retardation  were 
felt  to  be  incapable  of  self-medication. 

One  case  was  “incapable  of  swallowing  the 
medication  because  of  mental  condition.” 

Shifted  From  Chemoprophylaxis  to  Chemother- 
apy (“Failures”) 

The  success  of  chemoprophylaxis  can  be  judged 
by  the  number  of  people  who  develop  tuberculosis 
while  taking  the  drug  or  after  completion  of  the 
course  of  chemoprophylaxis.  We  have  followed 
most  of  our  people  for  a relatively  short  period 
after  completion  of  prophylaxis.  Only  three  were 
found  to  require  chemotherapy  after  one  year  of 
chemoprophylaxis.  Two  of  these  individuals,  a 
mother  and  daughter,  although  they  were  on 
record  as  having  taken  INH  for  12  months,  when 
questioned  admitted  that  they  took  the  drug  only 
when  they  “thought  of  it.”  Both  had  positive  spu- 
tum. The  daughter  developed  moderately  advanced 
tuberculosis  while  under  observation,  was  treated 
at  Sanatorium  with  complete  clearing  of  the  in- 
filtration. The  mother,  although  the  organism  was 
reported  as  being  found  in  her  sputum,  never 
showed  any  evidence  of  disease  by  x-ray  but 
received  a regular  course  of  chemotherapy.  Since 
the  reliability  of  those  two  patients  leaves  much  to 
be  desired,  it  is  likely  that  the  sputum  specimens 
were  mixed  up  and  both  the  positive  ones  were  in 
reality  from  the  daughter  who  unquestionably 
had  the  disease. 

Another  19-year-old  girl  was  put  on  chemo- 
therapy one  year  and  two  months  after  chemo- 
prophylaxis was  started,  but  records  show  she 
definitely  did  not  take  much  of  the  isoniazid  and 
was  not  proven  to  have  tuberculosis  bacteriologi- 
cally.  She  had  a suspicious  x-ray  change  and  was 
put  on  chemotherapy  to  be  on  the  safe  side.  All 
other  cases  reported  were  shifted  from  chemo- 
prophylaxis to  treatment  while  they  were  sup- 
posedly taking  isoniazid. 

No  information  was  available  in  1967  as  to 
how  long  an  individual  had  to  be  on  prophylaxis 
before  the  appearance  of  active  disease  denoted 
a failure  of  chemoprophylaxis.  When  our  pro- 
gram was  set  up,  a decision  was  made  that  any 
individual  who  was  receiving,  or  had  received, 
isoniazid  when  circumstances  dictated  that  multi- 
ple drug  therapy  was  advisable  would  be  tagged 
as  a “failure.”  This  was  done  regardless  of  how 


490 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


short  a period  of  time  the  chemoprophylaxis  medi- 
cation had  been  administered. 

Between  November  1,  1967,  and  January  31, 
1970,  57  people  were  shifted  from  prophylaxis 
to  treatment.  Of  these,  32  were  diagnosed  on  the 
basis  of  the  culturing  of  M.  tuberculosis  from  the 


Figure  4.  New  active  cases  1957-1969. 


sputum  or  gastric  washings.  The  other  25  were 
not  confirmed  bacteriologically.  These  latter  will 
be  considered  first.  Table  No.  2 shows  a break- 
down of  these  individuals. 

The  following  points  should  be  brought  out 
in  explanation:  Case  No.  3,  an  84-year-old  wom- 
an, a household  contact  in  a very  unreliable 
family  died  in  a local  hospital  after  having  taken 
the  drug  irregularly  for  seven  months  before 
death.  The  death  certificate  showed  death  due  to 
“pleurisy  with  effusion,  right  ( tuberculosis? ) This 
diagnosis  is  accepted  with  reservations.  She  re- 
ceived multiple  drug  therapy  for  a few  days  while 
in  the  hospital  before  death. 

Three  (Nos.  17.  18,  and  24)  were  unable  to 
have  follow-up  x-ray  films  due  to  disruption  of 
services  as  the  result  of  hurricane  Camille.  In  one 
(No.  18)  records  of  the  tuberculin  test  were  lost 
for  the  same  reason.  Three  (Nos.  20,  25,  and  57) 
were  put  on  multiple  drug  therapy  at  the  request 
of  their  private  physician.  Although  in  all  three 
of  these  people,  in  our  opinion,  there  was  very 
little  justification  for  this,  we  honored  their  doc- 
tor’s recommendations. 

Seven  (Nos.  12,  13,  22,  28,  30.  52,  and  53) 
were  put  on  chemotherapy  upon  admission  to  the 
Sanatorium  as  a routine  measure. 

Two  (Nos.  24  and  26)  showed  atypical  orga- 
nisms of  Runyon  Group  III  on  sputum  culture. 
One  (No.  53)  showed  atypical  organisms  of  Run- 
yon Group  II  on  sputum  culture.  In  all  three  in- 
stances, chemoprophylaxis  had  been  in  effect 


less  than  one  month  and  all  three  were  routinely 
put  on  multiple  drug  therapy. 

Eighteen  (Nos.  11,  12,  13,  16,  17,  18,  22,  25, 
26,  27,  30,  32,  33,  40,  45,  50,  53,  and  56)  showed 
x-ray  evidence  suggestive  of  active  disease  such 
as  soft  appearing  shadows,  cavitation,  etc.  on 
the  first  film.  These  films  were  taken  usually  with- 
in a few  days  to  one  month  after  the  start  of 
chemoprophylaxis.  No  one  of  this  group  was  ever 
found  to  have  M.  tuberculosis  in  sputum. 

Category  No.  9 is  actually  supposed  to  be  cases 
with  a grade  3 or  4 Heaf  test  or  a 10  mm  or  over 
Mantoux  with  negative  x-ray.  In  the  seven  people 
in  this  category,  four  of  them  (Nos.  13,  27,  50, 
and  53)  had  taken  isoniazid  for  less  than  one 
month  before  the  first  x-ray  showed  evidence  of 
disease.  These  had  no  other  category  to  be  put 
into  so  were  left  in  category  No.  9.  Two  (Nos. 
12  and  32)  had  x-ray  films  negative  on  first 
films,  but  developed  lesions  in  the  lung  at  a later 
date.  The  other  patient  in  category  No.  9 (No. 
57)  had  a negative  x-ray  all  along  but  because  of 
a strongly  positive  Heaf  test,  a local  physician  re- 
quested that  she  be  placed  on  multiple  drug  ther- 
apy. 

Although  none  of  these  25  people  were  proven 
to  have  tuberculosis  by  culturing  the  organism, 
there  remained  the  probability  that  there  may 
have  been  insufficient  efforts  to  obtain  sputum 
from  some  of  them.  This  may  have  been  espe- 
cially true  in  the  case  of  the  seven  children  in  the 
group.  With  this  in  mind,  the  records  were 
searched  for  ones  with  negative  sputum  but  in 
whom  the  following  criteria  were  present  that  in- 
dicated that  active  disease  was  present.  We  looked 
for  someone  who  had  a significantly  positive  tuber- 
culin and  who  took  the  isoniazid  regularly  for  at 
least  two  months.  Were  there  any  that,  in  spite 
of  the  above  and  with  a previously  negative  x-ray 
film  or  with  a stable  appearing  lesion,  developed 
a suspicious  lesion  or  had  evidence  of  instability 
of  a lesion  present?  In  such  a case  did  the  x-ray 
clear  upon  institution  of  multiple  drug  therapy 
within  a reasonable  length  of  time? 

Admittedly  the  above  are  rather  stringent  re- 
quirements for  diagnosis  of  active  disease  but 
it  would  be  hard  to  eliminate  any  of  them  and  feel 
justified  in  using  the  remaining  as  evidence  against 
the  effectiveness  of  chemoprophylaxis. 

We  were  unable  to  find  such  among  these  25 
persons.  In  evaluating  these  25  people  then,  it  is 
our  belief  that  not  a single  one  had  been  a failure 
of  chemoprophylaxis. 

Thirty-two  cases  were  put  on  therapy  because 
of  the  finding  of  M.  tuberculosis  in  the  sputum. 
Of  these  cases,  1 1 were  found  to  have  taken  very 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


491 


CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS  / Reid 

little  of  the  isoniazid.  Of  the  21  other  cases  of 
positive  sputum,  all  of  them  were  found  to  have 
had  active  disease  at  the  time  the  chemopro- 
phylactic  drug  was  started.  All  of  these  21  had 
the  medication  started  when  the  positive  tuber- 
culin was  discovered.  The  sputum  sent  in  to  the 
laboratory  at  or  about  the  same  time  the  tuber- 
culin test  was  read  was  reported  several  weeks 
later  to  be  positive  for  M.  tuberculosis. 

On  the  basis  of  all  findings  then,  there  was  not 
a single  case  out  of  the  14,633  on  chemoprophy- 
laxis that  developed  proven  active  disease  pro- 
vided the  patient  took  the  isoniazid  as  directed. 
One  hesitates  to  report  such  a perfect  result.  In  a 
program  such  as  ours  conducted  by  82  different 
county  health  departments  of  varying  ability  and 
interest,  some  mistakes  may  have  been  made  in 
the  records  or  perhaps  in  the  reporting  of  our 
experience. 

A question  naturally  arises  as  to  how  many  of 
these  14,633  people  would  have  developed  tuber- 
culosis if  no  chemoprophylaxis  had  been  given. 
We  know  that  in  the  United  States  in  1968,  21.3 
new  active  cases  per  100,000  appeared  in  the 
general  population.5 

The  people  we  are  considering  are  high  risk 
ones.  We  would  therefore  expect  a larger  num- 
ber per  100,000  to  develop  tuberculosis.  The 
U.S.P.H.S.  study  was  conducted  on  a similar  high 
risk  group.  Out  of  30,779  people  that  received 
placebo  instead  of  isoniazid  after  having  been 
followed  for  over  an  average  of  7.5  years,  502 
cases  of  tuberculosis  developed. 

This  would  give  an  average  annual  case  rate  of 
217.5  cases  per  100,000  population.  Therefore, 
in  their  high  risk  group,  tuberculosis  was  10  times 
more  frequent  than  in  the  general  population. 

In  regard  to  the  Mississippi  people,  our  figures 
cannot  be  directly  compared  to  those  of  the 
U.S.P.H.S.  since  their  criteria  for  inclusion  in 
the  study  was  a 10  mm  positive  P.P.D.  (grade  3 
Heaf).  In  our  individuals,  a 10  mm  positive  P.P.D. 
(grade  3 Heaf)  was  required  only  in  category  No. 
9.  In  fact,  some  of  the  household  contacts  (cate- 
gory No.  1 ) had  negative  tuberculin  tests. 

In  the  2,193  people  that  finished  one  year  of 
chemoprophylaxis,  no  cases  of  tuberculosis  de- 
veloped. Out  of  12,440  persons  not  having 
finished  one  year  of  chemoprophylaxis,  32  de- 
veloped tuberculosis.  This  would  be  an  average 
of  114.3  per  100,000  per  year.  Although  this 
rate  was  only  around  half  that  reported  in  the 
U.S.P.H.S.  survey,  it  is  still  5.4  times  the  rate 
for  the  general  population. 

In  order  to  evaluate  the  impact  of  our  chemo- 


prophylactic  program  on  tuberculosis  in  Missis- 
sippi, the  annual  new  active  case  rate  for  the  ten  i 
years  before  the  institution  of  our  program  is 
shown  in  figure  4. 

During  the  years  1959,  1960,  and  1961,  the 
rapid  decline  in  new  active  cases  was  mainly  due 
to  lack  of  reporting  and  poor  case  finding. 

In  1963,  our  present  control  program  was  put 
into  effect  and  the  number  of  new  active  cases 
surged  upward  in  1964  as  the  previously  unre- 
ported cases  were  ferreted  out  of  the  county 
health  departments’  files  and  reported  to  the  reg- 
ister. During  1965  a readjustment  took  place  and 
the  new  active  cases  reported  dropped  from  the 
peak  of  751  in  1964  to  661.  Then  in  1966  and 
1967,  a leveling  off  took  place  and  the  new  active 
cases  fell  only  from  661  in  1965  to  654  in  1966, 
a matter  of  7 cases,  and  to  616  in  1967,  a drop 
of  38  cases. 

Our  chemoprophylactic  program  was  put  into 
effect  in  November,  1967.  The  new  active  case 
rate,  in  spite  of  careful  attention  to  case  finding 
and  reporting,  dropped  from  616  in  1967  to 
558  in  1968,  a fall  of  58  cases.  In  1969  new  cases 
numbered  457,  a drop  of  101  in  new  active  cases. 

Inasmuch  as  chemoprophylaxis  is  the  only  new 
factor  added  to  our  routine  in  1968  and  1969, 
we  feel  that  if  the  acceleration  in  the  decline  of 
new  active  cases  continues,  it  will  have  to  be  cred- 
ited to  chemoprophylaxis. 

CONCLUSION 

A review  of  the  state  tuberculosis  register  for 
the  last  12  years  reveals  that  since  our  chemo- 
prophylactic program  was  put  into  effect,  there 
has  been  a definite  acceleration  of  rate  of  decline 
in  the  new  active  cases  reported  to  the  register. 

If  this  continues,  it  will  indicate  that  chemopro- 
phylaxis is  one  of  the  most  important  factors  in 
control  of  tuberculosis  in  Mississippi.  We  believe 
that  it  warrants  the  attention  and  cooperation  of 
all  physicians  and  medical  facilities  in  the  state. 

★★★ 

2423  North  State  Street  (39216) 

REFERENCES 

1 . American  Thoracic  Society,  Chemoprophylaxis  for  the 
Prevention  of  Tuberculosis;  Statement  by  an  Ad  Hoc 
Committee.  Amer.  Rev.  Resp.  Dis.  96:558-560,  1967. 

2.  Reid,  L.  R.:  The  Mississippi  Program  of  Chemopro- 
phylaxis for  the  Prevention  of  Tuberculosis,  JMSMA 
IX:325-327,  1968. 

3.  Ferebee,  S.  H.:  Long  Term  Effects  of  Isoniazid  Pro- 
phylaxis. Bull.  Int.  Un.  Tuber.  41:161-6  (Dec.)  1968. 

4.  U.  S.  Bureau  of  the  Census,  Statistical  Abstract  of 
the  United  States:  1969  (90th  edition),  Washington, 

D.  C.,  1969.  p.  12. 

5.  National  Communicable  Disease  Center,  Tubercu- 
losis Branch,  Atlanta,  Ga.  (March)  1970. 


492 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Seminar  on  Care  of  the  Newborn— III 


Acute  Bacterial  Infections  in  the  Newborn 


DENNIS  I.  WRIGHT,  M.D.,  and 
ALFRED  W.  BRANN,  JR.,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


Acute  bacterial  infections  are  a significant 
primary  or  contributing  cause  of  death  and  seri- 
ous morbidity  in  the  neonatal  period.  Yet,  with 
currently  available  therapeutic  measures,  most 
bacterial  infections  are  curable.  The  morbidity 
and  mortality  from  infections  in  the  newborn  have 
decreased  since  the  advent  of  antibiotics,  but 
this  decrease  has  not  been  as  dramatic  for  the 
newborn  as  for  other  age  groups.  The  peculiari- 
ties of  the  neonate  and  his  environment  which 
are  relevant  to  the  etiology,  pathogenesis,  and  clini- 
cal expression  of  infection  are  discussed  here,  in 
an  effort  to  aid  the  physician  in  suspecting  and 
diagnosing  infection  at  the  earliest  possible  mo- 
ment. Emphasis  is  then  placed  on  prompt  initia- 
tion of  therapy  particularly  appropriate  to  the 
neonate. 

Numerous  bacteria  have  been  reported  as  etio- 
logic  agents  in  acute  infections  of  the  neonatal 
period.  However,  published  series  on  the  five  ma- 
jor infectious  processes  in  the  neonate  (sepsis, 
meningitis,  pneumonia,  urinary  tract  infection, 
and  diarrhea)  have  shown  the  gram-negative  or 
enteric  organisms  to  be  the  most  frequent  offend- 
ers. In  a recent  review  of  several  series1  extend- 
ing from  1927  to  1968,  gram-positive  organisms, 
predominantly  beta  hemolytic  streptococcus, 
were  found  to  be  the  most  frequent  offender 
prior  to  1944.  Since  1944,  with  one  exception,2 
the  gram-negative  organisms,  predominantly 
E.  Coli,  were  found  to  be  the  most  frequent 
offenders.  In  that  instance,  the  change  from 
gram-positive  to  gram-negative  organisms  did  not 
occur  until  after  1959.  An  explanation  for  this 
is  not  readily  apparent  but  the  point  to  be  empha- 
sized is  that  the  organisms  associated  with  infec- 
tions do  vary  from  hospital  to  hospital. 


From  the  Department  of  Pediatrics,  University  of  Missis- 
sippi School  of  Medicine. 


It  has  been  noted,1  that  when  cases  of  sepsis 
are  arranged  according  to  age  at  onset,  a division 
at  72  hours  reveals  a definite  grouping  of  the 
etiologic  agents.  This  grouping  has  definite  thera- 


Acute  bacterial  infections  are  a signi- 
ficant primary  or  contributing  cause  of  death 
and  serious  morbidity  in  the  neonatal  period. 
Currently  available  therapeutics,  especially 
the  antibiotics,  have  rendered  most  bacterial 
infections  curable.  The  authors  discuss  the 
various  etiologic  agents  and  suggest  appro- 
priate therapy. 


peutic  implications  affecting  the  choice  of  anti- 
biotic therapy  to  be  instituted  prior  to  the  identi- 
fication of  the  specific  etiologic  agent.  Table  I is 
a listing  of  the  most  common  pathogens  in  acute 
bacterial  infections  before  and  after  72  hours  of 
age. 

Diarrhea  differs  from  the  other  major  infections 
of  the  newborn  in  regard  to  the  etiologic  agents 
involved.  Although  many  diarrheas  in  the  new- 
born period  are  of  non-bacterial  etiology,  bac- 
terial diarrheas  do  occur  with  significant  fre- 
quency. Pseudomonas  and  proteus  have  been 
described  as  possible  etiologic  agents,  in  those  in- 
fants in  whom  an  overgrowth  of  either  of  these 
agents  has  occurred.  Salmonella  and  Shigella  oc- 
casionally cause  diarrhea  in  the  newborn. 

E.  Coli  is  not  usually  considered  a pathogen, 
but  there  are  known  pathogenic  strains  of  E.  Coli 
which  have  produced  epidemic  diarrhea  in  the 
newborn.  Stool  cultures  should  be  obtained  in  all 
cases  of  diarrhea  and  the  laboratory  should  be 
requested  to  identify  the  predominant  organisms. 
A report  of  “no  pathogens  noted”  is  not  sufficient. 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


493 


NEWBORN  INFECTIONS  / Wright  et  al 

If  E.  Coli  predominates  on  culture,  specific 
typing  should  be  done  to  identify  possibly  patho- 
genic strains.  If  this  service  is  not  available  local- 
ly, it  can  be  obtained  from  the  Mississippi  State 
Board  of  Health. 

The  two  basic  factors  in  the  pathogenesis  of 
infections  in  the  newborn  are:  1)  the  neonate’s 
state  of  impaired  host-resistance  and  2)  the  pres- 
ence of  certain  environmental  factors  predispos- 
ing to  infection. 

The  impaired  host-resistance  of  the  fetus  and 
neonate  reflects  the  immature  state  of  the  diverse 
systems  which  must  participate  in  meeting  a bac- 
terial challenge.  The  first  barrier  to  invasion,  the 
skin  and  mucous  membranes,  is  usually  adequate 
unless  an  inoculum  of  bacteria  is  introduced 
past  the  barrier  through  open  wounds  such  as 
the  umbilical  stump  or  unless  the  inoculum  is 
of  such  an  amount  as  to  overwhelm  the  system,  as 
in  amniotic  infection  syndrome.  Two  factors  im- 
portant to  clearing  or  localizing  an  infecting  force 
which  has  penetrated  the  surface  barrier  are  the 
inflammatory  response  and  the  phagocytosis  of 
foreign  particles  by  leukocytes.  Both  these  proc- 
esses have  been  demonstrated  to  be  impaired  in 
the  newborn.3’ 4 

Humoral  factors  are  also  important  to  host- 
resistance.  It  is  known  that  the  human  fetus  can 
respond  to  bacterial,  viral,  protozoal  and  spiro- 
chaetal  infections  in  utero  by  producing  anti- 
bodies, particularly  those  of  the  immunoglobu- 
lin M (IgM)  fraction.5  In  the  noninfected  intra- 
uterine environment,  however,  the  fetus  acquires 
his  usual  complement  of  immunoglobulins  solely 
by  placental  transport  from  the  mother,6  this 


TABLE  I 

BACTERIAL  AGENTS  CAUSING  INFECTION 
IN  THE  NEONATAL  PERIOD 


Infection  Prior  to  72  Hours 
of  Age 

Infection  After  72  Hours 
of  Age 

E.  Coli 

Pseudomonas 

Klebsiella-Aerobactor 

Proteus 

Enterococcus 

Klebsiella-Aerobactor 

Beta  Hemolytic 

E.  Coli 

Streptococcus 

Staphylococcus 

Staphylococcus 

being  primarily  those  of  the  immunoglobulin  G 
(IgG)  fraction.  Since  immunoglobulin  M and  im- 
munoglobulin A are  not  transferred  across  the 
placenta,  the  previously  noninfected  infant  is  de- 
livered deficient  in  these  factors.  The  antibodies 


to  gram-negative  organisms  are  in  the  IgM  frac- 
tion, but  the  significance  of  this  deficiency  regard- 
ing the  increased  occurrence  of  gram-negative 
infections  is  not  fully  understood.  It  is  interesting 
to  note  that  the  only  period  of  life  during  which 
the  human  is  subject  to  primary  sepsis  caused  by 
colon  bacilli  is  the  first  two  weeks  of  life.7 

Another  factor  in  acquiring  immunity  to  spe- 
cific infections  is  delayed  hypersensitivity.  Neo- 
nates are  known  to  develop  delayed  hypersensi- 
tivity, but  the  rate  of  its  development  is  much 
slower  than  in  older  children  and  adults.8 

ENVIRONMENTAL  FACTORS 

Table  II  is  a list  of  prenatal  and  postnatal 
environmental  factors  that  are  known  to  predis- 
pose the  infant  to  infection.  Infants  born  to 
mothers  with  infections,  particularly  infections  of 
the  urinary  tract,  cervix,  and  vagina,  are  known 
to  have  an  increased  incidence  of  infection.9’ 10 
As  much  as  a six-fold  increase  in  the  incidence 
of  infection  among  neonates  born  to  mothers  with 
urinary  tract  infections  at  the  time  of  delivery 
has  been  documented.10  Even  when  a specific 
locus  of  maternal  infection  cannot  be  identified, 
an  increased  number  of  infected  infants  are  born 
to  febrile  mothers.11  Rupture  of  fetal  membranes 
greater  than  24  hours  prior  to  delivery  has  been 
well  documented  as  predisposing  to  the  events 
leading  to  infection  in  the  neonate.12  One  to  30 
per  cent  of  cases  of  amnionitis  has  been  reported 
to  precede  systemic  infection  in  the  newborn.13 
The  amniotic  infection  syndrome  has  been  well 
characterized  by  Blanc14  as  related  to  prolonged 
rupture  of  fetal  membranes  with  ascending  in- 
fection. 

Excessive  manipulation  of  the  fetus  during 
labor  as  well  as  excessive  bleeding  from  placenta 
previa  or  abruptio  placenta  have  been  associated 
with  an  increased  incidence  of  infections  in  the 
neonate.  The  exact  mechanism  is  unknown  but  an 
increased  opportunity  for  organisms  in  the  vagina 
to  gain  access  to  the  placenta  and  the  fetal  circula- 
tion is  postulated.  Infants  having  an  episode  of 
fetal  distress  as  indicated  by  either  passage  of 
meconium  or  variations  in  fetal  heart  rate,  have 
been  found  to  have  an  increased  incidence  of  in- 
fection.15 The  unclean  delivery,  as  a predisposing 
factor  to  infection,  is  distinguished  from  the 
“unsterile”  delivery  since  an  occasional  infant 
may  be  contaminated  with  maternal  excreta  under 
the  best  precautions  in  the  delivery  room. 

Postnatal  environmental  factors  predisposing  an 
infant  to  infection  are  particularly  revelant  to 
those  infections  with  onset  after  72  hours  of  age. 
These  circumstances  may  present  the  infant  with 


494 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


an  inoculum  of  organisms  in  such  a manner  or 
in  such  an  amount  as  to  produce  infection.  A dif- 
ficult resuscitation,  particularly  if  requiring  en- 
dotracheal intubation  or  umbilical  vessel  cathe- 
terization, offers  many  opportunities  to  introduce 
organisms  into  a normally  sterile  area  of  the 
child’s  body.  The  danger  of  seeding  and  facilitat- 
ing infection  is  further  increased  when  foreign 
bodies  such  as  umbilical  vessel  catheters  and 
endotracheal  tubes  are  left  indwelling.  The  in- 
creasing risk  of  systemic  infection  after  24  hours 
of  indwelling  umbilical  catheters  may  justify  the 
initiation  of  antibiotics.  It  is  the  authors’  practice 
in  such  cases  to  initiate  antibiotics  as  in  suspected 
sepsis. 

Low  birth  weight  infants,  premature  or  small 
for  dates,  have  an  increased  incidence  of  infec- 
tion probably  related  to  an  exaggerated  immuno- 
logic immaturity  and  to  frequent  association  with 
the  environmental  factors  predisposing  to  infec- 
tion both  pre-  and  postnatally.15’ 16  Congenital 
malformations  most  commonly  predispose  to  in- 
fection by  providing  a portal  of  entry  as  in  leak- 
ing meningiomyeloceles. 

NURSERY  SURVEILLANCE 

Exposure  to  particularly  pathogenic  agents  re- 
sulting in  infection  is  usually  the  result  of  inade- 
quate nursery  surveillance  for  these  pathogens 
and  failure  to  adhere  to  methods  designed  to  re- 
duce their  presence  in  the  nursery  to  the  lowest 
possible  level.  Epidemics  of  sepsis  have  been  re- 
ported in  nurseries  using  inappropriately  cleaned 
equipment,  particularly  suction  equipment  and 
isolettes.16  Nursery  personnel  and  nursing  moth- 
ers must  not  be  overlooked  as  possible  reservoirs 
of  pathogenic  organisms.  The  single  most  impor- 
tant measure  in  controlling  intra-nursery  spread 
of  infection  is  rigidly  enforced  hand  washing  by 
all  personnel  before  handling  each  infant. 

The  nonspecific  symptomatic  expression  of 
clinical  illness  in  the  neonate  is  the  peculiarity  of 
this  age  group  most  frustrating  to  the  physician 
with  infants  in  his  charge.  This  is  particularly 
true  for  the  subtle,  early  signs  of  systemic  in- 
fection. However,  the  alert,  experienced  nurse 
who  is  frequently  handling  and  feeding  the  child 
will  often,  in  the  absence  of  obvious  signs,  develop 
the  impression  that  the  infant  is  “not  doing  well.” 
When  this  is  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  physi- 
cian, he  is  well  equipped  with  a strong  suspicion 
of  infection,  especially  when  supported  by  a his- 
tory of  aspects  of  pregnancy,  labor,  delivery,  or 
clinical  course  predisposing  to  infection.  Then 
with  careful  review  of  the  infant’s  behavior  and 
feeding  pattern  and  with  careful  physical  exami- 
nation including,  most  importantly,  a period  of 


observation  of  the  infant’s  activity,  one  can  usu- 
ally itemize  a few  of  the  nonspecific  but  definite 
changes  which  have  occurred.  The  most  fre- 
quent of  the  early  signs  of  systemic  infection 
are  variations  of  activity — lethargy  or  irritability, 

TABLE  II 

ENVIRONMENTAL  FACTORS  PREDISPOSING 
TO  INFECTION 


Prenatal  Factors  Postnatal  Factors 


1.  Maternal  infections- 
fever. 

2.  Prolonged  rupture  of 
fetal  membranes. 

3.  Amnionitis 

4.  Excessive  bleeding 
during  labor. 

5.  Difficult  delivery. 

6.  Unclean  delivery. 

7.  Fetal  distress. 


1 . Difficult  resuscitation. 

2.  Noninfectious  illnesses. 
Umbilical  vessel  cathe- 
terization. 

Surgical  procedures. 

3.  Low  birth  weight. 

4.  Congenital  malforma- 
tions. 

5.  Exposure  to  particular- 
ly pathogenic  agents. 
Improperly  washed 

hands  of  personnel 
Improperly  cleaned 
equipment 
Maternal  or  nurse 
carrier. 


variations  in  temperature — hypo-  or  hyperther- 
mia, variations  in  feeding  pattern — decreased  in- 
take and  variations  in  respiratory  pattern — res- 
piratory distress  or  apnea.1’ 18  Table  III  provides 
a list  of  the  more  common  signs  and  symptoms 
associated  with  systemic  infection. 

LACK  OF  SPECIFICITY 

The  lack  of  specificity  of  an  infant’s  symp- 
tomatology must  be  re-emphasized.  For  example, 
one  must  be  aware  of  the  broad  differential 
diagnosis  which  must  be  entertained  when  an  in- 
fant has  a seizure.  In  addition  to  meningitis, 
seizures  may  be  the  result  of  such  noninfectious 
etiologies  as  intracranial  hemorrhage,  anoxia,  hy- 
pocalcemia, hypoglycemia,  and  hyponatremia. 
A similar  differential  diagnosis  has  to  be  made  for 
the  many  other  signs  and  symptoms  such  as  res- 
piratory distress,  jaundice,  abdominal  distention, 
and  petechiae  which  may  be  present  in  the  infant 
suspected  of  infection. 

To  aid  the  physician  in  distinguishing  the  in- 
fected infant  from  the  noninfected  one,  much  ef- 
fort has  been  invested  in  a search  for  useful  lab- 
oratory studies. 

For  the  purpose  of  identifying  the  infant 
infected  at  birth,  various  examinations  of  fetal 
adenexa,19  umbilical  cord,20  and  gastric  con- 
tents21 for  the  presence  of  inflammatory  cells 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


495 


NEWBORN  INFECTIONS  / Wright  et  al 

and  bacteria  have  been  employed.  These  tech- 
niques, though  sometimes  helpful  in  a particular 
case,  have  not  been  found  routinely  useful.  Posi- 
tive results  occur  with  contaminated,  though  not 
necessarily  infected,  infants  and  negative  findings 
are  not  infrequent  with  infants  who  become  clini- 
cally infected  within  24  to  48  hours  of  birth.  For 
these  reasons  few  centers  employ  these  methods 
routinely. 

Determination  of  IgM  levels  in  cord  blood  is 
now  being  employed  in  some  centers  to  detect 
both  acute  and  chronic  infections  of  intrauterine 
onset.  This  method,  however,  is  of  no  aid  in  diag- 
nosing infection  of  recent  onset.  The  complex 
subject  of  neonatal  immunology  including  the  use 
of  this  method  is  exhaustively  reviewed  in  part 
II  of  the  December,  1969  issue  of  the  Journal  of 
Pediatrics. 

Other  laboratory  parameters  commonly  used 
to  support  a diagnosis  of  infection  in  other  age 
groups,  particularly  the  white  cell  count  and 
differential,  have  not  been  found  as  useful  for 
the  neonate.  The  white  cell  count  must  be  beyond 
the  extreme  of  25,000  WBC/mm3,  or  less  than 
4,000  WBC/mm3  to  lend  significant  support  to 
a diagnosis  of  infection  but  the  absence  of  these 
extremes  does  not  rule  out  the  possibility  of 
infection.  With  the  presence  of  a normal  relative 
neutrophilia  up  to  60  per  cent  of  the  total  cell 
count  in  the  first  24  to  48  hours  of  life,  the  differ- 
ential count  loses  its  usefulness  in  reflecting  in- 
fection. Thrombocytopenia  and  evidence  of  he- 
molysis without  blood  group  incompatibilities  are 
occasionally  associated  with,  but  are  not  indicative 
of,  severe  infections.1 

TABLE  III 

SIGNS  AND  SYMPTOMS  COMMONLY 

ASSOCIATED  WITH  SYSTEMIC  INFECTIONS 
IN  THE  NEONATE 


“Not  doing  well” 

Poor  Feeding 
Hyper-or-Hypothermia 
Lethargy  or  Irritability 

Disturbances  of  respiratory  pattern — respiratory  distress 
or  apnea 

Seizures — generalized  or  focal 

Jaundice — with  or  without  hepatosplenomegaly 

Abdominal  distention,  vomiting  or  diarrhea 


Urinalysis,  particularly  if  obtained  sterilely  by 
suprapubic  bladder  aspiration,  is  useful.  Demon- 
stration by  gram  stain  or  culture  of  any  bacteria 
in  such  a sterilely  obtained  specimen  is  indicative 


of  a urinary  tract  infection.  In  the  sick  infant, 
it  is  suggestive  of  a systemic  infection  since  the 
urinary  tract  may  be  a site  of  disposal  of  bacteria 
disseminated  by  the  blood  stream  as  well  as  a 
portal  of  entry  for  bacterial  infection.  Micro- 
scopic examination  of  a fresh  uncentrifuged  speci- 
men obtained  by  bladder  aspiration  which  reveals 
more  than  two  or  three  WBC’s  per  low  power 
field  also  supports  a diagnosis  of  infection.1 

EXAMINATION  OF  CSF 

Examination  of  CSF  is  imperative  in  any  sick 
infant  suspected  of  having  systemic  infection. 
One  third  of  the  cases  of  neonatal  sepsis  are 
complicated  by  menigitis1  and  about  two-thirds 
of  cases  of  meningitis  are  associated  with  sepsis.18 
The  diagnosis  can  be  established  immediately  if 
organisms  are  seen  on  gram  stain  of  CSF.  The 
gram  staining  characteristics  of  the  organism  are 
also  of  assistance  in  selecting  the  antibiotics  to 
be  used.  In  the  absence  of  organisms  on  smear, 
the  presence  of  meningitis  can  be  inferred  from  a 
cell  count  of  greater  than  10,  particularly  if  poly- 
morphonuclear cells  predominate.  A CSF  glucose 
of  less  than  one-half  the  serum  value  also  suggests 
meningeal  infection.  An  elevated  CSF  protein, 
>125  mgm  per  cent,  supports  a diagnosis  of 
meningitis  with  other  evidence,  but  is  less  specific 
than  the  cell  count  and  the  glucose  level.1- 18 

Blood  cultures,  CSF  and  urine  cultures  are 
keys  to  establishing  a diagnosis  and  identifying 
the  etiologic  agent.  Routine  cultures  of  cord, 
skin,  and  throat  at  times  yield  helpful  clues,  but 
have  not  been  found  reliable  in  demonstrating 
the  pathogen  in  sepsis. 

PRESUMPTIVE  DIAGNOSIS 

With  the  definitive  diagnosis  of  infection  de- 
pendent upon  the  results  of  cultures  which  may 
not  be  available  for  several  days  following  the 
initial  evaluation,  it  is  apparent  that  one  must 
make  a presumptive  diagnosis  on  clinical  judge- 
ment if  he  is  to  initiate  treatment  early.  One 
must  appreciate  this  uncertainty  and  accept  the 
fact  that  some  infants  will  be  treated  unnecessari- 
ly. Antibiotics  properly  selected  and  adminis- 
tered in  the  proper  dosage  are  of  negligible  risk 
to  the  well  child  compared  to  the  odds  against 
an  infected  infant  who  is  not  treated  or  for  whom 
treatment  is  delayed. 

Management  of  acute  bacterial  infections  be- 
gins with  a presumptive  diagnosis.  In  most  cases 
the  specific  etiologic  agent  is  unknown  although 
gram  stains  of  CSF  and  urine  may  have  given 
valuable  clues.  Positive  identification  of  the  or- 
ganism and  determination  of  its  specific  anti- 
biotic sensitivities  requires  time  which  the  infec- 


496 


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TABLE  IV 

ANTIBIOTICS  COMMONLY  USED  IN  THE  NEONATAL  PERIOD 


Antibiotic 

Indications 

Parenteral  Dosage 

Toxicity  and 
Comments 

Intrathecal 
Dosage/  lcc 
Saline 

Penicillin-G 

Gram-positive  infections  or 
presumptive  sepsis  before  age 
72  hours 

100,000  u/kg/d 
IM  or  IV  q 12h 

q 6-8  hr 

— 

Ampicillin 

100  mg/kg/d 
IM  or  IV  q 12h 

after  age  5 days 

— 

Kanamycin 

Nonpseudomonas  gram-nega- 
tive infection — with  a peni- 
cillin for  presumptive  sepsis 

15  mg/kg/d 
IM  q 12h 

Renal  and  auditory 
toxicity  rare  in 
infants 

1 mgm. 

Polymyxin-B 

Known  or  suspected  Pseudo- 

4 mg/kg/d 
IM  q 12h 

Alternate  drug 
for  pathogenic 
E.  Coli 

1 mgm. 

Colistin 

monas  infection 

8 mg/kg/d 
IM  q 12h 

Not  to  be  used 

Methicillin 

Penicillin  resistant  gram- 
positive infection — pre- 

200  mg/kg/d 
IM  q 12h 

q 6-8  hr.  after 
age  5 days 

— 

Nafcillin 

sumptive  sepsis  after  age 
72  hr. 

200  mg/kg/d 
IM  q 12h 

Nephrotoxic  in 
high  doses 

— 

Neomycin 

Bacterial  diarrhea 
Enteropathogenic  E.  Coli 

50-100  mg/kg/d 
P.O.  q 4-6h 

Not  used 
parenterally 

Not  used 

ted  infant  can  ill  afford.  Therapy  must  be  initiated 
immediately  with  antibiotics  chosen  from  a con- 
sideration of  the  most  likely  etiologic  agents  and 
their  sensitivities.  In  the  choice  of  antibiotics 
one  must  also  recognize  a need  for  thorough 
coverage  and  the  greatest  possible  effectiveness 
because  of  the  rapid  progression  of  infection  in 
the  neonate.  One  must  be  aware  of  the  unique- 
ness of  antibiotic  metabolism  in  the  neonate  which 
makes  proportionate  reduction  of  the  usual  dose 
schedules  grossly  inaccurate  and  makes  the  usual 
considerations  of  toxicity  inapplicable. 

Based  upon  these  considerations,  it  is  our 
practice  and  the  practice  of  most  centers  to  begin 
therapy  with  kanamycin  and  either  penicillin-G 
or  ampicillin  when  a presumptive  diagnosis  of 
systemic  infection  is  made  within  the  first  72 
hours  of  life.  Kanamycin  is  important  for  its 
broad  coverage  of  E.  Coli  and  Klebsiella-Aero- 
bacter,  most  strains  of  Shigella  and  Salmonella, 
and  some  strains  of  Proteus  and  Pseudomonas. 
Though  renal  and  auditory  nerve  toxicity  are  ob- 
served relatively  frequently  in  older  children  and 
adults  receiving  kanamycin,  these  are  rarely  en- 
countered in  the  infant.  Much  experience  and 
study  has  shown  the  recommended  dose  of  7.5 
mg/kg  given  every  12  hours  to  be  effective 
and  safe.22  Ampicillin  is  increasingly  being  cho- 


sen over  penicillin,  in  spite  of  its  expense,  for  its 
effectiveness  agains  Proteus  mirabilis,  H.  influ- 
enza, many  strains  of  E.  Coli  and  Salmonella  and 
some  strains  of  Klebsiella-Aerobacter,  as  well  as 
the  penicillin  sensitive  gram-positive  cocci. 

If  onset  of  sepsis  is  suspected  after  72  hours, 
the  possibility  of  a penicillin-ampicillin  resistant 
staphylococcus  indicates  the  use  of  an  agent  to 
which  these  are  usually  susceptible.  Methicillin 
appears  to  be  the  drug  of  choice  and  it  is  sub- 
stituted for  penicillin-ampicillin  in  the  usual  regi- 
men. Nafcillin  may  also  be  used. 

Pseudomonas  must  be  considered  with  any 
sepsis  and  particularly  those  with  onset  after  72 
hours.  Whenever  pseudomonas  is  suspected,  poly- 
myxin-B  or  colistin  should  be  included  in  the 
initial  antibiotics.  If  meningitis  is  present,  poly- 
myxin-B  should  be  administered  intrathecally 
since  neither  polymyxin  nor  colistin  cross  into  the 
CSF  in  appreciable  amounts.  Colistin  should  nev- 
er be  used  intrathecally. 

With  these  few  drugs,  penicillin-ampicillin. 
kanamycin,  methicillin-nafcillin,  and  polymyxin- 
B — colistin,  one  has  the  antibiotic  armamentar- 
ium necessary  to  treat  almost  all  acute  systemic 
bacterial  infections  encountered  in  the  nursery. 
Rarely  will  culture  and  sensitivity  studies  indicate 
the  need  for  other  antibiotics  with  which  neonatal 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


497 


NEWBORN  INFECTIONS  / Wright  et  al 

experience  is  limited  or  increased  risk  of  toxicity 
is  known.  Antibiotics  to  be  avoided  in  the  new- 
born period  for  these  reasons  include  chloram- 
phenicol, tetracycline,  sulfonamides,  linocmycin, 
cephalothins,  nitrofurantoins,  novobiocin,  nali- 
dixic acid  and  gentamycin.22’ 23  Table  IV  pre- 
sents indications  and  dosage  schedules  for  anti- 
biotics in  the  neonatal  period. 

Having  begun  an  infant  on  an  antibiotic  regi- 
men with  a presumptive  diagnosis  of  systemic  in- 
fection, the  course  is  continued  until  culture  and 
sensitivity  studies  are  complete  or  clinical  deteri- 
oration of  the  infant  indicates  a need  for  im- 
mediate alternation  of  therapy.  If  a single  orga- 
nism is  cultured  and  found  sensitive  to  a single 
antibiotic,  then  this  antibiotic  should  be  continued 
alone.  For  example,  if  a Beta-hemolytic  Strep- 
tococcus sensitive  to  penicillin-G  is  cultured,  then 
penicillin  should  be  continued  alone  for  a full 
ten-day  course  and  kanamycin  should  be  dis- 
continued from  the  initial  regimen. 

If  the  organism  is  found  sensitive  to  neither  of 
the  initial  antibiotics,  then  the  least  toxic  alterna- 
tive, to  which  the  organism  can  be  demonstrated 
to  be  sensitive,  should  be  substituted  and  the 
original  antibiotics  discontinued.  If  no  organism  is 
demonstrated  on  cultures  and  the  clinical  course 
is  one  of  improvement,  it  is  our  policy  to  continue 
the  initial  antibiotics  for  a full  course.  Some  cen- 
ters, however,  discontinue  antibiotics  after  three 
days  and  then  repeat  cultures  after  another  24 
hours  of  observation.  If  the  infant  is  clinically 
deteriorating,  the  cultures  are  repeated  and  poly- 
myxin-B  is  substituted  for  kanamycin  to  cover 
the  possibility  of  Pseudomonas  or  resistant  E.  Coli 
as  the  infecting  organism. 

DIAGNOSTIC  STUDIES 

While  awaiting  cultures,  with  the  infant  begun 
on  therapy,  one  should  continue  diagnostic  studies 
to  demonstrate  the  primary  focus  of  infection  and 
to  rule  out  noninfectious  disease  processes.  With 
the  completion  of  these  studies  and  the  reporting 
of  positive  cultures,  the  extent  of  the  infection 
can  be  more  clearly  defined  as  sepsis,  meningitis, 
pneumonia,  urinary  tract  infection  or  a combina- 
tion of  these,  and  the  therapeutic  plan  can  then 
be  widened  to  include  any  special  considerations 
relevant  to  these  specific  entities  as  will  be  dis- 
cussed. 

With  the  presumptive  diagnosis  of  systemic 
infection,  sepsis  is  assumed.  A definitive  diagnosis 
is  made  with  a positive  blood  culture  in  a symp- 
tomatic patient.  If  the  physician  is  appropriately 
aggressive  in  his  approach  to  infection,  sepsis  will 


not  infrequently  be  suspected  and  treated,  but 
because  of  negative  blood  cultures  will  remain 
unproven.  This  is  particularly  true  of  such  cases 
as  aspiration  syndromes  which  may  be  treated  on 
the  basis  of  high  risk  prior  to  the  onset  of  symp- 
toms. 

Antibiotics  as  initiated  or  as  altered  on  the  basis 
of  culture  and  sensitivity  should  be  continued 
parenterally  for  seven  to  ten  days  depending  on 
the  clinical  response.  Follow-up  cultures  are  im- 
portant in  evaluating  the  effectiveness  of  therapy. 

Antibiotic  therapy  should  be  supplemented  with 
appropriate  supportive  measures.  The  most  im- 
portant of  these  is  attentive  nursing  care  and  ob- 
servation. If  the  infant  is  feeding  poorly  or  the 
severity  of  his  symptoms  indicate  the  possibility 
of  aspiration,  appropriate  fluids,  calories,  and 
electrolytes  should  be  administered  intravenously 
until  significant  clinical  improvement  occurs.  Ade- 
quate pulmonary  ventilation  must  be  maintained. 
The  airway  should  be  cleared  by  suction  as  often 
as  necessary.  Periods  of  apnea  should  be  antici- 
pated and  watched  for;  electronic  monitoring  is 
useful  but  does  not  substitute  for  the  attentive 
nurse.  Artificial  ventilation  may  be  intermittently 
necessary  if  periods  of  severe  apnea  associated 
with  bradycardia  occur. 

OXYGEN  ADMINISTRATION 

Oxygen  should  be  administered  only  as  re- 
quired to  maintain  adequate  oxygenation.  When 
oxygen  is  used,  the  concentration  in  the  inspired 
air  should  be  monitored  hourly  and  the  blood 
gases  followed  to  prevent  hyperoxygenation.  The 
rectal  temperature  should  be  monitored  and  main- 
tained within  the  limits  of  97  to  99  °F.  The  warm 
environment  of  an  incubator  is  usually  sufficient 
if  an  isolette  is  not  available.  Either  of  these 
closed  environments  also  provides  adequate  iso- 
lation if  strict  hand  washing  to  the  elbows  before 
and  after  each  handling  of  the  infant  is  observed 
by  all  personnel.  Hyperthermia  (a  rectal  tem- 
perature >103°F)  should  be  managed  with  tap 
water  sponges.  Antipyretics  are  rarely,  if  ever, 
necessary. 

OTHER  COMPLICATIONS 

Less  common  complications,  but  ones  for  which 
the  physician  must  be  alert,  are  endotoxic  shock, 
intravascular  coagulation,  and  inappropriate  anti- 
diuretic hormone  secretion  resulting  in  hypona- 
tremia.1 The  possibility  of  concomitant  or  super- 
imposed infections  by  organisms  resistant  to  the 
antibiotics  in  use  must  be  kept  in  mind  as  well  as 
the  possibility  of  drug  toxicity. 

Meningitis  must  be  ruled  out  whenever  sys- 
temic infection  is  suspected.  The  early  signs  are 


498 


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indistinguishable  from  those  of  any  serious  infec- 
tion. The  classical  signs,  bulging  fontanelle  and 
stiff  neck,  are  not  reliably  present.18  With  an 
atraumatic  lumbar  puncture  the  diagnosis  can 
usually  be  established  immediately  by  the  studies 
previously  discussed.  If  a traumatic  tap  is  ob- 
tained this  fluid  should  be  cultured  but  the  pro- 
cedure should  be  repeated  in  12  to  24  hours  in 
an  attempt  to  obtain  fluid  satisfactory  for  study 
even  though  antibiotics  have  already  been  initi- 
ated. The  diagnosis  of  meningitis,  if  present,  is 
imperative  since  intrathecal  administration  of  an- 
tibiotics may  be  necessary  for  effective  treatment. 

If  the  diagnosis  of  meningitis  is  made  with  the 
initial  lumbar  puncture,  therapy  should  be  initi- 
ated as  with  sepsis.  If  the  infant  is  very  ill  and 
numerous  organisms  are  seen  on  smear,  intra- 
thecal administration  of  antibiotics  should  be  ini- 
tiated also.  Penicillin-G  or  ampicillin  should  be 
used  for  gram-positive  organisms  unless  penicillin 
resistance  is  suspected  in  which  case  methicillin 
may  be  used.  Kanamycin  would  be  the  drug  of 
choice  for  gram-negative  organisms  unless  Pseu- 
domonas is  suspected.  When  Pseudomonas  men- 
ingitis is  suspected,  then,  regardless  of  the  clinical 
condition  of  the  patient,  intrathecal  administra- 
tion of  polymyxin-B  must  begin  immediately  since 
parenterally  administered  polymyxins,  including 
colistin,  do  not  enter  into  the  CSF  in  appreciable 
amounts.  Colistin  should  never  be  given  intra- 
thecally.22’ 24 

INTRATHECAL  ADMINISTRATION 

Whether  or  not  intrathecal  antibiotics  are  in- 
cluded in  the  initial  treatment,  a repeat  lumbar 
puncture  should  be  performed  after  24  to  36 
hours  of  therapy.  If  organisms  are  present  on 
smear  at  this  time,  intrathecal  antibiotics  are  indi- 
cated. If  the  clinical  response  has  been  poor,  the 
possibility  of  Pseudomonas  meningitis  must  be 
covered  by  the  initiation  of  polymyxin-B  intrathe- 
cally  and  parenterally.23  The  dosage  for  intra- 
thecal administration  is  given  for  each  of  the 
drugs  in  Table  IV. 

One  should  be  certain  of  good  needle  position 
and  free  flow  of  spinal  fluid  before  injecting  anti- 
biotics intrathecally.  The  drug  must  be  diluted 
either  with  saline  or  with  CSF  prior  to  injection. 
It  is  judicious  to  drain  off  at  least  an  equal  volume 
of  CSF  prior  to  injection  of  a drug  containing 
solution.  The  usual  schedule  of  intrathecal  therapy 
is  to  give  daily  injections  for  three  days  then 
every-other-day  until  the  CSF  has  been  found 
clear  on  three  successive  occasions.  Parenteral 
antibiotics  are  continued  for  one  week  after  the 
infant  is  afebrile  and  the  spinal  fluid  is  clear. 

If  in  the  course  of  treatment,  there  is  continuing 


fever  and  slow  clinical  response  in  spite  of  pro- 
gressive clearing  of  the  CSF  on  serial  study,  sub- 
dural taps  are  indicated,  particularly  if  focal  neu- 
rological signs  or  increasing  head  circumference 
are  evident.  If  subdural  effusions  are  found,  serial 
taps  should  be  performed  until  these  are  dry.  If 
hydrocephalus  develops,  a neurosurgeon  should 
be  consulted  to  assist  in  exploring  the  possibility 
of  ventriculitis  with  obstruction. 

Bacterial  pneumonia  is  a relatively  common 
infection  in  the  neonate.  It  may  occur  as  a pri- 
mary infection,  as  a secondary  infection  with  sep- 
ticemia, or  as  a superimposed  infection  with  as- 
piration syndrome,  hyaline  membrane  disease  or 
other  noninfectious  respiratory  diseases.  When 
the  diagnosis  is  suspected,  it  should  be  supported 
by  chest  x-ray  and  the  indentification  of  the  etio- 
logic  agent  should  be  attempted  with  cultures  of 
blood,  tracheal  aspirate,  and  pleural  fluid,  if  ob- 
tainable. Cultures  of  the  upper  airway  serve  only 
to  confuse  the  clinician.  Antibiotic  therapy  and 
supportive  measures  should  be  instituted  as  with 
a sepsis  with  particular  attention  applied  to 
maintenance  of  adequate  ventilation  and  oxygena- 
tion. 

URINARY  TRACT  INFECTION 

In  an  infant  with  symptoms  of  a systemic  in- 
fection, bacterial  growth  from  sterilely  obtained 
urine  may  reflect  either  a primary  urinary  tract 
infection,  or  urinary  deposition  of  blood-borne 
organisms.  This  distinction  does  not  affect  initial 
therapy  since  treatment  for  sepsis  would  be  initi- 
ated in  either  case.  However,  a positive  urine  cul- 
ture does  present  the  need  for  further  diagnostic 
studies.  An  intravenous  pyelogram  and  cinecys- 
togram  should  be  obtained  to  rule  out  urinary 
tract  anomalies  and  urine  cultures  should  be  ob- 
tained on  follow  up  to  rule  out  chronic  urinary 
tract  infection. 

NEWBORN  DIARRHEA 

The  management  of  acute  bacterial  diarrheas 
in  the  newborn  is  not  based  upon  the  treatment 
of  septicemia  as  is  the  treatment  of  meningitis, 
pneumonia,  and  urinary  tract  infections.  Though 
diarrhea  may  be  associated  with  sepsis,  it  most  often 
presents  as  an  isolated  entity.  When  bacterial 
diarrhea  is  suspected,  neomycin  is  the  initial  drug 
of  choice.  The  usual  dosage  is  50  to  100  mgm/ 
kgm/day  given  orally.  A five-day  course  is  usually 
sufficient  to  clear  the  Gl-tract  of  pathogenic  E. 
Coli,  the  most  common  cause  of  bacterial  diarrhea. 
Rarely  will  cultures  indicate  a need  to  change 
antibiotics.  In  those  instances  of  pathogenic  E. 
Coli  resistant  to  neomycin,  polymyxin-B  20  mgm/ 
kgm/day  p.o.  is  usually  effective.  As  exceptions, 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


499 


NEWBORN  INFECTIONS  / Wright  et  al 

Shigella  and  Salmonella  are  best  treated  with 
ampicillin.  Parenteral  antibiotics  are  indicated 
only  with  systemic  symptoms  suggesting  sepsis. 

With  diarrhea,  antibiotic  therapy  is  only  a small 
part  of  the  total  management.  Mortality  and  se- 
vere morbidity  are  almost  always  a consequence 
of  major  fluid  and  electrolyte  imbalances.  There- 
fore, when  dealing  with  an  acute  diarrhea,  par- 
ticularly in  an  infant,  one’s  emphasis  in  manage- 
ment must  be  on  maintenance  of  fluid  and  elec- 
trolyte balance. 

The  isolette  or  incubator  does  not  afford  ade- 
quate isolation  for  acute  diarrheas.  Their  epidemic 
nature  makes  it  imperative  that  infected  infants 
be  isolated  on  a separate  ward  with  the  attending 
personnel  having  minimal,  if  any,  contact  with 
unaffected  infants. 

In  conclusion,  the  authors  would  like  to  em- 
phasize the  importance  of  the  nurse’s  role  in 
identifying  the  infant  who  is  not  doing  well  so 
that  diagnosis  and  treatment  may  precede  the 
development  of  severe  morbidity.  Their  diligent 
attention  to  every  infant,  for  all  are  at  some  de- 
gree of  risk,  is  to  be  greatly  encouraged.  *** 

2500  N.  State  Street  (39216) 

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pital Practice  2:  1967. 

24.  McCracken,  G.  H.,  Jr.,  Eichenwald,  H.  F.,  and  Nel- 
son, J.  D.:  Antimicrobial  Therapy  in  Theory  and 
Practice.  I.  Clinical  Pharmacology,  J.  of  Pediat.  75: 
742,  1969. 


EQUINE  EQUANIMITY 

“Last  week,”  said  the  trainer  of  questionable  sportsmanship, 
“I  gave  my  horse  a big  shot  of  amphetamine  and  a grain  of  mor- 
phine just  before  the  big  handicap.” 

“Gosh,”  replied  his  companion.  “Did  he  win?” 

“No,”  sighed  the  trainer,  “but  he  was  the  happiest  horse  in  the 
race.” 


500 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Counsel  to  Authors 

The  Journal  welcomes  manuscripts 
which  should  be  submitted  to  the  Editors 
at  735  Riverside  Drive,  Jackson,  Miss. 
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The  author  is  responsible  for  all  state- 
ments made  in  his  work,  including  changes 
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Manuscripts  accepted  for  publication  are 
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— The  Editors. 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


501 


Radiologic  Seminar  XCIX 

Endometriosis:  An  Unusual  Cause  of 

Colon  Obstruction 

WALTER  T.  COLBERT,  M.D. 

Natchez,  Mississippi 


An  admittedly  rare  cause  of  large  bowel  ob- 
struction is  involvement  of  the  colon,  usually 
the  sigmoid,  by  endometrial  implants.  An  oc- 
casional instance  will  be  seen  where  differential 
diagnosis  from  carcinoma  of  the  large  bowel  can- 
not be  made  pre-operatively.  In  other  instances, 


Sponsored  by  the  Mississippi  Radiological  Society. 
From  the  Department  of  Radiology,  Jefferson  Davis 
Memorial  Hospital. 


the  clinicial  pattern  and  roentgenologic  picture  sug- 
gest some  sort  of  benign  process  producing  partial 
or  complete  colon  obstruction,  but  again,  a defi- 
nite diagnosis  cannot  be  rendered  pre-operatively. 
Just  such  a patient  was  encountered  at  our  in- 
stitution recently.  Her  case  report  appears  below. 

Case  Report — Mrs.  CM,  45  year  old  white 
female,  presented  with  a chief  complaint  of  gen- 
eralized abdominal  cramping,  principally  in  the 
mid  and  lower  abdomen,  and  increasing  consti- 


Figure  1.  Barium  enema  examination  demonstrat- 
ing a smooth  “ compression ” of  the  descending  colon 
just  at  the  iliac  crest. 


Figure  2.  Lateral  view  of  sigmoid  and  descend- 
ing colon  demonstrating  the  same  defect. 


5 02 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


pation.  There  had  been  no  rectal  bleeding,  or 
other  symptoms  related  to  the  gastrointestinal 
tract  at  the  time  of  admission.  A significant  item 
in  the  past  history  was  noted,  the  patient  having 
had  abdominal  hysterectomy  and  right  salpingo- 
oophorectomy  some  ten  years  earlier,  for  benign 
disease.  At  the  time  of  the  previous  surgical  pro- 
cedure, no  evidence  of  endometriosis  was  ap- 
parent. 

Plain  films  of  the  abdomen  made  on  admission 
demonstrated  changes  interpreted  as  representing 
distal  descending  or  sigmoid  colon  obstruction, 
with  considerable  retention  of  fecal  material 
proximal  to  the  site  of  suspected  obstruction.  Mul- 
tiple cleansing  enemata  were  administered,  and 
barium  enema  examination  was  carried  out. 

A rather  definite,  but  somewhat  atypical  con- 
strictive lesion  was  noted  in  the  upper  sigmoid 
(figures  1,  2 and  3),  but  a definite  diagnosis 
could  not  be  rendered.  It  was  noted  that  the 
mucosal  pattern  in  this  area  was  well  preserved, 
and  it  was  felt  that  a malignant  colon  lesion 
was  unlikely. 

At  operation,  the  left  fallopian  tube  and  ovary 
were  involved  in  an  extensive  endometriosis,  with 
multiple  adhesions  in  the  left  pelvis.  The  endome- 
trial mass  had  produced  partial  obstruction  of 
the  colon  at  the  level  noted  on  the  films.  It  did 
not  appear  to  the  operating  surgeon  that  the  endo- 
metriosis had  actually  penetrated  the  bowel  wall, 
and  bowel  resection  was  not  deemed  necessary. 
The  patient  recovered  uneventfully. 

In  summary,  a rather  unusual  instance  of  par- 
tial distal  colon  obstruction  on  the  basis  of  en- 
dometriosis has  been  presented.  The  lesion  in 


Figure  3.  Spot  films  of  the  descending  colon  area 
in  question  demonstrating  the  smooth  appearance  in 
the  area  of  constriction , with  apparent  preservation 
of  mucosal  pattern. 

question  is  relatively  rare,  but  must  be  considered 
in  the  differential  diagnosis  of  colon  obstruction 
in  the  female,  particularly  those  patients  in  the 
younger  age  groups.  Complete  recovery  followed 
surgical  excision  of  the  endometriosis  in  this  in- 
stance. 

Sergeant  E.  Prentiss  Drive  (39120) 

REFERENCES 

1.  Paul,  Lester  W.,  and  Juhl,  John  H.:  The  Essentials 
of  Roentgen  Interpretation,  ed.  2.  New  York  and  Lon- 
don: Harper  and  Row,  1965,  p.  480-481. 

2.  Meschan,  Isadore:  Roentgen  Signs  in  Clinical  Prac- 
tice. Philadelphia  and  London:  W.  B.  Saunders  Com- 
pany. 1966.  p.  1736-1737. 


HIGH  STAKES 

A generous  tipper  at  a summer  resort  found  a new  waiter  serv- 
ing him  one  morning  and  asked,  “Say,  where's  Pete,  my  regular 
waiter?”  The  new  waiter  smiled,  “Sorry,  sir,  Pete  won’t  be  serving 
you  anymore.  I won  you  in  a crap  game  last  night." 


503 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


Fifty-One  Years  in  the  Art: 
A Family  Physician  Remembers 


Modern  medicine  has  lost  much  of  the  “art” 
of  diagnosis  used  in  the  past  says  an  81 -year- 
old  general  practitioner  from  Calhoun  City, 
Dr.  W.  J.  Aycock,  who  won  the  1970  MSMA- 
Robins  Award. 

The  award  for  outstanding  community  service 
by  a physician  was  presented  to  Dr.  Aycock  at 
the  102nd  Annual  Session  at  Biloxi  by  President 
James  L.  Royals  of  Jackson  and  Mr.  Williard 
Duvall  of  New  Orleans,  district  manager  for 
A.  H.  Robins  Company  of  Richmond,  Va. 

Dr.  Van  B.  Philpot,  Jr.,  of  Houston,  Miss., 
whose  father  was  a colleague  of  Dr.  Aycock’s, 
interviewed  the  veteran  physician  about  his  life 
of  medical  service  and  changes  in  the  practice  of 
medicine  he  has  witnessed. 

Dr.  Aycock  graduated  from  Memphis  Hos- 
pital Medical  College  in  May  of  1912,  passed 
the  State  Board  examination,  and  set  up  practice 
at  Bentley,  Miss. 


Dr.  W.  J.  Aycock  of  Calhoun  City  displays  the 
plaque  he  received  as  1970  winner  of  the  MSMA- 
Robins  Award  for  outstanding  community  service 
by  a physician. 

He  soon  joined  in  partnership  with  Dr.  B.  C. 
Tubb  at  Smithville  and  spent  four  years 


A JOURNAL  SPECIAL  FEATURE 


“doctoring”  by  horse  and  buggy  in  Monroe  Coun- 
ty. They  delivered  babies,  treated  pneumonia, 
malaria,  typhoid  fever,  measles  and  other  infec- 
tious diseases. 


Dr.  Aycock  was  interviewed  by  Dr.  Van 
B.  Philpot,  Jr.,  of  Houston.  Dr.  Philpofs 
father  and  Dr.  Aycock  were  classmates  and 
long-time  friends.  The  veteran  physician  has 
many  lively  comments  on  medicine  as  it  was 
and  is  practiced. 


Dr.  Aycock  moved  back  to  Calhoun  County, 
but  in  July,  1917,  practice  was  interrupted  when 
he  departed  for  World  War  I.  He  served  as  a 
First  Lieutenant  in  the  Army  Medical  Corps 
until  the  end  of  the  war. 

After  the  war,  he  took  postgraduate  training 
at  the  New  York  Postgraduate  School  and  Tulane 
University  School  of  Medicine.  He  returned  to 
Mississippi,  married  and  located  at  Derma,  Wi 
miles  from  Calhoun  City,  where  he  lives  now. 
The  year  was  1919  and  there  were  no  paved 
roads  so  that  the  few  Model  T cars  could  only 
operate  in  dry  weather.  The  doctor  still  made 
house  calls  by  horse  and  buggy. 

“One  of  the  biggest  improvements  or  boosts 
to  the  practice  of  medicine  has  been  the  build- 
ing of  modern  roads,”  said  Dr.  Aycock.  People 
can  now  get  out  and  go  to  the  hospital  when 
they’re  sick  and  get  medical  attention  in  much 
less  time,  he  pointed  out. 

Dr.  Aycock  especially  appreciates  the  devel- 
opment of  antibiotics,  improved  surgical  tech- 
niques and  the  use  of  x-ray,  but  he  adds  that 
some  of  the  old  ways  ought  to  be  retained  to  suc- 
cessfully blend  the  art  and  science  of  medicine. 

“We  were  taught  to  make  our  examination 
from  what  we  could  see  and  hear  and  what  the 
patient  told  us  and  what  we  could  feel.  We  were 
supposed  to  use  our  common  sense  and  medical 


504 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


training  to  put  it  all  together  to  make  a diagnosis,” 
said  Dr.  Aycock. 

The  veteran  physician  estimated  that  he  has 
delivered  about  three  thousand  babies,  mostly 
in  the  patients’  homes  with  only  a friend  or  rela- 
tive to  assist.  Despite  the  harsh  conditions,  Dr. 
Aycock  said  that  he  had  only  a few  patients  to 
expire  and  fever  was  uncommon.  This  was  be- 
fore the  time  of  blood  banks,  too.  so  there  were 
no  transfusions. 

Money  was  scarce  and  pay  for  services  often 
consisted  of  a pig,  a few  bushels  of  corn  or  a 
yearling,  remembers  the  doctor. 

Dr.  Aycock  recalled  the  treatment  for  pneu- 
monia when  he  was  in  the  army;  “Every  day  or 
two  the  doctor  gave  pneumonia  antigen  to  every 
suspected  case  of  pneumonia.  The  patients  did 
so  well  that  I used  the  antigen  on  all  my  patients 
when  I got  out  of  the  army.  I think  it  cut  the 
length  of  the  disease  down  to  about  nine  days 
and  the  crisis  to  about  six.  It  was  a serum  and 
I gave  it  until  antibiotics  were  discovered,”  he 
says. 

“I  was  taught  that  when  a patient  had  pain 
in  the  abdomen,  vomiting,  tenderness  that  bor- 
dered the  ribs  on  the  right  side  and  especially 
if  he  had  jaundice,  he  had  gall  stones.  This 
worked  every  time  for  me. 

“Now  they  can't  find  all  the  gall  stones,  and 
don't  operate  just  because  one  has  those  symp- 
toms because  I had  them  in  1967. 

“I  was  hospitalized  for  jaundice  and  they 
couldn't  find  gall  stones.  After  nine  days  I began 
to  cramp  a little,  and  they  thought  I had  hepa- 
titis. 


"A  few  months  later,  I was  jaundiced  again 
and  had  the  same  symptoms.  They  decided  I 
had  cancer  of  the  liver  and  did  exploratory  sur- 
gery and  found  five  big  gall  stones.  So  I think 
if  they’d  use  both  the  old  and  the  new  methods, 
they'd  be  in  better  shape,”  said  Dr.  Aycock. 

Dr.  Aycock  was  born  in  Phoeba  in  Oktibbeha 
County,  and  attended  schools  in  Bentley  and  Cal- 
houn City.  He  got  his  premedical  training  at 
Mississippi  College  in  1906  and  went  to  medical 
school  in  1908.  He  sold  a team  of  oxen,  four 
to  the  yoke,  to  help  pay  his  way  through  medical 
school. 

He  has  practiced  medicine  in  Calhoun  City 
for  51  years.  He  received  his  coveted  50-year 
service  pin  and  certificate  in  1962  in  special 
ceremonies  at  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Cal- 
houn City. 

He  has  served  his  community  through  many 
channels  including:  chairman  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  Calhoun  County  Agricultural 
High  School  at  Derma,  1923-34;  chairman  of  the 
Calhoun  City  Special  Consolidated  School  Dis- 
trict, 1935-47;  charter  member  of  the  Rotary 
Club  and  served  as  president  1940-41;  20-year 
member  of  Rotary  Committee  of  the  Hospital 
for  Crippled  Adults  of  Memphis;  member  of  the 
Board  of  Deacons  of  First  Baptist  Church  for 
over  20  years;  32nd  degree  Mason  and  Shriner; 
and  member  of  the  American  Fegion  Post  No.  50. 

Dr.  Aycock  has  twice  been  president  of  the 
Northeast  Mississippi  Medical  Society  and  is  an 
emeritus  member  of  MSMA  and  a member  of 
AMA. 


QUESTIONABLE  COMPLIMENT 

A well-known  violinist  and  his  wife  (also  his  accompanist) 
were  whisked  off  by  the  hostess  to  meet  the  guest  of  honor.  “Mr. 
Clay,  I’d  like  you  to  meet  Verdinni,  the  famous  violinist.  And 
this  is  Mrs.  Verdinni  who  has  quite  a reputation,  too!" 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


505 


The  President  Speaking 


PAUL  B.  BRUMBY,  M.D. 
Lexington,  Mississippi 


‘Dilemma  in  Blue’ 


The  basic  problems  of  our  relationship  with  the  Mississippi  Hos- 
pital and  Medical  Service  have  defied  solution  for  almost  10 
years.  This  organization  is  now  the  fiscal  agent  for  Part  A of 
Medicare  and  for  the  entire  Medicaid  Program.  With  this  clearly 
in  mind,  I was  grateful  for  an  invitation  to  the  Coast  meeting  of 
their  board. 

Their  executives  were  certainly  cordial  and  competent.  The 
Mississippi  Hospital  Association  administrators  were  outstanding 
and  certainly  were  coping  with  their  problems  of  hospital  admin- 
istration which  let  them  speak  with  a common  and  effective  voice. 

The  10  public  members  are  leaders  in  our  state,  well  known 
for  their  effective  and  selfless  contributions  to  civic  and  philan- 
thropic causes.  So  true  is  this,  that  I am  told  four  members  are 
trustees  of  their  local  hospitals.  The  hospital  trustees  with  their 
employees,  the  administrators,  naturally  should  be  hospital-orient- 
ed. But  this  hardly  strikes  a fair  balance  in  a board  which  is  self- 
perpetuating.  There  is  little  chance  for  achieving  change  in  direc- 
tion as  long  as  this  condition  exists. 

In  1968  after  years  of  discussion  and  consultation,  our  House 
of  Delegates  withdrew  our  support  from  the  Blue  Shield  Plan,  but 
did  agree  for  one  year  to  explore  other  avenues  and  approaches 
to  the  inequity  of  this  organization.  The  National  Blue  Cross-Blue 
Shield  Board  recommended  six  changes  in  their  operations.  The 
heart  of  these  changes  was  the  establishment  of  individual  cor- 
porations for  each  and  for  each  to  stand  on  its  own  bottom  with 
separate  boards,  and  without  intermingling  of  funds.  Although 
this  was  done  in  a number  of  states  successfully,  it  was  refused 
here. 

The  MHMS  board  as  then  constituted  reappointed  the  mem- 
bers of  MSMA  who  were  previously  on  their  board.  But  they  are 
there  as  individuals  and  not  as  a part  of  the  structure  of  MSMA. 
These  are  outstanding  members  of  our  association  who  work  tire- 
lessly in  our  behalf  and  they  wish  for  better  direction  in  a consul- 
tative manner  from  MSMA.  But  it  is  hard  to  predict  a permanent 
settlement  when  pay  for  hospital-based  physicians  is  twice  that 
of  independent  practitioners  and  the  percentage  of  payout  of  Blue 
Shield  is  questioned. 

The  physicians  whose  enthusiastic  support  has  built  these  or- 
ganizations are  the  only  contact  the  subscriber  has  with  the  Blue 
plans  and  it  is  getting  increasingly  difficult  to  explain  the  small 
payment  from  this  source.  Not  many  of  us  are  happy  awaiting  the 
coming  of  National  Health  Insurance  to  make  these  problems 
mute.  *** 


506 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


JOURNAL  OF  THE 
MISSISSIPPI  STATE 
MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

VOLUME  XI,  NUMBER  9 
SEPTEMBER  1970 


The  College  and  Cancer: 
Saga  of  Enlightened  Leadership 


I 

Cancer  is  the  number  two  killer  of  all  age  groups, 
and  we  may  not  be  doing  enough  about  it.  The 
assertion  may  seem  drastic,  what  with  the  out- 
pouring of  hundreds  of  millions  in  ongoing  pro- 
grams of  research,  maintenance  of  specialized 
institutions,  a range  of  fellowships,  and  the  work 
of  one  of  the  three  most  important  and  influential 
voluntary  health  organizations,  the  American 
Cancer  Society. 

But  with  only  890  approved  cancer  programs 
in  the  nation's  7,000-odd  community  and  govern- 
mental hospitals,  the  challenge  is  clear.  Of  course, 
this  doesn’t  mean  that  adequate  care  for  the  dis- 
ease is  available  only  where  an  approved  pro- 
gram exists,  but  it’s  odds-on  that  the  patient  is 
better  served  when  the  professional  resources  and 
medical  facilities  are  marshalled  together  with 
carefully  defined  objectives  and  stated  goals. 

The  recommended  cancer  program  of  the 
American  College  of  Surgeons  is  such  a coordi- 
nated endeavor.  It  is  conducted  as  a team  effort 
in  concert  with  the  American  Cancer  Society  and 
the  Regional  Medical  Programs.  Requirements 
for  approval  of  a local  cancer  program  are  set 
out  in  the  College's  Manual  for  Cancer  Pro- 
grams. A special  commission  of  the  College  over- 


sees the  entire  undertaking,  while  individual  Fel- 
lows at  regional  and  state  levels  voluntarily  devote 
time  to  leadership  and  coordination  of  local  pro- 
grams. 

But  one  out  of  eight  hospitals  with  an  approved 
cancer  program  seems  hardly  enough. 

II 

It  is  not  altogether  a question  of  size  and  af- 
fluence as  to  the  matter  of  a successful,  approved 
cancer  program.  The  College  says  that  its  Com- 
mission on  Cancer  “recognizes  that  both  the 
physical  facilities  and  the  number  of  trained  per- 
sonnel available  for  the  care  of  cancer  patients 
vary  widely  among  hospitals.  However,  the  best 
facilities  and  well-trained  personnel  do  not  in 
themselves  assure  proper  care  of  the  patient  with 
cancer  if  they  are  not  fully  used  for  their  intended 
purpose.” 

And  this  is  the  clincher:  “Small  hospitals  whose 
facilities  are  limited  but  whose  personnel  are  well- 
trained  and  aware  of  their  limitations  frequently 
provide  excellent  care  to  the  cancer  patient.  . . .” 

The  College  bases  its  requirements  for  pro- 
gram approval  upon  a number  of  accepted  pre- 
cepts: 

— Cancer  belongs  in  that  unique  category  of 
diseases  which  require,  for  the  best  care,  that  the 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


5 07 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

patient  receive  lifetime  interval  follow-through 
examination.  This  will  vary,  the  College  says,  de- 
pending upon  many  factors,  including  age  of  the 
patient,  site  of  the  cancer,  stage  of  the  disease, 
and  like  considerations. 

— Rapid  advances  in  knowledge  have  led  to 
new  modalities  of  diagnosis  and  treatment,  vary- 
ing with  the  site  of  the  disease  and  involvement 
in  the  care  of  different  medical  disciplines.  The 
College  believes  that  the  patient  treated  with  a 
multidisciplinary  approach  is  likely  to  receive 
most  benefit. 

— No  longer  can  we  be  concerned  only  with 
definitive  treatment.  Cancer  must  be  considered 
as  involving  three  broad  areas:  Early  diagnosis, 
definitive  treatment,  and  lifetime  interval  follow- 
through  examination.  Neglect  of  any  of  these 
areas,  the  College  declares,  is  to  be  deplored. 

Ill 

The  American  College  of  Surgeons’  Commis- 
sion on  Cancer  has  adopted  guides  for  effective 
implementation  of  program  requirements.  Any 
program  must  begin  with  organization  of  a hospi- 
tal cancer  committee  as  a standing  body.  The 
multidisciplinary  approach  is  emphasized  in  the 
committee  membership  which  should  include  rep- 
resentatives of  pathology,  internal  medicine,  radi- 
ology,  gynecology,  pediatrics,  family  practice,  sur- 
gery, and  others  as  available. 

A member  of  the  committee  should  be  re- 
sponsible for  maintenance  of  the  registry.  Sup- 
porting the  requirement  for  this  facet  of  the  pro- 
gram, the  College  points  out  that  lifetime  follow- 
through  is  important  in  many  disease  entities, 
such  as  diabetes,  rheumatic  fever,  heart  disease, 
and  certain  collagen  diseases. 

Frequently,  the  question  of  why  not  a central — 
instead  of  a local — registry  is  raised.  The  guides 
state  that  the  hospital-based  registry  has  the  pri- 
mary function  of  service  to  the  patient  by  assur- 
ing that  he  is  followed  and  returned  for  examina- 
tion. The  secondary  functions  of  incidence,  trends, 
comparative  results  of  therapy,  and  the  like  may 
not  be  available  for  an  extended  period  of  time, 
and  depending  on  the  interval,  these  results  may 
or  may  not  help  those  patients  who  have  cancer 
now.  In  the  past,  central  registries  have  empha- 
sized these  secondary  functions.  The  hospital  reg- 
istry is  the  most  valuable  input  source  for  central 
registries,  but  the  College  argues  that  this  does 
not  relieve  the  hospital  of  maintaining  its  own 
registry. 

The  proliferation  of  data  processing  hardware 


or  computers  holds  out  great  promise  for  tumor 
registries.  The  state  of  Mississippi  has  given  legal 
protection  to  these  service  entities  by  furnishing 
a liability  shield.  In  past  years  where  medicolegal 
aspects  demanded  maintenance  of  patient  ano- 
nymity, the  same  patient  biopsied  at  three  different 
clinics  might  show  up  as  three  different  patients 
and  not  just  one.  The  resulting  distortion  of  the 
data  is  obvious. 

IV 

In  a recent  announcement,  the  College  shows 
seven  approved  cancer  programs  in  Mississippi 
hospitals.  At  Biloxi,  there  are  ACS-approved  pro- 
grams in  the  Howard  Memorial  Hospital  and  the 
USAF  Hospital  at  Keesler  Air  Force  Base.  The 
South  Mississippi  Tumor  Clinic  is  conducted  in 
the  Memorial  Hospital  at  Gulfport,  and  an  ap- 
proved program  has  been  established  at  the  For- 
rest County  General  Hospital  at  Hattiesburg. 

Both  the  University  Hospital  and  Veterans  Ad- 
ministration Center  at  Jackson  have  programs, 
and  one  is  conducted  at  Mercy  Hospital-Street 
Memorial  in  Vicksburg. 

Much  encouraging  activity  has  been  initiated 
in  Mississippi  recently.  A new  program  for  detec- 
tion of  pelvic  cancer  has  the  support  of  the  Missis- 
sippi Regional  Medical  Program,  a result  of  adop- 
tion of  a resolution  at  the  1969  Annual  Session 
of  the  state  medical  association.  Quick  passage 
in  the  legislature  of  the  liability  shield  for  regis- 
tries gave  evidence  of  the  growing  public  aware- 
ness of  the  importance  of  these  service  activities. 


508 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


The  pap  smear  program  of  the  American  Acad- 
emy of  General  Practice  has  been  greeted  with 
success. 

If  we  have  not  done  enough  in  the  past  with 
the  resources  at  our  disposal,  there  is  reason  for 
optimism  today  with  a forward  thrust  on  many 
fronts.  The  efficient  application  of  skills  and  re- 
sources already  available  may  be  as  important 
as  work  in  the  research  laboratory.  In  the  mean- 
while, the  American  College  of  Surgeons  merits 
our  support  and  is  to  be  commended  and  thanked 
for  its  continued  exercise  of  leadership  in  this 
vital  field  of  patient  care. — R.B.K. 

Rx  for  Inflation 
and  Drug  Costs 

A story  is  making  the  rounds  about  two  men 
discussing  a television  address  by  President  Nix- 
on. One  said,  “Did  you  hear  the  President  speak 
last  night  and  what  did  you  think  of  what  he 
said?” 

“I  heard  him,”  said  the  second  man,  “but  I 
can't  discuss  the  speech.  You  see,  our  TV  set 
went  on  the  blink  before  Eric  Sevareid  interpreted 
and  explained  what  he  said.” 

Of  all  the  interpretation  going  on  in  this  era 
of  analysis  and  comment,  none  is  more  plentiful 
than  that  on  the  cost  of  medical  care.  Physicians 
come  in  for  a lion’s  share  of  talk,  usually  on 
the  mounting  medical  service  component.  The  fact 
that  M.D.’s  have  received  only  11  per  cent  of 
every  penny  expended  on  Medicare  and  Med- 
icaid since  1966  is  of  no  moment  to  the  analysts. 

Likewise,  the  pharmaceutical  manufacturing 
industry,  an  indispensable  health  care  team  part- 
ner, gets  its  share  of  the  guff.  And  the  fact  that 
we  have  more  and  better  drugs  at  lower  prices 
confounds  the  doomsday  analysts  not  one  iota. 

Anybody  who  has  been  to  the  supermarket  late- 
ly or  who  has  shopped  for  a new  car  doesn’t  need 
to  be  reminded  that  since  1960,  the  cost  of  all 
goods  and  services  has  risen  to  135  from  104  on 
the  1957-59  consumer  price  index.  But  we  are 
paying  an  average  of  only  54  cents  more  for  a 
prescription  than  we  were  paying  10  years  ago. 
The  mean  cost  of  the  doctor’s  Rx  today  is  $3.68, 
and  six  out  of  10  preparations  speeding  our  re- 
covery now  were  not  even  available  in  1960. 

The  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  has  a few  in- 
teresting figures  for  us  in  this  connection.  We 
Americans  place  high  priority  on  a few  things  we'd 


be  just  as  well  off  without:  We  spend  $78  per 
person  per  year  on  alcohol  and  $48  on  tobacco. 
For  TV  sets,  the  outlay  is  $45  each  and  an  un- 
believable $21  on  foreign  travel.  The  barber  shop 
gets  $19  per  year,  but  we  shell  out  an  average 
of  only  $18  for  prescription  drugs. 

Although  the  dramatic  court  action  over  the 
pricing  of  antibiotics  drew  comment  about  the 
“drug  cartel,”  nothing  could  be  farther  from  the 
truth.  The  pharmaceutical  manufacturing  in- 
dustry is  competitive  on  many  more  counts  than 
price  alone.  Company  struggles  against  company 
for  superior  quality  control,  advanced  research, 
and  public  service  lines  from  which  a profit  can 
never  be  realized. 

It  works,  too,  because  of  868  new  drug  entities 
marketed  from  1940  through  1969,  The  United 
States  produced  536,  while  Switzerland  intro- 
duced 57;  Germany,  41;  and  Great  Britain,  40. 

The  American  drugmakers  pay  their  own 
freight,  too,  not  just  in  taxes  but  in  costs  of 
product  development  and  research.  Today,  the 
federal  government  pays  for  51  per  cent  of  all 
research  conducted  by  private  industry.  The  aero- 
space group  gets  81  per  cent  of  its  research 
money  from  the  government.  The  electronics  in- 
dustry is  dependent  upon  Uncle  Sam  for  59  per 
cent  of  its  development  financing,  and  the  Detroit 
automakers  get  28  per  cent. 

But  the  American  pharmaceutical  manufactur- 
ing industry  pays  98  per  cent  of  its  research  costs 
and  accepts  2 per  cent  federal  financing.  Nor  is 
this  a nickel  and  dime  outlay,  either,  because  the 
drugmakers  will  spend  $600  million  on  research 
this  year. 

Put  all  of  this  together  with  the  lengthening  life 
span,  lessening  incidence  of  morbidity  in  selected 
disease  areas,  reduced  hospital  stays,  and  all 
the  rest  of  the  factors  making  us  healthy,  and  we 
find  that  the  drug  industry  has  turned  in  a worthy 
stewardship  and  remarkable  performance.  Let 
us  remember  that  the  most  important  ingredient 
in  a prescription  drug  cannot  be  seen  or  analyzed 
in  the  laboratory:  It  is  quality  and  reliability.  And 
neither  a generic  nor  brand  name  drug  is  any 
better  than  the  quality  aims  of  the  company  that 
makes  it.  Isn’t  it  nice  to  know  that  something  we 
need  so  urgently  is  priced  within  reason?  Especial- 
ly when  the  main  thing  about  it  to  go  up  is 
quality. — R.B.K. 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


5 09 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

Why  Not  More 
Dental  Care  Insurance? 

Seven  out  of  eight  Americans  have  some 
form  of  medical  service  and  hospital  insurance 
or  prepayment  plan,  but  only  three  out  of  100 
have  dental  care  coverage.  Even  the  serious  stu- 
dent of  medical  and  health  socioeconomics  is 
hard  put  to  come  by  an  answer  for  this  health 
care  financing  deficit,  especially  when  dental 
care  amounts  to  10  per  cent  of  our  $60  billion 
health  service  expenditure  annually. 

For  many  years,  an  overly  simplified  answer 
was  usually  given.  We  were  quick  to  say  that 
dental  care  insurance  carried  with  it  built-in  bank- 
ruptcy, because  about  80  to  90  per  cent  of  all 
dental  services  are  postponable.  Generally,  in- 
surance is  based  on  the  concept  of  risk-spreading 
of  things  which  happen  quickly  and  suddenly, 
certainly,  as  opposed  to  something  developing 
slowly  and  progressively.  This,  for  example,  is 
the  reason  for  built-in  time  barriers  in  health 
care  coverage  for  maternal  services,  hernia  re- 
pairs, and  the  like. 

But  the  need  for  dental  care  coverage  is  ap- 
parent, if  we  are  to  believe  the  figures  on  the 
state  of  the  nation’s  teeth.  Dental  authorities  say 
that  there  are  between  800  million  and  a billion 
cavities  among  us  quietly  rotting  away  our  teeth. 
The  Surgeon  General  of  the  U.  S.  Public  Health 
Service  says  that  less  than  half  of  the  200  million- 
plus  Americans  were  seen  by  a dentist  last  year. 
Four  out  of  every  five  Americans  over  age  15 
have  some  sort  of  gum  disorder,  and  one  child 
in  four  has  a malocclusion  of  such  magnitude 
that  chewing  causes  facial  distortion. 

About  6 million  Americans  have  dental  ser- 
vice coverage,  and  half  of  it  is  written  by  the 
private  insurance  industry.  Dental  society  service 
corporation  plans  account  for  the  other  half,  ac- 
cording to  the  Health  Insurance  Institute.  The 
Mississippi  Dental  Association  voted  to  authorize 
a dental  service  corporation  some  years  ago,  but 
it  has  not  yet  been  brought  into  being. 

Most  tax-supported  programs  of  health  care  of- 
fer only  minor  and  token  dental  services.  Medi- 
care and  Medicaid  are  next  to  nothing,  and 
CHAMPUS,  probably  the  best  and  most  in- 
clusive of  all  tax-supported  plans,  has  little  or 
none,  generally  related  to  emergency  dental  care 
following  injury.  Probably  more  dental  services 
are  offered  under  the  various  Head  Start  programs 
than  any  others  in  the  public  sector. 


Dental  insurance  is  usually  characterized  by 
a healthy  deductible  which  the  patient  must  pay 
after  which  a 20  to  50  per  cent  co-pay  obligation 
is  incurred.  Under  such  plans,  the  assured  is 
lucky  to  recover  as  much  as  a fifth  of  his  dental 
care  expense.  The  dental  service  corporation  is 
better,  although  it  is  essentially  a postpayment 
program,  usually  through  an  employer  group. 
Dental  service  corporations  usually  adjust  rates 
on  a one  year  experience  basis.  And  3 million 
out  of  200  million  Americans  served  is  a tiny 
segment. 

During  the  1st  Session  of  the  91st  Congress, 
a bill  was  introduced  to  add  dental  care  benefits 
under  the  CHAMPUS  program  for  dependents 
of  those  on  active  duty  and  the  retired  military. 
While  the  bill  was  a stingy  measure  requiring  as 
much  as  $150  in  patient-paid  deductibles,  it 
never  got  out  of  committee.  Reason:  Fear  of 
costs. 

The  dental  profession  and  organized  dentistry 
are  challenged  to  discover  more  about  care  costs, 
actuarial  concepts  in  providing  dental  prepay- 
ment and  insurance,  and  exactly  how  such  bene- 
fits may  best  be  offered  to  the  care-consuming 
public  from  within  the  private  sector.  Perhaps 
the  idea  of  a dental  care  foundation,  patterned 
after  the  western  medical  care  foundations,  is  an 
answer  with  promising  potential. 

In  any  event,  the  challenge  is  clear,  and  the 
opportunity  for  private  dentistry  to  devise  an  ini- 
tiative will  never  be  better  than  it  is  today. — 
R.B.K. 


‘'Put  them  all  together  and  they  spell  mother.” 


510 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Ingratitude  and  Calumny 
and  Sen.  Hughes 

Francesco  Guicciardini  said  during  the  16th 
century  that  “ingratitude  and  calumny  follow  a 
gocd  deed  usually  faster  than  gratitude  and  re- 
ward.” Over  400  years  later,  the  American  Med- 
ical Association  has  a case  in  point  proving  the 
wise  Italian  correct. 

Last  March,  AMA  representatives  testified  in 
support  of  a bill  by  Sen.  Harold  E.  Hughes  (D., 
Iowa)  which  would  have  jurisdiction  over  drugs 
vested  in  a health  agency  of  government  rather 
than  in  the  Department  of  Justice.  In  May, 
two  months  later,  AMA  presented  testimony  in 
support  of  a bill  by  Sen.  Hughes  on  the  treatment 
of  alcoholism. 

Recently,  the  mercurial  senator,  a liberal’s  lib- 
eral, was  meeting  with  members  of  the  American 
Alliance  for  Political  Action  which  happens  to 
be  made  up  of  militant  students.  Sen.  Hughes 
was  quoted  as  having  said  to  the  group  in  a dis- 
cussion of  the  nation’s  problems  that  “if  the  medi- 
cal profession — one  of  the  most  conservative — 
says  we  are  responsible,  it  could  have  an  effect 
on  people.” 

Having  warned  the  students,  the  senator  ex- 


horted them  to  begin  political  lobbying  “by  taking 
the  American  Medical  Association  on.” 

Now,  this  utterance  can  hardly  be  described 
as  astonishing,  coming  from  Sen.  Hughes.  What 
is  astonishing  is  that  he  did  not  toss  in  a few 
adjectives  just  to  make  sure  that  nobody  mis- 
understood the  posture  of  these  right-wing  doc- 
tors. But  the  ingratitude  and  calumny  of  the  whole 
thing  is  the  senator’s  omission  of  AMA’s  support 
of  two  pieces  of  legislation  which  he  had  pro- 
posed. In  the  light  of  the  exhortation  to  the 
militant  students,  it  can  only  be  reasoned  that 
the  omission  was  deliberate. 

Of  course,  the  medical  profession  did  not  offer 
its  support  of  the  two  legislative  proposals  to  ap- 
pease or  curry  favor  with  Sen.  Hughes.  AMA 
speaks  out  on  legislation  only  because  it  seeks 
the  best  interests  of  the  nation’s  health.  But  the 
senator  might  have  had  the  grace  to  acknowledge 
the  action. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  AMA  has  found 
reason  to  support  many  positions  for  which  liber- 
als as  well  as  conservatives  stand:  Increases  in 
the  nation’s  medical  manpower,  more  and  better 
training  programs  for  allied  professional  person- 
nel, Medicredit  and  the  principle  of  a pluralistic 
care  delivery  system,  research,  and  a host  of 
measures  intended  to  improve  and  expand  care 
in  the  United  States. 


—The  lowest  priced  tetracycline— nystatin  combination  available— 


II  1 1t  it  Y<  I »V* 
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5 1 1 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

All  of  this  seems  to  point  in  a single  direction 
and  clarify  an  unmistakable  perspective:  Men  of 
Sen.  Hughes’  inclinations  are  inflexible  in  their 
antiestablishment  aims,  and  their  actions  contra- 
dict anybody’s  definition  of  liberalism.  If  being 
conservative  means  reluctance  to  toss  the  system 
out  the  window  when  it  has  served  us  well,  then 
we  are  conservatives.  Meanwhile,  color  Sen. 
Hughes  ungrateful. — R.B.K. 

Button  Power, 
Teenage  Style 

A group  of  Salt  Lake  City  teenagers  are  mak- 
ing a success  out  of  a button-making  campaign. 
Only  they  are  a little  different:  Instead  of 
antiwar,  antiestablishment,  and  antieverything 
buttons,  these  youngsters  are  giving  each  other 
some  good  advice  with  a smile. 

To  date,  they  have  produced  buttons  in  three 
campaigns,  “Battle  Booze,”  “Ban  the  Butt,”  and 
“Dump  Drugs.”  On  drinking,  they  have  these 
messages:  “Drinking  Pays — the  Distillers,  the 
Hospitals,  and  the  Junkyards.”  Another  antibooze 
button  proclaims  “Drinkers  Have  Everything: 
Halitosis,  Cirrhosis,  and  Psychosis.”  A third  one 
admonishes  “Support  Your  Local  Sheriff — 
Drink.”  Tobacco  brings  out  the  grim  side  of  the 
teeners’  thinking  with  “Little  Orphan  Annie’s 
Parents  Smoked.”  Another  proclaims  that  “The 
Family  That  Smokes  Together  Chokes  Together.” 
On  drugs,  “Don’t  Meth  Around”  and  “Speed 
Kills.” 

This  is  one  teenage  demonstration  against  so- 
cial practices  which  is  to  be  encouraged  and  sup- 
ported. The  tragic  permissiveness  of  society  may 
finally  be  most  effectively  reversed  by  those  for 
whom  its  benefits  were  mistakenly  intended.  The 
bad  angle,  however,  is  that  too  few  realize  the 
mistake  in  time.  More  button  power  like  this  to 
the  teenagers. — R.B.K. 

( 

FUTURE  CALENDAR 


October  20 

Circuit  Course,  Tupelo 
Circuit  Course,  Natchez 

October  22 

Circuit  Course,  Greenville 
October  29 

Circuit  Course,  Greenville 
November  4 

Pulmonary  Seminar  (Tentative  Date) 
November  5 

Circuit  Course,  Greenville 

November  17 

Circuit  Course,  Tupelo 

November  24 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 
December  11 

Gynecologic  and  Obstetrical 
Infections  Seminar 

January  7,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 

January  12 

Circuit  Course,  McComb 
February  4 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesberg 
February  16 

Circuit  Course,  Natchez 
February  23 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 
March  2 

Circuit  Course,  Meridian 
March  4 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 
April  6 

Circuit  Course,  Meridian 
April  13 

Circuit  Course,  McComb 
April  20 

Circuit  Course,  Natchez 
April  27 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 


September  22 , 1970 

Circuit  Course,  Tupelo 


May  3-6 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


October  13 

Circuit  Course,  McComb 


May  11 

Circuit  Course,  Meridian 


512 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Earl  W.  Green,  Emmett  Herring,  and  John 
E.  Green  of  Hattiesburg  announce  the  associa- 
tion of  Milam  S.  Cotten  for  the  practice  of 
ophthalmology  at  the  Green  Eye  Clinic,  705  Hall 
Avenue. 


John  K.  Abide  of  Cleveland  announces  the  as- 
sociation of  Perrin  N.  Smith  in  the  practice  of 
obstetrics  and  gynecology  at  801  First  Street. 

S.  Lamar  Bailey  of  Kosciusko  announces  the  as- 
sociation of  his  son,  James  W.  Bailey,  for  the 
practice  of  general  medicine  and  surgery  at  Bail- 
ey’s Clinic,  Hwy.  12. 

David  A.  Ball  has  joined  the  medical  staff  at 
Batesville  Hospital  as  a general  practitioner.  Dr. 
Ball,  a graduate  of  the  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  has  recently  returned  from 
a year’s  tour  of  duty  in  Vietnam  with  the  U.  S. 
Air  Force. 

Jim  Barnett  of  Brookhaven  announces  the  as- 
sociation of  Jerry  Lingle  in  the  general  practice 
of  medicine  and  surgery  at  222  South  Church. 

Hugh  P.  Boswell,  Jr.,  a native  of  New  Albany, 
has  assumed  the  position  of  hospital-based 
pathologist  and  director  of  the  department  of 
pathology  at  the  Northeast  Mississippi  Hospital 
in  Booneville. 

R.  E.  Caldwell  and  W.  E.  Caldwell  of 
Baldwyn  announce  the  association  of  Vernon 
A.  Chase  in  the  general  practice  of  medicine. 
The  Baldwyn  Medical  Group  is  located  on  Hwy. 
45  South  at  Mill  Street. 

David  K.  Carter  is  now  associated  with  the 
Watkins  Clinic  in  Quitman.  Dr.  Carter,  a recent 
graduate  of  the  University  of  Mississippi  School 
of  Medicine,  will  practice  general  medicine. 

S.  B.  Caruthers  of  Grenada  has  been  awarded  a 
special  certificate  of  appreciation  from  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  for  his  loyal  and  faith- 
ful service  as  Medical  Advisor  to  Local  Board  23, 
Grenada. 

James  R.  Cavett,  Jr.,  of  Jackson  has  been  ap- 
pointed medical  director  for  Lamar  Life  Insur- 
ance Company. 


Henry  Holleman  of  Columbus  has  been  named 
chief  of  staff  at  Lowndes  General  Hospital. 
Frank  Baird  was  elevated  from  secretary  to  vice 
chairman  and  William  C.  Gates,  Jr.,  was 
named  secretary  of  the  staff. 

W.  N.  Jenkins  of  Port  Gibson  was  honored 
with  a reception  at  Claiborne  County  Hospital 
for  his  having  served  a half-century  in  the  medi- 
cal profession.  He  was  also  elected  to  the  MSMA 
Fifty  Year  Club. 

Earl  L.  Laird  of  Meridian  has  been  appointed 
by  Governor  John  Bell  Williams  to  the  State 
Banking  Board  as  a member  from  the  state-at- 
large  for  a term  expiring  May  1,  1974. 

Woodrow  Lamb,  recently  of  Greenwood,  has 
been  appointed  director  of  the  Coahoma  County 
Health  Department  at  Clarksdale.  He  was  for- 
merly clinician  for  a five-county  district. 

A.  Eugene  Lee  of  Oxford  is  the  first  Mississip- 
pi to  be  admitted  as  a Fellow  of  the  American 
College  of  Legal  Medicine.  There  are  now  142 
Fellows  in  the  organization  which  requires  gradu- 
ation both  from  accredited  medical  and  law 
schools. 

Thomas  D.  Little  announces  the  opening  of 
his  office  for  the  practice  of  orthopedic  surgery 
at  1103  2 1st  Avenue,  Meridian. 

William  R.  Lockwood  of  Jackson  has  been 
named  to  the  dual  position  of  Jackson  Veterans’ 
Administration  Center  associate  chief  of  staff 
of  research  and  University  of  Mississippi  Medical 
School  assistant  dean  for  coordination  of  research 
at  the  V.A.  Center. 

C.  Foster  Lowe  announces  the  opening  of  his 
office  at  the  Surgical  Clinic,  620  Delaware  Avenue 
in  McComb.  Dr.  Lowe  limits  his  practice  to 
general  surgery. 


David  L.  Clippinger,  formerly  of  Hazlehurst,  an- 
nounces the  relocation  of  his  practice  at  743  16th 
Street  in  Gulfport  in  the  Mississippi  City  Shopping 
Center. 

John  Robert  Davis  of  Corinth  has  joined  the 
Davis  Clinic  on  Childs  Street.  Dr.  Davis  limits  his 
practice  to  internal  medicine  with  emphasis  in 
gastroenterology. 


J.  O.  Manning  of  Jackson  is  serving  as  president 
of  the  Hinds  County  chapter  of  the  Ole  Miss 
Alumni  Association. 

Frank  J.  Morgan,  Jr.,  of  Jackson,  and  as- 
sistant State  Health  Officer,  has  been  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  captain  in  the  Medical  Corps 
of  the  U.  S.  Navy  Reserve,  back  dated  to  August 
1969. 

5 1 3 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


His  wife  has  a lot  of  different 
nopausal  symptoms,  but  only  a few 
lly  irritate  him.  Her  hot  flashes,  her 
tigo,  her  palpitations — that’s  her 
)blem.  What  really  bothers  him  is 
r nervousness,  her  irritability  and 
r excessive  anxiety,  often  expressed 
endless  “book-shuffling,  chain- 
oking,  reading-lamp’’  insomnia! 
Menrium  takes  care  of  hot  flashes, 
rtigo,  palpitations  in  most 
mopausal  women.  Menrium 
Dvides  the  well-known  antianxiety 
ion  of  chlordiazepoxide  (Librium®) 
d water-soluble  esterified  estrogens, 
therefore  relieves  more  symptoms 
an  either  component  separately, 
takes  care  of  the  vasomotor 
nptoms  as  well  as  the  emotional 
nptoms.  This  means  the  symptoms 
at  bother  his  wife  most.  And  the 
nptoms  that  irritate  him  most. 

So,  to  help  them  both  get  through 
' menopause,  remember  Menrium. 


Before  prescribing,  please  consult  complete  product  informa* 
tion,  a summary  of  which  follows: 

Indications:  Management  of  manifestations  generally  associated 
with  the  menopausal  syndrome — anxiety  and  tension,  vasomotor 
complaints  and  hormonal  deficiency  states. 

Contraindications:  Women  with  cancer  of  breast  or  genitalia, 
except  inoperable  cases,  and  those  with  known  hypersensitivity  to 
chlordiazepoxide  and/or  esterified  estrogens. 

Warnings:  Caution  patients  about  possible  combined  effects  with 
alcohol  and  other  CNS  depressants.  As  with  all  CNS-acting  drugs, 
caution  patients  against  hazardous  occupations  requiring  complete 
mental  alertness  (e.g.,  operating  machinery,  driving).  Exclude  other 
possible  causes  of  menopausal  syndrome  manifestations,  such  as 
pregnancy.  Though  physical  and  psychological  dependence  have  rarely 
been  reported  on  recommended  doses,  use  caution  in  administering  to 
addiction-prone  individuals  or  those  who  might  increase  dosage; 
withdrawal  symptoms  (including  convulsions)  similar  to  those  seen 
with  barbiturates  have  been  reported  following  discontinuance  of 
chlordiazepoxide  HC1.  Potential  benefits  of  use  in  pregnancy,  lactation 
or  women  of  childbearing  age  should  be  weighed  against  possible 
hazards  to  mother  and  child.  Clinical  data  inadequate  on  safety 
in  pregnancy. 

Precautions:  In  elderly  and  debilitated  patients,  limit  dosage  to 
smallest  effective  amount  of  chlordiazepoxide  (initially  10  mg  or  less 
per  day)  to  preclude  ataxia  or  oversedation;  increase  gradually  as 
needed  and  tolerated.  Though  generally  not  recommended,  if  combina- 
tion therapy  with  other  psychotropics  seems  indicated,  carefully 
consider  individual  pharmacologic  effects — particularly  in  use  of 
potentiating  drugs  such  as  MAO  inhibitors  and  phenothiazines. 
Observe  usual  precautions  in  patients  with  impaired  renal  or  hepatic 
function.  Paradoxical  reactions  to  chlordiazepoxide  (e.g.,  excitement, 
stimulation  and  acute  rage)  have  been  reported  in  psychiatric  patients. 
Employ  usual  precautions  in  the  treatment  of  anxiety  states  with 
evidence  of  impending  depression;  suicidal  tendencies  may  be  present 
and  protective  measures  necessary.  Variable  effects  on  blood  coagula- 
tion very  rarely  reported  in  patients  receiving  Librium®  (chlordiaz- 
epoxide) and  oral  anticoagulants. 

Adverse  Reactions:  Untoward  effects  seen  with  either  compound 
alone  may  occur  with  Menrium.  With  chlordiazepoxide,  drowsiness, 
ataxia  and  confusion  reported  in  some  patients,  particularly  in  the 
elderly  and  debilitated;  while  usually  avoided  by  proper  dosage  adjust- 
ment, these  are  occasionally  observed  at  lower  dosage  ranges.  Also 
reported  have  been  a few  instances  of  syncope;  isolated  occurrences  of 
skin  eruptions,  edema,  minor  menstrual  irregularities,  nausea  and 
constipation,  extrapyramidal  symptoms,  increased  and  decreased 
libido,  and  occasional  reports  of  blood  dyscrasias,  including  agranu- 
locytosis, jaundice  and  hepatic  dysfunction.  Periodic  blood  counts  and 
liver  function  tests  advisable  during  protracted  treatment.  Changes  in 
EEG  patterns  (low-voltage  fast  activity)  observed  during  and  after 
chlordiazepoxide  treatment. 

With  estrogens,  headache,  nausea  and  vomiting,  anorexia, 
gastrointestinal  discomfort,  dysuria  and  urinary  frequency,  jitteriness, 
breast  engorgement,  formation  of  breast  cysts,  skin  rashes  and  pruritus 
occasionally  seen.  Administration  may  also  be  associated  with 
uterine  bleeding  and/or  followed  by  withdrawal  bleeding. 

Usual  Dosage:  One  tablet  t.i.d.  for  21  days,  followed  by  one-week 
rest  periods. 


5 mg  chlordiazepoxide 


5 mg  chlordiazepoxide 


0.2  mg  water-soluble 
esterified  estrogens 


0.4  mg  water-soluble 
esterified  estrogens 


0.4  mg  water-soluble 
esterified  estrogens 


10  mg  chlordiazepoxide 


PERSONALS  / Continued 

Wren  R.  Nealy,  formerly  of  Pascagoula,  an- 
nounces the  relocating  of  his  office  to  1251  Lan- 
caster Drive,  Salem,  Ore. 

J.  Elmer  Nix  of  Jackson  announces  the  associa- 
tion of  Sidney  R.  Berry  for  the  practice  of 
orthopedic  surgery  at  Suite  408.  Medical  Arts 
Building. 

Joe  Robert  Norman  of  Jackson  has  been  named 
professor  of  medicine  and  Christmas  Seal  profes- 
sor of  respiratory  disease  at  the  University  Medi- 
cal Center. 

William  B.  Profilet,  Jr.,  has  associated 
with  the  Medical  Clinic  at  153  E.  Center 
Street  in  Canton.  Dr.  Profilet  will  practice  general 
medicine  and  surgery. 

Lamar  Puryear,  Jr.,  of  Hazlehurst  has  been 
promoted  from  the  rank  of  colonel  in  the  Missis- 
sippi National  Guard  to  Brigadier  General.  Dr. 
Puryear  has  29  years  of  military  service  in  the 
guard. 

William  H.  Rosenblatt  of  Jackson  is  directing 
a series  of  six  short  courses,  ‘Introduction  to 
Cardiac  Nursing,”  at  Mississippi  Baptist  Hospital. 

Henry  D.  Santina  and  Elizabeth  Hollings- 
worth of  Columbus  have  announced  that  Ben 

F.  Martin  has  assumed  the  direction  of  the 
laboratory  at  Lowndes  General  Hospital  and  at 
Columbus  Pathology  Laboratory. 

Edsel  F.  Stewart  of  McComb  has  been  award- 
ed the  Physician's  Recognition  Award  for  excel- 
lence in  the  profession  of  medicine  for  fulfilling 
requirements  in  continuing  medical  education  by 
the  American  Medical  Association. 

Wendell  H.  Stockton  of  Amory  has  been  elect- 
ed to  fellowship  in  the  American  Academy  of 
Pediatrics. 

The  Children’s  Clinic,  876  A Lakeland  Drive  in 
Jackson,  announces  the  association  of  Robert 
H.  Thompson,  Jr.,  for  the  practice  of  pediatrics. 

Clifford  Tillman  of  Natchez  has  been  ap- 
pointed chairman  of  the  MHA  Intensive  Cardiac 
Care  Committee  for  this  area  of  the  state. 

G.  Spencer  Barnes  of  Columbus,  president  of 
the  Mississippi  Heart  Association,  made  the  an- 
nouncement. 

L.  D.  Webb  of  Calhoun  City,  who  is  currently 
serving  as  mayor,  was  honored  recently  by  the 


Chamber  of  Commerce  for  outstanding  service 
to  the  town.  He  was  presented  a plaque  at  the 
Chamber  banquet. 

David  B.  Wilson  of  Jackson  has  accepted  a 
one-year  consultantship  in  health  services  plan- 
ning with  the  Coordinator  of  Health  Services, 
Office  of  the  Governor,  State  of  Illinois.  He  will 
be  working  out  of  Chicago. 

W.  B.  Winstead  of  Pascagoula  has  been  ap- 
pointed to  the  emergency  room  physician  staff 
at  Singing  River  Hospital. 


Collins,  Ted  Zanny,  Columbus.  Born  Jones- 
ville,  La.,  Jan.  29,  1931;  M.D.  Louisiana  State 
University  School  of  Medicine,  New  Orleans,  La., 
1965;  Interned  Charity  Hospital,  New  Orleans, 
La.,  one  year;  Urology  residency,  same,  four 
months;  radiology  residency,  same,  Nov.  1966- 
Oct.  1969;  elected  July  1970,  Prairie  Medical 
Society. 

Kobs,  Darcey  Gus,  Jr.,  Hattiesburg.  Born  Gal- 
veston, Texas,  April  4,  1939;  M.D.  University 
of  Texas  Medical  Branch,  Galveston,  Texas, 
1965;  Interned  University  of  Texas  Medical 
Branch  Hospital,  Galveston,  Texas,  one  year; 
radiology  residency,  same,  six  months;  radiology 
residency.  Denver  General  Hospital,  Denver, 
Colo.,  March  16,  1967-Sept.  15,  1969;  elected 
June  1970,  by  South  Mississippi  Medical  Society. 

Mitchell,  Larry  Morris,  Jackson.  Born  Ma- 
gee, Miss.,  Jan.  27,  1935;  M.D.  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  Miss., 
1963;  Interned  University  of  Cincinnati,  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio,  one  year;  internal  medicine  resi- 
dency, University  Medical  Center,  Jackson,  Miss., 
July  1964-June  1967;  elected  May  1970,  by 
Central  Medical  Society. 

Richardson,  Travis  Quitman,  Ruleville.  Born 
Aug.  15,  1933,  Doddsville,  Miss.;  M.D.  Tulane 
University  School  of  Medicine,  New  Orleans,  La., 
1969;  Interned  St.  Joseph  Hospital,  Houston, 
Texas,  one  year;  elected  April  1970,  by  Delta 
Medical  Society. 


5 1 6 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Book  Reviews 

Cardiac  Arrest  and  Resuscitation.  By  Hugh  E. 
Stephenson,  Jr.,  M.D.,  F.A.C.S.  500  pages  with 
223  illustrations.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mosby  Co., 
1969.  $29.50. 

This  is  the  third  edition  of  this  book,  previous 
editions  having  been  presented  in  1958-64. 

This  is  an  attempt  to  present  in  one  volume 
the  current  total  picture  of  the  problems  dealing 
with  cardiopulmonary  resuscitation. 

His  list  of  references  is  most  adequate.  It 
amply  demonstrates  the  thoroughness  with  which 
this  volume  has  been  presented. 

The  historical  aspect  of  cardiac  arrest  and 
resuscitation  is  gone  into  with  detail  and  is  not 
only  informative  but  extremely  interesting.  I 
would  recommend  this  not  only  to  physicians  but 
to  nurses  and  paramedical  personnel  who  are 
confronted  with  this  problem.  This  is  particularly 
true  for  personnel  who  are  involved  with  ambu- 
lance driving,  helicopter  teams  and  most  es- 
pecially personnel  working  with  intensive  care 
and  coronary  care  units.  The  chapter  on  recog- 
nition of  cardiac  arrest  is  of  particular  interest 
to  these  groups.  The  methods  of  diagnosing,  treat- 
ing and  monitoring  are  presented  in  this  chapter. 
Also  the  following  chapter  is  very  explicit  on 
the  techniques  of  cardiopulmonary  resuscitation. 

The  volume  seems  to  be  complete  in  its  presen- 
tation. Despite  its  detail  and  thoroughness  the 
book  is  most  pleasant  reading.  Not  only  would 
it  be  an  excellent  reference  book,  but  it  should 
be  handy  for  all  physicians  who  are  dealing  with 
this  particular  problem.  This  book  would  be  of 
special  interest  to  anesthesiologists,  cardiologists 
and  cardiac  surgeons.  I think  it  would  be  a must 
for  a medical  school  library  and  would  feel  that 
medical  students  should  be  familiar  with  this 
information. 

Chapter  50  deals  with  a very  important  sub- 
ject, the  medical-legal  aspects  of  cardiac  arrest 
and  resuscitation,  which  is  often  omitted  in  other 
volumes. 

In  summary,  the  authors  have  presented  in 


one  volume  in  a comprehensive  manner  the  ma- 
jor problems  dealing  with  cardiac  arrest  and  re- 
suscitation along  with  problems  leading  to  it  and 
with  its  long  term  followup.  I think  this  would 
be  a valuable  adjunct  to  any  medical  library. 

Henry  B.  Tyler,  M.D. 

Handbook  of  Legal  Medicine.  By  Alan  R. 
Moritz,  M.D.,  and  R.  Crawford  Morris,  LL.B. 
238  pages.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mosbv  Co., 
1970.  $8.75. 

The  Handbook  has  appeared  in  its  third  edition 
with  two  notable  improvements:  It  is  small  and 
concise,  almost  abbreviated,  and  it  is  almost  as 
up-to-date  as  the  daily  newspaper.  For  those 
who  have  used  the  splendid  predecessor  book. 
Doctor  and  Patient  and  the  Law,  in  which  one 
of  the  present  authors.  Dr.  Moritz,  collaborated 
with  C.  Joseph  Stetler,  LL.B.,  J.D.,  the  new 
Handbook  covers  familiar  subjects  with  a new 
and  useful  approach. 

The  work  is  divided  into  two  major  parts.  The 
first  is  medicolegal  and  a synopsis  of  forensic 
pathology.  In  the  brief  but  highly  informative 
chapters  on  death  by  violence,  fixing  time  of 
death,  rape,  abortion,  battered  child  syndrome, 
and  associated  subject  areas,  the  physician-reader 
will  find  elemental  information  which  he  already 
knows.  The  attorney  will  benefit  from  these 
thumbnail  sketches.  And  both  will  be  given  use- 
ful references,  often,  with  cases  in  point  by  cita- 
tion. 

By  far,  the  most  useful  portion  to  the  practic- 
ing physician  is  the  second  division  of  the  work 
which  runs  the  gamut  of  medicolegal  aspects  of 
practice-encountered  situations.  An  example  of 
the  currency  of  the  book  may  be  found  in  the 
brief  chapter  on  abortion  where  the  authors 
summarize  actions  of  state  legislatures  in  liber- 
alizing laws,  including  the  “on  demand"  statutes 
enacted  in  Alaska,  Hawaii,  and  New  York.  The 
pending  case,  United  States  of  America  v.  Vuitch, 
expected  by  many  legal  observers  to  be  the  piv- 
otal decision  in  the  fall  term  of  the  U.  S.  Supreme 
Court  in  this  area,  is  cited. 

The  second  section  on  physician  and  patient 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


517 


THE  LITERATURE  / Continued 


and  on  the  physician  and  the  law  lacks  the  de- 
tail and  elaboration  found  in  the  1962  work  by 
Moritz  and  Stetler,  yet  its  conciseness  and  brevity 
do  not  impair  its  usefulness.  The  physician  can 
secure  information  quickly  from  these  chapters 
and  then  properly  seek  guidance  and  advice 
from  legal  counsel  which  should  be  the  case. 

In  addition  to  definitive  information  on  con- 
sent, negligence,  legal  insanity,  liability,  and  the 
whole  spectrum  of  circumstances  likely  to  arise 
in  medical  practice,  the  authors  have  included 
pertinent  reference  information  on  statutes  of 
limitations,  narcotics  regulations,  and  workmen’s 
compensation. 

A most  useful  glossary  of  medicolegal  termi- 
nology precedes  the  index.  Citations  of  cases  in 
point  have  been  reduced  to  a bare  minimum, 
and  perhaps  the  work  might  be  enhanced  by 
inclusion  of  additional  citations  for  ready  refer- 
ence by  attorneys.  The  book  is  printed  on  soft 
ivory  English-finish  paper  of  high  quality  and  at- 
tractively bound.  It  is  recommended  as  a useful 
reference  to  practicing  physicians. 

Rowland  B.  Kennedy 


New  Books  Received 

The  Adolescent  Patient.  By  William  A.  Dan- 
iel, Jr.,  M.D.  444  pages  with  76  illustrations. 
St.  Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mosby  Company,  1970. 
$20.50. 

Spectroscopic  Approaches  to  Biomolecular 
Conformation.  Edited  by  D.  W.  Urry.  314  pages. 
Chicago:  The  American  Medical  Association, 
1970.  $15.00. 

The  Tetralogy  of  Fallot  From  a Surgical  View- 
point. By  John  W.  Kirklin,  M.D.,  and  Robert 
B.  Karp,  M.D.  189  pages  with  88  illustrations. 
Philadelphia:  W.  B.  Saunders  Company,  1970. 
$13.00. 

Healthful  School  Environment.  By  Charles  C. 
Wilson,  M.D.,  and  Elizabeth  Avery  Wilson, 
Ph.D.  296  pages.  Washington,  D.  C.:  The  Na- 
tional Education  Association  and  the  American 
Medical  Association,  1969.  $6.00. 

Emergency  Treatment  and  Management.  4th 
Edition.  By  Thomas  Flint,  Jr.,  M.D.,  and  Harvey 
D.  Cain,  M.D.  733  pages  with  22  illustrations. 
Philadelphia:  W.  B.  Saunders  Company,  1970. 
$11.50. 

5 1 8 


Grant,  Roy  Gilmer,  M.D.,  University  of  Vir- 
ginia School  of  Medicine  1919;  Interned  Orange 
Memorial  Hospital,  Orange,  N.  J.,  one  year;  died 
July  17,  1970,  age  77. 

Microbiologist  Studies 
Sterility  Evaluation 

A leading  microbiologist  has  unveiled  promis- 
ing new  concepts  for  sterility  evaluation.  Armand 
Marinaro,  chairman  of  the  Sterility  Subcommittee 
of  the  Health  Industries  Association’s  Sterile 
Disposable  Device  Committee  and  assistant  to  the 
director  of  Technical  Assurance  and  Services  at 
Johnson  & Johnson  Company,  outlined  newer 
procedures  recently  at  the  70th  Annual  Meeting 
of  the  American  Society  for  Microbiology  in 
Boston. 

“The  use  of  a sterility  test  by  itself  is  inade- 
quate . . . ,”  Marinaro  points  out.  “Other  factors 
must  be  introduced  to  maintain  a successful  steril- 
ity program.”  The  microbiologist  says  more  than 
one  agent,  and  several  methods  of  procedure  must 
be  used  together  or  in  succession. 

Marinaro’s  approach  includes  the  use  of  pur- 
posely inoculated  samples  placed  at  pre-deter- 
mined  locations  throughout  the  lot  or  batch. 
This  is  done  once  the  exact  method  of  sterili- 
zation has  been  selected.  During  this  phase  of 
exploration,  Marinaro  finds  the  microorganism 
that  is  most  resistant  to  the  conditions  of  the 
sterilizing  process  to  be  used.  This  microorganism 
then  becomes  a measuring  tool  against  which  the 
microbiologist  can  measure  his  test  using  rela- 
tively few  samples. 

Marinaro  does  not  permit  the  control  proce- 
dure to  become  static.  He  constantly  attempts  to 
find  microorganisms  that  are  more  resistant  than 
those  being  used.  These  control  microorganisms 
are  placed  at  strategic  locations  in  the  batch,  and 
the  entire  sample  is  then  subjected  to  a standard 
sterility  test  as  outlined  in  the  current  U.S.P. 

Complete  copies  of  Marinaro’s  presentation 
have  been  made  available  through  the  HIA’s 
Sterile  Disposable  Device  Committee  office.  Cop- 
ies are  available  at  $5.00  each  by  writing  to 
HIA/SDDC,  Suite  314,  1225  Connecticut  Ave- 
nue, N.  W.,  Washington,  D.  C.  20036. 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


New  Membership  Service  Will  Itemize 
Dues  and  Offer  Tax  Deduction  Records 


A new  membership  service  will  be  initiated  in 
October  to  make  dues  payment  easy  for  members 
and  component  medical  societies.  The  service  was 
authorized  by  the  House  of  Delegates  at  the  May 
1970  annual  session  and  ordered  implemented  by 
the  Board  of  Trustees. 

Drs.  Paul  B.  Brumby  of  Lexington,  association 
president,  and  Mai  S.  Riddell,  Jr.,  of  Winona, 
Board  chairman,  said  that  many  benefits  will  ac- 
crue in  the  new  service,  including  furnishing  of 
itemized  statements  to  members  for  all  payments, 
complete  records  to  local  society  secretaries,  and 
greater  convenience  for  all. 

“Much  thought  and  planning  have  gone  into 
this  new  program,”  Drs.  Brumby  and  Riddell 
said.  “It  is  a maximum-accuracy  and  maximum- 
convenience  program  with  complete  records  for 
the  individual  physician  and  his  local  medical 
society  furnished.” 

Billing  statements  will  be  prepared  and  mailed 
from  the  state  medical  association’s  Jackson  exec- 
utive office,  the  announcement  stated.  Even  a 
postage-paid  return  envelope  will  be  furnished  for 
the  convenience  of  members. 

The  statement  will  list  in  detail  both  amounts 
to  be  paid  and  exact  identification  of  each.  These 
include  local,  state,  and  AMA  dues,  all  of  which 
are  fully  deductible  for  income  tax  purposes. 

Also  included  for  physicians’  convenience  will 
be  items  for  MPAC  (Mississippi  Medical  Poli- 
tical Action  Committee)  and  AMP  AC  (Ameri- 
can Medical  Political  Action  Committee)  dues. 
These  amounts,  $10  each  for  1971,  are  volun- 
tary and  nondeductible  for  tax  purposes.  The 
reason  is  that  these  are  used  for  direct  political 
action  purposes  in  behalf  of  medical  organization. 

Statements  will  contain  a reminder  for  AMA- 
ERF  (American  Medical  Association  Education 
and  Research  Foundation)  gifts,  which  are  volun- 
tary and  fully  tax  deductible.  Members  may  ear- 
mark their  AMA-ERF  gifts  for  the  medical 
school  of  their  choice,  if  desired. 

No  part  of  PAC  dues  or  AMA-ERF  gifts  go 
for  administrative  or  collections  costs.  These  are 
jointly  borne  by  the  organizations  which  are  to- 


tally and  completely  separate  from  the  state 
medical  association  and  AMA. 

The  detailed,  itemized  statements,  fully  accept- 
able for  income  tax  records,  will  be  mailed  about 
Oct.  15,  according  to  Dr.  Raymond  S.  Martin, 
Jr.,  of  Jackson,  association  secretary-treasurer. 
Each  mailing  will  also  carry  a postage-paid  return 
envelope  for  the  convenience  of  the  remitting 
member. 

The  state  executive  staff  will  process  dues  and 
gift  returns  on  a daily  basis,  making  complete 
reports  to  the  members’  local  societies,  PAC  or- 
ganizations, AMA,  and  to  the  AMA-ERF.  The 
service  is  expected  to  relieve  local  society  secre- 
taries of  time-consuming  tasks  and  improve 
records  at  their  disposal. 

Early  collections  will  also  establish  income 
tax  deductions,  both  with  the  itemized  documen- 
tation and  cancelled  check. 

Drs.  Brumby,  Riddell,  and  Martin  appealed  to 
members  to  respond  promptly  to  billings  for  their 
own  benefit  as  well  as  for  local  societies  and  the 
state  medical  association. 

“We  plan  to  perform  this  service  for  the  mem- 
bers and  their  societies  without  charge  and  with- 
out adding  a single  additional  staff  member  in  the 
executive  office,”  the  association  leaders  said. 

“To  do  this,  we  need  to  get  this  task  behind  us 
before  the  end  of  the  year,  because  we  will  need 
maximum  staff  services  for  the  new  and  expanded 
legislative  program  and  the  annual  session  of 
the  legislature,”  they  added. 

Members  who  are  exempt  from  dues,  includ- 
ing Emeritus  members  and  those  in  residencies 
or  the  military  service,  will  not  be  billed.  They 
will  receive  their  membership  cards  after  certifica- 
tion by  the  local  society. 

The  entire  service  is  under  control  of  the  local 
societies  which  will  approve  each  billing  before 
it  is  made. 

New  members  will  submit  application  forms 
and  their  checks  to  local  secretaries  as  before. 
The  program  has  been  well-received,  officials  said, 
and  it  is  expected  to  increase  efficient  operations, 
offer  convenience  and  better  records  to  members, 
and  assist  local  societies. 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


519 


s worth  doing  well 


Take  ACHROMYCIN  V,  for  example.  Lederle  routinely 
runs  over  1 ,000  quality  control  checks  on  every  batch 
produced.  Many,  many  more  than  officially  required.  This 
extra  attention  means  your  patients  get  what  the  doctor 
ordered  when  you  prescribe  ACHROMYCIN  V:  uniform 
in  vitro  dissolution  rate,  predictable  in  vivo  serum  and  urinary 
levels.  In  short,  known  biologic  availability  of  tetracycline. 

And  every  step  in  the  production  of  ACHROMYCIN  V is 
in-house  controlled  right  in  Pearl  River. 


ACHROMYCHT-V 

Tetracycline  HCI 

Performance  proved  in  practice 


ectiveness:  ACHROMYCIN 
tracycline  is  a crystalline  broad- 
ectrum  antibiotic  which  provides 
ective  therapeutic  activity  against 
sceptible  microorganisms. 

' ntraindication : History  of 
persensitivity  to  tetracycline. 
irning:  In  renal  impairment,  usual 
ses  may  lead  to  excessive 
cumulation  and  liver  toxicity.  Under 
ch  conditions,  lower  than  usual  doses 
3 indicated  and,  if  therapy  is 
Dlonged,  serum  level  determinations 
iy  be  advisable.  Some  patients  may 
velop  a photodynamic  reaction  to 
tural  or  artificial  sunlight.  Those  with  a 
story  of  photosensitivity  reactions 
ould  avoid  direct  exposure  to  sunlight 
lile  under  treatment.  Discontinue  drug 
first  evidence  of  skin  discomfort. 
scautions:  Use  may  result  in 
ergrowth  of  nonsusceptible  organisms. 


Constant  observation  is  essential.  If  new 
infections  appear,  take  appropriate 
measures.  Use  of  tetracycline  during 
teeth  development  may  cause 
discoloration  of  teeth. 

Side  Effects:  Gastrointestinal  system- 
anorexia,  nausea,  vomiting,  diarrhea, 
stomatitis,  glossitis,  enterocolitis,  pruritus 
ani.  Skin— maculopapular  and 
erythematous  rashes  (a  case  of 
exfoliative  dermatitis  has  been  reported); 
photosensitivity  reaction,  onycholysis 
and  discoloration  of  nails  (rare).  Kidney- 
rise  in  BUN,  apparently  dose-related. 
Hypersensitivity  reactions— urticaria, 
angioneurotic  edema,  anaphylaxis.  In 
young  infants,  bulging  fontanels  have 
been  reported  following  full  therapeutic 
dosage.  This  symptom  has  disappeared 
rapidly  when  drug  is  discontinued.  Teeth 
—dental  staining  (yellow-brown)  in 
children  of  mothers  given  tetracycline 


during  the  latter  half  of  pregnancy,  and  in 
children  given  the  drug  during  the 
neonatal  period,  infancy  and  early 
childhood.  Enamel  hypoplasia  has  been 
seen  in  a few  children.  Blood— anemia, 
thrombocytopenic  purpura,  neutropenia, 
eosinophilia.  Liver— cholestasis  (rare), 
usually  at  high  dosage.  Tetracycline  may 
form  a stable  calcium  complex  in  bone- 
forming tissue.  If  adverse  reaction  or 
idiosyncrasy  occurs,  discontinue  medica- 
tion and  institute  appropriate  therapy. 
Average  Adult  Daily  Dosage:  One  Gm. 
per  day,  in  4 divided  doses  of  250  mg. 
each.  Should  be  given  1 hour  before  or 
2 hours  after  meals,  since  absorption  is 
impaired  by  the  concomitant 
administration  of  high  calcium  content 
drugs,  foods  and  some  dairy  products. 
Treatment  of  streptococcal  infections 
should  continue  for  1 0 days,  even 
though  symptoms  have  subsided. 


LEDERLE  LABORATORIES,  A Division  of  American  Cyanamid  Company,  Pearl  River,  New  York  10965 


281-0 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Drug  Abuse 
Exhibit  Is  Available 

An  exhibit  on  drug  abuse  may  now  be  obtained 
on  loan  from  Eli  Lilly  and  Company  by  state, 
county,  and  local  pharmaceutical  and  medical 
associations  and  by  schools  of  pharmacy  and 
medicine.  The  exhibit  is  designed  for  display 
at  state  or  county  fairs,  health  fairs,  or  other  ap- 
propriate gatherings  of  the  general  public  under 
the  sponsorship  of  the  association  and/or  school. 

The  eight-foot-long  exhibit  features  an  11- 
minute  slide-tape  presentation  entitled  “Students 
Look  at  Drugs,”  in  which  six  students  describe 
the  availability  and  use  of  drugs  as  they  see  them 
and  offer  suggestions  for  alleviating  the  problem. 

Space  is  provided  above  the  film  screen  for 
identification  of  the  sponsoring  organization.  To 
the  left  of  the  exhibit  is  a storage  compartment 
on  the  top  of  which  handouts  such  as  drug  abuse 
educational  material,  health  information  pamph- 
lets, or  other  literature  may  be  placed  for  distri- 
bution to  visitors. 

A LaBelle  tape  cartridge  deck  is  used  with  a 
carousel  slide  projector  to  advance  the  slides  auto- 
matically and  provide  narration.  The  unit  runs 
continuously. 

Although  relatively  maintenance-free,  the  unit 


Three  teenagers  discuss  the  Eli  Lilly  Exhibit  on 
drug  abuse.  This  exhibit  is  now  available  to  pro- 
fessionals and  medical  organizations. 


is  subject  to  failure,  as  with  any  piece  of  equip- 
ment containing  moving  parts.  For  this  reason,! 
any  organization  borrowing  the  exhibit  should  ar- 
range to  have  someone  on  hand  at  all  times 
during  the  show  hours. 

Eli  Lilly  and  Company  will  pay  shipping  costs 
to  the  exhibit  site  and  return  to  Indianapolis.  Any 
cost  involved  in  obtaining  the  exhibit  space  must 
be  borne  by  the  sponsoring  organization. 

A limited  number  of  exhibits  are  now  avail- 
able for  loan  and  may  be  obtained  on  a first- 
come,  first-served  basis. 

The  following  information  is  required:  (1) 
name  and  dates  of  the  show,  including  set-up 
date;  (2)  the  exact  name  of  the  sponsoring 
organization;  (3)  precise  shipping  instructions 
(e.g.,  street  address,  building  name,  booth  num- 
ber); and  (4)  the  name  and  address  of  one  in- 
dividual who  will  assume  responsibility  for  setting 
up  the  exhibit,  seeing  that  it  is  properly  manned 
during  show  hours,  and  seeing  that  the  exhibit  is 
dismantled,  repacked,  and  returned  promptly  to 
Indianapolis.  Note:  Two  men  are  required  to  set 
up  the  exhibit  as  well  as  dismantle  it.  Instructions 
accompany  the  exhibit. 

One  to  three  weeks  are  required  to  ship  to 
location,  depending  on  the  distance  from  Indian- 
apolis. 

Requests  should  be  addressed  to  Eli  Lilly  and 
Company,  marked  for  the  attention  of  the  Pro- 
fessional Relations  and  Services  Department, 
M-501,  Indianapolis,  Indiana  46206. 

ACP  Presents 
Internal  Medicine  Course 

The  American  College  of  Physicians  will  pre- 
sent a postgraduate  seminar  on  basic  mechanisms 
in  internal  medicine  Oct.  5-9,  1970,  at  the  Medi- 
cal College  of  Virginia  at  Richmond. 

Dr.  W.  T.  Thompson,  Jr.  is  director.  Co-direc- 
tors  are  Drs.  Charles  M.  Caravati  and  Kinloch 
Nelson.  The  minimum  number  of  registrants  is 
100  and  the  course  is  limited  to  200. 

The  purpose  of  this  course  is  to  present  new 
and  significant  advances  in  internal  medicine  with 
emphasis  on  basic  mechanisms  and  patho-physio- 
logic  concepts  as  they  relate  to  clinical  manifesta- 
tions and  to  therapy  of  disease. 


522 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Line  of  Microsurgical 
Instruments  Introduced 

An  extensive  line  of  new  interchangeable  micro- 
surgical  instruments,  designed  for  use  in  the  fields 
of  neurosurgery,  eye  surgery  and  the  micro- 
scopic sciences,  is  now  available  from  Circon 
Corporation,  Goleta,  Calif. 


The  Circon  microsurgical  instruments  are  com- 
pared in  size  to  a dime. 


Termed  “Circon  MicroSurgical,”  the  new  line 
consists  of  23  micro  scalpels,  needles  and  manipu- 
lators . . . including  three  tips  which  have  not  been 
available  even  in  larger  size  instruments.  One  of 
these  is  a Tungsten  Ultra  MicroNeedle  having  a 
6 micron  radius  at  the  point.  Another  is  a unique 
Guarded  MicroHook  which  allows  withdrawal  of 
material  through  a membrane  without  danger  of 
the  membrane  being  caught  on  the  hook.  Still 
another,  Circon's  MicroSurgical  MicroScale  is 
graduated  in  50  micron  divisions  and  permits 
visual  or  photographic  measurements. 

The  unique  features  of  the  new  microsurgical 
instrument  line  are  the  ultra  micro  size  of  the 
working  tips,  the  wide  range  of  tip  designs  and 
the  option  of  having  interchangeable  tips  ground 
onto  a variety  of  shaft  configurations.  A choice 
of  two  delicately  balanced  handles,  designed  spe- 
cifically for  precision  work  under  the  microscope, 
extends  the  choice  of  combinations  even  further. 
Each  of  the  23  tips  may  be  ordered  on  any  of 


the  13  shafts  and  mounted  on  either  handle  to 
comprise  a total  of  598  different  instruments. 

The  complete  line  of  working  tips  includes 
micro  needles,  micro  hooks,  micro  forks,  micro 
retractors,  micro  knives,  micro  lances,  micro 
chisels,  micro  saws,  micro  spoons,  micro  spatulas, 
micro  loops,  micro  brushes  and  the  micro  scale. 
A choice  of  13  shafts  (in  9,  6 or  3 cm.  lengths) 
and  two  stainless  steel  handles  (tapered  or 
straight)  are  also  available  for  any  tip  configura- 
tion. Handles  feature  a hexagonal  grip  and  are  of 
a size  and  weight  which  have  been  found  to  be 
ideal  for  precision,  long  duration  work  under  the 
microscope. 

The  new  instruments  are  manufactured  of  the 
finest  stainless  steel  and  may  be  selected  individ- 
ually or  combined  in  sets.  Shafts  with  tips  may  be 
ordered  with  or  without  handles  for  use  in  micro 
manipulators. 

For  additional  information,  write  Circon  Cor- 
poration, Santa  Barbara  Airport,  Goleta,  Calif. 
93017. 

Meridian  Gets 
Mental  Health  Center 

The  Department  of  Health,  Education  and 
Welfare  has  approved  a $160,000  grant  for  the 
construction  of  the  Weems  Region  10  Complex 
in  Meridian  as  a community  mental  health  center 
serving  Clarke,  Jasper,  Kemper,  Lauderdale, 
Neshoba,  Newton  and  Scott  counties. 

The  center’s  application  for  $273,000  for  ini- 
tial staffing  of  the  center  also  was  approved,  but 
the  Regional  Commission  has  been  informed  that 
funding  of  the  staffing  grant  will  be  delayed  be- 
cause insufficient  federal  funds  are  available  at 
this  time. 

In  its  approval  notification,  the  Region  10  pro- 
gram was  commended  by  the  National  Institute  of 
Mental  Health  for  its  “exceptionally  innovative 
and  progressive  approach  in  the  establishment  of 
a mental  health  center.” 

Dr.  Dorothy  Moore,  program  director  of  the 
Mississippi  Interagency  Commission  on  Mental 
Illness  and  Mental  Retardation,  stated  that  it  was 
difficult  to  predict  how  long  the  center’s  staffing 
funds  will  be  delayed.  While  construction  is  in 
progress  and  prior  to  receipt  of  staffing  funds, 
minimal  services  will  be  provided  in  the  region  by 
a small  staff  supported  entirely  by  local  funds. 

Dr.  William  M.  Wood  will  be  psychiatrist- 
director  of  the  new  center  program,  and  Dr.  Reg- 
inald P.  White  is  chairman  of  the  Region  10 
board  of  commissioners. 


523 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Many  Use 
Yellow  Pages 

A recent  Yellow  Pages  National  Consumer 
Usage  Study  shows  that  23.5  per  cent  of  the  total 
active  market  use  the  Yellow  Pages  to  find 
pharmacies  in  a given  year.  They  average  7 uses 
per  person,  totaling  more  than  141  million  per 
year. 

The  study  was  based  on  extensive  personal 
interviews  conducted  throughout  the  nation  by 
Audits  & Surveys  Co.,  Inc.,  an  independent  re- 
search organization. 

Seven  out  of  ten  adults  in  the  United  States  or 
47,181,000  women — 74  per  cent  of  all  20  years 
old  and  older — and  38,480,000  men — 69  per  cent 
of  the  total,  are  in  the  market  for  pharmacy  prod- 
ucts or  services  each  year. 

The  study  also  shows  that  the  more  adults  in 
a household,  the  more  likely  they  are  to  seek 


pharmacies.  Three-fourths  of  those  in  households 
with  five  or  more  adults  are  in  the  market,  com-  L 
pared  with  70  per  cent  of  those  in  households 
with  one  to  four  adults. 

Also,  74  per  cent  of  adults  in  metropolitan 
areas  seek  pharmacy  products  or  services,  com- 
pared with  68  per  cent  of  those  who  live  in  non- 
metro areas. 

Overall,  71  per  cent  are  for  personal  reasons, 
29  per  cent  are  for  business  use.  However,  wom- 
en’s uses  are  reported  to  be  36  per  cent  for 
business  reasons,  64  per  cent  personal,  while 
men’s  uses  run  90  per  cent  personal,  10  per  cent 
for  business. 

Significantly,  37  per  cent  of  all  references  are 
made  without  the  name  of  a pharmacy  in  mind. 

In  terms  of  income,  28  per  cent  of  those  with 
incomes  of  $10,000  and  over  use  the  directory, 
compared  with  25  per  cent  of  those  in  the  $5,000- 
$10,000  category,  and  15  per  cent  of  those  with 
family  incomes  of  $5,000  and  less. 

Also,  new  residents  tend  to  use  the  Yellow 
Pages  considerably  more  than  would  be  indicated 


THE  ACTIVE  MARKET  FOR  PHARMACIES 


More  than  85.6  million  of  the  nation’s  119.8 
million  men  and  women  (20  and  older)  annually  are 
in  the  market  for  Pharmacy  Products  and  Services. 


FAMILY  INCOME  NEW-OLD  RESIDENTS 

Source  1970  Yellow  Pages  National  Consumer  Usage  Study 

Table  1 


23.5%— over  20  million  people- 
use  the  Yellow  Pages 
to  find  Pharmacies. 


63%  KNOW 
PHARMACY -USE 
YELLOW  PAGES  ANYWAY 


37%  HAVE 
NO  PHARMACY 
IN  MIND 


29%  ARE  FOR 
BUSINESS  REASONS 


AVERAGE 
7 USES 
PER  PERSON 

141  MILLION  REFERENCES 


94% 


ARE  FOLLOWED 
UP  WITH  A 


...VISIT 


OR  LETTER 


524 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


for  the  bacterial  complications  of  flu/Cl.R.I.and  related  symptoms 


Congestion 


ection 


Fever 


Pain 


jroad-spectrum  An  analgesic/antipyretic  to  bring  down 
ibiotic  to  combat  fever,  ease  pain,  ana  malaise 
iceptible 
derial  infections 


Tetrex 


An  antihistamine 
for  the 

symptomatic  relief 
of  nasal  congestion 


APG 


with  Bristamin® 


(tetracycline  phosphate  complex  with  analgesics  and  antihistamine) 


complete  information  consult  Official 
age  Circular.  (5)  4/2/70. 
ations:  Upper  respiratory  infections 
a sensitive  bacteria  where  concomitant 
tomatic  relief  of  fever,  malaise  and 
astion  is  desired. 

aindications:  Hypersensitivity  to  one  or 
components. 

ings:  Photodynamic  reactions  have 
produced  by  tetracyclines.  Natural 
rtificial  sunlight  should  be  avoided  dur- 
herapy.  Stop  treatment  if  discomfort 
s.  With  renal  impairment,  systemic 
nulation  and  hepatotoxicity  may  occur, 
s situation,  lower  doses  should  be  used 
serum  estimations  may  be  necessary 


during  prolonged  therapy.  Tooth  staining 
and  enamel  hypoplasia  may  be  induced  dur- 
ing tooth  development  (last  trimester  of 
pregnancy,  neonatal  period  and  childhood). 
Precautions:  Antihistamines  may  cause 
drowsiness  and  patients  should  not  perform 
tasks  requiring  mental  alertness  while  tak- 
ing this  agent.  Bacterial  or  mycotic  superin- 
fections may  occur.  Infants  may  develop 
increased  intracranial  pressure  with  bulging 
fontanels.  Cases  of  gonorrhea  with  a sus- 
pected primary  lesion  of  syphilis  should 
have  darkfield  examinations  before  receiv- 
ing treatment.  In  all  other  cases  where  con- 
comitant syphilis  is  suspected,  monthly 
serological  tests  should  be  performed  for  a 


minimum  of  4 months. 

Adverse  Reactions:  Glossitis,  stomatitis, 
nausea,  diarrhea,  flatulence,  proctitis,  va- 
ginitis, dermatitis  and  allergic  reactions 
may  occur. 

Usual  Adult  Dose:  2 capsules  q.i.d.  Children 
6 to  12  years  of  age:  Vz  the  adult  dose. 

Continue  therapy  for  at  least  ten  days  in 
Group  A beta-hemolytic  streptococcal  in- 
fections. Administer  1 hour  before  or  2 
hours  after  meals. 

Supplied:  Capsules— in  bottles  of  24  and  100. 

A.H.F.S.  Category  8:12 

BRISTOL  LABORATORIES 
Division  of  Bristol-Myers  Co. 
Syracuse,  New  York  13201 


BRISTOL 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

by  their  proportionate  share  of  the  market.  Thirty- 
one  per  cent  of  those  who  have  lived  in  their 
homes  two  years  or  less  go  to  the  Yellow  Pages 
to  find  pharmacies,  compared  to  21  per  cent  of 
longer-term  residents. 

Renters,  too,  are  more  likely  to  use  the  Yellow 
Pages,  with  25  per  cent  seeking  pharmacies  in 
this  manner,  compared  with  23  per  cent  of  home- 
owners. 

Of  those  who  are  in  the  market,  metropolitan 
area  residents  also  are  most  likely  to  use  the 
Yellow  Pages,  with  25  per  cent  doing  so,  com- 
pared with  21  per  cent  of  those  who  live  in  non- 
metro areas. 

Young  adults  tend  to  use  the  directory  to  find 
pharmacies  to  a greater  extent  than  older  people, 
30  per  cent  of  those  in  the  20-39  age  group  do  so, 
compared  with  19  per  cent  of  those  over  40. 

The  study  is  said  to  be  the  most  specific  ever 
conducted  on  consumer  use  of  the  directory.  Na- 
tionally, it  found  that  76.8  per  cent  of  the  adult 
population  refer  to  the  Yellow  Pages  annually  to 
find  suppliers  of  all  products  and  services. 

Five-Day  Course 
Set  For  Internists 

The  American  College  of  Physicians  (ACP) 
will  sponsor  a five-day  postgraduate  course  on 
“Advances  in  Internal  Medicine”  Sept.  14-18 
in  San  Francisco. 

The  course  will  be  held  at  the  Department  of 
Medicine  of  the  University  of  California  San  Fran- 
cisco Medical  Center.  It  is  one  of  25  formal  and 
in-depth  postgraduate  courses  the  College  is  con- 
ducting in  the  United  States,  Canada  and  Mexico 
during  the  academic  year  1970-71.  Each  course 
is  designed  to  help  specialists  keep  abreast  of 
new  knowledge  in  the  prevention,  diagnosis  and 
treatment  of  disease. 

The  San  Francisco  course  will  be  a review  of 
selected  areas  of  special  interest  to  internists.  In- 
cluded will  be  course  material  on  advances  in 
cardiology,  gastroenterology,  pulmonary  disease, 
endocrinology  and  metabolic  diseases,  kidney 
disorders,  rheumatic  diseases  and  drug  therapy. 

Dr.  Marvin  H.  Sleisinger,  San  Francisco,  Pro- 
fessor of  Medicine  at  the  San  Francisco  Medical 
Center,  is  course  director.  The  faculty  will  be 
drawn  largely  from  the  university  medical  school. 

For  registrations  and  applications  write  Dr.  Ed- 
ward C.  Rosenow,  Executive  Director,  Ameri- 
can College  of  Physicians,  4200  Pine  Street,  Phil- 
adelphia, Pa.  19104. 


Snavely  Medical 
Library  Dedicated 


Contributions  from  former  students,  colleagues  and 
patients  of  the  late  Dr.  J . Robert  Snavely  have  es- 
tablished a library  in  his  memory  in  the  University 
of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine  Department  of 
Medicine.  The  noted  physician-educator  was  first 
medicine  chairman  at  the  Medical  Center  and  served 
in  that  capacity  until  his  death  in  1964.  Talking  with 
Mrs.  Snavely  at  the  reception  which  followed  the 
library  dedication  are  three  former  students  of  Dr. 
Snavely:  Dr.  Robert  E.  Tyson  of  Jackson,  left;  med- 
icine assistant  professor  Dr.  Walter  Treadwell,  sec- 
ond left;  and  medicine  resident  Dr.  Cecil  Williams, 
right.  Future  gifts  to  the  Snavely  fund  will  be  used  to 
expand  the  collection. 

UMC  Trains  Medical 
Record  Librarians 

Mississippi’s  first  baccalaureate  degree  program 
for  medical  record  librarians  gets  underway  this 
fall  at  the  University  Medical  Center. 

Approved  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  in  May, 
the  program  extends  and  restructures  the  UMC 
certificate  training  course  in  operation  since  1959. 

Candidates  for  the  bachelor’s  degree  in  medi- 
cal records  must  now  acquire  three-years’  credit 
toward  their  degree  at  an  affiliated  college  or 
university  which  will  grant  the  degree  on  comple- 
tion of  the  11 -month  Medical  Center  course. 
Applicants  who  already  hold  a bachelor’s  degree 
must  have  had  the  necessary  liberal  arts  courses 
outlined  in  the  curriculum. 

Coordinated  through  the  UMC  Office  of  Al- 
lied Health  Professions,  the  program  was  changed 
to  the  baccalaureate  level  in  keeping  with  the 
University’s  educational  goals  and  the  American 
Medical  Record  Association’s  registry  require- 
ments. 


526 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Field  Hospital  Gets 
Lifeguard  System 

The  Field  Memorial  Community  Hospital  in 
Centreville  recently  equipped  two  rooms  with  a 
Modular  Lifeguard  System,  according  to  Earl  Du- 
Bose,  administrator. 

The  lifeguard  system  is  designed  for  the  care 
of  acute  coronary  patients  and  for  monitoring 
other  critically  ill  patients. 

The  system  provides  continuous  monitoring  of 
both  rooms  on  a central  monitor  located  at  the 
nurses’  station.  Each  patient’s  ECG  and  heart  rate 
is  presented  on  an  oscilloscope  and  a separate 
rate  meter  so  that  at  a glance  the  nurse  can  tell 
the  heart  rate  of  each  patient. 

The  attending  physician  may  observe  the  pa- 
tients’ ECGs  on  the  oscilloscope  either  at  the  nurs- 
ing station  or  on  the  oscilloscope  located  in  the  pa- 
tient’s room. 

ACP  Plans  Kidney 
Disease  Course 

The  American  College  of  Physicians  (ACP) 
will  sponsor  a three-day  postgraduate  course  on 
“Renal  Diseases:  Pathophysiology,  Diagnosis 

and  Management”  Sept.  9-11  in  Rochester,  Minn. 

The  course  will  be  held  at  the  Mayo  Graduate 
School  of  Medicine,  University  of  Minnesota  and 
the  Mayo  Clinic  for  specialists  in  internal  medi- 
cine and  related  specialties.  It  is  one  of  25  formal 
and  in-depth  postgraduate  courses  the  College  is 
conducting  in  the  United  States,  Canada  and 
Mexico  during  the  academic  year  1970-71.  Each 
course  is  designed  to  help  specialists  keep  abreast 
of  new  knowledge  in  the  prevention,  diagnosis 
and  treatment  of  disease. 

The  Rochester  course  is  designed  to  help  in- 
ternists with  practical  problems  in  diagnosing  and 
treating  kidney  diseases  and  to  help  them  achieve 
a better  understanding  of  the  disease  pathology. 
Subjects  to  be  covered  will  include  high  blood 
pressure  and  its  relation  to  kidney  diseases,  kid- 
ney stones,  glomerular  disease  and  infections  of 
the  urinary  tract. 

Dr.  James  C.  Hunt,  Rochester,  Chairman  of 
the  Division  and  Consultant  in  Nephrology  and 
Internal  Medicine  at  the  Mayo  Clinic  and  Pro- 
fessor of  Medicine  at  the  Graduate  School,  is 
course  director.  He  is  assisted  by  Drs.  Lynwood 
H.  Smith  and  Cameron  G.  Strong,  both  of  Roches- 
ter and  the  Mayo  Clinic.  The  faculty  will  be 


drawn  largely  from  the  Mayo  Graduate  School. 

For  registration  and  applications  write  Dr.  Ed- 
ward C.  Rosenow,  Jr.,  Executive  Director, 
American  College  of  Physicians,  4200  Pine  Street, 
Philadelphia,  Pa.  19104. 

Dr.  Carter  Resigns 
As  UMC  Director 

University  of  Mississippi  Chancellor  Porter 
Fortune,  Jr.,  has  announced  that  Dr.  Robert  E. 
Carter,  University  Medical  Center  director,  has 
resigned  effective  October  1.  Also  the  medical 
school  dean,  Dr.  Carter  will  go  to  the  University 

of  Minnesota  to  de- 
velop and  establish  a 
new  medical  school  in 
Duluth. 

A native  Minneso- 
tan who  got  both  his 
undergraduate  and  his 
M.D.  degrees  from 
the  University  of  Min- 
nesota, Dr.  Carter 
completed  his  intern- 
ship at  Cleveland  City 
Hospital,  Ohio,  and 
did  postgraduate  train- 
ing in  pediatrics  at 
the  University  of  Chi- 
cago Clinics.  He  is  certified  by  the  American 
Board  of  Pediatrics. 

Dr.  Carter  served  in  the  medical  corps  of  the 
U.  S.  Navy  from  1951-53  attaining  the  rank  of 
Lieutenant  Commander.  He  is  a member  of  the 
state  medical  association  and  the  American  Medi- 
cal Association. 

He  came  to  the  University  of  Mississippi  Medi- 
cal Center  in  1967  after  having  been  an  associate 
dean  and  professor  of  pediatrics  at  the  University 
of  Iowa  College  of  Medicine. 

His  appointment  as  Dean  of  the  Basic  Sciences 
Program  for  Medical  Education  at  the  University 
of  Minnesota  Duluth  campus  was  confirmed  at  a 
recent  Minnesota  Board  of  Regents  meeting  in 
Minneapolis. 

In  announcing  Dr.  Carter’s  decision  to  take  up 
the  newly  created  and  challenging  position.  Chan- 
cellor Fortune  praised  the  medical  educator’s  keen 
interest  in  medical  education.  “He  has  made  a 
lasting  contribution  to  the  University  Medical 
Center  by  his  confident  leadership  during  a period 
of  severe  stress  for  all  medical  schools,”  the 
Chancellor  stated.  An  advisory  committee  will  be 
named  soon  to  recommend  a successor,  he  said. 


Dr.  Carter 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


527 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Dr.  Brumby  Honored 
By  Hospital  Board 

The  Board  of  Trustees  of  Holmes  County  Com- 
munity Hospital  has  passed  a resolution  honor- 
ing Dr.  Paul  B.  Brumby  of  Lexington,  president 
of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association.  The 
Board  commended  the  Holmes  County  native  for 
his  many  years  of  selfless  service  and  expressed 
good  wishes  for  his  year  as  MSMA  president. 

The  resolution  is  as  follows : 

“Whereas,  Dr.  Paul  B.  Brumby  was  born  at 
Goodman,  in  Holmes  County,  Mississippi,  in 
1902;  received  his  medical  education  and  degree 
at  the  University  of  Texas  in  1929,  followed  by 
internship  at  Shreveport  Charity  Hospital  and 
further  training  at  New  York  City  Polyclinic  and 
Harvard  University;  and  returned  to  his  native 
Holmes  County  to  practice  medicine  in  1930; 

“Whereas,  Dr.  Paul  B.  Brumby  has  remained 
in  medical  practice  in  Holmes  County,  except  for 
military  service  during  World  War  II,  during 
which  he  attained  the  rank  of  Major  as  a medical 
service  officer  and  was  awarded  the  Bronze  Star 
for  gallantry  in  action  on  Saipan  in  the  Pacific 
in  1945; 

“Whereas,  During  the  course  of  his  profes- 
sional career.  Dr.  Paul  B.  Brumby  has  rendered 
valuable  and  unselfish  service  to  his  nation  and 
his  state,  including  long  service  as  members  of 
the  Councils  on  Legislation,  Medical  Service  and 
Scientific  Assembly  of  the  Mississippi  State  Medi- 
cal Association  and  Chairman  of  that  Associa- 
tion’s Section  on  General  Practice; 

“Whereas,  By  his  years  of  selfless  service 
of  the  highest  professional  order,  Dr.  Paul  B. 
Brumby  has  endeared  himself  to  Holmes  County, 
and  the  community  served  by  Holmes  County 
Community  Hospital,  and  has  contributed  greatly 
to  the  health  care  of  that  community  by  valuable 
contributions  of  time  and  service  as  a member  and 
officer  of  the  Medical  Staff  of  Holmes  County 
Community  Hospital  and 

“Whereas,  The  leadership  of  Dr.  Paul  B. 
Brumby  has  been  particularly  recognized  by  his 
professional  colleagues,  who  have  but  recently 
elevated  him  to  the  Presidency  of  the  Mississippi 
State  Medical  Association,  a position  making 
great  personal  demands  for  service  as  well  as 
a position  of  high  honor  and  trust; 

“Now,  Therefore,  Be  It  Resolved  by  the  Board 
of  Trustees  of  Holmes  County  Community  Hos- 
pital that  they  do  hereby  express  to  Dr.  Paul  B. 
Brumby  the  deep  appreciation  of  that  board  and 


the  community  at  large  for  his  years  of  profes- 
sional and  personal  service  and  that  they  do  here- 
by express  the  highest  wishes  of  all  concerned 
for  his  continued  success  in  his  undertaking  the 
office  of  the  Presidency  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association,  as  well  as  in  the  future 
years  of  professional  service  that  lie  before  him; 
and  Be  It  Further  Resolved  that  a suitable  copy 
of  this  Resolution  be  presented  to  Dr.  Paul  B. 
Brumby  and  his  family.” 


UMC  Ups  Freshman 
Class  to  95 

The  University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medi- 
cine has  upped  the  fall  freshman  class  to  a record 
95,  according  to  Dr.  Robert  E.  Carter,  dean. 

The  five-student  increase  over  last  year’s  in- 
coming class  marks  the  third  expansion  since 
the  four-year  school  opened  in  1955,  Dr.  Carter 
said.  The  additional  state  appropriations  which 
helped  fund  the  extra  student  load  came  in  a 
direct  effort  to  meet  Mississippi’s  overwhelming 
need  for  physicians. 


Medical  Center 
Adds  to  Faculty 

Recent  faculty  additions  to  the  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine  include  one  assist- 
ant professor  and  four  instructors. 

The  combined  fulltime  nursing  and  medical 
faculties  at  the  University  Medical  Center  now 
top  the  200  mark. 

Dr.  Virginia  Read  joins  the  School  of  Medi- 
cine after  three  years  as  a fellow  at  the  University 
of  Alabama  at  Birmingham.  Dr.  Read,  who  for- 
merly served  as  UMC  biochemistry  instructor  and 
assistant  professor  from  1965  to  1968,  received 
the  B.S.  degree  from  the  University  of  Mississippi 
and  the  Ph.D.  degree  at  the  University  Medical 
Center. 

Three  of  the  new  instuctors  are  in  the  radiology 
department,  Dr.  C.  James  Kees,  Dr.  John  Gib- 
son and  Dr.  Clifton  L.  Hester.  Dr.  James  Nor- 
man McLeod,  III,  is  medicine  instructor  and  chief 
resident. 


528 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Image  Systems  Offers 
Microfiche  Camera 

A new,  low  cost,  table  top  step  and  repeat 
microfiche  camera  is  offered  by  Image  Systems, 
Inc.,  California  based  manufacturer  of  CARD 
System  equipment. 


A table  top  step  and  repeat  microfiche  camera  has 
been  introduced  by  Image  Systems,  Inc.  and  sug- 
gested for  professional  use. 

Using  standard  105mm  roll  microfilm,  the 
Image  Systems  Microfiche  Camera  is  available 
in  a choice  of  5 popular  formats — NMA, 
COSATI,  COM  80,  COM  84  and  Decimal 
10  x 10  with  appropriate  reduction  ratios  es- 
tablished between  20  and  30  diameters.  Day- 
light magazines  are  included  to  permit  camera 
loading  and  unloading  in  normal  light. 

Priced  at  $5,750,  this  precision  built  camera 
is  capable  of  producing  microfiche  from  black 
and  white  or  color  originals  in  letter,  legal  or 
computer  printout  sizes  at  true  production  rates 
and  with  film  quality  equal  to  or  exceeding  that 
obtained  in  similar  equipment  regardless  of  price. 

Simplified  controls  include  regulation  of  light 
intensity,  exposure,  frame  position,  fiche  advance, 
x-y  platen  advance  and  fiche  counter.  The  cam- 
era, designed  to  complement  an  office  environ- 
ment, may  be  operated  by  clerical  personnel  with 
minimum  training.  No  special  wiring  is  needed. 

The  camera  is  one  of  a series  of  modestly 
priced  equipment  pieces  produced  and  marketed 
by  Image  Systems,  Inc.  When  combined,  the 
system  permits  the  recording,  processing,  titling 


and  duplication  of  microfiche  on  the  user’s  prem- 
ises under  normal  light  conditions. 

For  dealer  information,  write:  Image  Systems, 
Inc.,  Department  MS,  11244  Playa  Court,  Culver 
City,  Calif.  90230. 

Blind  Rehabilitation 
Center  Begun 

Construction  has  begun  on  the  Addie  Mc- 
Bryde  Memorial  Rehabilitation  Center  for  the 
Blind,  a three-story  structure  costing  over  a mil- 
lion dollars,  as  an  east  wing  of  the  University 
Medical  Center  in  Jackson. 

In  1968  the  Mississippi  Legislature  appropri- 
ated $225,000  state  funds  for  the  construction  of 
this  comprehensive  rehabilitation  center. 

The  first  floor  of  the  building  will  contain 
administrative  offices,  offices  of  the  non-teaching 
staff,  a conference  area,  and  several  teaching  de- 
partments with  offices. 

Second  floor  will  house  the  other  teaching  de- 
partments, a number  of  afterhour  activities,  the 
cafeteria  and  a state  training  stand  which  will 
provide  short  order  food  service  for  center  per- 
sonnel, clients,  Medical  Center  staff  and  visitors 
to  the  complex. 

The  third  floor  will  contain  the  dormitory  area 
with  an  apartment  for  the  dormitory  supervisor. 
Proximity  to  the  University  Medical  Center  will 
enable  the  Center  for  the  Blind  to  utilize  medical 
specialties  which  would  not  be  available  in  an- 
other location. 

District  counselors  of  Rehabilitation  Services 
for  the  Blind,  a division  of  the  State  Department 
of  Public  Welfare,  will  utilize  the  rehabilitation 
center  to  provide  at  least  two  fundamental  ser- 
vices for  many  of  their  clients  before  these 
clients  move  into  vocational  training  and  em- 
ployment. These  services  include  evaluation  to 
determine  the  skills  that  he  needs  in  order  to  ad- 
just to  his  environment  and  training  in  order  to 
develop  these  skills. 

Among  the  skills  taught  will  be  mobility,  which 
should  enable  him  to  travel  independently;  per- 
sonal management  for  himself  and  his  household; 
communication  skills,  and  personal  adjustment 
skills. 

Emphasis  will  also  be  given  to  the  develop- 
ment of  recreational  skills,  which  will  enable 
these  handicapped  individuals  to  enjoy  and  profit 
from  leisure  time. 

The  Center  for  the  Blind  will  also  provide 
experience  in  working  with  blind  patients  for 
University  Medical  Center  students  and  staff. 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


529 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

ICS  Schedules 
Third  Congress 

The  International  College  of  Surgeons  has 
scheduled  its  Third  Western  Hemisphere  Congress 
for  Las  Vegas,  Nev.,  Nov.  20-24,  1970. 

For  further  information  write  Dr.  Aldo  Paren- 
tela,  International  Executive  Secretary,  1516 
Lake  Shore  Drive,  Chicago,  111.  60610. 

ACP  Discusses 
Health  Care  Issues 

The  American  College  of  Physicians  (ACP) 
is  urging  its  16,000  members  in  communities 
throughout  the  country  to  exert  local  leadership 
in  eliminating  duplication  of  equipment,  services 
and  personnel  among  private,  voluntary  and  pub- 
lic hospitals. 

The  College’s  Board  of  Regents  sees  this  du- 
plication as  one  of  the  reasons  for  the  rising  costs 
of  medical  care  in  the  United  States,  costs  which 
“must  be  controlled”  by  halting  competitive  plan- 
ning among  voluntary  hospitals,  private  hospitals 
and  such  government  hospitals  as  those  operated 
by  the  Veterans  Administration  and  the  Armed 
Forces. 

The  Board  of  Regents’  resolution,  one  of  two 
major  policy  statements  on  health  care  issues, 
is  published  in  the  current  issue  of  The  Bulletin 
of  the  ACP,  now  being  distributed  to  the  College 
members.  They  are  specialists  in  internal  medi- 
cine and  related  specialties,  most  of  whom  have 
hospital  staff  appointments. 

In  a second  statement,  the  ACP  Board  labeled 
Federal  support  of  medical  school  teaching  pro- 
grams “erratic,  sporadic  and  inadequate”  and 
called  for  the  alleviation  of  the  “urgent  manpower 
crisis  ...  as  quickly  as  possible  to  improve  the 
availability  and  quality  of  medical  services.” 

The  ACP  Regents  not  only  recommend  “in- 
creased, sustained  and  better  planned”  direct  sup- 
port of  teaching  programs,  but  also  expanded  sup- 
port of  research  programs  and  continued  reim- 
bursement of  teaching  physicians  for  services  they 
provide  to  patients. 

The  presence  of  research  programs  help  the 
medical  schools  to  recruit  more  and  better  teach- 
ers, the  College  statement  explains,  “because  re- 
searchers working  in  medical  schools  contribute 
substantially  to  the  teaching  of  medical  students 
and  make  it  possible  to  increase  the  number  of 


students  and  the  quality  of  their  education.” 

Dr.  Edward  C.  Rosenow,  Jr.,  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
Executive  Director  of  the  American  College  of 
Physicians,  said  the  Board  statements  were  is- 
sued to  fulfill  one  of  the  major  objectives  of 
the  medical  specialty  society — to  maintain  the 
“efficiency”  of  the  internal  medicine  “in  relation  to 
public  welfare.” 

UMC  Expands 
Newborn  Facilities 

The  University  Medical  Center  is  intensifying 
its  efforts  to  reduce  Mississippi’s  high  infant 
mortality  rate  with  expansion  of  special  care  pro- 
grams for  newborn  babies. 

State  and  federal  funds  are  combining  to  sup- 
port the  attack. 

According  to  UMC  director  Dr.  Robert  E. 
Carter,  the  1966  state  legislature  allocated  match- 
ing funds  for  the  essential  link  in  the  program, 
the  new  82-bed  nursery  and  newborn  intensive 
care  unit  under  construction  atop  the  Medical 
Center  Children’s  Hospital.  A $95,000  federal 
award,  matched  with  UMC  service  to  bring 
the  total  to  $137,000,  will  provide  the  dollars  for 
assembling  the  highly  skilled  staff  required  to 
give  critically  ill  babies  special  care  and  to  teach 
Mississippi  health  professionals  the  latest  tech- 
niques for  helping  sick  newborns. 

Announced  recently,  the  grant  from  the  Depart- 
ment of  Health,  Education  and  Welfare  Maternal 
and  Child  Health  Services  division  is  one  of  five 
of  its  kind  awarded  across  the  nation  this  year. 
The  United  States,  points  out  program  director 
Dr.  Alfred  W.  Brann,  Jr.,  ranks  15th  in  the  world 
in  infant  mortality.  “The  other  four  awards  will 
be  used  throughout  the  country  to  attack  the 
problem  in  much  the  same  way  as  the  Medical 
Center  plans,”  he  said. 

Though  the  death  rate  of  state  newborns  has 
been  lowered  in  recent  years,  statistics  still  show 
more  babies  die  in  the  first  28  days  of  life  in 
Mississippi  than  anywhere  else  in  the  nation.  Of- 
ficials say  these  deaths  account  for  some  two- 
thirds  of  all  state  infants  who  die  before  they’re 
a year  old. 

Most  of  the  state  newborns  die  of  birth  defects, 
and  many  if  caught  in  time  can  now  be  treated 
and  corrected,  Dr.  Brann  points  out.  “Intensive 
care  for  newborns  is  a new  medical-nursing  spe- 
cialty. Goal  of  the  Medical  Center  program  is  to 
establish  a model  center,”  he  said,  “where  the 
Mississippi  newborn  who  comes  into  the  world 
sick  can  get  the  special  help  he  needs  and  state 
health  professionals  can  learn  advanced  care  tech- 
niques.” 


530 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


END  BATTERY  REPLACEMENTS 
Newest  Welch  Allyn 


RECHARGEABLE 

HANDLE 

Fits  all  WA 

medium-handle 
set  cases 


• Provides  satisfactory  illumi- 
nation longer  between  charges 
than  standard  medium  bat- 
teries. 

• No  separate  charger. 

• Cannot  overcharge. 

• May  be  recharged  thousands 
of  times. 

• Will  never  corrode. 

• Fits  all  WA  instruments. 

No.  717  Rechargeable  bat- 
tery handle  $20.00 

No  717-B  Extra  bottom 

section  14.50 

Also  available  as  part  of 
combination  sets. 


IKflW  SlUMCMi  J 


663  NORTH  STATE  STREET 
JACKSON.  MISS..  FL  2-4043 


Index  to  Advertisers 


Arch  Laboratories 531 

Becton,  Dickinson  and  Company  516A,  516B 

Breon  Laboratories,  Inc 8 

Bristol  Labs  16,  17,  525 

Burroughs-Wellcome  484C 

Campbell  Soup  Company 496A 

The  Carlton  Corporation  15 

Conal  Pharm.,  Inc 496D 

Dow  Chemical  Company 484B 

Flint  Laboratories 14 

Geigy  Pharmaceuticals  484A 

Hill  Crest  Hospital  10 

Hynson,  Westcott  and  Dunning  3 

Kay  Surgical  531 


Lederle  Laboratories  second  cover,  4,  511,  520,  521 

Leonard  Wright  Sanatorium  6 

Eli  Lilly  and  Company  front  cover,  18 

Wm.  S.  Merrell  Company  7 

National  Drug  Company  480A,  480B,  508A,  508B 

Wm.  P.  Poythress  484D 

A.  H.  Robins  Company  500A,  512A,  512B 

Roche  Laboratories  514,  515,  fourth  cover 

Schering  Corporation  14 A,  14B 

G.  D.  Searle  496B,  496C 

Stuart  Pharmaceuticals  500B 

Wyeth  Laboratories  11,  12 

Thomas  Yates  and  Company  third  cover 

53  1 


SEPTEMBER  1970 


Hospital  utilization  continues  to  grow,  despite  shorter  patient 
stays.  But  biggest  growth  factor  is  mounting  number  of  outpatienl 
visits  which  hit  astonishing  total  of  163  million  in  1969.  Admis- 
sion of  inpatients  rose  to  30.7  million  for  year  in  all  types  of 
hospitals.  Total  patients  served  was  up  from  121  million  out- 
patient visits  and  28  million  admissions  in  19%B^  Source  of  figurs 
is  American  Ktospital  Association’s  survey  of  7,150  institutions. 


Changes  in  HEW *3  Medicare  regulations  will  impose  new  and  severe 
cost  controls  on  hospitals.  First  will  assure  that  Medicare  pay- 
ments aren*t  based  on  inflated  costs  from  sales  of  health  facilitia 
which  will  now  have  to  value  depreciable  properties  at  lowest  of 
three  figures : Actual  cost,  fair  market  value,  or  replacement  cos 

adjusted  to  depreciation.  Hew  provision  also  permits  preadmission 
diagnostic  tesxs  to  help  shorten  patient  stays. 

Nixon  administration  welfare  bill  is  running  into  stiff  opposition 
in  Senate  Finance  Committee.  Measure , with  $1,600  annual  family 
guarantee,  would  increase  welfare  rolls  by  128  per  cent  to  24  mill) 
from  present  10.4  million.  In  Mississippi,  criteria  would  up  roll; 
much  more,  to  806,000  from  present  211,000  or  282  per  cent.  If  Men 
caid  benefits  are  also  provided,  the  state  would  be  faced  with 
$164  million  yearly  outlay,  even  with  present  bare  bones  program. 


Sweden *s  national  health  program,  the  late  Walter  Reuther*s  dream  :i 
the  United  Slates,  is  in  serious  trouble.  Costs  run  to  20  per  cen- 
nation* s entire  tax  revenue,  yet  60,000  patients  are  on  waiting  li*; 
for  needed  care.  Sweden  has  30  per  cent  fewer  M.D.  *s  per  capita  tli 
U.S.,  and  hospital  stays  there  are  $0  per  cent  longer  than  in  Amer:: 
institutions.  Most  other  European  national  health  programs  are  fsa 
little  better,  and  all  are  faced  with  high  costs  and  poor  services, 


Physicians  * claims  under  CHAMPUS  (original  military  Medicare)  progii 
can  be  speeded  up  for  payment  by  use  of  new  claim  form.  Statements 
for  professional  services  should  be  submitted  on  DA  Form  1863-2  dan 
J une  1 , 1967.  Older  forms  should  he  destroyed,  typical  tum-aroui; 
time  on  CHAMPUS  payments  is  five  to  10  days  when  form  is  complete  z\ 
correct.  Supplies  of  newer  form  are  free  on  request  from  state  mec 
cal  association* s Department  of  Medical  Care  Plans. 


Volume  XI 
Number  10 
October  1970 


• EDITOR 

William  M.  Dabney,  M.D. 

• ASSOCIATE  EDITORS 
George  H.  Martin,  M.D. 

Thomas  W.  Wesson,  M.D. 

• MANAGING  EDITOR 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 

• EDITORIAL  ASSISTANT 
Nola  Gibson 

• PUBLICATIONS  COMMITTEE 
Lawrence  W.  Long,  M.D. 

Chairman 

Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr.,  M.D. 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
and  the  editors 

• THE  ASSOCIATION 
Paul  B.  Brumby,  M.D. 

President 

Arthur  E.  Brown,  M.D. 

President-Elect 
Raymond  S.  Martin,  M.D. 

Secretary -T  reasurer 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
Speaker 

John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Vice  Speaker 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 
H.  Cody  Harrell 

Assistant  Executive  Secretary 
James  F.  McPherson,  II 
Executive  Assistant 


The  Journal  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  is  owned  and  pub- 
lished by  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association,  founded  1856.  Editorial,  ex- 
ecutive, and  business  offices,  735  Riverside 
Drive,  Jackson,  Mississippi  39216;  office 
of  publication,  1201-5  Bluff  Street,  Fulton, 
Missouri  65251.  Subscription  rate,  $7.50 
per  annum;  $1  per  copy,  as  available.  Ad- 
vertising rates  furnished  on  request. 
Second-class  postage  paid  at  the  post  office 
at  Fulton,  Missouri. 


CONTENTS 


original  papers 

Syringomyelia  in 

Mississippi  533  Ancel  C.  Tipton,  Jr., 
M.D.,  and  Armin  F. 
Haerer,  M.D. 

Case  Report  XIV  of 

Maternal  Mortality  Study  541  George  J.  Nassar,  M.D. 

Newborn  Hematologic 

Problems  543  Jeanette  Pullen, 

M.D.,  and  Ross  Smith, 
M.D. 

SPECIAL  ARTICLE 

Radiologic  Seminar  C: 

Roentgen  Diagnosis  of 
Anencephaly  in  Utero  554  Sam  Levi,  M.D. 


EDITORIALS 


Medical  Care 
Foundations;  Private 
Delivery  That  Works 

An  Economic  Asset  of 
MSMA  Membership 

Like,  Man,  This  Splits 
From  Webster 

Antisubstitution  Kill  Is 
a Crooked  Straw 

Profile  of  Our  Children, 
A Teenage  Nation 


Medicine’s  Own  System 

Professional  Liability 
Help 

An  “In”  Dictionary 
Keep  the  M.D.  Boss! 
Astonishing  Demography 


557 

559 

561 

561 

565 


THIS  MONTH 

The  President  Speaking  556  ‘Growing  Pains’ 

Medical  Organization  569  Beefed-Up  Legislative 

Program  to  Ask  Aid  of 
All  Members 

Copyright  1970,  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


6 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  OCTOBER  1970 


J.  B.  Roerig 
Markets  Geopen 

Geopen  (disodium  carbenicillin),  a new  semi- 
synthetic penicillin  which  extends  the  range  of 
presently  available  penicillins  against  a variety  of 
difficult  to  treat  gram-negative  bacteria,  has  been 
approved  for  marketing  by  the  U.  S.  Food  and 
Drug  Administration.  Pfizer’s  J.  B.  Roerig  Divi- 
sion announced  the  new  drug  would  be  avail- 
able to  physicians  promptly. 

Geopen  is  a product  of  Pfizer  research  and  is 
covered  by  U.  S.  Patent  #3,142,673  which  was 
granted  to  Pfizer.  The  inventor  is  Donald  C. 
Hobbs,  Ph.D.,  a scientist  at  the  Pfizer  Medical 
Research  Laboratories  at  Groton,  Conn.  Geopen 
differs  from  the  basic  penicillin  nucleus  merely 
by  the  addition  of  a carboxyl  group. 

Since  the  introduction  of  penicillin  more  than 
a quarter  of  a century  ago,  physicians  have  found 
that  certain  gram-negative  pathogens  which  can 
cause  life-threatening  infections  are  usually  re- 
sistant to  penicillin  therapy.  Geopen  is  uniquely 
effective  against  a variety  of  these  gram-negative 
bacteria,  including  Pseudomonas  and  Proteus  or- 
ganisms. 

Geopen  is  also  effective  in  vitro  against  the 
usual  gram-positive  organisms  susceptible  to 


penicillin,  while  extending  the  range  of  penicillin 
activity  to  include  a variety  of  gram-negative 
bacteria.  Susceptible  organisms  inlcude  E.  coli, 
P.  mirabilis,  H.  influenzae,  Salmonella,  Shigella 
and  Neisseria  species.  The  outstanding  character- 
istic of  Geopen  is  its  unique  effect  upon  Pseu- 
domonas aeruginosa  and  indole-positive  Proteus 
species,  which  are  usually  resistant  to  other  peni- 
cillins. 

Like  other  penicillins,  Geopen  is  characterized 
by  a low  level  of  toxicity  even  at  high  blood  and 
urinary  levels.  Ototoxicity  (inner  ear)  or  nephro- 
toxicity (kidneys)  either  or  both  of  which  have, 
until  this  time,  been  risks  of  therapy  in  many 
serious  gram-negative  infections,  do  not  occur 
with  Geopen.  It  is,  however,  contraindicated  in 
those  patients  who  have  demonstrated  penicillin 
allergy. 

Geopen  is  not  absorbed  orally,  but  is  admin- 
istered intravenously  and  intramuscularly.  Peak 
blood  levels  are  obtained  in  one  to  two  hours 
after  I.M.  injection,  15  minutes  after  I.V.  injec- 
tion. It  is  physically  compatible  with  most  com- 
monly used  intravenous  fluids,  and  when  recon- 
stituted according  to  directions  maintains  its  po- 
tency for  24  hours  at  room  temperature  and  for 
72  hours  if  refrigerated. 

It  will  be  supplied  in  one  gram  and  five  gram 
vials,  to  be  reconstituted  with  sterile  water. 


‘rJMf  Clio  it 

HOSPITAL 

Hill  Crest  Foundation,  Inc. 


7000  5TH  AVENUE  SOUTH 
Box  2896, 

Birmingham,  Alabama  35212 
Phone:  205-836-7201 


A patient  centered 
non-profit  hospital  for 
intensive  treatment  of 
nervous  disorders  . . . 


Hill  Crest  Hospital  was  estab- 
lished in  1925  as  Hill  Crest 
Sanitarium  to  provide  private 
psychiatric  treatment  of  ner- 
vous or  mental  disorders.  Indi- 
vidual patient  care  has  been 
the  theme  during  its  45  years 
of  service. 

Both  male  and  female  pa- 


tients are  accepted  and  depart- 
mentalized care  is  provided  ac- 
cording to  sex  and  the  degree 
of  illness. 


In  addition  to  the  psychiatric 
staff,  consultants  are  available 
in  all  medical  specialities. 


MEDICAL  DIRECTOR: 

James  K.  Ward,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 


CLINICAL  DIRECTOR: 

Hardin  M.  Ritchey,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 


HILL  CREST  is  a member  of: 

AMERICAN  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
. . . NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  PRI- 
VATE PSYCHIATRIC  HOSPITALS  . . . 
ALABAMA  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
BIRMINGHAM  REGIONAL  HOSPITAL 
COUNCIL; 

Hill  Crest  is  fully  accredited  by  the  Joint 
Commission  on  Accreditation  of  Hospitals 
and  is  also  approved  for  Medicare  pa- 
tients. 


9^  C/test 

HOSPITAL 

BIRMINGHAM,  ALABAMA 


October  1970 

ar  Doctor: 

3 new  and  expanded  legislative  program  of  state  association  is  in 
tion  with  recent  meeting  of  Council  on  Legislation^  Asking  every 
aber  to  take  an  active  part,  the  council  will  send  weekly  reports 
all  physicians,  timed  to  arrive  in  Friday  mail,  during  1971  Regu- 
c*  Session.  Program  is  positive,  carrying  out  House  of  Delegates 
1 Board  of  Trustees  decisions  (see  lead  news  story  this  issue). 

High  on  agenda  is  positive  action  on  chiropractic  cult. 
annually  a legislative  threat  to  health  of  Mississippi. 

But  spine-punchers*  fortunes  are  on  wane  with  President * s 
Task  Force  on  Medicare  and  Medicaid  asking  Congress  to 
prevent  payments  to  chiropractors  under  Medicaid. 

i news  for  young  physicians  is  odds-on  chance  that  doctor  draft 
LI  be  resumed  in  19/1  by  Department  of  Defense.  No  M.D. *s  have 
m drafted  this  year,  and  only  246  were  called  up  in  1969.  But 
?r y Plan  enrollees,  completing  specialty  training,  are  now  down 
per  cent,  and  half  of  15,000  medical  officers  now  serving  will 
eligible  for  discharge  during  next  18  months. 


aosexual  aliens  can  be  deported  by  U.S.  Immigration  and  Natu- 
lization  Service  under  recent  federal  appellate  court  decision. 
3e  involved  Canadian  who  pleaded  guilty  to  homosexual  acts  under 
lifomia  law.  Immigration  officials  entered  deportation  order 
ich  was  upheld  both  in  federal  trial  and  appeals  courts.  Case 
considered  legal  landmark  in  deportation  precedents. 


Linois  State  Medical  Society  has  called  for  elimination  of  the 
?d  ^ coroner "from  the  state's  new  constitution.  Testifying  be- 
?e  the  constitutional  convention,  ISMS  officials  said  that  the 
Ly  way  to  wipe  out  evils  of  present  system  is  to  get  legal  basis 
? coroner  out  of  constitution  and  force  legislation  to  correct 
fciquated  laws.  Change  would  not,  however,  require  election  of 
X medical  examiners  in  each  of  Illinois*  102  counties. 


toh  for  mid-October  mail  for  new  combined  billing  statement  of 
sal,  state,  AMAt  and  AMfcAC  dues  with  AMA-BKF  gift  reminder, 

^service,  set  up  at  last  annual  session  and  implemented  by  Board 
Trustees  and  local  societies,  will  furnish  one-check  convenience 
l tax-deduction  documentation  for  association  members. 


Sincerely, 


Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  OCTOBER  1970 


1 0 

Upjohn  Releases 
Oral  Antibiotic 

A new  oral  antibiotic  that  is  reported  highly 
effective  against  infections  of  the  upper  and  low- 
er respiratory  tract,  skin,  and  other  soft  tissue 
was  made  available  to  the  medical  profession  by 
The  Upjohn  Company  today. 

The  semi-synthetic  drug — Cleocin  (clindamy- 
cin)— is  an  outgrowth  of  years  of  research  on  its 
parent  compound,  Lincocin  (lincomycin).  By 
making  changes  in  the  chemical  formula  of  Lin- 
cocin, David  I.  Weisblat,  Ph.D.,  vice  president, 
Pharmaceutical  Research  and  Development  for 
The  Upjohn  Company  said  its  scientists  had  de- 
veloped a new  antibiotic  analog  with  more  po- 
tency, better  oral  absorption,  and  fewer  side  ef- 
fects than  the  original. 

Cleocin  prevents  the  production  of  protein 
substances  which  bacterial  cells  need  for  surviv- 
al. The  drug’s  spectrum  of  in  vitro  activity  in- 
cludes strains  of  the  most  clinically  significant 
gram-positive  bacteria  and  strains  of  a few  spe- 
cies of  gram-negative  bacteria.  It  is  indicated 
specifically  for  infections  caused  by  streptococci, 


pneumococci,  and  staphylococci.  The  drug  is  also 
indicated  for  adjunctive  therapy  in  dental  infec- 
tions. 

In  clinical  tests  with  1,416  patients,  only  8.2 
per  cent  reported  side  effects,  usually  mild  gastro- 
intestinal disturbances,  investigators  said.  Skin 
rash  and  urticaria  reactions  were  infrequent. 

The  new  antibiotic  is  90  per  cent  absorbed  in 
the  blood  and  is  quickly  and  widely  distributed 
in  body  fluids  and  tissues,  including  bone,  Up- 
john researchers  reported.  Near  peak  concentra- 
tions in  the  blood  are  reached  in  45  minutes 
following  a 150-milligram  dose  after  a 12-hour 
fast.  Peak  levels  are  somewhat  delayed  when  the 
drug  is  given  after  a meal,  but  ingestion  of  food 
does  not  appreciably  modify  the  serum  concen- 
trations. 

Laboratory  tests  of  Cleocin  HC1  showed  that  it 
was  100  per  cent  effective  against  124  strains  of 
pneumococci  and  707  strains  of  streptococci, 
with  only  four  strains  of  resistant  strep  noted.  It 
was  96.3  per  cent  effective  against  1,037  strains 
of  staphylococci,  including  107  that  were  resist- 
ant to  erythromycin.  These  tests  indicated  that 
most  bacteria  are  slow  in  developing  resistance 
to  the  drug — an  advantage  in  long-term  treat- 
ment— and  that  there  was  no  cross-resistance  with 


LEONARD  WRIGHT  SANATORIUM 

BYHALIA,  MISSISSIPPI  3861 1 TELEPHONE  A/C  601,  838-2162 

LEONARD  D.  WRIGHT,  SR.,  B.S.,  M.D.,  PSYCHIATRY 

• Established  in  1948.  Specializing  in  the  treatment  of  ALCO- 
HOLISM and  DRUG  ADDICTIONS  with  a capacity  limited 
to  insure  individual  treatment.  Only  voluntary  admissions  ac- 
cepted. 

• Located  25  miles  S.  E.  of  Memphis-Highway  78  on  20  acres 
of  beautifully  landscaped  grounds  sufficiently  removed  to 
provide  restful  surroundings. 

• The  Sanatorium  is  approved  by  The  Commission  on  Hospital 
Care  in  the  State  of  Mississippi. 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

October  1970,  Vol.  XI,  No.  10 


Syringomyelia  in  Mississippi 

ANCEL  C.  TIPTON,  JR.,  M.D.  and 
ARMIN  F.  HAERER,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


Although  intramedullary  cavitation  of  the 
spinal  cord  was  recognized  earlier,  the  term 
“syringomyelia”  was  first  coined  by  Oliver  d’ An- 
gers in  1837  to  indicate  cavities  within  the  spinal 
cord,  regardless  of  etiology.  Derivation  of  the 
term  arises  from  two  Greek  words:  syrinx — 
meaning  pipe  or  fistula  plus  myelos — meaning 
marrow.  Syringobulbia  is  defined  as  the  presence 
of  cavities  in  the  medulla  oblongata.  It  arises  from 
the  two  Greek  words:  syrinx  plus  bolbos — mean- 
ing bulb. 

The  essential  clinical  features  are  slowly  pro- 
gressive atrophy  of  the  muscles  supplied  by  the 
area  of  cervical  spinal  cord  enlargement,  disso- 
ciated anesthesia  in  the  involved  cervical  derma- 
tomes, scoliosis,  and  “trophic”  skin  changes.  If 
the  disease  begins  in  the  thoracic,  lumbar,  or 
sacral  spinal  cord  (much  less  common  than  cer- 
vical syringomyelia),  similar  signs  appear  in  cor- 
responding segments  producing  a less  typical  clin- 
ical picture.  An  apoplectic-like  increase  in  all 
symptoms  and  evidence  of  rapid  extension  of  the 
lesion  to  involve  new  structures  may  result  from 
hemorrhage  into  the  syringomyelic  cavity.  This 

From  the  Division  of  Neurology,  University  of  Mis- 
sissippi School  of  Medicine. 


may  be  either  spontaneous  (due  to  anticoagula- 
tion) or  precipitated  by  trauma. 


The  clinical  features  of  the  neurological 
disease  syringomyelia  are  progressive  atro- 
phy of  the  muscles  supplied  by  the  area  of 
cervical  spinal  cord  enlargement,  dissociated 
anesthesia  in  the  involved  cervical  derma- 
tomes, scoliosis,  and  “trophic”  skin  changes. 
The  authors  discuss  16  patients  with  this  dis- 
ease and  the  therapy  they  received  on  the 
neurological  service  at  the  University  of  Mis- 
sissippi Medical  Center. 


Symptoms  usually  begin  in  the  second  or  third 
decade  of  life.  At  first  the  lesion  will  often  be 
limited  to  the  entering  pain  and  temperature  fibers 
giving  rise  to  localized  analgesia.  Touch  and  deep 
pressure  sensibilities  are  preserved.  This  results 
in  painless  burns,  ulcers,  and  painless  traumatic 
injuries  to  the  fingers  which  bring  the  patient  to 
medical  examination.  Subjective  sensory  symptoms 
such  as  stiffness  of  the  neck,  deep  boring  pain, 
crawling  and  tingling  paresthesias,  and  severe 


OCTOBER  1970 


533 


SYRINGOMYELIA  / Tipton  and  Haerer 

burning  or  sharp  pains  are  common.  Gradual 
weakness  of  the  hand  results  from  atrophy  of 
the  small  intrinsic  muscles  of  the  hand  and  results 
in  the  “claw-hand  deformity.” 

Symptoms  are  usually  unilateral  at  the  onset 
but  often  become  bilateral  within  a year.  Vaso- 
motor disturbances  result  in  the  “succulent  hand” 
which  is  moist,  cold,  swollen,  and  soft  from  edema 
of  the  soft  tissues  rather  than  actual  hypertrophy 
of  the  tissues.  Deep  cyanosis  develops  when  the 
extremity  is  held  in  a dependent  position.  Later 
the  skin  of  the  affected  segments  becomes  hard 
and  thickened.  The  fingernails  coarsen,  frequent- 
ly cease  growing,  and  may  actually  fall  out. 

The  history  and  neurological  examination  usu- 
ally suggest  the  diagnosis  of  a deep  intramedul- 


Figure  1.  Typical  widening  of  cord  shadow  on 
myelography  in  syringomyelia. 


lary  lesion  of  the  spinal  cord  or  the  brain  stem. 
The  best  diagnostic  aid  is  myelography  since,  in 
addition  to  giving  a reliable  evaluation  of  the 
pathologic  process,  it  allows  for  analysis  of  cere- 
brospinal fluid  dynamics,  cell  abnormalities,  and 
chemical  concentrations.  This  should  be  carried 
out  with  the  patient  in  the  supine  position  in  or- 
der to  adequately  examine  the  foramen  magnum 
and  hind-brain  areas  for  possible  cerebellar  tonsil 
herniation.  Figure  1 shows  the  typical  widening 
of  the  cord  shadow  seen  on  myelography  in  cases 
of  syringomyelia.  Fractional  pneumoencephalog- 
raphy is  helpful  in  cases  of  bulbar  lesions  or  those 
associated  with  Arnold-Chiari  malformation. 

TABLE  1 

DIFFERENTIAL  DIAGNOSIS  IN  SYRINGOMYELIA 

Intramedullary  Tumor 
Hematomyelia 

Progressive  Spinal-Muscular  Atrophy 

Raynaud's  Disease 

Leprosy 

Congenital  Insensitivity  to  Pain 
Amyotrophic  Lateral  Sclerosis 
Multiple  Sclerosis 
Central  Cord  Syndrome  (Trauma) 

Cervical  Herniated  Nucleus  Pulposus 

Cervical  Spondylosis 

Poliomyelitis 

Brachial  Plexitis 

Carpal  Tunnel  Syndrome 

Diabetic  Abiotrophy 

Syringobulbia 


The  differential  diagnosis  is  thus  concerned 
with  lesions  of  the  central  gray  matter  of  the  spi- 
nal cord  and  lower  brain  stem.  Table  1 lists  some 
of  the  conditions  which  are  most  apt  to  be  con- 
fused with  syringomyelia.  An  intramedullary  tu- 
mor offers  the  greatest  diagnostic  difficulty.  A tu- 
mor, however,  usually  progresses  much  more  rap- 
idly and  is  less  commonly  associated  with  scoli- 
osis. The  development  of  disturbances  of  sensibil- 
ity tends  to  rule  out  progressive  spinal-muscular 
atrophy.  Raynaud’s  disease  is  not  accompanied 
by  as  much  analgesia  or  muscular  atrophy.  Com- 
plete loss  of  pain  sensibility  without  correspond- 
ing loss  of  tactile  sensation  does  not  occur  with 
cervical  rib  syndromes.  Congenital  insensitivity 
to  painful  stimuli  is  a total  body  phenomenon  and 
is  not  associated  with  the  lesser  degree  of  analgesia 
seen  in  syringomyelia. 

Some  of  the  anomalies  often  associated  with 
syringomyelia  are  listed  in  Table  2.  Secondary 
syringomyelia  may  develop  as  a result  of  trauma, 
chronic  arachnoiditis,  tumors,  or  from  absorption 
of  blood  into  a hematomyelia  lesion. 

The  consistency  of  the  position  of  the  cavities 
in  the  upper  cervical  cord  and  medulla  oblongata 


534 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


C 5 


Shaded  area : 

Loss  of  pain  and  Temperature 


Figure  2.  Typical  pattern  of  dissociated 
spared)  in  a patient  with  syringomyelia. 

with  associated  dilatation  of  the  central  canal 
points  to  a developmental  basis  for  syringomyelia. 
Gardner’s1  theory  of  inadequate  permeability  of 
the  roof  of  the  fourth  ventricle  occurring  in  the 
critical  sixth  to  eighth  weeks  of  fetal  life  has 
gained  great  popularity.  The  decreased  outflow 
of  CSF  from  the  fourth  ventricle  results  in  dilata- 
tion of  the  central  canal  of  the  spinal  cord  and 
subsequent  syrinx  formation  because  of  transmis- 
sion of  the  CSF  pulsations  which  are  maldirected 
in  these  patients.  A congenital  communicating 
hydrocephalus  often  also  results  and  is  found  in 
many  cases  of  syringomyelia.  Gardner  thus  advo- 
cates exploration  of  the  posterior  fossa  with  visu- 
alization of  the  roof  of  the  fourth  ventricle  in 
most  cases  of  syringomyelia  in  order  to  be  cer- 
tain of  normal  egress  of  cerebrospinal  fluid  from 


sensory  loss  (touch  and  posterior  columns 


the  fourth  ventricle,  with  decompression  of  the 
cervicomedullary  region  where  needed. 

A review  of  the  records  at  the  University  and 
Veteran’s  Administration  Hospitals  in  Jackson, 
Mississippi,  with  one  additional  patient  supplied 
by  a local  private  neurologist,  revealed  1 6 cases 
of  syringomyelia  over  a 10  year  period.  All  were 
males  with  ages  ranging  from  five  to  65  years. 
There  were  12  Negroes  and  four  Caucasians. 

Occupations  included  1 1 heavy  laborers,  two 
farmers,  one  bus  driver,  one  office  manager,  and 
one  child.  Three  had  a history  of  trauma  in  the 
past,  one  of  these  with  fractures  of  two  cervical 
vertebrae. 

The  most  common  presenting  symptom  was 
that  of  weakness  and  numbness  of  the  hand  in  1 1 
of  the  16  patients.  Four  of  these  11  exhibited 

53  5 


OCTOBER  1970 


SYRINGOMYELIA  / Tipton  and  Haerer 

classical  clawhand  deformities.  Three  had  re- 
ceived severe  burns  of  the  involved  fingers  and 
hands.  Two  patients  presented  with  symptoms  of 
cramps  and  “twitches”  in  the  involved  muscula- 
ture and  difficulty  with  walking.  One  presented 
with  dystonic  posturing  of  the  hand  and  “locking” 
of  the  second  and  third  lingers  together.  He  also 
complained  of  inability  to  do  fine  movements  of 
the  fingers  involved,  a sensation  of  “coldness”  in 
the  hand,  and  “jerking”  of  the  involved  arm  on 
coughing,  sneezing,  or  when  frightened.  Three 
other  patients  complained  of  leg  weakness  and 
difficulty  in  walking,  and  two  had  significant  in- 
fections of  the  involved  extremities.  One  patient 
had  involvement  of  bladder  function  with  recur- 
rent infections  and  a large  residual  urine  volume. 

Many  different  types  of  sensory  deficits  were 
found,  ranging  from  a shawl-like  distribution  defi- 
cit to  a definite  sensory  level  for  all  modalities  in 
a patient  having  a complete  block.  Figure  2 shows 
a typical  sensory  pattern  in  one  of  these  patients 
with  syringomyelia.  Deep  tendon  reflexes  were 
usually  decreased  or  absent  at  the  level  of  the 
lesion,  and  increased  or  pathologic  reflexes  were 
found  below  the  lesion.  One  patient  had  Horner’s 
syndrome. 

Myelograms  were  diagnostic  in  eight  patients 
revealing  the  classical  widening  of  the  cord.  Three 
of  these  eight  patients  had  a normal  Quecken- 
stedt  response,  two  had  a completely  blocked  re- 
sponse, and  two  had  a partially  blocked  response. 
Two  patients  had  fractional  pneumoencephalo- 
grams both  of  which  showed  non-filling  of  the  ven- 
tricular system.  Plain  x-rays  showed  definite 
platybasia  in  62  per  cent  of  the  patients  and 
questionable  platybasia  in  all  others;  there  was 
scoliosis  in  25  per  cent,  and  definite  widening  of 
the  inter-peduncular  spaces  on  cervical  spine 
films  in  16  per  cent.  Occipitalization  of  the  atlas, 
either  partial  or  complete,  was  present  in  78  per 
cent  of  the  patients. 

TABLE  2 

ASSOCIATED  ANOMALIES  IN  SYRINGOMYELIA 


Platybasia 

Arnold-Chiari  Malformation 
Klippel-Feil  Deformity 
Cervical  Ribs 
Spina  Bifida 


Lumbar  punctures  were  performed  on  all  pa- 
tients and  revealed  normal  cell  counts  and  chem- 
istries except  in  one  patient  with  a complete  block 
and  an  elevated  protein.  Blood  and  cerebrospinal 
fluid  VDRL  tests  were  non-reactive  in  all  pa- 


tients. Electromyograms  of  the  involved  muscula- 
ture confirmed  lower  motor  neuron  disease  in 
four  patients. 

Seven  patients  were  treated  surgically.  Two 
posterior  fossa  craniotomies,  four  cervical  lam- 
inectomies, and  one  laminectomy  from  L3  to  Ti0 
were  done.  Insertion  of  a wick  into  the  cyst 
cavity  was  done  twice.  One  patient  received  a 
two  month  course  of  ACTH  therapy  without  im- 
provement. The  remaining  eight  patients  declined 
operative  intervention  and  were  managed  with  re- 
habilitative measures,  social  adjustments,  and  pro- 
phylactic therapy.  One  patient  at  operation  was 
definitely  noted  to  have  a membrane  obstructing 
the  foramen  of  Magendie  and  a communication 
was  demonstrated  between  the  syrinx  cavity,  the 
central  canal  of  the  cord,  and  the  obex  of  the 
fourth  ventricle — thus  supporting  the  theory  of 
Gardner.  Two  were  thought  to  be  cases  of  sec- 
ondary syringomyelia  caused  by  trauma  to  the 
neck.  One  was  rendered  quadriplegic  after  a div- 
ing injury  some  20  years  prior  to  admission  and 
from  which  he  gradually  recovered  over  a six 
month  period  of  time. 

FOLLOWUP  FINDINGS 

Four  patients  could  not  be  followed  up.  The 
other  12  were  followed  for  periods  ranging  from 
two  to  18  years,  with  an  average  followup  time  of 
6.9  years.  At  the  end  of  the  followup  period, 
one  had  died  of  an  unrelated  disease,  three  were 
working,  six  were  ambulatory  but  not  working, 
and  two  were  not  ambulatory.  The  disease 
seemed  to  arrest  in  several  patients  postoperative- 
ly,  but  the  ultimate  outcome,  due  to  the  normally 
slow  progression  in  many  patients,  is  not  entirely 
clear  from  the  results  of  this  series  to  date. 

The  majority  of  the  cases  had  far  advanced 
symptoms  and  neurological  findings  at  the  time  of 
initial  neurological  evaluation.  It  should  be 
stressed  that  earlier  referral  of  these  cases  would 
hopefully  result  in  less  permanent  neurologic  defi- 
cit and  thus  a better  rehabilitative  prognosis. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  all  were  males,  12 
were  Negroes,  and  that  the  majority  were  heavy 
laborers.  One  therefore  wonders  if  this  condition 
might  not  be  more  prevalent  under  these  condi- 
tions in  Mississippi. 

Bowman  and  Iivanainen2  reported  a prognos- 
tic study  of  55  patients  with  syringomyelia  with 
an  observation  time  varying  between  two  and  45 
years.  Most  patients  exhibited  slow  progression  of 
neurological  impairment  and  in  27  patients  a 
stationary  neurological  condition  had  lasted  for 
greater  than  10  years.  Twenty-two  of  the  pa- 
tients were  still  working  daily  while  22  were 


536 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


pensioned  due  to  unfitness  for  work.  Eleven  pa- 
tients had  expired.  The  prognosis  in  22  cases 
treated  with  roentgen  therapy  was  the  same  as  in 
23  untreated  cases.  They  point  out,  that  with  the 
aid  of  rehabilitation  procedures,  social  adjust- 
ments, and  prophylactic  therapy,  the  working 
capacity  and  life  expectancy  of  these  patients  can 
be  maintained  for  longer  periods  of  time. 

Love  and  Olafsoffi  reported  their  results  with 
the  use  of  tantalum-wire  to  maintain  a fistula  be- 
tween the  syrinx  cavity  and  the  spinal  subarach- 
noid space.  They  had  48  patients  with  a follow- 
up of  greater  than  two  years.  Their  experience 
showed  that  patients  with  symptoms  of  long  dura- 
tion or  with  rapidly  progressive  deficits  respond- 
ed less  well  to  this  type  of  surgical  intervention 
than  those  with  symptoms  of  short  duration.  In 
recent  years  the  surgical  treatment  recommended 
by  Gardner  mentioned  above  has  become  the  stan- 
dard and  most  rewarding  approach  with  arrest  of 
progression  in  many  instances. 

SUMMARY 

Sixteen  patients  with  syringomyelia  are  pre- 
sented, seven  of  which  had  surgical  intervention. 


Two  were  thought  to  be  cases  of  secondary  syrin- 
gomyelia. One  of  the  surgically  treated  patients 
supported  the  theory  of  Gardner.  Presenting  neu- 
rological symptoms  and  signs  are  discussed.  A 
brief  review  of  the  literature  points  out  pertinent 
findings  in  regard  to  prognosis,  modes  of  treat- 
ment, and  etiology  of  this  condition.  The  pos- 
sibility of  an  increased  incidence  of  this  condition 
in  the  Negro  male  heavy  laborer  in  Mississippi  is 
suggested.  It  is  hoped  that  earlier  referral  of  sug- 
gestive cases  will  result  in  less  permanent  neuro- 
logical deficits  and  thus  better  rehabilitation  of 
individuals  with  syringomyelia.  *** 

2500  N.  State  Street  (39216) 
Supported  in  part  by  USPHS  training  grant  NBO  5215. 

REFERENCES 

1.  Gardner,  W.  James:  Embryologic  Origin  of  Spinal 
Malformations,  Acta  Radiol.  5:1013-1023,  1966. 

2.  Bowman.  K.,  and  Iivanainen,  M.:  Prognosis  of  Syrin- 
gomyelia, Acta  Neurol.  Scandinav.  43:61-68,  1967. 

3.  Love,  J.  G.,  and  Olafson,  R.  A.:  Syringomyelia:  A 
Look  at  Surgical  Therapy,  J.  Neurosurgery  24:714- 
718,  1966. 


VISITING  PRIVILEGES 

The  case  worker  at  the  welfare  office  was  interviewing  a mother 
who  asked  for  aid  for  her  13  children.  “But  I don’t  understand. 
You  say  your  husband  left  you  10  years  ago,  yet  eight  of  your 
children  are  under  10  years  of  age.” 

“Oh,  I can  explain  that,”  beamed  the  applicant.  “He  comes 
back  now  and  then  to  apologize.” 


OCTOBER  1970 


537 


When  irritable  colon  feels  like  this 


i 


i 


The  blowfish,  a small  spec 
of  fish,  reacts  to  stress  or 
fright  by  puffing  itself  up  i 
air.  After  about  a dozen 
noisy  gulps  the  belly  is  ball 
shaped  and  hard.  When 
replaced  in  the  water  the 
quickly  expelled,  and 
the  fish  sinks  to  the  botton 


. in  the  presence  of  spasm  or  hypermotility, 
gas  distension  and  discomfort, KINESED 
provides  more  complete  relief : 


□ belladonna  alkaloids— for  the  hyper- 
active bowel  □ simethicone  — for  ac- 
companying distension  and  pain  due  to 
gas  □ phenobarbital— for  associated 
anxiety  and  tension 

Composition:  Each  chewable,  fruit-flavored,  scored  tab- 
let contains:  16  mg.  phenobarbital  (warning:  may  be 
habit-forming);  0.1  mg.  hyoscyamine  sulfate;  0.02  mg. 
atropine  sulfate;  0.007  mg.  scopolamine  hydrobromide; 
40  mg.  simethicone. 

Contraindications:  Hypersensitivity  to  barbiturates  or 


belladonna  alkaloids,  glaucoma,  advanced  renal  or  he- 
patic disease. 

Precautions:  Administer  with  caution  to  patients  with 
incipient  glaucoma,  bladder  neck  obstruction  or  uri- 
nary bladder  atony.  Prolonged  use  of  barbiturates  may 
be  habit-forming. 

Side  effects:  Blurred  vision,  dry  mouth,  dysuria,  and 
other  atropine-like  side  effects  may  occur  at  high  doses, 
but  are  only  rarely  noted  at  recommended  dosages. 
Dosage:  Adults:  One  or  two  tablets  three  or  four  times 
daily.  Dosage  can  be  adjusted  depending  on  diagnosis 
and  severity  of  symptoms.  Children  2 to  12  years:  One 
half  or  one  tablet  three  or  four  times  daily.  Tablets  may 
be  chewed  or  swallowed  with  liquids. 


STUART  PHARMACEUTICALS  I Pasadena,  California  91109  I Division  of  ATLAS  CHEMICAL  INDUSTRIES,  INC. 


(from  the  Greek  kinetikos, 
to  move, 

and  the  Latin  sedatus, 
to  calm) 

KINESES 

antispasmodic/sedative/antiflatulent 


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— The  Editors. 


5 40 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Case  Report  XIV 
Of  Maternal  Mortality  Study 


GEORGE  J.  NASSAR,  M.D. 
Greenwood,  Mississippi 


The  following  case  report  represents  death 
from  hemorrhage  and  shock,  due  to  acute,  post- 
partum inversion  of  the  uterus. 

CASE  NO.  576-99999-68 

A 25-year-old  mother  of  four  living  children 
was  pronounced  dead,  shortly  after  delivering  her 
fifth  normal  child. 

This  patient,  gravida  VI,  had  an  apparently 
normal  antepartal  course.  She  presumably  had  an 
adequate,  gynecoid  pelvis,  since  she  had  de- 
livered five  term  infants,  at  home  without  diffi- 
culty. It  was  assumed  by  the  physician,  who  saw 
her  just  prior  to  death,  that  she  had  been  seen 
once  at  the  prenatal  clinic  of  the  Washington 
County  Health  Department. 

The  patient  was  delivered  at  her  home,  at- 
tended by  a midwife,  on  Nov.  23,  1968.  The 
onset  of  labor  was  spontaneous.  She  delivered, 
spontaneously,  a live  boy  who  weighed  six  pounds 
eight  ounces.  The  duration  of  pregnancy  could 
not  be  ascertained,  but  was  presumed  to  be  full 
term.  The  duration  of  labor  was  not  reported. 
The  midwife  stated  that  the  patient  began  to 
bleed  profusely  during  labor  and  immediately  fol- 
lowing delivery  of  the  child.  The  duration  of 
bleeding  was  not  recorded. 

With  the  onset  of  the  third  stage  of  labor  there 
seemed  to  be  a complete  absence  of  data  except 
for  the  knowledge  that  no  consultation  was  sought, 
no  effort  was  made  to  transport  the  patient  to  a 
hospital  and  no  blood  was  given.  There  is  also  no 
knowledge  as  to  placental  delivery  and  whether 

Obstetrics  and  gynecology  member,  Committee  on 

Maternal  and  Child  Care. 


the  placenta  was  intact.  A physician  was  sum- 
moned, who  diagnosed  the  presence  of  an  acute, 
puerperal  uterine  inversion  in  a dying  woman. 
The  patient  expired  on  Nov.  23,  1968. 


The  patient  in  this  case  report  is  a 25- 
year-old  Negro  female,  gravida  VI,  who  died 
shortly  after  delivering  her  fifth  normal  child. 
She  was  diagnosed  as  having  an  acute,  pu- 
erperal uterine  inversion.  The  committee 
discusses  the  case,  rating  it  as  avoidable  if 
a physician  had  been  in  attendance  when  the 
uterus  inverted. 


This  case  was  reviewed  anonymously  in  the 
usual  manner,  by  a member  of  the  MSMA  Com- 
mittee on  Maternal  and  Child  Care  and  discussed 
at  a regular,  quarterly  meeting  of  the  committee. 

The  adequacy  of  the  information  received  was 
rated  at  1 on  an  ascending  scale  of  1 to  5.  The 
committee  expressed  regret  that  the  physician  was 
called  in  too  late  to  save  the  mother’s  life.  This 
death  was  classified  as  an  avoidable,  obstetric 
death,  due  to  hemorrhage  and  shock  resulting 
from  acute,  postpartum  inversion  of  the  uterus. 
The  committee  members  also  felt  that  midwives 
should  be  constantly  mindful  of  the  absolute  ne- 
cessity of  referring  patients  promptly  at  the  earli- 
est sign  of  any  deviation  from  normal  of  a preg- 
nancy or  delivery  under  their  care  to  a physician 
and  the  nearest  hospital.  Fortunately,  most  ob- 
stetrical deaths  can  be  prevented  and  it  behooves 
one  to  seek  out  early  signs  of  impending  compli- 


OCTOBER  1970 


541 


cations  and  early  consultation  and  institution  of 
treatment. 

The  author  would  like  to  review,  briefly,  some 
of  the  pertinent  facts  relating  to  this  complication. 

1.  Occurrence 

Ten  cases  were  reported  at  Emanuel  Hospital 
in  44,723  deliveries  from  1950  through  1959. 1 
The  proportion  of  inversions  in  the  Negro  and 
White  race  is  essentially  equal.2  McCullogh2  es- 
timated that  the  average  age  at  which  inversion 
occurs  is  27.  Torpin2  stated  that  more  than  50 
per  cent  of  reported  cases  were  in  the  primipara. 
The  majority  of  the  cases  reported  occurred  fol- 
lowing term  pregnancy.3 4 

2.  Etiology 

A.  Predisposing  factors: 

(a)  Laxity  or  thinness  of  the  uterine  wall  at 
the  placental  site. 

(b)  Uterine  atony,  following  exhaustive  labor 
or  uterine  muscular  incoordination,  which  may  be 
precipitated  by  the  administration  of  an  oxy- 
tocic agent. 

(c)  Overdistension  of  the  uterus  such  as  in 
multiple  pregnancy  or  hydramnios. 

(d)  Fundal  implantation  of  the  placenta,  more 
common  in  the  primipara,  also  varying  degrees 
of  accreta. 

B.  Precipitating  factors: 

(a)  Traction  on  the  cord. 

(b)  Excessive  fundal  pressure. 

(c)  Manual  removal  of  the  placenta,  by  incom- 
plete removal  or  suction  affect  resulting  from  rap- 
id withdrawal  of  the  operator’s  hand  from  the 
uterus. 

(d)  Short  cord. 

(e)  Sudden  changes  in  intraabdominal  pres- 
sure, such  as  sneezing,  coughing,  vomiting  or  at- 
tempting to  sit  up. 

The  first  three  precipitating  factors,  listed 
above,  account  for  over  50  per  cent  of  cases  of 
uterine  inversion  and  constitute  mismanagement 
of  the  third  stage  of  labor  and  are  the  ones  over 
which  one  has  the  most  control;  so  its  dangers  are 
worth  reiterating. 

3.  Diagnosis 

A.  Complete  inversion  is  relatively  self-diag- 
nostic. 

B.  Incomplete  inversion: 


(a)  Cupping  or  dimpling  of  the  fundus  on  ab- 
dominal palpation. 

(b)  Hemorrhage. 

(c)  Shock  out  of  proportion  to  blood  loss. 

An  immediate  thorough  examination  of  the  en- 
tire genital  tract  will  quickly  establish  the  diag- 
nosis. Such  an  examination  should  be  performed 
routinely  after  every  delivery. 

4.  Treatment 

This  consists  of  early  diagnosis  and  prompt  re- 
placement of  the  uterus,  once  shock  measures  are 
instituted.  It  should  be  emphasized  that  as  long 
as  the  “inflicting  agent”  of  shock  is  still  in  action 
and  will  remain  so  unless  the  uterus  is  replaced 
immediately,  the  patient’s  recovery  is  imperiled. 
If  the  placenta  is  still  attached,  the  inversion  must 
be  reduced  before  attempting  to  deliver  the  pla- 
centa. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  deep  anesthesia 
should  be  employed  to  relax  the  cervix.  Occasion- 
ally the  injection  of  seven  drops  of  adrenalin  into 
the  cervical  ring  may  induce  cervical  relaxation 
and  then  cupping  the  fingers  over  the  inverted 
portion  of  the  uterus  with  upward  push  will  re- 
place the  uterus. 

Subacute  and  chronic  cases  of  uterine  inver- 
sion may  require  surgical  intervention  for  defini- 
tive treatment. 

SUMMARY 

A maternal  death  due  to  postpartum  inver- 
sion of  the  uterus  is  reported.  This  condition  can 
be  easily  diagnosed  and  treated.  In  over  50  per 
cent  of  cases  it  can  be  prevented  by  proper  man- 
agement of  the  third  stage  of  labor  and  in  the 
minority  group  of  reported  cases  it  may  be  spon- 
taneous and  can  “happen  to  anyone.” 

A complete  genital  examination  after  each  de- 
livery is  strongly  recommended  as  a routine  mea- 
sure to  rule  out  the  presence  of  such  a postpar- 
tum complication. 

405  River  Road  (38930) 
REFERENCES 

1.  Eastman,  N.  J.:  Williams  Obstetrics,  ed.  11.  New 

York,  Appleton-Century-Crofts,  1956. 

2.  Torpin,  R.:  J.  Med.  A.  Georgia  36:63,  1947. 

3.  McCullogh,  W.  McK.  H. : J.  Obst.  & Gynaec.,  Brit. 

Empire  32:280,  1925. 

4.  Holmes,  R.  W. : Obstetrics  1:297,  1899. 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


542 


Seminar  on  Care  of  the  Newborn  — IV 


Newborn  Hematologic  Problems 


JEANETTE  PULLEN,  M.D.,  and 
ROSS  SMITH,  M.D. 
Jackson,  Mississippi 


In  evaluating  the  newborn’s  hematologic  status, 
one  must  take  into  account  certain  influences 
which  need  be  considered  only  in  this  age  group. 
The  mother’s  hematological  status  may  influence 
that  of  the  fetus.  Since  fetal  blood  formation  and 
hemostatic  mechanisms  mature  progressively  dur- 
ing intrauterine  life,  the  degree  of  maturity  at 
birth  influences  the  newborn's  hematological 
status. 

Perinatal  events  predisposing  to  maternal  and/ 
or  fetal  blood  loss  must  be  taken  into  account. 
Finally,  one  must  remember  that  the  normal  new- 
born’s blood  counts  change  progressively  over  the 
first  few  weeks  of  life  from  those  best  suited  to 
intrauterine  life  to  those  best  suited  to  extrauter- 
ine  life. 

Anemia  and  hemorrhage  are  the  two  principal 
hematological  problems  which  are  encountered 
commonly  in  the  neonatal  period. 

To  identify  anemia  in  the  newborn,  one  must 
be  familiar  with  normal  values  for  hemoglobin 
and  hematocrit  in  this  age  group.  Unfortunately 
in  the  newborn,  normal  values  have  been  difficult 
to  delineate,  because  of  the  influence  of  several 
factors.  The  site  of  sampling  affects  results, 
since  hemoglobin  concentration  is  about  2.5  to 
3.5  gm./lOO  ml.  higher  in  capillary  (heel  stick) 
samples  than  in  simultaneously  obtained  venous 
samples.1-  2 (The  higher  capillary  hemoglo- 
bin is  apparently  due  to  sluggish  circulation  in 
peripheral  vessels  during  the  first  few  days  of  life, 
with  resultant  transudation  of  plasma  from  the 
small  vessels.3)  Early  versus  delayed  clamping  of 
the  cord  at  delivery  influences  the  total  red  cell 
volume  in  the  newborn.4 


From  the  Department  of  Pediatrics,  University  of  Mis- 
sissippi School  of  Medicine.  Jackson,  Miss. 


In  all  infants  during  the  early  hours  after 
birth,  an  increase  in  hemoglobin  concentration 
occurs,  usually  in  the  range  of  about  3 gm./lOO 
ml.  This  is  probably  due  to  a decrease  in  plasma 
volume  during  early  extrauterine  existence.4 


Influences  pertinent  to  the  evaluation  of 
the  newborn’s  hematologic  status  are  dis- 
cussed. Normal  values,  the  anemias,  bleed- 
ing, thrombocytopenia,  hemophilia,  and 
a range  of  conditions  are  examined,  dis- 
cussed, and  framed  with  practical  guides.  Vi- 
tamin K deficiency  and  transfusion  axioms 
are  also  considered.  The  authors  present  a 
study  of  sufficient  depth  to  afford  compre- 
hensive consideration  of  the  subject  area. 


In  spite  of  these  variables,  fairly  reliable  norms 
have  been  established.  Normal  cord  blood  hemo- 
globin is  in  the  range  of  16.5  to  17.1  gm./lOO  ml., 
with  simultaneous  capillary  hemoglobin  determi- 
nations of  about  19.8  gm./lOO  ml.  Normal  cord 
blood  hematocrit  values  are  approximately  51% 
to  56%.  In  general,  a newborn  is  considered  ane- 
mic if  the  cord  blood  (or  other  venous  sample) 
hemoglobin  is  less  than  14  gm.,/100  ml.,  or  if  the 
capillary  hemoglobin  is  below  15  gm./lOO  ml. 
The  mean  hemoglobin  values  for  premature  in- 
fants are  slightly  lower,  with  a mean  hemoglobin 
at  38  weeks’  gestation  of  15.2  gm./lOO  ml.,  at 
34  weeks  of  15  gm./lOO  ml.,  and  at  28  weeks  of 
14.5  gm./lOO  ml.3  Table  1 records  mean  values 
for  peripheral  blood  counts  obtained  in  a large 
series  of  normal  newborns. 


OCTOBER  1970 


543 


Newborn  Hematology  / Pullen  and  Smith 

During  the  first  week  of  life,  there  is  normally 
no  decrease  in  hemoglobin  values.  Thereafter, 
the  hemoglobin  and  hematocrit  fall  steadily  be- 
cause of  minimal  marrow  erythropoiesis  and  de- 
creased red  cell  survival.  The  term  infant  reaches 
a minimum  hemoglobin  level  (around  9 to  10 
gm./lOO  ml.)  at  approximately  three  months  of 
age.  In  the  premature,  the  fall  occurs  more  rapid- 
ly and  the  low  point  (7.5  to  9.0  gm./lOO  ml.)  is 
reached  at  about  six  to  eight  weeks  of  age.  In 
general,  the  smallest  infants  exhibit  the  most 
rapid  fall  in  hemoglobin  and  develop  the  most 
marked  degree  of  anemia. 

When  the  above  described  hemoglobin  de- 
cline reaches  frankly  anemic  levels  (the  so- 
called  physiologic  anemia),  the  bone  marrow  is 
stimulated  to  reinstitute  active  erythropoiesis,  and 
the  minimal  anemia  is  gradually  corrected.  In  the 
premature  infant,  the  actively  resumed  erythro- 
poiesis may  not  be  sufficient  to  keep  up  with 
the  rapidly  growing  baby’s  blood  volume  and  the 
“physiologic”  anemia  may  persist  longer  than  in 
the  term  infant. 

UTILIZATION  OF  IRON 

At  the  time  active  erythropoiesis  resumes,  iron 
is  actively  utilized  in  the  formation  of  new  hemo- 
globin. In  the  term  infant,  the  iron  derived  from 
the  breakdown  of  the  initial  large  red  cell  mass 
and  that  derived  from  tissue  iron  stores  supplies 
adequate  iron  for  red  cell  production,  provided 
dietary  intake  is  adequate.  In  the  premature, 
however,  tissue  iron  stores  are  often  inadequate, 
since  the  majority  of  fetal  iron  is  acquired  trans- 
placentally  during  the  last  trimester  of  pregnancy. 
Therefore,  supplementary  iron  should  be  admin- 
istered to  the  premature  infant,  beginning  at 
about  the  time  active  red  cell  production  begins. 

As  a general  rule,  iron  supplementation  is  be- 
gun at  four  to  six  weeks  of  age  for  those  infants 


remaining  in  the  premature  nursery,  or  at  the 
time  of  discharge  if  this  is  prior  to  one  month  of 
age.  For  prophylaxis,  8 to  15  mg.  of  elemental 
iron  per  day  is  suggested.  For  treatment  of  overt 
iron  deficiency  anemia,  5 to  7 mg./kg.  of  ele- 
mental iron  per  day  is  recommended. 

HEMOLYSIS 

Anemia  in  the  neonatal  period  usually  re- 
sults from  one  of  two  major  causes:  hemolysis  or 
hemorrhage. 

When  hemolysis  of  fetal  cells  occurs  in  utero, 
it  is  usually  caused  by  maternal-fetal  red  cell  Rh 
antigen  incompatibility.  If  in  utero  hemolysis  is 
extensive,  the  infant  may  be  born  severely  ane- 
mic. 

Hemolysis  occurring  in  the  first  few  days  of 
extrauterine  life  is  more  common  and  is  evidenced 
by  the  following:  (1)  Increased  reticulocyte  count 
and  increased  numbers  of  nucleated  red  cells, 
above  normal  values  shown  in  Table  1,  (2)  ac- 
cumulation of  red  cell  break-down  products,  prin- 
cipally bilirubin,  with  a predominance  of  in- 
direct reacting  bilirubin,  and  (3)  falling  hemo- 
globin during  the  first  week  of  life  without  evi- 
dence of  hemorrhage. 

The  leading  cause  of  hemolysis  in  the  new- 
born is  maternal  iso-sensitization  against  fetal  red 
cells.5  Both  Rh  and  ABO  incompatibilities  can 
cause  hemolysis.  Because  the  diagnosis  and  treat- 
ment of  this  type  of  hemolytic  disease  of  the  new- 
born constitutes  a topic  in  itself,  the  authors 
have  decided  to  devote  a separate  article  in  this 
series  to  the  diagnosis  and  management  of  isoim- 
mune hemolytic  disease  in  the  newborn.  Other 
types  of  hemolytic  anemias  in  the  newborn  period 
may  be  divided  into  acquired  and  hereditary  he- 
molytic anemias. 

Neonatally  acquired  hemolytic  anemias  related 
to  infections  are  seen  commonly  in  pediatric  prac- 
tice. In  the  newborn,  severe  infections  (particu- 


TABLE  1 


MEAN  NORMAL  VALUES  IN  THE  FULL 

TERM 

INFANT* 

Cord 

Value 

Blood 

Day  1 

Day  3 

Day  7 

Day  14 

HGB  (gms/100  ml.)  . 

16.8 

18.4 

17.8 

17.0 

16.8 

Hematocrit  (%)  

53.0 

58.0 

55.0 

54.0 

52.0 

Reticulocytes  (%  ) . . . 

3-7 

3-7 

1-3 

0-1 

0-1 

Nuc.  RBC/100  WBC 

7-8 

1-5 

0-2 

0 

0 

Platelets/cu.mm. 

290,000 

192,000 

213,000 

248,000 

252,000 

WBC’s/cu.mm 

18,100 

22,000 

11,000 

12,200 

11,400 

* From  combined  data  of  Oski  and  Naiman,  1966,  and  Kato,  1935. 


544 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


TABLE  2 

SOME  OF  THE  MORE  COMMONLY  USED  AGENTS 
REPORTED  TO  PRODUCE  HEMOLYSIS  IN 
PATIENTS  WITH  G-6-PD  DEFICIENCY 


ANTIMALARIALS 
Quinacrine  (Atabrine) 

Quinine 

ANTIPYRETICS  AND  ANALGESICS 
Acetylsalicylic  Acid  (ASA) 

Acetophenetidin  (Phenacetin) 
p-Aminosalicyclic  Acid  (PAS) 

Aminopyrine 

INFECTIONS 

Respiratory  Viruses 
Infectious  Hepatitis 
Infectious  Mononucleosis 
Bacterial  Pneumonias 

NITROFURANS 

Nitrofurantoin  (Furadantin) 

Furazolidone  (Furoxone) 

Nitrofurazone  (Furacin) 

SULFONAMIDES 
Sulfanilamide 
Sulfacetamide  (Sulamyd) 

Sulfamethoxypyridine  (Kynex,  Midicel) 
Salicylazosulfapyridine  (Azulfidine) 

Sulfisoxazole  (Gantrisin) 

Sulfapyridine 

MISCELLANEOUS 
Acetylphenhydrazine 
Chloramphenicol 
Chloroquine 
Dimercaprol  (BAL) 

Fava  Beans 
Methylene  Blue 
Naphthalene  ("Moth  Balls”) 

Nalidixic  Acid  (Negram) 

Orinase 

Phenylhydrazine 

Probenecid 

Quinidine 

Vitamin  K (Large  doses  of  water  soluble  analogues) 


larly  sepsis)  are  likely  to  be  accompanied  by  he- 
molysis. Bacterial,  viral  (cytomegalic  inclusion 
disease,  rubella  syndrome),  protozoan  (toxoplas- 
mosis) and  spirochetal  (syphilitic)  infections  may 
cause  hemolysis.  Hemolytic  anemias  may  some- 
times be  precipitated  by  the  administration  of  cer- 
tain drugs  to  the  mother  prior  to  delivery  or  to 
the  neonate  after  delivery. 

Hereditary  hemolytic  anemias  involve  an  in- 
trinsic defect  in  the  infant’s  red  cells,  which 
causes  shortened  red  cell  survival. 

Morphologic  abnormalities  of  the  red  cell  can 
often  be  suspected  from  routine  examination  of 


the  newborn's  peripheral  blood  smear.  Congeni- 
tal spherocytosis  may,  on  occasion,  present  with 
extensive  hemolysis  in  the  nursery,  sometimes  re- 
quiring exchange  transfusion.  Spherocytes  may 
or  may  not  be  numerous  on  the  peripheral  smear 
at  this  early  age.  (One  should  keep  in  mind  that 
some  spherocytes  may  be  seen  in  any  hemolytic 
anemia,  and  particularly  in  ABO  incompatibili- 
ties.) Since  congenital  spherocytosis  is  inherited 
in  a dominant  fashion,  the  diagnosis  can  often 
be  confirmed  by  family  studies.  Congenital  ovalo- 
cytosis (elliptocytosis)  may  occasionally  cause 
significant  hemolysis  in  the  neonatal  period. 

HEMOGLOBINOPATHIES 

Hemoglobinopathies  are  not  usually  manifested 
as  hemolytic  disease  during  the  neonatal  period, 
because  of  the  predominance  of  fetal  hemoglobin 
during  this  time.  However,  a positive  test  for 
sickling  may  sometimes  be  obtained  during  the 
newborn  period. 

Inherited  enzymatic  deficiencies  of  the  red 
cells  may  cause  hemolysis  in  the  nursery.  The 
most  common  red  cell  enzymatic  deficiency  is  that 
of  glucose-6-phosphate  dehydrogenase  (G-6-PD), 
fairly  common  in  Negro  infants.  Drugs  known  to 
precipitate  hemolysis  in  G-6-PD  deficient  pa- 
tients (Table  2)  may  cause  neonatal  hemoly- 
sis when  administered  to  the  mother  near  term. 
Apparently  newborn  infants  with  G-6-PD  defi- 
cient red  cells  may  sometimes  demonstrate  spon- 
taneous hemolysis  without  drug  provocation. 
Other  congenital  red  cell  enzymatic  deficiencies 
occur  but  are  quite  rare. 

HEMOLYTIC  ANEMIA 

Even  in  the  normal  newborn,  many  of  the 
red  cell  enzymes  are  immature,  causing  hemolysis 
to  occur  more  readily  than  in  the  older  child  or 
adult.3  Almost  all  types  of  neonatal  hemolytic 
anemias,  if  severe,  may  result  in  hyperbilirubine- 
mia of  sufficient  degree  to  require  exchange  trans- 
fusion to  prevent  kernicterus.  Table  3 provides  a 
working  diagram  for  the  diagnosis  of  the  etiology 
of  a hemolytic  anemia  in  the  newborn  period. 

Fetal  bleeding,  before  or  during  delivery,  ac- 
counts for  only  5 to  10  per  cent  of  cases  of  anemia 
in  the  newborn  period.  When  severe  perinatal 
bleeding  does  occur,  however,  the  mortality  may 
exceed  50  percent.6  Rapid  loss  of  a relatively 
small  volume  (30  to  50  ml.)  of  blood  in  a new- 
born is  sufficient  to  produce  shock.7  So  small  a 
volume  may  go  undetected  during  delivery  or  be 
misinterpreted  as  maternal  bleeding. 

The  fetus  can  bleed  from  six  different  path- 
ways: 

(1)  Bleeding  from  the  umbilical  cord.  A nor- 


OCTOBER  1970 


545 


Newborn  Hematology  / Pullen  and  Smith 

inal  cord  very  rarely  tears  during  delivery  but 
when  aberrant  cord  vessels  or  velamentous  in- 
sertion of  the  cord  are  present,  rupture  of  um- 
bilical vessels  may  occur. 

(2)  Spontaneous  bleeding  from  the  placenta 
at  delivery.  Though  most  maternal  vaginal  bleed- 
ing represents  bleeding  from  the  maternal  side  of 
the  placenta,  placenta  previa,  abruptio  placentae 
and  vasa  previa  may  cause  fetal  as  well  as  ma- 
ternal bleeding. 

(3)  Incision  into  the  placenta  during  cesarean 
section.  An  anteriorly  placed  placenta  may  be  in- 
cised during  cesarean  section,  resulting  in  signifi- 
cant blood  loss  from  the  fetus. 

(4)  Fetomatemal  hemorrhage.  Passage  of  fetal 
red  cells  into  the  maternal  circulation  occurs  com- 
monly during  pregnancy.  The  amount  of  fetoma- 
ternal  hemorrhage  is  usually  less  than  1 ml.,  but 
occasionally  is  of  sufficient  degree  to  cause  severe 
anemia  in  the  newborn.  The  majority  of  fetoma- 
ternal  hemorrhages  occur  during  delivery,  though 
rarely  a chronic  leakage  of  red  cells  from  fetus 
to  mother  can  occur  during  pregnancy. 

(5)  Twin  to  twin  hemorrhage.  When  twins 
share  a monochorionic  placenta,  blood  from  one 
twin  may  be  diverted  to  the  other  twin  by  way  of 
intercommunications  between  the  vessels  of  the 
placenta,  resulting  in  anemia  in  one  twin  and 
plethora  in  the  other.  A twin  to  twin  transfusion 
should  be  suspected  if  a hemoglobin  difference  of 
5 gm./lOO  ml.  or  greater  is  evident  in  the  twins 
at  delivery. 


(6)  Internal  hemorrhage.  Breech  deliveries 
may  be  associated  with  hemorrhage  into  the  liver, 
kidney,  spleen  or  retroperitoneal  area.  Traumatic 
or  precipitous  deliveries  may  cause  subdural  or 
subarachnoid  hemorrhage  of  sufficient  magnitude 
to  result  in  anemia.  Even  cephalohematomas  may 
be  of  sufficient  size  to  produce  anemia. 

The  treatment  of  the  newborn  who  is  anemic 
at  birth  depends  on  the  degree  of  anemia  and 
the  acuteness  of  the  blood  loss.  If  the  hemorrhage 
has  been  chronic  and  of  minimal  degree  during 
intrauterine  life,  the  baby  may  be  anemic  but  in 
no  acute  distress.  In  this  case,  transfusion,  if 
necessary  at  all,  can  best  be  given  in  the  form  of 
packed  cells.  If  the  bleeding  has  been  severe  and 
prolonged  in  utero,  elevated  venous  pressure  or 
evidence  of  edema  in  the  infant  may  require  that 
packed  cells  be  administered  by  means  of  a par- 
tial exchange  transfusion. 

If  extensive  hemorrhage  occurred  shortly  before 
or  during  delivery,  the  newborn  will  exhibit  ex- 
treme pallor  and  shock  at  birth.  In  such  a baby, 
the  hemoglobin  value  may  not  immediately  re- 
flect the  recent  blood  loss.  This  infant  requires 
immediate  transfusion  with  whole  blood. 

BLEEDING  AFTER  DELIVERY 

Excessive  bleeding  in  an  infant  in  the  first  days 
of  life  suggests  the  possibility  of  an  abnormal 
hemostatic  mechanism  in  the  baby.  Hemostatic 
defects  in  the  neonate  may  be  acquired  and  tran- 
sient, or  inherited  and  lifelong.  The  principal 
causes  of  ineffective  hemostasis  in  the  newborn 
are:  thrombocytopenia,  vitamin  K deficiency,  liv- 


TABLE  3 

DIFFERENTIAL  DIAGNOSIS  OF  COMMON  HEMOLYTIC  ANEMIAS  IN  THE  NEWBORN 


Spirochetal 
Syphilis 
Protozoan 
Toxoplasmosis 


Aniline 

Nitrobenzene 

Naphthalene 

Phenylhydrazine 

Others 


5 46 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


TABLE  4 

DIAGNOSTIC  APPROACH  TO  THE  THROMBOCYTOPENIC  NEWBORN* 

MOTHER 


1. 


History  previous  bleeding  (ITP?) , drugs,  illness, 
infants  with  purpura,  rubella  in  T^ 

Test  for  syphilis 

Platelet  count 


1.  Maternal  ITP,  S.L.E. 

2.  Drug  purpura 

3.  Inherited  thrombocytopenia 


Examine  Infant 


a.  Normal 

1)  Isoimmune  purpura 

2)  Thiazides 

3)  Inherited  thrombocytopenia 

4)  Early  congenital  aplastic 

anemia 


T 


b.  Hepatosplenomegaly 

1)  Infections 

bacterial  sepsis 

congenital  syphilis 

disseminated  herpes 

cytomegalic  inclusion 
disease 


c.  Congenital  anomalies 

1)  Giant  hemangioma 

2)  Rubella  syndrome 

3)  Absent  radii 

4)  Fanconi's  anemia 


congenital  toxoplasmosis 
2)  Congenital  leukemia 


* From  Oski  and  Naiman.  1966. 

er  immaturity,  hemophilia  and  intravascular  co- 
agulation. 

Petechial  skin  lesions,  especially  when  widely 
distributed,  suggest  the  possibility  of  thrombocy- 
topenia. A peripheral  blood  smear  should  be 
examined  to  determine  if  the  platelets  appear  de- 
creased on  smear.  If  one  sees  less  than  five  plate- 
lets in  most  oil  immersion  fields,  thrombocyto- 
penia is  likely.  This  should  be  confirmed  with  a 
phase  platelet  count.  If  the  platelet  count  is  less 
than  100,000/MM3,  significant  thrombocyto- 
penia exists.  Overt  bleeding  usually  occurs  only 
if  the  platelet  count  is  less  than  30,000/ MM3. 

In  a baby  with  thrombocytopenia,  but  with  no 
other  coagulation  defect,  bleeding  is  usually  con- 
fined to  skin  petechiae  and  ecchymoses  and  to 


mucous  membrane  bleeding.  However,  there  is 
always  the  possibility  of  an  occasional  thrombo- 
cytopenic baby’s  bleeding  into  internal  viscera. 
Though  intracranial  hemorrhage  is  rare  in  neo- 
natal thrombocytopenia,  it  may  occasionally  oc- 
cur. It  is  most  to  be  feared  in  the  immediate 
postdelivery  period  in  the  presence  of  general, 
severe  thrombocytopenic  bleeding. 

Normal  values  for  phase  platelet  counts  in 
term  infants  during  the  first  week  of  life  do  not 
differ  significantly  from  those  of  older  children 
and  adults  (Table  1).  Routine  determinations  of 
platelet  counts  in  premature  infants  with  no  evi- 
dence of  bleeding  have  been  done  in  only  a few 
nurseries.  However,  there  is  evidence  that  some 
premature  babies  may  have  “physiologically”  lowy 


OCTOBER  1970 


547 


His  makeup  is  unique  by  tradition. 


* 


His  ulcer  treatment  is  unique 
by  tradition,  too. 


. 


In  the  world  of 
entertainment,  a clown’s 
makeup  remains  the 
exclusive  property  of  its 
originator.  Time  has 
established  that  tradition. 
In  the  treatment  of  ulcers 
and  other  gastrointestinal 
complaints,  time  has 
established  Pro-Banthine 
as  a tradition  too. 


Few  drugs  can  boast  a 
longer  successful  run. 
Introduced  17  years  ago, 
this  drug  is  a veteran 
gastrointestinal  performer. 

Pro-Banthine  stars  in  the 
treatment  of  peptic  ulcer, 
functional  gastrointestinal 
disturbances,  ulcerative 
colitis,  hypertrophic  gastritis, 
pylorospasm,  acute  and 
chronic  pancreatitis, 
diverticulitis,  biliary 
dyskinesia,  hyperhidrosis, 
ileostomies,  and  colonic, 


ureteral  or  urinary  bladder 
spasm.  Its  fame. as  an 
anticholinergic  is  worldwide. 
' When  you  want  a 
performer  you  can  count  on 
. . . remember  Pro-Banthine. 
Tradition  does. 


, 1 


i ii 


Research  in  the  service  of  medicine. 


G.D.Searle&Co.,  Chicago,  III.  60680 


Pro-Banthine 

(propantheline  bromide) 

the  traditional  ulcer  treatment 


Pro-Banthine  15  mg. 

propantheline  bromide 


Pro-Banthine  15  mg. 

propantheline  bromide 
with 

Dartal  5 mg. 
thiopropazate 
dihydrochloride 


Pro-Banthine  15  mg. 

propantheline  bromide 
with 

Phenobarbital  15  mg. 
warning: 

may  be  habit  forming 


Pro-Banthine  P.A.  30  mg. 

propantheline  bromide 
in  time-release  form 


Pro-Banthine  71/2  mg. 
propantheline  bromide 
Half  Strength 


Pro’Banthine 

(propantheline  bromide) 

Indications:  Peptic  ulcer,  gastroenteritis, 
pylorospasm,  biliary  dyskinesia,  functional 
hypermotility  and  irritable  colon. 
Contraindications:  Glaucoma,  severe  cardiac 
disease. 

Precautions:  Since  varying  degrees  of  urinary 
hesitancy  may  occur  in  elderly  men  with  pros- 
tatic hypertrophy,  this  should  be  watched  for 
in  such  patients  until  they  have  gained  some 
experience  with  the  drug.  Although  never  re- 
ported, theoretically  a curare-like  action  may 
occur  with  possible  loss  of  voluntary  muscle 
control.  Such  patients  should  receive  prompt 
and  continuing  artificial  respiration  until  the 
drug  effect  has  been  exhausted. 

Side  Effects:  The  more  common  side  effects, 
in  order  of  incidence,  are  xerostomia,  mydri- 
asis, hesitancy  of  urination  and  gastric  fullness. 
Dosage:  The  maximal  tolerated  dosage  is  usu- 
ally the  most  effective.  For  most  adult  patients 
this  will  be  four  to  six  15-mg.  tablets  daily  in 
divided  doses.  In  severe  conditions  as  many 
as  two  tablets  four  to  six  times  daily  may  be 
required.  Pro-Banthine  is  supplied  as  tablets 
of  15  mg.,  as  prolonged-acting  tablets  of  30 
mg.  and,  for  parenteral  use,  as  serum-type  vials 
of  30  mg.  The  parenteral  dose  should  be  ad- 
justed to  the  patient’s  requirement  and  may 
be  up  to  30  mg.  or  more  every  six  hours,  intra- 
muscularly or  intravenously. 
Pro-Banthine®  15  mg. 

(propantheline  bromide) 
with 

Dartal®  5 mg. 

(thiopropazate  dihydrochloride  ) 

Indications:  Peptic  ulcer,  spastic  constipation, 
nonspecific  gastritis,  functional  gastrointesti- 
nal disorders,  pylorospasm,  hyperhidrosis, 
irritable  bowel  syndrome,  mucous  or  ulcerative 
colitis,  functional  diarrhea. 

Contraindications:  Glaucoma,  severe  cardiac 
disease. 

Warnings:  Pro-Banthine  with  Dartal  should 
not  be  administered  to  patients  who  are  under 
the  influence  of  barbiturates,  alcohol  or  nar- 
cotics. The  drug  should  be  administered 
cautiously  to  epileptic  patients  or  those  in 
depressed  states,  patients  with  liver  disease 
and  to  pregnant  women.  Hypersensitivity  to 
Dartal  may  occur  rarely  in  patients  with 
known  sensitivity  to  similar  drugs. 

Side  Effects:  Dryness  of  the  mouth,  mydria- 
sis, hesitancy  of  urination;  less  commonly 
extrapyramidal  (restlessness,  dystonia  and 
signs  of  pseudoparkinsonism  su,:h  as  muscular 
rigidity,  fixed  facies,  tremor,  ataxia,  festinant 
gait  and  drooling),  parasympatholytic 
(blurred  vision,  xerostomia,  hypotension,  na- 
sal congestion  and  constipation)  and  curare- 
like  (loss  of  control  of  voluntary  muscles, 
particula.iy  the  muscles  of  respiration)  reac- 
tions. Rarely,  leukopenia  or  allergic  purpura. 
A generalized  erythematous  skin  reaction  may 
occur.  Side  effects  characteristic  of  pheno- 
thiazines  such  as  grand  mal  convulsions,  altered 
cerebrospinal  proteins,  cerebral  edema,  poten- 
tiation of  the  effects  of  atropine,  heat  or  phos- 
phorus insecticides,  autonomic  reactions, 
endocrine  disturbances,  reversed  epinephrine 
effect,  hyperpyrexia  or  pigmentary  retinopa- 
thy may  theoretically  occur  but  have  not  been 
reported  with  Dartal.  Severe  hypotension  fol- 
lowing recommended  doses  occurs  more 
commonly  in  patients  who  are  also  afflicted 
by  other  medical  disorders  such  as  mitral 
insufficiency  or  pheochromocytoma,  and  par- 
ticular attention  should  be  paid  to  such  a 
possibility  although  this  has  not  been  observed 
with  Dartal. 

Adult  Dosage:  One  tablet  three  times  a day. 

Pro-Banthine®  15  mg. 

(propantheline  bromide) 
with 

Phenobarbital  15  mg. 

Warning:  May  be  habit-forming. 

For  Indications,  Contraindications,  Precau- 
tions, Side  Effects  and  Dosage  see  Pro-Ban- 
thine. In  addition,  phenobarbital  should  be 
administered  with  caution  to  patients  with 
liver  disease,  mental  disturbances  or  a signifi- 
cant degree  of  hypoxia. 

Pro-Banthine  P.  A.® 

prolonged  acting  brand  of  propantheline  bromide 
For  Indications,  Contraindications,  Precau- 
tions and  Side  Effects  see  Pro-Banthine. 
Dosage  Form:  Capsule-shaped,  compression- 
coated,  peach  tablets  of  30  mg.  for  oral  use. 
Dosage:  The  recommended  initial  dosage  is 
one  tablet  in  the  morning  and  one  at  night. 

084 


Research  in  theservice  of  medicine. 
G.  D.  Searle  &Co.,  Chicago,  III.  60680 


SEARLE 


Newborn  Hematology  / Pullen  and  Smith 

platelet  counts  during  the  first  weeks  of  life.3*  8 
This  was  noted  particularly  in  some  very  im- 
mature newborns  (less  than  1,700  grams  birth 
weight).  If  petechiae  or  other  bleeding  is  present 
in  a newborn  in  the  presence  of  thrombocyto- 
penia, the  thrombocytopenia  should  not  be  con- 
sidered physiologic. 

Petechiae  and  thrombocytopenia  in  the  new- 
born period  should  always  arouse  the  suspicion  of 
infection.  Almost  all  severe  bacterial  infections, 
particularly  gram  negative  sepsis,  can  cause 
platelet  destruction  as  well  as  hemolysis.  Throm- 
bocytopenia, in  the  presence  of  hepatosplenomeg- 
aly,  suggests  cytomegalic  inclusion  disease,  toxo- 
plasmosis or  lues,  and  may  be  seen  in  the  rubella 
syndrome. 

Many  drugs  may  cause  thrombocytopenia  in  a 
hypersensitive  recipient.  In  particular,  sulfona- 
mides, quinine  and  quinidine  may  cause  throm- 
bocytopenia in  an  occasional  mother  and  in 
her  baby  if  the  drug  is  administered  to  the 
mother  near  term. 

THIAZIDE  DERIVATIVES 

Chlorothiazide  diuretics  do  not  cause  mater- 
nal thrombocytopenia;  however,  maternal  thiazide 
administration  during  pregnancy  occasionally  re- 
sults in  thrombocytopenia  in  the  newborn  baby.8 
This  effect  is  apparently  through  suppression  of 
platelet  production  by  the  fetal  bone  marrow. 
This  thrombocytopenia  may  be  fairly  severe,  and 
may  persist  for  as  long  as  three  months.  In  view 
of  the  large  number  of  women  taking  thiazide 
derivatives  during  pregnancy,  it  is  apparent  that 

TABLE  5 

VITAMIN  K CONTENT  OF  CERTAIN  MILKS  AND 
MILK  SUBSTITUTES  IN  MICROGRAMS/LITER 
OF  STANDARD  DILUTION 


Cow's  milk 60 

Skimmed  cow’s  milk 35 

Human  milk  15 

Sobee  80 

Mull-soy 7 1 

Enfamil  40 

Similac  35 

Nutramigen  (casein  hydrolysate) 18 

Gerber’s  meat  base 16 

Gerber's  lambase 7 

Isomil  17-36* 


* Recently  changed  to  150  mg. /1. 18 
From  Williams  et  al,  Ped.  44:745,  1969. 

neonatal  thrombocytopenia  only  rarely  results 
from  this  drug. 


The  term  immune  thrombocytopenia  is  used  to 
designate  thrombocytopenia  in  which  antiplate- 
let antibodies  cause  platelet  destruction.  Unfor- 
tunately, platelet  antigens  and  antibodies  are  dif- 
ficult to  identify  with  most  currently  employed 
serological  methods,  so  that  only  a few  centers 
attempt  to  demonstrate  antiplatelet  antibodies. 
Therefore,  the  diagnosis  of  immune  thrombo- 
cytopenia must  often  be  one  of  exclusion  or  of 
high  suspicion.  Platelet  antibodies  in  baby’s  se- 
rum are  transplacentally  acquired  maternal  anti- 
bodies, and  may  be  acquired  by  the  baby  in 
either  an  active  or  a passive  fashion. 

PLATELET  INCOMPATIBILITY 

Actively  acquired,  isoimmune,  thrombocyto- 
penia occasionally  occurs  when  incompatibility 
exists  between  the  platelet  antigens  of  the  fetus 
and  those  of  the  mother.  (This  usually  involves 
the  platelet  PlA1  antigen,  which  only  2 per  cent 
of  people  lack,  but  which  causes  over  half  of  ma- 
ternal platelet  isoimmunization.)9  This  disorder 
due  to  fetal-maternal  platelet  incompatibility  is 
analogous  to  neonatal  hemolytic  disease  due  to 
fetal-maternal  red  cell  incompatibility.10  In  ac- 
tively acquired  neonatal  thrombocytopenia,  the 
maternal  platelet  count  is  normal  while  the  ba- 
by’s platelet  count  is  low. 

Maternal  sensitization  to  baby’s  platelets  is  as 
likely  to  occur  with  the  first,  as  with  subsequent 
pregnancies.  Most  infants  with  isoimmune  throm- 
bocytopenia have  only  generalized  petechiae, 
which  are  usually  present  at  delivery,  or  within 
a few  hours  thereafter.  However,  more  severe 
bleeding  may  occur.  There  is  about  a 12  per 
cent  mortality  in  babies  with  actively  acquired 
thrombocytopenia,  death  usually  resulting  from 
intracranial  hemorrhage.  Most  babies  with  this 
type  of  thrombocytopenia  have  a gradual  return 
of  the  platelet  count  to  normal,  the  count  usual- 
ly being  greater  than  60,000/MM3  by  two  to 
three  weeks  of  age.10 

ANTIPLATELET  ANTIBODIES 

In  passively  acquired  neonatal  thrombocyto- 
penia, maternal  isoimmunization  to  fetal  plate- 
lets does  not  occur.  Rather,  the  mother,  usually 
prior  to  pregnancy,  has  developed  autoimmune 
antibodies  against  her  own  platelets.  During 
pregnancy,  these  antibodies  may  traverse  the 
placenta  and  cause  thrombocytopenia  in  the  ba- 
by. In  this  case,  both  the  maternal  and  neonatal 
platelet  counts  are  low.  Mothers  with  lupus  or 
other  collagen  diseases  or  with  chronic  idiopathic 
thrombocytopenia  purpura  are  particularly  prone 
to  pass  antiplatelet  antibodies  on  to  their  in- 
fants. 


550 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


TABLE  6 

NEWBORN  HEMOSTATIC  DEFECTS* 


Most  babies  with  passively  acquired  immune 
thrombocytopenia  are  only  mildly  affected, 
with  only  a few  showing  significant  bleeding.2 
Duration  of  the  thrombocytopenia  varies  greatly 
(from  one  week  to  four  months),  but  the  risk 
of  active  bleeding  seems  to  be  greatly  decreased 
after  the  first  few  days  of  life. 

Other  causes  of  neonatal  thrombocytopenia 
are  outlined  in  Table  4,  which  sketches  one  differ- 
ential diagnostic  approach  to  thrombocytopenia 
in  the  newborn. 

HEMOPHILIA 

Though  hemophilia  (inherited  deficiency  of 
plasmatic  coagulation  factor  VIII  or  IX)  is  an 
uncommon  cause  of  hemorrhage  in  the  newborn, 
it  should  always  be  ruled  out  in  the  bleeding 
male  infant.11  Family  history  is  often  sugges- 
tive. Since  maternal  factor  VIII  and  factor  IX 
do  not  cross  the  placenta,  the  hemophiliac  baby 
is  born  with  an  already  low  level  of  the  hemo- 
philiac factor.  Therefore,  it  is  surprising  and  un- 
explained that  hemophiliac  babies  almost  never 
develop  bleeding  from  birth  trauma.  Usually,  the 
hemophilia  is  not  suspected  in  the  nursery  unless 
the  child  is  circumcised  or  requires  other  minor 
surgical  procedures.  After  circumcision,  the  hemo- 
philiac baby  often  has  oozing  from  the  circum- 
cision site  for  several  days. 

An  occasional  hemophiliac  baby  will  develop 
a cephalohematoma,  bleeding  from  the  umbilical 


cord  or  extensive  bruising.  Once  the  diagnosis  of 
hemophilia  is  affirmed,  it  is  most  important  to 
document  the  type  of  hemophilia,  since  specific 
concentrates  of  either  factor  VIII  or  factor  IX  are 
now  available  for  therapy.  If  a hemophiliac  baby 
does  have  bleeding  in  the  newborn  nursery,  treat- 
ment should  be  with  transfusion  of  fresh  whole 
blood,  fresh  plasma  or  fresh-frozen  plasma  or 
with  specific  concentrates. 

Whereas  the  hemophiliac  is  deficient  in  only 
one  coagulation  factor,  multiple  factor  deficien- 
cies occur  in  some  of  the  mom  common  syn- 
dromes of  abnormal  hemostasis  in  the  newborn. 

LIVER  IMMATURITY 

Many  of  the  plasmatic  coagulation  factors, 
namely  factors  V,  VII,  IX,  X,  XI,  prothrombin 
and  fibrinogen  are  synthesized  by  the  liver.  In 
all  newborn  infants,  some  degree  of  liver  im- 
maturity exists.  In  the  term  infant  and  in  the  pre- 
mature of  high  birth  weight,  liver  immaturity  is 
seldom  of  sufficient  degree  to  cause  significantly 
deficient  synthesis  of  coagulation  factors.  How- 
ever, in  the  low  birth  weight  premature,  extreme 
liver  immaturity  may  result  in  significantly  low 
levels  of  the  liver-synthesized  coagulation  factors, 
and  bleeding  may  result.  This  type  of  bleeding 
has  been  called  “secondary”  hemorrhagic  dis- 
ease of  the  newborn.12  It  does  not  respond  well 
to  vitamin  K,  and  must  be  treated  by  infusion  of 
fresh  blood  or  plasma  to  supply  the  deficient  fac- 
tors. 


OCTOBER  1970 


55  1 


Newborn  Hematology  / Pullen  and  Smith 

In  the  synthesis  of  certain  of  the  coagulation 
factors  (factors  VII,  IX,  X and  prothrombin), 
the  liver  must  utilize  vitamin  K.  Normal  new- 
borns are  in  a somewhat  precarious  state  as  to 
vitamin  K availability.  The  bacterial  intestinal 
flora,  an  important  source  of  vitamin  K in  the 
older  child  and  adult,  is  not  established  in  the 
newborn  until  several  days  after  birth.  Dietary 
intake  of  vitamin  K is  low  during  the  first  days  of 
life.  Because  of  the  deficient  supply  of  vitamin 
K,  newborns  “normally”  demonstrate  mild  de- 
ficiencies of  the  K dependent  clotting  factors  in 
the  first  two  to  five  days  of  life.12  In  a few  infants, 
these  factor  deficiencies  are  exaggerated  enough 
to  cause  clinical  bleeding,  the  so-called  “classi- 
cal” hemorrhagic  disease  of  the  newborn. 

When  hemorrhagic  disease  secondary  to  vita- 
min K deficiency  occurs,  the  neonate  may  bleed 
profusely  from  capillary  and  veni-puncture  sites 
and  occasionally  from  the  umbilical  cord.  The 
infant  may  demonstrate  hematomas  in  skin  or 
muscle,  gastrointestinal  bleeding,  hematuria  and 
rarely  hemorrhage  into  internal  viscera  or  the 
central  nervous  system. 

VITAMIN  K PROPHYLAXIS 

Prophylactic  administration  of  vitamin  K to  the 
newborn  prevents  hemorrhagic  disease  due  to 
vitamin  K deficiency.  It  has  been  shown  that 
high  doses  (greater  than  10  mg.)  of  the  syn- 
thetic, water-soluble  vitamin  K analogues  (Men- 
adione, Synkavite,  Hykinone)  may  result  in  hy- 
perbilirubinemia and  kernicterus.  The  current 
recommendation  for  vitamin  K prophylaxis  in  the 
newborn,  for  both  term  and  premature  infants,  is 
1 mg.  of  naturally-occurring  vitamin  Kj  (Aqua- 
mephyton,  Konakion)  or  1 mg.  of  synthetic  wa- 
ter-soluble vitamin  K (Hykinone)  administered 
intramuscularly  to  the  newborn  at  birth.  Death 
and  morbidity  from  vitamin  K deficient  hemor- 
rhagic disease  of  the  newborn  can  be  safely  pre- 
vented by  this  simple  prophylactic  procedure.12- 13 

When  hemorrhagic  disease  occurs  in  an 
infant  who  has  not  received  vitamin  K prophy- 
laxis, treatment  consists  of  the  intravenous  or 
intramuscular  administration  of  1 to  2 mg.  of 
vitamin  FL  ( Aquamephyton,  Konakion).  The 
intravenous  route  is  preferred  if  a superficial  vein 
is  available,  since  intramuscular  injections  may 
cause  hematomas.  For  intravenous  administra- 
tion, vitamin  K should  be  diluted  with  a small 
amount  of  saline  and  injected  slowly. 

If  vitamin  K deficiency  is  the  cause  of  the 
bleeding,  response  to  therapy  is  striking.  Hemor- 


rhage slows  within  two  hours  and  an  improve- 
ment in  the  coagulation  studies  can  be  demon-  1 
strated  within  four  hours,  with  complete  correc- 
tion within  12  to  24  hours.  If  hemorrhage  is  life- 
threatening  or  extensive,  initial  transfusion  with 
fresh  whole  blood  is  indicated,  while  waiting  for 
vitamin  K effect. 

With  widespread  adoption  of  routine  vitamin 
K prophylaxis  in  the  newborn  nursery,  hemor- 
rhagic disease  due  to  vitamin  K deficiency  has 
become  increasingly  rare  during  the  first  week  of 
life.  However,  physicians  are  less  alert  to  the 
possibility  of  vitamin  K deficient  hemorrhagic 
disease  occurring  after  the  first  week  of  life,  usu- 
ally in  premature  infants  up  to  about  four  months 
of  age.14  When  this  happens,  certain  predispos- 
ing factors  are  usually  present.  Chronic  diarrhea 
and/or  long-term  broad  spectrum  antibiotic  ther- 
apy may  deplete  the  gut  flora. 

INADEQUATE  INTAKE 

Vitamin  K intake  is  inadequate  if  the  infant  is 
receiving  only  intravenous  feedings.  It  may  also 
be  inadequate  if  the  infant  is  on  a formula  with  a 
vitamin  K content  less  than  that  of  cow’s  milk.  In 
particular,  some  milk  substitute  formulas  best 
tolerated  by  infants  with  chronic  diarrhea  have  a 
relatively  low  vitamin  K content.  The  vitamin  K 
content  in  these  formulas  is  sufficient  in  a healthy 
baby,  but  may  not  be  adequate  in  the  face  of  an 
inadequate  bacterial  gut  flora.  Breast  milk  is  also 
low  in  vitamin  K.  Table  5 lists  the  vitamin  K con- 
tent of  some  commonly  employed  formulas.  Ap- 
parently, vitamin  K deficiency  beyond  the  first 
week  of  life  develops  only  when  low  intake  and 
low  intestinal  supply  co-exist.  Supplemental  vita- 
min K should  be  administered  to  infants  who 
have  diarrhea  and/or  are  receiving  antimicrobials 
if  the  dietary  intake  of  vitamin  K is  low.  This 
prophylactic  vitamin  K may  be  administered  oral- 
ly or  intramuscularly.  A dosage  of  0.1  mg.  per 
day  is  probably  more  than  adequate. 

DRUG  INTERFERENCE 

Note  should  be  taken  also  of  the  fact  that  in 
mothers  taking  Dicumarol,  the  anticoagulant 
crosses  the  placenta  and  may  cause  hemorrhage 
in  the  newborn  and  possibly  in  utero.  Dicumarol’s 
anticoagulant  effect  is  exerted  through  interfering 
with  vitamin  K utilization.  Maternal  heparin  does 
not  cross  the  placenta.  Hemorrhage  occurs  in 
some  infants  born  to  mothers  on  anticonvulsant 
drugs.15  This  is  apparently  due  to  drug  inter- 
ference with  vitamin  K synthesis. 

Recent  reports  suggest  that  intravascular  coag- 
ulation (I.V.C.)  may  be  triggered  in  the  new- 


552 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


born  by  some  of  the  same  stimuli  (i.e.  sepsis, 
shock)  which  can  cause  I.V.C.  in  the  older 
child.17  There  have  been  occasional  reports  of 
an  infant  with  coagulation  defects  born  to  a 
mother  with  “acute  defibrination”  syndrome. 

In  I.V.C.,  multiple  coagulation  deficiencies 
(platelets,  prothrombin,  V,  VIII  and  fibrinogen) 
develop,  due  to  the  fact  that  these  coagulation 
factors  are  consumed  in  clotting.  Undoubtedly 
I.V.C.  can  occur  in  the  newborn  period  and,  if 
recognized,  might  be  successfully  treated  with 
heparin.  However,  in  view  of  the  “normally”  pre- 
carious coagulation  mechanism  in  the  immature 
infant,  predisposing  to  multiple  coagulation  fac- 
tor deficiencies,  the  difficulty  in  rapid,  accurate 
diagnosis  of  I.V.C.  in  these  infants  can  be  readily 
appreciated.  Heparinization  would  perpetuate 
bleeding  in  the  hemorrhagic  syndromes  other 
than  I.V.C.  Few  studies  have  been  done  to  in- 
vestigate I.V.C.  in  the  newborn  period.  It  is  ap- 
parent that  more  work  needs  to  be  done  in  this 
field  before  definitive  suggestions  can  be  made. 

Table  6 presents  a laboratory  screening  ap- 
proach to  the  differential  diagnosis  of  hemostatic 
defects  in  the  newborn.  When  a blood  sample  is 
drawn  for  coagulation  studies  from  a newborn 
suspected  of  having  a hemostatic  defect,  the 
blood  should  not  be  obtained  from  a femoral 
or  a neck  vein,  since  prolonged  oozing  from  these 
areas  may  be  hazardous.  A small  sample  can 
usually  be  obtained  from  an  antecubital  or  scalp 
vein  by  using  a “Butterfly”  infusion  set  and 
syringe  for  blood  withdrawal. 

TRANSFUSION  AXIOMS 

When  transfusion  is  required  during  the  new- 
born period,  the  following  points  should  be  kept 
in  mind: 

Acute  blood  loss  is  best  replaced  with  whole 
blood,  dosage  not  to  exceed  20  ml. /kg.  in  one 
transfusion.  Chronic  blood  loss  is  best  replaced 
with  packed  cells,  dosage  not  to  exceed  10  ml./ 
kg.  in  one  transfusion.  Anemia  from  hemolysis  is 
best  corrected  with  packed  cells.  If  the  hemolysis 
has  resulted  in  significant  hyperbilirubinemia,  ex- 
change transfusion  with  fresh  whole  blood  may 
be  required  (to  be  discussed  in  a subsequent 
article  in  this  series).  If  transfusion  is  required 
for  bleeding  secondary  to  a plasmatic  coagula- 
tion defect,  fresh  (less  than  three  hours  old) 
blood  or  plasma  should  be  used.  If  one  uses 


fresh  blood  to  transfuse  a patient  with  a coagula- 
tion defect,  that  blood  should  not  be  collected  in 
heparin. 

Blood  given  to  a neonate  should  be  cross- 
matched  against  both  maternal  serum  and  the 
baby’s  red  cells  and  serum.  If,  in  a true  life- 
threatening  emergency,  this  crossmatching  is  im- 
possible, blood  from  the  mother  may  be  given 
to  the  baby  or  blood  from  an  O negative  donor 
may  be  administered.  *** 

2500  N.  State  Street  (39216) 

REFERENCES 

1.  Oettinger,  L.  and  Mills,  W.  B.:  Simultaneous  capil- 
lary and  venous  hemoglobin  determinations  in  the 
newborn  infant.  J.  Pediat.  35:362,  1949. 

2.  Smith,  C.  A.:  The  Physiology  of  the  Newborn  In- 
fant. Charles  C Thomas,  Springfield,  1959. 

3.  Oski,  F.  A.  and  Naiman,  J.  L.:  Hematologic  Prob- 
lems in  the  Newborn.  W.  B.  Saunders,  Philadelphia, 
1966. 

4.  Usher.  R.,  Shepard,  M.  and  Lind,  J.:  The  blood 
volume  of  the  newborn  infant  and  placental  trans- 
fusion. Acta  Paediat.  52:497,  1963. 

5.  Erlandson,  M.  E.  and  Hilgartner,  M.:  Hemolytic 
disease  in  the  neonatal  period  and  early  infancy. 
J.  Pediat.  54:566,  1959. 

6.  Pochedly,  C.  and  Ente,  G.:  Fetal  bleeding,  a dual 
menace.  Postgrad.  Med.  45:159,  1969. 

7.  Erlandson,  M.  E.:  The  acute  anemias  of  the  perinatal 
period,  in  Resuscitation  of  the  Newborn  Infant  by 
Abramson,  H.,  Editor.  C.  V.  Mosby,  St.  Louis,  1966. 

8.  Medoff,  H.  S.:  Platelet  counts  in  premature  infants. 
J.  Pediat.  64:287,  1964. 

9.  Adner,  M.  M.,  Fisch,  G.  R.,  Starobin,  S.  G.  and 
Aster,  R.  H.:  Use  of  “compatible”  platelet  transfu- 
sions in  the  treatment  of  congenital  isoimmune 
thrombocytopenic  purpura.  N.E.J.M.  280:244,  1969. 

10.  Pearson,  H.  A.,  Shulman,  N.  R.,  Marder,  V.  J.  and 
Cone,  T.  E.,  Jr.:  Isoimmune  neonatal  thrombocy- 
topenic purpura:  clinical  and  therapeutic  considera- 
tions. Blood  23:154,  1964. 

11.  Baehner,  R.  L.  and  Strauss,  H.  S.:  Hemophilia  in 
the  first  year  of  life.  N.E.J.M.  275:524,  1966. 

12.  Aballi,  A.  J.  and  deLamerens,  S.:  Coagulation 
changes  in  the  neonatal  period  and  earlv  infancy. 
Pediat.  Clin.  9:785,  1962. 

13.  Vietti,  T.  J.,  Stephens,  J.  C.  and  Bennett,  K.  R.: 
Vitamin  Ki  prophylaxis  in  the  newborn.  J.A.M.A. 
176:791,  1966. 

14.  Goldman,  H.  I.  and  Amadio,  P.:  Vitamin  K de- 
ficiency after  the  newborn  period.  Pediat.  44:745, 

1969. 

15.  Evans,  A.  R.,  Forrester,  R.  M.  and  Discombe,  C.: 
Neonatal  hemorrhage  following  anticonvulsant  ther- 
apy. Lancet  1:517,  1970. 

16.  Williams,  T.  E.,  Arango,  L.,  Donaldson,  M.  H.  and 
Shepard,  F.  M.:  Vitamin  K requirement  of  normal 
infants  on  soy  protein  formula.  Clin.  Pediat.  9:79, 

1970. 

17.  Hathaway,  W.  E.,  Mull,  M.  M.  and  Pechet,  G.  S.: 
Disseminated  intravascular  coagulation  in  the  new- 
born. Pediat.  43:233,  1969. 


OCTOBER  1970 


553 


Radiologic  Seminar  C 
Roentgen  Diagnosis 
of  Anencephaly  in  Utero 


SAM  LEVI,  M.D. 
Ocean  Springs,  Mississippi 


When  presented  with  a patient  who  has  en- 
larged out  of  proportion  to  the  duration  of  preg- 
nancy, the  physician  frequently  orders  an  x-ray 
study,  to  differentiate  between  twins  and  hydram- 
nios.  Since  hydramnios  is  frequently  associated 
with  fetal  abnormality,  it  is  important  to  care- 
fully study  the  fetal  skeleton.  One  of  the  most 
common  monstrosities  is  anencephaly,  fortu- 
nately, the  diagnosis  is  usually  simple,  namely  an 
absence  of  the  vault  of  the  skull,  but  presence  of 
facial  bones  and  an  unusual  cluster  of  small  dense 
masses  in  the  region  of  the  base,  as  well  as  an 
apparently  short  neck. 

An  error  in  diagnosis  can  occur  when  the  film 
is  exposed  during  fetal  movement  and  the  entire 
skeleton  is  essentially  blotted  out.  Abnormally 
active,  and  when  manually  palpated,  convulsive 
fetal  movements  have  been  described  as  impor- 
tant presumptive  signs  of  anencephaly. 

The  patient,  age  23,  gravid  4,  para  3,  was  re- 
ferred by  Dr.  E.  M.  Baumhauer  for  roentgen 
studies  because  of  suspected  hydramnios.  The 
technician  made  anteroposterior  and  lateral  stud- 
ies and  called  the  films  to  my  attention  because 
no  fetal  skeleton  was  apparent.  Recalling  another 

Sponsored  by  the  Mississippi  Radiological  Society. 


case  when  no  fetal  skeleton  was  evident  on  the 
initial  study,  but  present  on  repeat  films,  I ques- 
tioned the  patient  as  to  whether  the  baby  moved 
during  x-ray  exposure.  She  replied  “Yes,  it  was 
turning  summersaults,”  and  added  that  this  was 
the  most  active  of  her  babies. 

The  patient  was  then  informed  that  fetal  move- 
ment blurred  the  picture  and  was  instructed  to 
state  when  the  baby  was  quiet  for  a repeat  study. 
Additional  films  showed  typical  anencephalic 
deformity.  A live  3 pound,  3 ounce  female  fetus 
was  delivered  one  week  later  after  elective  in- 
duction. 

SUMMARY 

1.  Anencephaly  is  frequently  associated  with 
hydramnios. 

2.  Unusually  active  fetal  movements  should 
arouse  clinical  suspicion  of  anencephaly,  particu- 
larly if  the  patient  has  had  a previous  monster. 

3.  Absence  of  cranial  vault,  a cluster  of  small 
dense  masses  with  facial  bones  and  apparently 
short  neck  is  characteristic. 

4.  A rare  source  of  error  can  be  avoided  by 
instructing  the  patient  to  inform  the  technician  if 
fetal  movement  is  present  during  x-ray  exposure. 


554 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Figure  1.  AP  abdomen  reveals  faint  smudge  in 
maternal  pelvis  which  should  arouse  one’s  suspicion. 


Figure  2.  Typical  appearance  of  anencephaly.  Note 
closed  arrow  pointing  to  well-developed  femur  and 
lower  open  arrow  pointing  to  deformed  skull. 


REFERENCES 

1.  Snow,  W.  and  Nadel,  N.:  Roentgen  Study  of  the 
Fetus  in  Utero,  Some  Practical  Considerations.  Radi- 
ology 42:136-142,  February  1944. 

2.  Baman,  R.:  Obstetrics  and  Gynecology.  183-385, 
Philadelphia.  Penn.,  F.  A.  Davis  Co.  1955. 

3.  Maloy,  H.  C.  and  Swenson,  Paul:  The  Use  of  Roent- 


gen Ray  in  Obstetrics.  10.8,  Baltimore,  Md.,  Williams 
and  Wilkins  Co.  1969. 

4.  Hirst,  J.  C.:  Monsters;  Cylopedia  of  Medicine  and 
Surgery.  9:245-246,  Philadelphia.  Penn.,  F.  A.  Davis 
Co.  1954. 

5.  Bishop,  P.  H.:  Radiological  Studies  of  the  Gravid 
Uterus.  166-167,  New  York,  N.Y.,  Hoeber  Medical 
Division.  Harper  and  Row,  Publishers.  1965. 


ACADEMIC  DISADVANTAGED 

A bearded,  sweat  shirt-clad  hippy  type  pushed  his  loaded 
shopping  cart  into  the  express  check  lane  where  the  sign  offered 
service  for  “six  or  fewer  packages.” 

The  supermarket  checker  looked  at  the  full  cart  and  asked: 

“Are  you  one  of  those  MIT  students  who  can’t  read  or  just  a 
Harvard  student  who  can’t  count?” 


OCTOBER  1970 


555 


The  President  Speaking 


‘Growing  Pains’ 

PAUL  B.  BRUMBY,  M.D. 
Lexington,  Mississippi 


The  MSMA  was  asked  to  appear  before  the  legislative  investi- 
gating committee  to  explain  why  in  our  opinion  only  $7.8  million 
of  the  $17  million  appropriation  to  Medicaid  for  its  first  six 
months  of  operation  was  not  spent.  The  return  of  this  money, 
83  per  cent  of  which  was  from  federal  sources,  has  caused  much 
publicity. 

The  Medicaid  operation  is  extremely  complex,  interrelating 
with  the  Welfare  Department  which  must  certify  eligibility,  the 
Medicare  program,  a federal  operation  which  through  Travelers 
pays  the  provider  of  services  for  those  on  Old  Age  Assistance 
except  the  deductibles  which  are  paid  through  Medicaid.  Medicaid 
had  less  than  three  months  to  implement  the  whole  Medicaid  pro- 
gram, although  a fiscal  agent  had  neither  a staff  nor  hardware  to 
effectively  support  this  program. 

The  Medicaid  commission  consisting  of  four  members  of  the 
legislature  and  three  outstanding  citizens  with  the  staff  headed  by 
an  outstanding  medical  association  member  had  to  start  from 
scratch,  but  to  show  its  growth  the  fiscal  agent  received  5,000 
claims  in  is  first  month  of  operation.  In  July  they  received  37,000 
claims  and  claims  from  over  68  per  cent  of  the  Mississippi  phy- 
sicians who  are  in  private  practice.  It  was  only  in  February  that 
the  86,000  dependent  children  could  be  added  to  its  roll,  and  it  was 
only  in  July  that  the  tremendously  expensive  drug  program  could 
be  implemented.  They  received  over  100,000  prescriptions  during 
July.  The  nursing  home  program,  usually  accounting  for  43  per 
cent  of  expended  funds  is  still  not  off  the  ground.  The  $250.00  a 
month  limitation  on  payments  will  not  buy  nursing  home  care. 
The  reports  show  the  physician  to  have  received  39  per  cent  of  the 
total  payout,  with  little  explanation  of  the  cause  of  this.  The  first 
program  implemented  was  for  direct  medical  care  and  provider 
services  were  paid,  but  of  the  $3,242,000.00  supposed  to  have 
gone  for  physicians  services,  $1,611,000.00  was  paid  as  a buy-in 
to  Part  B of  Medicare  with  all  of  its  various  programs.  How 
much  of  this  was  paid  to  providers  of  medical  care  we  do  not 
know. 

Medicaid  is  improving  and  we  hope  it  will  continue  to  improve. 
This  is  a state  program  we  can  talk  to,  we  can  suggest,  we  can 
criticize,  but  remember  Medicare  only  tells  us.  Medicaid  is  having 
growing  pains  but  it  is  maturing. 


556 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


JOURNAL  OF  THE 
MISSISSIPPI  STATE 
MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

VOLUME  XI,  NUMBER  10 
OCTOBER  1970 


Medical  Care  Foundations: 
Private  Delivery  That  Works 


I 

Health  care  delivery  has  become  as  much  of 
an  American  household  word  as  Spiro  Agnew, 
environment,  and  ecology.  The  President  of  the 
United  States  has  characterized  the  delivery  sys- 
tem as  being  in  a state  of  crisis.  Most  of  its  critics 
— and  they  abound  aplenty  throughout  the  land 
— say  that  it  is  no  system  at  all  but  rather  a cot- 
tage industry.  Still  other  voices  charge  that  the 
delivery  system  is  unorganized,  a maze  of  inde- 
pendent, yet  somehow  related,  fragments. 

None  of  this  is  all  true,  but  American  medical 
leadership  readily  concedes  that  the  system  faces 
severe  challenges.  Perhaps  Dr.  James  L.  Royals 
of  Jackson,  the  association’s  1969-70  president, 
summed  it  up  with  greater  candor  and  concise- 
ness than  others  when  he  said  that  the  system 
“is  on  trial.” 

“I  do  not  claim  perfection  for  our  care  de- 
livery system,”  Dr.  Royals  said  in  his  presidential 
address  to  the  102nd  Annual  Session.  Confess- 
ing discomfort  with  change,  he  pointed  out  with 
frankness  that  “we  must  recognize  that  we  are 
living  in  a dynamic  time,  a time  of  rapid  and  dra- 
matic change,  of  new  and  varied  social  forces,  of 
miraculous  technology,  and  of  troubled  political 
balance  in  a volatile  world.” 


But  the  change  of  which  medicine’s  leaders 
as  well  as  its  critics  speak  may  not  be  so  drastic 
after  all.  In  fact,  say  many  who  are  awakening 
to  something  which  we  have  largely  ignored,  the 
change  is  of  medicine’s  making,  and  it  is  already 
here. 

The  name  of  the  change  is  the  medical  care 
foundation  which  happens  to  be  alive  and  well 
and  delivering  medical  care  in  half  a dozen  states 
to  nearly  2 million  Americans. 

II 

Born  in  California,  the  birthplace  of  so  many 
innovations  in  care  financing  and  delivery,  the 
medical  care  foundation  is  a creature  of  medi- 
cal organization  and  private  practice.  As  such, 
one  could  think  it  suspect  as  being  just  another 
production  model  of  the  system’s  guild  for  per- 
petuation of  the  cottage  industry. 

Not  so,  say  a million  Californians  who  are 
free  to  choose  their  physician  and  receive  the 
care  which  his  professional  judgment  dictates. 

Not  so,  say  private  and  insurance  companies 
and  voluntary  prepayment  plans  which  are  pick- 
ing up  the  tab  with  a great  deal  more  enthusiasm 
than  in  before-foundation  times. 

Not  so,  say  consumer  and  employee  representa- 


OCTOBER  1970 


557 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

tives  groups,  unions  to  most  of  us,  who  find  that 
the  guarantee  of  care  delivery  is  being  honored. 

Not  so,  say  governmental  agencies  charged 
with  administration  of  tax-supported  medical  care 
programs  who  find  their  costs  predictable  and 
their  actuarial  planning  sound. 

The  medical  care  foundation  is  a voluntary, 
nonprofit  membership  organization  incorporated 
under  the  sponsorship  of  a medical  association. 
Its  owners  are  physicians;  its  members  are  phy- 
sicians; and  its  bosses  are  physicians  elected  to 
office  by  physician-members. 

The  MCF  has  four  simple  functions  which  are 
crucially  important  in  all  the  sound  and  fury 
about  medical  care  in  America  today: 

— It  provides  the  means  for  the  medical  pro- 
fession to  assume  direct  responsibility  for  and 
leadership  in  the  delivery  of  medical  care.  How? 
By  overseeing  services  provided  by  its  own. 

— The  MCF  receives  and  processes  claims  for 
professional  services,  and  in  most  cases,  makes 
payment  within  a preagreed  frame  of  just  and 
equitable  fee  ranges. 

— It  conducts  peer  review  which  is  to  say  that 
physicians  oversee  their  own  houses. 

— And  it  sponsors  utilization  review,  making 
certain  that  expensive  and  sometimes  scarce  fa- 
cilities are  optimally  employed  at  maximum 
possible  efficiency. 

A medical  care  foundation  is  served  by  a 
skilled  staff  under  the  supervision  of  its  physician- 
members,  mostly  within  the  structure  of  the  spon- 
soring medical  association.  These  workers  gen- 
erally include  medical  executives  experienced  in 
care  plan  administration,  claims  adjudicators 
and  processors,  data  processing  personnel,  and 
those  skilled  in  accounting  and  statistical  services. 

Ill 

What  a medical  care  foundation  is  and  is  not 
counts  for  everything  in  understanding  the  nature 
of  the  critter.  Every  MCF  organized  to  date  has 
as  its  purposes  at  least  these  five  salient  goals: 

— To  promote,  develop,  and  encourage  the 
distribution  of  medical  services  to  the  area  it 
serves  at  a cost  which  is  just  and  equitable  to 
patient  and  physician. 

— To  preserve  freedom  of  choice  both  to  pa- 
tient and  physician. 

— To  guard,  preserve,  and  foster  the  physician- 
patient  relationship  in  the  traditional,  time-hon- 
ored sense. 

— To  protect  the  public  health. 

— And  to  work  cooperatively  with  private  in- 


surance, voluntary  prepayment,  and  tax-support- 
ed medical  care  plans  to  provide  for  periodic  and 
realistic  budgeting  of  just  and  proper  costs. 

A medical  care  foundation  is  not  a union.  It 
doesn’t  bargain  professional  fees  nor  is  it  a closed 
shop  where  nonmenber  physicians  are  out  in  the 
cold  world  of  lay-sponsored  care  programs  left 
to  shift  for  themselves.  The  MCF  does  not  and 
cannot  affect  the  membership  status  of  any  phy- 
sician, a feature  implicit  in  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association’s  peer  review  policies  adopt- 
ed by  the  House  of  Delegates  this  year.  It  does 
not  and  cannot  affect  the  right  of  any  physician 
to  practice  medicine. 

A medical  care  foundation  is  not  an  insurance, 
prepayment,  or  government  medical  care  pro- 
gram. As  such,  it  doesn’t  have  a dime  of  its  own, 
except  for  at-cost  charges  made  for  its  services 
and  possibly  some  nominal  dues  barely  sufficient 
to  sustain  the  skeleton  administrative  functions  of 
minutes-keeping  and  the  like.  The  MCF  draft 
authority  for  paying  out  professional  fees  under 
peer  and  utilization  review  by  physicians  is  a re- 
sponsibility it  is  willing  to  assume.  And  it  makes 
a stern  stewardship  accounting  for  this  function, 
as  it  does  for  all  its  activities. 

A medical  care  foundation  is  not  the  answer 
to  every  problem  facing  the  health  care  delivery 
system  today,  but  it  is  a system  and  one  that 
works  quite  well  in  the  hands  of  serious,  honor- 
able members  of  the  medical  profession. 

Membership  in  the  MCF  by  physicians  is  volun- 
tary, and  all  foundations  require  annual  renewal 
by  application.  The  organization  is  governed  by 
a Board  of  Trustees  elected  by  the  voluntary 
membership,  and  there  are  committees  for  peer 


558 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


review,  utilization  review,  membership,  and  other 
purposes  as  needs  require. 

The  MCF  is  therefore  an  extension  of  the 
sponsoring  medical  association  consisting  of  those 
members  who  desire  to  avail  themselves  of  its 
services,  joining  in  preserving  private  practice  tra- 
ditions while  meeting  the  serious  challenges  to  the 
care  delivery  system.  A logical  question  for  the 
uninitiated,  then,  is  why  have  a foundation  at  all, 
if  my  medical  association  already  administers  a 
medical  care  plan  and  possesses  the  skill,  ex- 
pertise, trained  staff,  and  hardware  to  process 
claims  for  professional  services? 

Why  a MCF  if  our  association  has  made  a 
major  commitment  to  peer  review  at  state  and 
component  society  levels?  Why  a foundation 
when  our  association-administered  medical  care 
plan  has  usual  and  customary  fees,  area  and  not 
individual  fee  profiles,  and  does  all  these  things 
without  another  organization  to  join? 

The  answer  is  just  as  logical:  The  medical  care 
foundation  can  do  things  a medical  association 
does  not  ordinarily  undertake  and  in  some  cases, 
may  not.  The  MCF  can  enter  into  agreements 
with  corporations,  employee  groups,  insurance 
companies,  care  plans  of  every  sort,  and  others  to 
deliver  care  within  a framework  which  is  mutual- 
ly acceptable.  But  even  more  than  this,  it  stands 
between  the  provider  and  the  third  party  as  advo- 
cate of  patient  and  physician. 

The  MCF  has  no  fish  to  fry  politically  nor  is  it 
crusading  for  or  against  a pending  proposal.  The 
foundation  takes  the  situation  as  it  is  and  makes 
it  work  for  private  care  delivery  under  physician- 
sponsorship  and  terms  acceptable  to  all  parties 
concerned.  It  does  not  retail  medical  care  but  in 
stock  exchange  language,  it  assures  an  orderly 
market  for  fair  trading. 

It  is  a health  care  delivery  system  with  the 
best  of  both  worlds:  The  world  of  traditional 
American  private  practice  and  the  honored  phy- 
sician-patient relationship  and  the  new  world  of 
third  parties  which  are  here  to  stay. 

IV 

Sixteen  medical  care  foundations  are  going 
concerns  in  California  serving  nearly  1 million 
patients  and  6,000  physicians.  Statewide  founda- 
tions, much  better  suited  for  less  populous  areas, 
are  operational  in  Colorado  and  New  Mexico.  The 
latter  are  operating  Medicare  and  Medicaid. 

More  statewide  MCF’s  are  on  the  drawing 
boards,  late  planning  stages,  or  on  the  threshold 
of  operation  in  Arizona,  Florida,  Georgia,  Hawaii, 
Iowa,  Minnesota,  and  New  York.  When  the  latter 
becomes  a reality,  it  will  be  the  U.  S.  giant,  for 


the  Medical  Society  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
the  nation’s  biggest  medical  association,  has  long 
operated  workmen’s  compensation,  CHAMPUS, 
and  a number  of  other  medical  care  plans. 

Once  established,  this  array  of  coast-to-coast 
MCF’s  will  potentially  represent  50,000  practic- 
ing physicians  and  as  many  as  40  million  pa- 
tients. This  is  a substantial  quantity  in  anybody’s 
measure  and  a health  care  delivery  system  which 
simply  cannot  and  will  not  be  ignored.  Its  back- 
bone is  medical  organization  without  which  no 
foundation  could  be  brought  into  being. 

This  success  story  should  not  be  interpreted 
as  advocacy  for  Mississippi,  because  the  state 
medical  association  has  not  spoken  officially  on 
the  medical  care  foundation.  But  it  is  an  issue  far 
too  important  to  private  practice  for  the  associa- 
tion to  ignore.  Dr.  Royals  exhorted  Mississippi 
medicine  to  be  “master  of  its  own  house,’’  calling 
for  a serious,  working  peer  review  system.  The  as- 
sociation already  possess  the  personnel  and  tools 
and  know-how  to  conduct  the  staff  work  for  the 
foundation.  A commitment  has  existed  for  dec- 
ades to  deliver  the  best  possible  medical  care  to 
all  Mississippians  within  the  traditional  frame  of 
the  honored  physician-patient  relationship. 

It  is  just  common  sense  for  every  physician  in 
the  state  to  inform  himself  on  medical  care  foun- 
dations, to  discuss  this  issue  with  his  colleagues,  to 
make  his  wishes  known,  and  to  cause  his  as- 
sociation to  debate  the  matter. — R.B.K. 

An  Economic  Asset 
of  MSMA  Membership 

A vast  majority  of  American  physicians  would 
just  as  soon  meet  a hungry  tiger  and  take  him  on 
with  a curette  as  grapple  with  the  knotty  prob- 
lem of  professional  liability  insurance.  Mississippi 
physicians,  however,  have  been  extremely  for- 
tunate in  this  respect,  and  it  is  not  altogether  by 
accident,  either. 

In  1961,  the  state  medical  association’s  Board 
of  Trustees  had  the  foresight  to  recognize  an  in- 
cipient crisis  somewhere  down  the  line  in  this 
vital  coverage.  There  was,  almost  a decade  ago, 
a pronounced  trend  upward  in  premium  costs, 
and  the  big  jury  awards  in  malpractice  suits  were 
beginning  to  make  the  news. 

Regrettably,  many  state  medical  associations 
either  failed  to  grasp  the  implication  of  the  trend 
or  else  chose  to  do  nothing,  hoping  that  it,  like 
yellow  fever  and  pellagra,  would  yield  to  a po- 
tent economic  antibiotic  or  vitamin  and  just  go 
away. 


OCTOBER  1970 


5 59 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

The  Mississippi  association  conferred  with  in- 
surance carriers,  their  trade  association  then 
known  as  the  National  Bureau  of  Casualty  Under- 
writers, and  representatives  of  the  State  Insur- 
ance Commission.  We  found  only  casual  interest, 
some  indifference,  and  much  resignation  to  in- 
evitably higher  premiums.  This  made  the  Board 
and  its  then-chairman,  Dr.  H.  H.  McClanahan, 
Jr.,  of  Columbus,  even  more  determined  to  do 
something,  and  do  this  they  did. 

An  agreement  was  entered  into  with  the  St. 
Paul  Companies  of  Minneapolis-St.  Paul,  a re- 
spected old  line  group  represented  by  knowledge- 
able, aggressive  agents  who  agreed  that  there 
was  a job  to  do.  A state  medical  association  pro- 
fessional liability  insurance  “group”  was  orga- 
nized in  the  summer  of  1961. 

It  wasn’t  really  a group  in  the  classic  insurance 
sense,  because  there  was  not  then  nor  has  there 
ever  been  any  mass  enrollment.  Each  applicant 
physician  is  written  on  the  basis  of  his  own  merit, 
type  of  practice,  and  membership  in  his  local 
society,  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association, 
and  AM  A.  He  need  not  be  a fellow  of  any 
American  college  of  this-or-that,  nor  does  he 
need  to  be  a diplomate  of  any  board. 

He  purchases  his  coverage  through  a local  in- 
dependent insurance  agent,  lately  of  “Big  I” 
identification,  because  the  association  has  always 
advised  physicians  to  buy  insurance  coverage  lo- 
cally where  an  established  agent  resides  and  does 
business.  And  we  have  said  that  he  should  buy 
enough  insurance,  because  when  more  is  needed, 
it  usually  isn’t  for  sale! 

The  St.  Paul  professional  liability  program  grew 
slowly,  and  at  times,  it  appeared  to  be  of  no 
particular  significance  in  terms  of  mass  purchas- 
ing power,  the  reason  most  often  advanced  for 
having  insurance  groups. 

But  the  program  paid  off  within  six  months  of 
its  inception:  The  NBCU  companies  (St.  Paul, 
although  strong  and  reputable,  has  never  been  a 
Bureau  company  ) announced  a lowering  of  pre- 
mium rates.  That  was  just  after  St.  Paul  an- 
nounced a price  cut.  Clearly,  the  trend  in  Missis- 
sippi was  reversed. 

Within  two  years,  more  than  half  of  the  states 
had  experienced  increases  in  professional  liability 
insurance  premiums,  while,  of  all  things  to  hap- 
pen, the  rate  went  down  again  in  Mississippi.  And 
participation  in  the  program  was  growing. 

The  agreement  has  always  been  a two-way 
street:  St.  Paul  makes  a full  stewardship  ac- 
counting of  the  program  to  the  association’s 


Board  of  Trustees,  and  the  Board  has  willingly 
and  generously  given  its  time  and  know-how  in 
advising  on  threatened  or  instituted  malpractice 
litigation.  This,  of  course,  is  the  secret  of  the  pro- 
gram which  is  no  secret  at  all. 

Developments  since  1968  are  part  of  Ameri- 
can medicine’s  economic  headlines.  The  cost  of 
professional  liability  insurance  has  become  a 
nightmare  for  nearly  half  of  all  American  practi- 
tioners. A California  surgeon  must  pay  an  abso- 
lute minimum  of  about  $4,100  for  100/300  cov- 
erage, and  few  are  able  to  purchase  it  for  that 
price.  His  Mississippi  counterpart  pays  roughly 
$600  for  the  same  coverage. 

In  neighboring  Alabama,  new  rates  just  an- 
nounced price  the  surgeon’s  100/300  coverage  at 
$1,400,  and  the  story  is  about  the  same  in  most 
other  states. 

Dr.  McClanahan,  really  the  father  of  the  pres- 
ent program,  once  said  that  “if  the  Mississippi 
State  Medical  Association  had  never  done  an- 
other thing  for  its  members,  the  professional  lia- 
bility insurance  program  has  been  enough  in 
dollar  savings  to  pay  all  local,  state,  and  AMA 
dues  from  here  on  in  with  profit  to  spare.” 

If  this  were  true  when  Dr.  McClanahan  said 
it,  how  much  truer  it  is  today,  because  Mississippi 
has  the  fourth  lowest  state  professional  liability 
insurance  premium  rate  in  the  United  States  by 
the  standard  insurance  manual,  and  the  St.  Paul 
program  is  10  to  as  much  as  20  per  cent  below 
the  book! 


5 60 


JOURNAL  MSM  A 


This  is  a program  to  be  prized  by  the  member- 
ship, and  there  are  now  650  participants.  Of 
course,  there  are  other  good  and  reputable  in- 
surance carriers  besides  St.  Paul,  and  the  associa- 
tion fully  respects  and  supports  them,  too.  We  do 
say  that  the  St.  Paul  pioneering  concept  and  the 
association’s  far-looking  action  through  the  Board 
of  Trustees  has  helped  everybody. 

If,  as  Dr.  McClanahan  said,  for  no  other  rea- 
son, medical  association  membership  in  Missis- 
sippi is  a pretty  valuable  economic  as  well  as 
professional  asset. — R.B.K. 

Like,  Man,  This 
Splits  From  Webster 

Anybody  who  enjoys  a wide  range  of  contact 
with  children,  especially  the  marvelous  teenagers 
of  today,  knows  that  they  have  an  “in'’  language. 
And,  man,  this  lingo  is  like  so  far  out  that  one 
comes  to  be  convinced  that  there  is  really  no 
generation  gap  at  all — just  a language  barrier. 

A Memphis  child  psychiatrist,  Dr.  Morris  D. 
Cohen,  may  just  have  cracked  the  barrier,  be- 
cause he  has  compiled  a new  reference  source, 
The  Now  70’s  Language  Dictionary. 

Nor  is  this  a paperback  for  an  evening’s  enter- 
tainment of  wonder  about  “black  widow”  for 
methamphetamine  or  “speed”  for  methadone. 
The  book  isn’t  groovy  for  the  sake  of  finding  out 
what  “third  world”  people  think  and  do.  It  is  an 
honest-to-goodness  scholarly  work  about  how  this 
sometimes  unbelievable  generation  communicates. 

No  less  distinguished  body  than  the  Council 
on  Child  Health  of  the  American  Academy  of 
Pediatrics  considered  the  book  at  its  summer 
meeting  in  Chicago.  Says  the  AAP  Newsletter, 
“The  publication  is  being  recommended  to  pedi- 
atricians as  a valuable  information  source  of  cur- 
rent teenage  terminology  and  word  usage.” 

The  report  continues  that  “Dr.  Cohen  has 
written  his  book  as  an  aid  to  physicians,  parents, 
and  other  interested  adults  who  find  it  essential 
to  be  alerted  to  specific  verbal  danger  signals 
when  communicating  with  teens  on  their  own 
level.” 

Now,  there  are  some  cynics  who  might  take 
exception  to  this  purposeful  pronouncement,  but 
the  idea  is  not  only  intriguing  but  downright 
practical.  We  congratulate  Dr.  Cohen  for  his 
obvious  resourcefulness,  perseverance  which 
needs  no  accolade,  and  willingness  to  bring  an 
idea  to  fruition  which  might  frighten  a lesser 
person  into  mild  shock. 


Like,  man,  this  splits  from  Webster,  so  there 
is  hope  that  some  of  us  may  become  bilingual 
after  all.— R.B.K. 

Antisubstitution  Kill 
Is  a Crooked  Straw 

There  is  a crooked  straw  in  the  wind  which  has 
attracted  little  attention.  But  it  has  the  potential 
of  a log  in  a hurricane  in  patient  care  and  the 
professional  prerogatives  of  the  practicing  phy- 
sician. At  its  Washington,  D.  C.,  convention,  the 
American  Pharmaceutical  Association  voted  to 
seek  repeal  of  state  antisubstitution  drug  laws. 

As  with  the  iceberg,  only  a little  of  the  whole 
shows  above  the  surface  of  the  water.  The  APhA 
pronouncement  seems  mild  and  simple  enough: 
“Repeal  of  antisubstitution  laws  would  not  disturb 
the  existing  prescriber-pharmacist  relationship  or 
deprive  the  prescriber  of  the  right  to  insist  that 
a particular  drug  product  be  dispensed.  . . . Re- 
peal would  simply  act  to  remove  the  state  as  a 
decision-maker  in  the  prescribing  and  dispensing 
of  medication.” 

But  that’s  just  the  top  of  the  iceberg.  APhA 
has  long  clamored  for  more  professional  status  for 
the  pharmacist.  He  should,  they  argue,  be  the 
therapeutic  member  of  the  health  care  team.  Gen- 
erally, these  arguments  are  based  on  these  tenu- 
ous premises: 

— Pharmacists,  not  physicians,  are  the  real 
drug  experts. 

— Pharmacists  spend  more  time  in  pharmacol- 
ogy than  doctors  so  they  (pharmacists)  should 
select  the  drugs  for  the  patient. 

— Physicians  should  only  make  the  diagnosis 
and  let  the  pharmacist  handle  the  therapy. 

Now,  it  is  difficult  to  believe  that  even  a sub- 
stantial minority  of  pharmacists  really  believe  this 
line  of  tortured  logic.  Of  course,  the  profession 
of  pharmacy  has  changed  over  the  years,  as  has 
every  other  health  profession.  Schools  of  phar- 
macy have  six-year  curricula,  and  the  training 
is  solid  and  substantial. 

But  pharmacists  do  not  treat  patients,  nor  do 
they  possess  the  qualifications  to  select  a thera- 
peutic agent  on  the  basis  of  a diagnosis.  It 
doesn't  take  a medical  education  to  understand 
this.  Antisubstitution  laws  are  on  the  statute  books 
for  other  very  good  reasons,  too,  more,  in  fact, 
than  the  matter  of  brand  name  vs.  generic 
designation  or  those  of  mere  pricing  of  the  drug 
product. 

There  is  the  matter  of  liability,  not  just  for  the 
pharmacist  but  also  for  the  physician  who  is  al- 


OCTOBER  1970 


561 


BREAKUP— symbol  of  the  impact  of  emotional  stres 
But  when  the  stress  exceeds  transient  rage  or 
depression — and  settles  into  a chronic  mixed  anxiety 
depression  state— combined  tranquilizer- 
antidepressant  therapy  could  be  indicated. 


FOR  MODERATE  TO 
SEVERE  ANXIETY 
WITH  COEXISTING 
DEPRESSION 

TRIAVIL 

TRANQUILIZER- 

ANTIDEPRESSANT 


Containing  perphenazine  and  amitriptyline  HCI 

For  prescribing  information,  including  indica- 
tions, contraindications,  warnings,  precautions, 
and  side  effects,  please  see  following  page. 


v.  ;■ 


FOR  MODERATE  TO 
SEVERE  ANXIETY 
WITH  COEXISTING 
DEPRESSION 


TRIAVIL 


TRANQUILIZER- 

ANTIDEPRESSANT 

Containing  perphenazine  and  amitriptyline  HCI 


TRIAVIL®2-10:  Each  tablet  contains  2 mg.  of  perphenazine 
and  10  mg.  of  amitriptyline  hydrochloride. 

TRIAVIL®2-25:  Each  tablet  contains  2 mg.  of  perphenazine 
and  25  mg.  of  amitriptyline  hydrochloride. 

TRIAVIL®4-10:  Each  tablet  contains  4 mg.  of  perphenazine 
and  10  mg.  of  amitriptyline  hydrochloride. 

TRIAVIL®4-25:  Each  tablet  contains  4 mg.  of  perphenazine 
and  25  mg.  of  amitriptyline  hydrochloride. 


INDICATIONS:  Patients  with  moderate  to  severe  anxiety 
and/or  agitation  and  depressed  mood;  patients  with  de- 
pression in  whom  anxiety  and/or  agitation  are  severe; 
patients  with  depression  and  anxiety  in  association  with 
chronic  physical  disease;  schizophrenics  with  associated 
depressive  symptoms. 

CONTRAINDICATIONS:  Central  nervous  system  depression 
from  drugs  (barbiturates,  alcohol,  narcotics,  analgesics, 
antihistamines);  bone  marrow  depression;  pregnancy;  and 
in  patients  with  known  hypersensitivity  to  phenothiazines 
or  amitriptyline.  Do  not  give  in  combination  with  MAOI 
drugs  because  of  possible  potentiation  that  may  even  cause 
death.  Allow  at  least  two  weeks  between  therapies.  In  such 
patients  therapy  with  TRIAVIL  should  be  initiated  cau- 
tiously, with  gradual  increase  in  the  dosage  required  to 
obtain  a satisfactory  response.  Do  not  give  concomitantly 
with  guanethidine  or  similarly  acting  compounds  since  it 
may  block  the  antihypertensive  effect. 

WARNINGS:  Patients  should  be  warned  against  driving  a 
car  or  operating  machinery  or  apparatus  requiring  alert 
attention,  and  that  response  to  alcohol  may  be  increased. 
PRECAUTIONS:  Suicide  is  always  a possibility  in  mental 
depression  and  may  remain  until  significant  remission  oc- 
curs. Supervise  patients  closely  in  case  they  may  require 
hospitalization  or  concomitant  electroshock  therapy.  Un- 
toward reactions  have  been  reported  after  the  combined 
use  of  antidepressant  agents  having  various  modes  of 
activity.  Accordingly,  consider  possibility  of  potentiation 
in  combined  use  of  antidepressants.  Use  with  caution  in 
patients  with  glaucoma  and  those  with  problems  of  urinary 
retention.  Perphenazine  can  lower  the  convulsive  thresh- 
old in  susceptible  individuals.  It  should  be  given  with  cau- 
tion to  patients  with  convulsive  disorders.  Dosage  of  the 
anticonvulsive  agent  may  have  to  be  increased.  Not  rec- 
ommended for  use  in  children.  Mania  or  hypomania  may 
be  precipitated  in  manic-depressives  (perphenazine  in 
TRIAVIL  seems  to  reduce  likelihood  of  this  effect).  If  hypo- 
tension develops,  epinephrine  should  not  be  employed,  as 


its  action  is  blocked  and  partially  reversed  by  perphen1 
zine.  Caution  patients  about  errors  of  judgment  due 
change  in  mood. 

ADVERSE  REACTIONS:  Similar  to  those  reported  wi 
either  constituent  alone. 

Perphenazine:  Should  not  be  used  indiscriminately.  U: 
caution  in  patients  who  have  previously  exhibited  seve 
reactions  to  other  phenothiazines.  Likelihood  of  untowa 
actions  greater  with  high  doses.  Closely  supervise  wi 
any  dosage.  Side  effects  may  be  any  of  those  report* 
with  phenothiazine  drugs:  extrapyramidal  sympton 
(opisthotonos,  oculogyric  crisis,  hyperreflexia,  dystoni 
akathisia,  dyskinesia,  parkinsonism)  usually  controlled  I 
the  concomitant  use  of  effective  antiparkinsonian  druj 
and/or  by  reduction  in  dosage,  but  sometimes  persi 
after  discontinuation  of  the  phenothiazine;  skin  disorde 
(photosensitivity,  itching,  erythema,  urticaria,  eczema,  i 
to  exfoliative  dermatitis);  other  allergic  reactions  (asthm 
laryngeal  edema,  angioneurotic  edema,  anaphylactoid  r 
actions);  peripheral  edema;  reversed  epinephrine  effec 
hyperglycemia;  endocrine  disturbances  (lactation,  gala 
torrhea,  disturbances  of  menstrual  cycle);  altered  cer 
brospinal  fluid  proteins;  paradoxical  excitement;  EK 
abnormalities  (quinidine-like  effect);  reactivation  of  ps 
chotic  processes;  catatonic-like  states;  autonomic  rea 
tions,  such  as  dryness  of  the  mouth,  headache,  nause 
vomiting,  constipation,  obstipation,  urinary  frequenc 
blurred  vision,  nasal  congestion,  and  a change  in  the  pul: 
rate;  hypnotic  effects;  pigmentary  retinopathy;  corne 
and  lenticular  pigmentation;  occasional  lassitude;  muse 
weakness;  mild  insomnia.  Other  adverse  reactions  r 
ported  with  various  phenothiazine  compounds,  but  n 
with  perphenazine,  include  blood  dyscrasias  (pancyt 
penia,  thrombocytopenic  purpura,  leukopenia,  agranuloc! 
tosis,  eosinophilia);  liver  damage  (jaundice,  biliary  stasis 
grand  mal  convulsions;  cerebral  edema;  polyphagia;  ph 
tophobia;  skin  pigmentation;  and  failure  of  ejaculatio 
Significant  unexplained  rise  in  body  temperature  may  su 
gest  intolerance  to  perphenazine,  in  which  case  disco 
tinue.  Antiemetic  effect  may  obscure  signs  of  toxicity  di 
to  overdosage  of  other  drugs  or  make  diagnosis  of  oth 
disorders  such  as  brain  tumors  or  intestinal  obstructs 
difficult.  May  potentiate  the  action  of  central  nervoi 
system  depressants  (opiates,  analgesics,  antihistamine: 
barbiturates,  alcohol)  and  atropine.  In  concurrent  the 
apy  with  any  of  these,  TRIAVIL  should  be  given  in  reduce 
dosage.  May  also  potentiate  the  action  of  heat  and  phe 
phorous  insecticides. 

Amitriptyline:  Careful  observation  of  all  patients  recoi 
mended.  Side  effects  include  drowsiness  (may  occ 
within  the  first  few  days  of  therapy);  dizziness;  nause1 
excitement;  hypertension;  fainting;  fine  tremor;  jitte 
ness;  weakness;  headache;  heartburn;  anorexia;  i 
creased  perspiration;  incoordination;  impotenc 
increased  appetite  and  weight  gain;  allergic-type  rea 
tions  manifested  by  skin  rash,  swelling  of  face  and  tongp 
itching;  numbness  and  tingling  of  limbs,  including  p 
ripheral  neuropathy;  activation  of  latent  schizophrer 
(however,  the  perphenazine  content  may  prevent  this  i 
action  in  some  cases);  epileptiform  seizures;  tempore 
confusion,  disturbed  concentration,  or  transient  visi 
hallucinations  on  high  doses;  evidence  of  anticholinerf 
activity,  such  as  tachycardia,  dryness  of  mouth,  stomatit 
blurring  of  vision,  reversible  dilatation  of  the  urinary  tra 
urinary  retention,  constipation,  paralytic  ileus;  agrar 
locytosis;  jaundice.  Elderly  patients  and  adolescents  c 
often  be  managed  on  lower  dosage  levels. 

For  more  detailed  information,  consult  your  MSD  Represc 
tative  or  see  the  package  circular.  Merck  Sharp  & Dohn 
Division  of  Merck  & Co.,  Inc.,  West  Point,  Pa.  19486. 

MSP  MERCK  SHARP  & DOHME 


ways  finally  responsible  for  his  diagnosis  and 
treatment.  There  is  the  matter  of  implied  war- 
ranty, of  what  the  drug  selected  is  and  is  not,  and 
what  side  effects  the  so-called  identical  agent 
might  produce. 

We  respect  the  profession  of  pharmacy  and 
point  out  that  its  contributions  to  health  care 
have  been  magnificent.  We  do  not  level  the 
charge  of  “merchant”  instead  of  professional  at 
the  pharmacist,  nor  do  we  degrade  his  calling 
in  any  sense.  But  we  do  say  that  he  fostered  and 
shaped  his  profession  and  that  he  has  no  rational 
basis  for  entering  a new  one  now.  Unless,  of 
course,  he  cares  to  go  on  to  secure  his  M.D.  when 
antisubstitution  laws  will  then  make  no  difference 
at  all.— R.B.K. 

Profile  of  Our  Children, 
A Teenage  Nation 

For  the  first  time  in  its  70  years  of  history,  the 
decennial  White  House  Conference  on  Children 
and  Youth  will  be  divided  into  two  sessions.  The 
first,  a Conference  on  Children,  is  scheduled 
Dec.  13-18.  1970,  at  Washington,  while  the  sec- 
ond stage,  the  Conference  on  Youth,  will  open 
in  Feb.  1971. 

The  conclave  on  children  will  focus  on  the  age 
range  of  infancy  through  13  years,  while  the 
youth  segment  will  relate  to  ages  14-24.  There  is 
logic  in  the  division,  and  profile  of  American 
children  proves  the  point. 

In  this  nation  of  some  205  million,  there  are 
53.3  million  children  under  14  years  of  age. 
They  are,  for  all  intent  and  purpose,  the  baby 
boom  of  the  post-World  War  II  baby  boom.  And 
this  is  a growth  in  this  age  grouping  from  30 
million  in  1940,  almost  double. 

The  demographers  tell  us  that  this  growth  re- 
sults from  a geometric  phenomenon  of  reproduc- 
tion: From  1941  through  1966,  the  number  of 
births  each  year  exceeded  the  number  of  children 
reaching  their  14th  birthdays. 

Just  over  half  of  our  children  are  boys,  and 
their  proportion  remains  static  at  about  51  per 
cent  in  ages  10  through  13.  Racial  composition  of 
our  population,  however,  varies  with  age,  and 
the  proportion  for  nonwhites  declines  from  17.2 
per  cent  of  the  children  under  age  5 to  14.4  per 
cent  at  the  10  through  13  bracket. 

If  only  demographically,  the  division  of  the 
White  House  Conference  makes  sense,  because 
the  population  segment  to  be  considered  is  sub- 
stantial, significant,  and  in  fact,  our  next  genera- 
tion.— R.B.K. 


MISSISSIPPI  POSTGRADUATE 

INSTITUTE  IN  THE  MEDICAL 

SCIENCES 

Now  in  its  second  year,  the  Mississippi  Post- 
graduate Institute  in  the  Medical  Sciences  has 
accepted  another  class  of  20  Mississippi  phy- 
sicians, bringing  the  total  to  40.  Last  year’s 
curriculum  of  eight  one-week  refresher  courses 
has  been  expanded  to  15  to  accommodate  the 
enrollment  growth.  With  the  exception  of  can- 
cer chemotherapy,  each  of  the  original  courses 
will  be  offered  twice  this  year,  with  registration 
again  limited  to  five  in  each  course.  Participat- 
ing physicians  who  complete  440  hours  in  a 
four-year  program  will  receive  a certificate  of 
excellence.  The  Mississippi  Regional  Medical 
Program  supports  the  Mississippi  Postgraduate 
Institute  in  the  Medical  Sciences,  which  is 
sponsored  by  the  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine  in  cooperation  with  the 
Mississippi  State  Medical  Association.  Early 
fall  courses  are: 

November  2-6 

Electrocardiography  Intensive  Course 
University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 
November  2-6,  1970.  beginning  at  8 a.m. 

Sponsored  by  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  with  the  support  of  the 
Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Program 

Coordinator: 

Thomas  M.  Blake,  M.D.,  professor  of  medicine, 
The  University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medi- 
cine 

Designed  for  the  practitioner  who  uses  elec- 
trocardiography in  daily  rounds  but  who  has 
had  little  formal  training  in  the  subject,  this 
one-week  intensive  course  will  utilize  dem- 
onstrations, lectures,  discussions  and  confer- 
ences. Participants  will  study  disorders  of  car- 
diac mechanism,  introventricular  and  atroven- 
tricular  block,  manifestations  of  coronary  ar- 
tery disease  and  ventricular  balance. 

November  2-6 

Radiology  Intensive  Course 

University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 
November  2-6.  1970,  beginning  at  8 a.m. 


OCTOBER  1970 


565 


POSTGRADUATE  / Continued 

Sponsored  by  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  with  the  support  of  the 
Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Program 

Coordinator: 

Robert  D.  Sloan,  M.D.,  professor  of  radiology 
and  chairman  of  the  department,  The  Univer- 
sity of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 

This  one-week  intensive  course  will  include 
practical  observations  of  radiologic  procedures 
in  the  diagnostic,  therapeutic  and  isotope  areas, 
as  well  as  sessions  dealing  with  equipment, 
techniques,  artefacts  and  radiation  safety.  Di- 
agnostic conferences  will  enable  registrants  to 
understand  both  the  value  and  limitations  of 
clinical  radiology  and  the  practical  points  of 
radiographic  interpretation. 

November  9-13 

Gastroenterology  Intensive  Course 
University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 
November  9-13,  1970  beginning  at  8 a.m. 

Sponsored  by  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  with  the  support  of  the 
Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Program 

Coordinator: 

Lidio  O.  Mora,  M.D.,  associate  professor  of  medi- 
cine, The  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine,  and  chief,  division  of  gastroenterol- 
ogy, The  University  of  Mississippi  Medical 
Center  and  the  Jackson  Veterans’  Administra- 
tion Center 

This  one-week  intensive  course,  a practical 
view  of  gastroenterology,  will  cover  conditions 
most  commonly  seen  in  the  current  office  prac- 
tice of  medicine,  with  particular  emphasis  on 
endoscopy  of  all  kinds.  Registrants  will  partici- 
pate in  rounds,  lectures  and  seminars. 

November  9-13 

Pediatrics  Intensive  Course 
University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 
November  9-13,  1970,  beginning  at  8 a.m. 

Sponsored  by  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  with  the  support  of  the 
Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Program 

Coordinators: 

J.  M.  Montalvo,  M.D.,  associate  professor  of 
pediatrics,  The  University  of  Mississippi  School 
of  Medicine 

Nell  J.  Ryan,  M.D.,  associate  professor  of  pedi- 

5 66 


atrics,  The  University  of  Mississippi  School 
of  Medicine 

The  lectures  in  this  one-week  intensive 
course  will  emphasize  fluids,  hematology,  car- 
diology, immunizations,  allergies,  seizures,  pe- 
diatric emergencies,  pediatric  surgery,  renal 
problems  and  care  of  the  newborn.  Participants 
will  sharpen  their  skills  in  scalp  vein  tech- 
niques, and  in  the  use  of  the  humidifier,  res- 
pirator, nebulizer  and  resuscitator. 

CIRCUIT  COURSES 
Northern  Circuit 

Tupelo — September  22 — Session  1;  October 
20 — Session  2;  November  17 — Session  3, 
North  Mississippi  Medical  Center,  7 p.m. 
Greenville — October  22 — Session  1;  October 
29 — Session  2;  November  5 — Session  3, 
Greenville  General  Hospital,  8 p.m. 
Session  1 — Private  Care  for  Patients  with 
Tuberculosis,  Dr.  Guy  Campbell 
Surgical  Practices  in  the  Management  of 
Tuberculosis,  Dr.  Karl  Stauss 
Session  2 — Back  Pain 

Neurological  Approach,  Dr.  Armin  Haerer 
Neurosurgical  Approach,  Dr.  Robert  R. 
Smith 

Session  3 — Modern  Management  of  RH 
Sensitization 

In  the  Mother,  Dr.  Calvin  Hull 
In  the  Infant,  Dr.  Alfred  Brann 

Southwest  Circuit 

McComb — October  13 — Session  1,  Southwest 
Mississippi  General  Hospital,  7 p.m. 
Natchez — October  20 — Session  1,  Jefferson 
Davis  Memorial  Hospital,  7:30  p.m. 
Session  1 — Management  of  Congenital  Heart 
Disease,  Dr.  David  G.  Watson 
Ischemic  Heart  Disease,  Dr.  Patrick 
Lehan 

Southeast  Circuit 

Pascagoula — November  10 — Session  1,  Sing- 
ing River  Hospital,  6:30  p.m. 

Session  1 — Current  Trends  in  the  Manage- 
ment of  Septic  Shock,  Dr.  William  A. 
Neely 

Management  of  Breast  Lumps,  Dr.  James 
Spell 

Eastern  Circuit 

Columbus — November  24 — Session  1,  The 
Downtowner  Motor  Inn,  6:30  p.m. 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Session  1 — Surgical  Aspects  of  Urinary  Tract 
Trauma,  Dr.  W.  Lamar  Weems 
Topic  to  be  announced,  Dr.  Tom  Kilgore 

FUTURE  CALENDAR 

September  11-12,  1970 

Ophthalmology  Seminar 

September  22,  1970 

Circuit  Course,  Tupelo 

October  13,  1970 

Circuit  Course,  McComb 

October  20,  1970 

Circuit  Course,  Tupelo 
Circuit  Course,  Natchez 

October  20-22 , 1970 

Mississippi  Academy  of  General  Practice 

October  22,  1970 

Circuit  Course,  Greenville 

October  29,  1970 

Circuit  Course,  Greenville 

November  2-6,  1970 

Radiology  Intensive  Course 
Electrocardiography  Intensive  Course 

November  4,  1970 

Pulmonary  Seminar:  The  pClot  That 
Kills 

November  5,  1970 

Circuit  Course,  Greenville 

November  9-13,  1970 

Gastroenterology  Intensive  Course 
Pediatrics  Intensive  Course 

November  10,  1970 

Circuit  Course,  Pascagoula 

November  17,  1970 

Circuit  Course,  Tupelo 

November  24,  1970 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 

November  30-December  4,  1970 

Neurological  Diseases  and  Stroke  In- 
tensive Course 
Cardiology  Intensive  Course 

December  7-11,  1970 

Nephrology  Intensive  Course 

December  7 , 1970 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 

December  11 , 1970 

Gynecologic  and  Obstetrical  Infections 
Seminar 


January  6,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  Biloxi 

January  7,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 

January  11-15,  1971 

Neurological  Diseases  and  Stroke  In- 
tensive Course 

January  12,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  McComb 

January  18-22,  1971 

Cancer  Chemotherapy  Intensive  Course 

February  1-5,  1971 

Electrocardiography  Intensive  Course 

February  3,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  Gulfport 

February  4,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 

February  16,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  Natchez 

February  18,  1971 

Neurology  Seminar 

February  23,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 

March  1-5,  1971 

Gastroenterology  Intensive  Course 

March  3,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  Bay  St.  Louis 

March  4,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 

March  5,  1971 

Renal  Seminar 

March  8-12,  1971 

Nephrology  Intensive  Course 
Cardiology  Intensive  Course 

March  9,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  Meridian 

April  5-9,  1971 

Pediatrics  Intensive  Course 

April  6,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  Meridian 

April  13,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  McComb 

April  19-23,  1971 

Radiology  Intensive  Course 


OCTOBER  1970 


567 


POSTGRADUATE  / Continued 

April  20,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  Natchez 


April  27,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 

May  3-6,  1971 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 
May  11,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  Meridian 


Barry,  Esther  Garcia,  Pascagoula.  Born  San- 
ta Clara,  Cuba,  Dec.  21,  1926;  M.D.  University 
of  Havana  School  of  Medicine,  Cuba  1953;  In- 
terned Sacred  Heart  Hospital,  Pensacola,  Florida, 
one  year;  Pediatrics  residency,  Mobile  General 
Hospital,  Mobile,  Alabama  July  195 6- June  1957 
and  July  1967-June  1969;  elected  Aug.  1970, 
Singing  River  Medical  Society. 


Humphrey,  Charles  Roosevelt,  Jr.,  Fayette, 
Born  Egypt,  Miss.  April  24,  1932;  M.D.,  Meharry 
Medical  College  School  of  Medicine,  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  1961;  Interned  George  W.  Hubbard  Hos- 
pital, Nashville,  Tenn.,  one  year;  elected  August 
1970,  Adams  County  Medical  Society. 


Pandey,  Shanti,  Fayette.  Born  India  Sept.  3, 
1935;  M.D.  Prince  of  Wales  Medical  College 
Patna  University,  Patna,  Bihar,  1958;  Interned, 
Same,  one  year;  Master  of  Surgery  in  Ob-Gyn, 
Same,  Sept.  8,  1965-Dec.  1,  1967;  elected  August 
1970,  Adams  County  Medical  Society. 


Vesa,  Antonio  Gregori,  Biloxi.  Born  Cuba 
Feb.  16,  1915;  M.D.  University  of  Havana 
School  of  Medicine,  Cuba,  1943;  Interned  Calixto 
Garcia  Hospital,  Havana,  Cuba,  one  year;  Oph- 
thalmology residency  Cuba  1947-1949;  Oph- 
thalmology residency  1961-1962;  Ophthalmology 
residency  Cobb  Memorial  Hospital,  Phenix  City, 
Ala.,  1963-1964;  elected  August  1970,  Coast 
Counties  Medical  Society. 


Towns,  Sherrod  Ross,  M.D.,  Vanderbilt  Uni- 
versity School  of  Medicine,  Nashville,  Tennessee, 
1904;  died  August  10,  1970,  age  94. 

Genetics  Course 
Slated  for  November 

Genetics  for  the  internist  will  be  the  topic  of 
an  American  College  of  Physicians  postgraduate 
course  scheduled  for  Nov.  11-13,  1970,  at  the 
New  York  Hospital-Cornell  Medical  Center,  New 
York  City. 

Co-directors  are  Drs.  Alexander  G.  Bearn  and 
E.  Lovell  Becker.  Minimum  number  of  regis- 
trants is  35  and  the  maximum  is  100. 

The  course  will  emphasize  the  clinical  aspects 
of  human  genetics  particularly  pertinent  for  the 
practicing  internist.  The  course  will  comprise 
formal  lectures,  panel  discussion,  case  presenta- 
tions and  question  and  answer  periods. 

Heart  Association 
Plans  Scientific  Meet 

Forms  to  register  for  the  43rd  annual  Scienti- 
fic Sessions  of  the  American  Heart  Association 
may  now  be  obtained  through  the  Association’s 
National  Office  or  from  local  Heart  Associations. 

The  meeting  is  being  held  from  Thursday  morn- 
ing, Nov.  12  through  Sunday  noon,  Nov.  15  in 
Convention  Hall,  Atlantic  City,  N.  J.  Seven  pro- 
grams on  Clinical  Cardiology  and  concurrent  ses- 
sions on  various  phases  of  cardiovascular  research 
and  medicine,  will  be  presented.  In  addition,  the 
meeting  will  feature  lectures,  panels  symposia 
and  the  screening  of  recently  produced  cardio- 
vascular films. 

On  Thursday  evening,  Nov.  12,  a series  of 
Cardiovascular  Conferences  will  be  devoted  to 
small  group  discussion  of  CV  problems.  A special 
“Meet  the  Expert”  session  will  be  held  on  Satur- 
day evening,  Nov.  14  for  talks  on  a variety  of 
cardiovascular  topics. 

As  in  the  past,  scientific  and  industrial  exhibits 
will  be  displayed  throughout  the  meetings.  In- 
dustrial exhibit  space  may  be  obtained  through 
Steven  K.  Herlitz,  Inc.,  850  Third  Ave.,  New 
York,  N.  Y.  10022. 


568 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


New,  Beefed-Up  Legislative  Program 
Will  Ask  Active  Aid  of  All  Members 


“Give  a day  for  MSMA!” 

This  is  the  appeal  to  every  member  in  behalf 
of  the  new  and  expanded  legislative  program 
adopted  by  the  House  of  Delegates,  reviewed  by 
the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  now  being  implement- 
ed by  the  Council  on  Legislation. 

Dr.  C.  D.  Taylor,  Jr.,  of  Pass  Christian, 
chairman  of  the  legislative  body,  said  that  the 
first  objective  of  the  new  program  is  involvement 
of  every  association  member. 

“The  most  serious  business  before  our  last  an- 
nual session,”  Dr.  Taylor  observed,  “was  the 
series  of  legislative  crises  we  experienced  during 
the  1970  Regular  Session. 

“It  is  a matter  of  physician-to-legislator  com- 
munication, and  many  senators  and  representa- 
tives have  made  it  clear  that  they  wish  to  hear 
from  hometown  physicians  on  a week-to-week 
basis.” 

He  said  that  the  “Give  a Day”  program,  for- 
mally approved  by  the  House  of  Delegates,  will 
ask  each  association  member  to  devote  one  day — 
not  a Saturday  or  Sunday — to  work  in  behalf  of 
the  association’s  legislative  program. 

Dr.  Taylor  said  that  “only  65  to  70  physicians 
can  serve  as  Doctors  of  the  Day  in  our  Emer- 
gency Medical  Care  Unit  in  the  Capitol  which  is 
open  during  each  working  day  of  the  legislature 
in  regular  and  special  sessions.  The  association 
employs  a full-time  R.N.  in  the  unit. 

“But  we  intend  to  call  on  members  to  visit 
with  their  own  county  delegations  of  senators 
and  representatives,  make  speeches  before  civic 
and  service  clubs,  meet  with  other  associations 
having  a common  interest  in  health  and  medical 
legislation,  and  do  special  tasks  in  the  legislative 
field.” 

Dr.  Taylor  said  that  the  Council  on  Legislation 
had  just  held  its  fall  meeting  at  Jackson  and 
that  plans  are  well  along  toward  putting  the  pro- 
gram into  effect. 

The  council  also  received  referrals  from  the 
House  of  Delegates  on  legislative  items  growing 


out  of  resolutions  and  reports  adopted.  Among 
these  are: 

— Amendments  to  the  state’s  archaic  abortion 
law  to  permit  the  procedure  when  the  health  as 
well  as  the  life  of  the  patient  is  at  stake,  when  the 
pregnancy  results  from  rape  or  incest,  or  when 
there  is  probability  that  the  infant  will  be  born 
deformed. 

— A limited  licensure  law  for  foreign  medical 
graduates  found  competent  after  searching  exam- 
ination and  who  work  in  state  institutions.  They 
would  not  practice  privately. 

— Establishing  of  statutory  standards  for  all 
practitioners  who  hold  themselves  out  to  diagnose 
and  treat  disease,  requiring  all  to  meet  M.D. 
standards. 

— Support  of  the  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine  in  enlarging  classes  to  in- 
crease the  supply  of  physicians. 

— Continuation  of  the  emergency  medical 
helicopter  airlift  service,  Project  CARE-SOM. 

Dr.  Taylor  said  that  the  new  program  will 
also  include  a weekly  legislative  bulletin  for 
every  member  of  the  association. 

“We  intend  to  have  a fully  informed  member- 
ship on  health  and  medical  legislation,”  he  em- 
phasized. 

He  said  that  a staff  executive  from  association 
headquarters  will  be  available  at  the  Capitol  daily. 

The  council  reviewed  the  adverse  series  of  pro- 
posals last  session  which  prompted  formulation  of 
the  expanded  program,  Among  these  issues  were 
chiropractic  licensure,  dilution  of  the  State  Board 
of  Health  in  one  measure  and  another  to  abolish 
it,  malpractice  action  awards  without  the  need  for 
corroborative  medical  evidence,  licensure  amend- 
ments, and  proposals  inimical  to  practice  and  pa- 
tient care. 

Dr.  Taylor  said  that  the  council  will  meet 
monthly  during  the  1970  Regular  Session  of  the 
Legislature,  periodically  reviewing  the  associa- 
tion’s program. 


5 69 


OCTOBER  1970 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 


Jerry  R.  Adkins  of  Biloxi  announces  the  asso- 
ciation of  Ray  L.  Wesson  in  the  practice  of  gen- 
eral and  thoracic  surgery  at  The  Surgical  Clinic, 

1 1 60  West  Howard  Avenue. 

Raymond  A.  Allen,  formerly  of  Phoenix,  Ariz., 
has  been  appointed  chief  of  pathology  at  St. 
Dominic-Jackson  Memorial  Hospital  in  Jackson. 

S.  Lamar  Bailey  and  Paul  E.  Mink  of  Kos- 
ciusko have  been  commended  by  President  Rich- 
ard M.  Nixon  for  work  they  have  done  in  be- 
half of  the  county  draft  board  as  medical  advisors. 

The  Department  of  Medicine  at  the  University  of 
Mississippi  Medical  Center  at  Jackson  has  an- 
nounced the  following  promotions:  Thomas  M. 
Blake  from  associate  professor  to  professor; 
Marvin  H.  Jeter  from  instructor  and  director  of 
outpatient  services  to  assistant  professor  and  hos- 
pital assistant  director  for  ambulatory  services; 
Kenneth  R.  Bennett  from  instructor  to  assist- 
ant professor  and  director  of  RMP  coronary 
care  facility  and  training  program;  and  William 
R.  Lockwood  from  assistant  to  associate  profes- 
sor. 

Julian  E.  Boggess  of  Columbus  announces  the 
limiting  of  his  practice  to  the  eye.  His  office  is 
located  at  1124  Main  Street. 

E.  V.  Bramlett  of  Batesville  has  received  a 20- 
year  service  and  appreciation  award  from  Selec- 
tive Service  Board  No.  40.  Dr.  Bramlett  served 
as  local  board  medical  advisor. 

H.  B.  Cottrell  of  Jackson,  the  State  Health 
Officer,  was  guest  speaker  at  a recent  meeting  of 
the  Forest  Rotary  Club. 

Karl  W.  Hatten  of  Vicksburg  has  been  named 
District  Two  Heart  Association  chairman. 

J.  W.  Hollingsworth  of  Meadville  was  recently 
honored  with  a certificate  noting  his  15  years  of 
service  as  a member  of  the  Franklin  County 
Draft  Board. 

George  T.  Kimbrough  of  Hattiesburg  announces 
the  removal  of  his  offices  for  the  practice  of  pe- 
diatrics to  the  Medical  Arts  Building  at  405  South 
28th  Avenue. 


Dewey  H.  Lane  of  Pascagoula  is  serving  as 
chairman  of  the  Mississippi  Economic  Council 
Special  Committee  on  Public  Education  which 
sponsored  a “Stay  in  School”  campaign  in  Au- 
gust and  September. 

William  E.  Lotterhos  of  Jackson  and  Walter 
Crawford  of  Tylertown  represented  Mississippi 
at  the  Fourth  World  Conference  on  General 
Practice  in  Chicago.  Dr.  Lotterhos  was  one  of 
two  delegates  from  the  United  States,  served  as 
chairman  of  one  section,  and  was  speaker  at  an- 
other. 

Charles  Miller  Murry,  Jr.,  of  Oxford  has 
been  elected  to  the  Wood  Junior  College  Board 
of  Trustees. 

James  A.  Pittman,  formerly  chief  of  surgery 
at  Patrick  Air  Force  Base,  Fla.,  has  joined  the 
Rush  Medical  Group  in  Meridian. 

Allen  M.  Read  of  Natchez  announces  the  asso- 
ciation of  David  R.  Steckler  in  the  practice  of 
pathology. 

William  H.  Rosenblatt  and  James  C.  Hays 
of  Jackson  wish  to  announce  the  association  of 
James  L.  Crosthwait  in  the  practice  of  cardi- 
ology at  1 1 57  N.  State  Street. 

Thomas  G.  Ross  of  Jackson  accompanied  a group 
of  Methodist  youth  on  a 12  day  work  mission  in 
Mexico  where  he  held  a medical  clinic.  The  mis- 
sion was  sponsored  by  the  Youth  Ministry  Coun- 
cil of  the  Galloway  Memorial  United  Methodist 
Church. 

J.  D.  Rutherford,  III,  announces  the  opening 
of  his  office  for  general  practice  at  Colonial  Plaza 
Building  No.  2,  Highway  90,  Bay  St.  Louis. 

Thomas  H.  Simmons  of  Leland  has  been  ap- 
pointed to  serve  as  a member  of  the  Leland 
school  board  until  an  election  can  be  held  in 
March,  1 97 1 , to  fill  an  unexpired  term. 

William  A.  Sweat,  Robert  R.  Gatling,  and 
William  F.  Kliesch,  all  of  Jackson,  have  been 
appointed  to  the  staff  of  the  Jackson  Veterans’ 
Administration  Center. 

J.  T.  Thompson  of  Moss  Point  was  elected  a di- 
rector of  the  Pascagoula-Moss  Point  Area  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  at  the  annual  membership  meet- 
ing. He  will  serve  a three  year  term. 

Guy  T.  Vise,  Jr.,  of  Meridian  was  one  of  five 
American  and  Canadian  orthopedic  surgery  resi- 
dents selected  as  North  American  Travelling  Fel- 
lows of  the  American  Orthopedic  Association.  He 
toured  for  five  weeks  visiting  a total  of  40  major 


5 70 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


medical  institutions  in  American  and  Canadian 
cities. 

Fred  Wells,  Jr.,  of  Greenville  has  completed  a 
24-week  course  in  aerospace  medicine  and  has 
received  his  Naval  flight  surgeon  wings  at  the 
Pensacola  Naval  Air  Station. 

Stoney  Williamson  announces  the  opening  of 
his  offices  in  Suite  106,  The  Medical  Plaza  in 
Hattiesburg,  for  the  practice  of  ophthalmology. 

David  T.  Wilson  of  Louisville  announces  the 
association  of  Anse  B.  Howard,  III  for  the 
practice  of  general  medicine  and  surgery  at  the 
Medical  Center. 

EENT  Specialists  to 
Meet  in  Las  Vegas 

More  than  9,000  medical-surgical  specialists 
in  eye,  ear,  nose,  and  throat  will  assemble  in  Las 
Vegas,  Nev.,  Oct.  5-9  for  the  75th  Annual  Ses- 
sion of  the  American  Academy  of  Ophthalmology 
and  Otolaryngology. 

Opening  the  meeting  at  the  Convention  Center 
will  be  the  nation’s  top  health  official,  Dr.  Roger 
O.  Egeberg,  Assistant  Secretary  for  Health  and 
Scientific  Affairs,  HEW.  He  will  address  the  Joint 
Scientific  Session  on  Monday,  Oct.  5. 

The  week’s  activities  will  be  filled  with  ten 
scientific  sessions,  and  with  485  instructional 
courses.  In  addition,  the  North  Exhibit  hall  of 
the  new  Center  will  house  scientific  and  commer- 
cial exhibits. 

Ophthalmology  research  reports  to  be  presented 
will  include  those  on  complications  of  surgery  for 
retinal  detachment,  use  of  lasers  to  diagnose  eye 
diseases,  suitability  of  cadaver  eyes  for  trans- 
plants, acquired  color  blindness,  the  use  of  soft 
contact  lenses  in  certain  eye  conditions,  and  in 
chemical  treatment  of  melanoma  of  the  eye. 

Otolaryngology  research  reports  will  include 
those  on  ear  drum  and  ossicle  transplants,  the 
dizzying-and-ear-ringing  disorder  known  as 
Meniere’s  Disease,  congenital  deafness,  facial 
paralysis  (Bell’s  Palsy),  a special  form  of  mus- 
cular dystrophy  which  affects  the  eyes  and  throat, 
and  a one-stage  operation  for  vocal  rehabilitation 
of  the  patient  whose  voice  box  has  been  removed 
by  surgery  because  of  cancer. 

A special  symposium  on  Computer  Assistance 
in  Health  Service  will  be  featured  on  Monday, 
immediately  after  Dr.  Egeberg’s  speech. 


The  exhibits  will  include  61  on  the  eye  and  17 
on  ear-nose-throat.  Subjects  include  prevention  of 
speech  problems  in  children  with  cleft  palate, 
scanning  electron  microscope  views  of  the  eye’s 
Canal  of  Schlemm,  daily  variations  in  eye  pres- 
sure, effects  of  noise  on  hearing,  chemical  analy- 
sis of  conjunctival  mucus  and  its  meaning  for  the 
wearing  of  contact  lenses,  nasal  obstruction  as 
a cause  of  sudden  death  in  infants,  use  of  the 
laser  in  eye  refraction,  use  of  computers  in  eye 
refraction,  occurrence  of  virus  retinitis  in  kidney 
transplant  patients,  and  ultrasonic  measurements 
of  the  eye. 

The  least-publicized  but  best-attended  part  of 
each  year’s  AAOO  convention  is  its  instructional 
program,  where  the  specialists  learn  the  latest  in- 
formation and  techniques  in  their  fields.  This 
year’s  courses — which  run  every  day,  morning 
and  afternoon — are  expecially  focused  on  the 
small:  microscopic  and  electronmicroscopic  pa- 
thology, and  microsurgery — surgery  on  the  eye 
and  middle  ear  performed  with  the  aid  of  micro- 
scopes. 

President  of  AAOO  is  Dr.  Jerome  A.  Hilger, 
St.  Paul,  Minn.  Dr.  Clair  M.  Kos  is  executive 
secretary-treasurer  at  AAOO  headquarters  in 
Rochester,  Minn.  Dr.  Francis  L.  Lederer,  Chi- 
cago, 1968  president  of  AAOO,  is  chairman  and 
coordinator  of  the  AAOO  Committee  for  Public 
and  Professional  Relations. 

Nov.  1 Is  Deadline 
for  Heart  Grants 

November  1,  1970  is  the  deadline  for  submit- 
ting applications  for  Grants-in-Aid  to  be  awarded 
by  the  American  Heart  Association  in  the  fiscal 
year  beginning  July  1,  1971. 

Grants-in-Aid  are  made  to  support  and  ex- 
pand the  research  activities  broadly  related  to 
cardiovascular  function  and  disease,  or  to  related 
fundamental  problems.  Support  is  available  for 
all  basic  disciplines,  such  as  physiology,  biochem- 
istry and  pathology,  as  well  as  for  epidemiological 
and  clinical  investigations  which  bear  on  cardio- 
vascular problems. 

Limited  funds  are  also  available  for  support  of 
research  in  the  basic  science  disciplines  which  are 
independent  of  any  apparent  direct  application 
to  the  field  of  cardiovascular  disease. 

For  Grants-in-Aid  applications  write  to  the  Re- 
search Department,  American  Heart  Association, 
44  E.  23rd  Street,  New  York,  N.  Y.  10010. 


OCTOBER  1970 


571 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Dr.  Jenkins  Honored 
for  50  Years  of  Service 

Dr.  W.  N.  Jenkins  of  Port  Gibson  was  recently 
honored  at  a reception  at  the  Claiborne  County 
Hospital  for  his  having  served  a half  century  in 
the  medical  profession. 

On  behalf  of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  As- 
sociation, Dr.  Roy  M.  Barnes  presented  him  a 
framed  certificate  as  a member  of  the  Fifty-Year 
Club  of  the  association. 

The  certificate  read  as  follows:  “This  is  to 
certify  that  William  Nathan  Jenkins,  M.D.,  having 
served  his  patients  and  fellow  citizens  faithfully 
and  devotedly  in  the  practice  of  medicine  for 
fifty  years  and  having  brought  honor  and  credit 
to  the  professional  community  and  himself,  has 
been  elected  a life  member  of  the  Fifty-Year  Club, 
on  recommendation  by  his  component  medical 
society.  By  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Missis- 
sippi State  Medical  Association.  This  26th  day  of 
June,  1970.“ 


Dr.  W.  N.  Jenkins  received  the  coveted  certificate 
of  membership  in  the  MSMA  Fifty-Year  Club  from 
Dr.  Roy  Barnes  of  Port  Gibson  in  special  ceremonies 
at  Claiborne  County  Hospital. 

E.  P.  Spencer,  hospital  administrator,  present- 
ed Dr.  Jenkins  a copy  of  resolutions  from  the 
hospital  board  of  trustees  in  which  the  board 
praised  him  for  his  services  as  Chief  of  Staff  of 
the  hospital  and  for  his  services  to  the  community. 

C.  Y.  Katzenmier,  representing  the  City  of 
Port  Gibson,  presented  Dr.  Jenkins  a silver  tray 
as  a “gift  of  appreciation  from  the  people  of  the 
community.” 


1970-71  AMA-ERF 
Campaign  Is  Set 

The  1970-71  campaign  for  the  American  Med- 
ical Association  Education  and  Research  Founda- 
tion will  be  opened  in  October.  This  was  the 
announcement  of  Dr.  Raymond  F.  Grenfell  of 
Jackson,  state  association  chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  AMA-ERF. 

Contributions  to  the  foundation  are  fully  tax- 
deductible,  Dr.  Grenfell  reminded,  and  100  cents 
out  of  each  dollar  given  goes  to  the  purpose  for 
which  contributed.  No  deductions  are  made  for 
handling  or  administrative  costs. 

Donors  may  earmark  their  gifts  for  a particular 
medical  school  or  foundation  activity.  Unear- 
marked contributions  go  into  the  general  founda- 
tion fund  which  is  equally  divided  among  the 
nation’s  medical  schools. 

“No  AMA-ERF  funds  support  the  former 
AMA  Institute  for  Biomedical  Research,”  Dr. 
Grenfell  noted.  “The  Institute  was  terminated  by 
AMA  last  year. 

“It  is  to  be  remembered,  however,”  the  chair- 
man continued,  “That  Institute  support  was  de- 
rived from  particular  gifts  for  that  specific  pur- 
pose when  the  project  was  in  operation.” 

As  in  previous  years,  the  state  medical  associa- 
tion is  working  in  concert  with  the  University 
Medical  Center  and  the  Ole  Miss  Medical  Alum- 
ni Association  in  the  1970-71  campaign.  The 
partnership  offers  participating  physicians  and 
Woman’s  Auxiliary  members  several  avenues 
through  which  to  make  contributions. 

UMC  and  the  medical  alumni  association  will 
again  make  direct  appeals  for  voluntary  support, 
as  will  the  state  medical  association.  The  new 
single,  itemized  billing  statement  for  dues  will 
also  permit  inclusion  of  the  physician’s  AMA- 
ERF  gift  in  the  single  check.  The  amount  volun- 
tarily specified  will  be  transmitted  to  AMA-ERF. 

Remittances  along  with  dues  payments  may  be 
earmarked  for  a specific  medical  school,  if  desired, 
by  simply  noting  the  name  of  the  institution  on 
the  returned  portion  of  the  statement. 

Mississippi  physicians  exceeded  their  colleagues 
in  Alabama,  Arkansas,  Louisiana,  and  Tennessee 
last  year  on  per  capita  giving,  but  the  net  amount 
which  went  to  the  University  Medical  Center 
was  smaller  than  in  1968,  the  announcement  said. 

The  association  has  sponsored  the  annual  cam- 
paign for  voluntary  support  of  medical  education 
through  AMA-ERF  since  1953,  and  the  goal  of 
the  1970-71  campaign  is  to  reach  the  highest 
degree  of  participation  and  net  gift  to  medical 
education. 


572 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Book  Reviews 

Handbook  of  Psychiatry.  By  Philip  Solomon, 
M.D.  and  Vernon  D.  Patch,  M.D.  623  pages 
with  illustrations.  Lange  Medical  Publishers, 
1969.  $7.00. 

The  Handbook  of  Psychiatry  composed  by  ex- 
cellent authors,  Drs.  Philip  Solomon  and  Vernon 
D.  Patch,  represents  an  extremely  well  integrat- 
ed and  well  organized  volume.  The  handbook 
is  quite  readable  and  authoritative.  It  can  serve 
as  an  exceedingly  useful  reference  in  the  field  of 
psychiatry. 

The  first  six  chapters  make  for  good  reading 
and  give  helpful  hints  for  screening  interviews. 
There  is  a good  outline  for  mental  status  exam- 
inations with  the  primary  emphasis  on  listening 
to  the  patient  and  points  out  that  only  after  lis- 
tening, should  there  be  directed  questions  regard- 
ing suicide,  hallucinations,  etc. 

Of  particular  importance  is  the  seventh  chap- 
ter, Differential  Diagnostic  Symptoms  and  Signs. 
In  this  chapter  there  is  concise  understandable 
meaning  to  much  psychiatric  lingo.  There  is  also 
better  understanding  as  to  how  a different  psy- 
chiatric diagnosis  can  be  made  by  different  psy- 
chiatrists based  on  symptoms  that  appear  dom- 
inant at  any  particular  time  the  patient  may  be 
seen.  The  symptoms  listed  in  chapter  seven  can 
be  used  as  a guide  toward  reading  the  more  de- 
tailed description  of  specific  neurotic,  psychotic 
and  organic  illnesses,  as  well  as  character  or 
personality  disturbances. 

There  is  a superficial  but  helpful  part  in  psy- 
chiatric treatment  covering  drugs,  electroshock 
treatments,  and  emergency  procedures.  Through- 
out this  volume  are  numerous  suggestions  as  to 
simple  methods  of  evaluating  the  severity  of  men- 
tal and/or  emotional  illness  which  could  be  most 
helpful  in  giving  the  general  practitioner  useful 
information  as  to  when  referrals  to  psychiatrists 
become  wise  and  necessary.  The  last  two  pages 
of  the  book  are  a well  documented,  short  cut  to 
emergency  psychiatric  diagnosis  and  management. 

George  M.  Wilson,  M.D. 


The  Vitreous  in  Clinical  Ophthalmology.  By 
Norman  S.  Jaffe,  M.D.  300  pages  with  334  il- 
lustrations. St.  Louis:  The  C.  V.  Mosby  Com- 
pany, 1969.  $32.50. 

The  author’s  stated  purpose  is  the  compilation 
of  the  available  scientific  knowledge  concerning 
the  vitreous  and  the  relating  of  this  knowledge  to 
clinical  situations.  This  he  does  quite  successful- 
ly. Dr.  Jaffe  is  well  qualified  on  this  subject  since 
he  is  clinical  assistant  professor  of  ophthalmology, 
University  of  Miami  School  of  Medicine;  chair- 
man, department  of  ophthalmology,  St.  Francis 
Hospital,  Miami  Beach;  attending  ophthalmolo- 
gist, Mt.  Sinai  Hospital  of  Greater  Miami,  Fla.  He 
also  teaches  the  course  on  the  vitreous  at  the 
American  Academy  of  Ophthalmology  and  Oto- 
laryngology. 

Dr.  Jaffe  follows  the  usual  format  in  present- 
ing a thorough  review  of  the  embryology,  anato- 
my and  physiology  of  the  vitreous  body.  He  then 
proceeds  to  the  pathology  and  presents  an  excel- 
lent resume  of  the  Irvine-Gass  Syndrome  and 
other  vitreous  traction  problems.  There  is  a com- 
prehensive discussion  of  the  problems  of  cataract 
surgery  including  a review  of  surgical  techniques 
designed  to  deal  with  vitreous  loss  at  surgery  and 
medical  and  surgical  methods  of  handling  post- 
operative hyaloid  rupture  and  persistent  corneal 
edema.  The  author  gives  a clear  review  of  indi- 
cations and  methods  for  vitrectomy.  The  role  of 
the  vitreous  in  aphakic  pupillary  block,  narrow 
angle  glaucoma  and  malignant  glaucoma  is 
dealt  with  extensively,  reviewing  Shaffer’s  work 
on  the  posterior  vitreous  pool.  There  is  a good 
discussion  of  sclerotomy  and  sclerochoroidal 
drainage  procedures.  Chapters  on  the  vitreous  in 
retinal  detachment  are  comprehensive  and  well 
illustrated.  These  deal  with  the  all  too  common 
problems  of  vitreous  traction  and  some  of  the 
newer  surgical  methods  for  attacking  traction 
bands.  Transfer  and  replacement  of  the  vitreous 
are  considered. 

Since  the  vitreous  plays  a vital  role  in  diabetic 
retinopathy  following  the  preliminary  stage  of 
aneurisms,  punctate  hemorrhage  and  hard  exu- 
date, there  is  a chapter  devoted  to  this  entity. 


5 73 


OCTOBER  1970 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

In  dealing  with  a subject  such  as  this,  with  all 
of  the  pathologic  involvements  he  has  covered, 
Dr.  Jaffe  has  done  a commendable  job  of  re- 
viewing the  world  literature.  There  are  profuse 
references  as  well  as  careful  consideration  of  the 
varied  opinions  of  several  researchers.  The  au- 
thor’s bibliography  is  excellent.  He  has  used  many 
fine  illustrations,  fundus  photographs  and  photo- 
micrographs to  clarify  his  text.  This  work  is  a 
worthwhile  addition  to  any  ophthalmic  library 
and  certainly  helps  fill  a large  gap  in  our  knowl- 
edge of  an  extremely  important  issue. 

Theresa  L.  R.  Buckley,  M.D. 

New  Ovral  Package 
Has  3 -Month  Supply 

Wyeth  Laboratories’  oral  contraceptive,  Ov- 
ral®, is  now  available  in  a convenient  “3-Pak” 
package  containing  a three-month  supply. 

Designed  to  provide  maximum  convenience 
for  patients,  the  new  Ovral  3-Pak  also  reflects 
the  preference  of  an  increasing  number  of  physi- 
cians for  prescribing  a three-month  supply  of 
oral  contraceptives. 

The  3-Pak  consists  of  the  following:  a comb- 
type  case  containing  a one-month  supply  of  Ov- 
ral; two  additional  months’  supply;  and  patient 
information. 

In  addition  to  the  new  3-Pak,  Ovral  continues 
to  be  supplied  in  a carton  containing  six  single- 
cycle Pilpaks™. 

Coronary  Care  Unit 
Nears  Completion 

Coronary  care  throughout  Mississippi  will  get 
a boost  as  specialized  training  programs  get  un- 
derway at  the  University  Medical  Center,  begin- 
ning in  October. 

Funded  by  the  Mississippi  Regional  Medical 
Program,  a six-bed  coronary  care  unit  in  Uni- 
versity Hospital,  now  under  construction,  will 
serve  as  the  central  demonstration  and  training 
facility  for  coronary  care  staffs  across  the  state. 

Dr.  Kenneth  Bennett,  University  CCU  director 
and  head  of  the  statewide  coronary  care  unit 


system  project,  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Jackson, 
nurse  director,  will  be  in  charge. 

Registered  nurses  who  work  in  coronary  care 
units  or  in  hospitals  with  monitoring  systems  have 
been  invited  to  apply  for  training  in  a series  of 
four-week  courses  on  care  of  patients  with  myo- 
cardial infarction  and  heart  electrical  activity 
disorders.  Classes  are  scheduled  in  October,  1970, 
January  and  March,  1971.  Physicians  and  other 
members  of  the  Mississippi  health  team  will  also 
train  in  the  unit  when  it  is  completed. 

M.  D.  Anderson  Hospital 
Plans  Conference 

“Progress  in  the  Rehabilitation  of  the  Cancer 
Patient”  will  be  the  subject  of  the  15th  Annual 
Clinical  Conference  sponsored  by  The  University 
of  Texas  M.  D.  Anderson  Hospital  and  Tumor 
Institute  at  Houston,  Nov.  19-20,  1970. 

The  Shamrock-Hilton  Hotel  will  be  the  site  of 
the  two-day  conference,  co-sponsored  by  the  Di- 
vision of  Continuing  Education  of  the  UT  Grad- 
uate School  of  Biomedical  Sciences  at  Houston. 

The  conference  will  be  the  first  major  medical 
meeting  to  offer  an  interdisciplinary  approach  to 
rehabilitation  of  cancer  patients.  Sessions  will  be 
devoted  to  problems  of  patients  with  cancer  of 
specific  sites,  problems  of  amputees,  techniques  in 
nursing  and  physical  therapy  and  aspects  of 
psychological  and  social  adjustments  and  voca- 
tional training. 

Speakers  representing  about  20  medical  and 
educational  institutions  and  organizations,  as  well 
as  government  agencies,  will  participate  in  the 
program,  according  to  Drs.  John  E.  Healey,  Jr., 
chairman,  and  Joe  B.  Drane,  co-chairman. 

The  Heath  Memorial  Award  will  be  presented 
on  Nov.  19.  Established  in  1966,  the  award  is 
conferred  annually  on  a physician  or  scientist 
who  has  made  an  outstanding  contribution  to  the 
better  care  of  cancer  patients  through  clinical 
application  of  basic  research  knowledge. 

On  Nov.  21  a symposium  on  bone  tumors  will 
be  held  in  conjunction  with  the  Clinical  Con- 
ference. The  Anderson  department  of  anatomical 
pathology  and  the  Texas  Society  of  Pathologists 
will  host  the  meeting,  beginning  at  9 a.m.  in 
M.  D.  Anderson  Hospital  auditorium  in  the  Tex- 
as Medical  Center. 

Pathologic,  radiologic  and  surgical  aspects  of 
bone  tumors  will  be  discussed  by  a panel  mod- 
erated by  Dr.  Paul  Lund. 


574 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


MPAC 

AMPAC 

give  you  IMPACT,  doctor! 


But  make  it  a mutual  impact,  doctor,  because  your  PAC 
needs  you  and  you  need  your  PAC.  Both  AMPAC  and 
each  of  the  50  state  PAC’s  are  voluntary,  nonprofit,  un- 
incorporated, autonomous  groups  whose  members  are 
physicians,  their  wives,  and  others  in  allied  professions. 
Every  group  is  bipartisan,  bound  by  no  party  label.  The 
voting  record,  platform,  and  program  of  a candidate — 
not  his  party — is  what  the  PAC  considers. 

The  basic  purpose  is  twofold:  To  educate  in  political 
affairs  and  to  provide  a means  through  which  the  physi- 
cian-citizen can  effectively  make  his  voice  heard  in  the  po- 
litical arena.  MPAC  is  medically  oriented  and  medically 
directed  by  a 10  member  board  consisting  of  nine  physi- 
cians and  a Woman’s  Auxiliary  representative. 

With  the  elections  behind,  MPAC  is  looking  ahead  to 
1971  when  there  will  be  a job  to  do.  Make  your  voice 
count  by  sending  your  dues  today,  $10  for  MPAC  and 
$10  for  AMPAC.  Better  send  dues  for  your  wife,  too. 


MISSISSIPPI  MEDICAL 
POLITICAL  ACTION 
COMMITTEE 


575 


OCTOBER  1970 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Magazine  Aims  At 
Exceptional  Parent 

The  Exceptional  Parent,  a new  magazine,  is 
announced  for  distribution  beginning  in  Septem- 
ber, by  the  Psy-Ed  Corporation,  publishers.  The 
Exceptional  Parent,  unique  among  education- 
al and  professional  publications,  will  aim  “to 
provide  practical  help  for  the  parents  of  children 
with  disabilities.”  It  will  combine  the  knowledge 
of  experts  with  the  day-to-day  experiences  of  lay- 
men. 

The  magazine  will  deal  with  many  issues  that 
affect  the  exceptional  child  and  will  cover  such 
topics  as  the  role  of  the  family,  the  nature  and  role 
of  the  various  professional  groups  with  whom 
the  family  is  apt  to  come  in  contact,  and  the  ways 
in  which  certain  aids  can  be  helpful.  Information 
will  be  easily  understandable,  practical  as  well  as 
theoretical.  The  Exceptional  Parent  will  also 
provide  a means  for  parents  to  exchange  ideas, 
share  concerns,  and  discover  new  approaches  to 
common  problems. 

The  founders  and  editors  of  The  Exceptional 
Parent  are  three  professional  colleagues  who 
are  practicing  psychologists  and  university  profes- 
sors: Lewis  Klebanoff,  Stanley  Klein  and  Max- 
well Schleifer. 

Dr.  Klebanoff  is  Director  of  the  Massachusetts 
Department  of  Mental  Health-Boston  University 
School  of  Education  Joint  Center  for  Develop- 
mental Research,  a lecturer  at  Harvard  Medical 
School,  and  an  advisor  to  the  United  States  Office 
of  Education  on  early  childhood  education  for  the 
handicapped.  He  was  instrumental  in  the  estab- 
lishment in  Massachusetts  of  the  first  statewide 
preschool  program  for  children  with  developmen- 
tal disabilities. 

Dr.  Klein  is  an  Assistant  Professor  of  Psychol- 
ogy at  the  University  of  Massachusetts  at  Boston 
and  a former  member  of  the  Psychiatry  faculty 
at  the  Boston  University  School  of  Medicine.  He 
is  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Association  for  Retarded  Children  Re- 
tardate Trust  and  a member  of  the  Professional 
Advisory  Committee  of  United  Cerebral  Palsy  of 
Greater  Boston.  Formerly,  Dr.  Klein  was  heard 
daily  on  CBS  radio  in  Boston  on  a program 
“Child  Psychologist — At  your  Service.” 

Dr.  Schleifer  is  an  Associate  Professor  at  the 
University  of  Massachusetts  at  Boston  and  Execu- 
tive Director  of  the  Warren  Center  for  Emotion- 


ally Disturbed  Children.  He  is  the  former  Chief 
Psychologist  at  the  Douglas  A.  Thom  Clinic  for 
Children  and  the  former  Field  Unit  Director 
for  the  Judge  Baker  Guidance  Center.  He  has 
written  papers  on  the  role  of  the  family  in  the  life 
of  the  educationally  disabled  child  and  alterna- 
tives to  residential  care  for  emotionally  and  intel- 
lectually handicapped  children. 

Charter  subscriptions  to  The  Exceptional 
Parent,  which  will  be  distributed  nationally,  are 
$6.00  a year.  Further  information  may  be  ob- 
tained by  writing  The  Exceptional  Parent, 
Box  45,  Newtonville,  Mass.  02160. 

Neurology  Seminar 
for  Internists  Set 

The  American  College  of  Physicians  will  spon- 
sor a postgraduate  course,  “Neurologic  Aspects  of 
Internal  Medicine,”  Oct.  20-23,  1970,  at  Duke 
University  Medical  Center,  Durham,  N.  C. 

Dr.  Stanley  H.  Appel  is  director  and  Dr.  Al- 
bert Heyman  is  co-director.  There  must  be  a min- 
imum of  50  registrants  and  no  more  than  100. 
Preference  will  be  given  to  members  of  the 
College. 

The  overall  emphasis  in  the  course  will  be  on 
the  therapeutic  approaches  to  the  problems  of 
neurologic  dysfunction.  The  main  teaching  modes 
will  be  small  discussion  groups,  panel  discussion, 
and  case  presentations. 

Chest  Physicians 
Announce  Meeting 

The  Southern  Chapter  of  the  American  Col- 
lege of  Chest  Physicians  will  hold  its  annual 
scientific  session  on  Nov.  16,  1970  at  the  Civic 
Auditorium,  Dallas,  Texas. 

An  interdisciplinary  faculty  will  provide  basic 
information  on  the  principles  of  circulation  and 
respiration  and  the  application  of  this  information 
to  patient  care. 

Dr.  Russell  M.  Nelson,  Salt  Lake  City,  Pro- 
fessor of  Thoracic  Surgery,  Utah  School  of  Medi- 
cine, is  the  17th  Paul  A.  Turner  Memorial  Lec- 
turer. Dr.  Nelson  will  discuss  application  of  com- 
puters to  medicine  and  surgery  of  the  chest. 


5 76 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


MEETINGS 


< 


NATIONAL  AND  REGIONAL 

American  Medical  Association,  Clinical  Conven- 
tion, Nov.  29-Dec.  2,  1970,  Boston.  Annual 
Convention,  June  20-24,  1971,  Atlantic  City. 
Ernest  B.  Howard,  Executive  Vice  President, 
535  N.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111.  60610. 

Southern  Medical  Association,  64th  Annual 
Meeting,  Nov.  16-19,  1970,  Dallas.  Mr.  Rob- 
ert F.  Butts,  Executive  Director,  2601  High- 
land Ave.,  Birmingham,  Ala.  35205. 

STATE  AND  LOCAL 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association,  103rd  An- 
nual Session,  May  3-6,  1971,  Biloxi.  Mr. 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy,  Executive  Secretary, 
735  Riverside  Drive,  Jackson  39216. 

Mississippi  Academy  of  General  Practice,  Annual 
Assembly,  Oct.  20-22,  1970,  Biloxi.  Miss  Lou- 
ise Lacey,  Executive  Secretary,  P.O.  Box  1435, 
Jackson. 

Amite-Wilkinson  Counties  Medical  Society,  Third 
Monday,  March,  June,  September,  December. 
James  S.  Poole,  Centreville,  Secretary. 

Central  Medical  Society,  First  Tuesday,  January, 
March,  May,  September,  November,  6:30  p.m., 
Primos  Northgate  Restaurant,  Jackson.  Robert 
P.  Henderson,  Suite  B-6,  Medical  Arts  Build- 
ing, Jackson,  Secretary. 

Claiborne  County  Medical  Society,  1st  Tuesday 
each  month,  6:00  p.m.,  Claiborne  County 
Hospital,  Port  Gibson.  D.  M.  Segrest,  Port 
Gibson,  Secretary. 

Clarksdale  and  Six  Counties  Medical  Society, 
Third  Wednesday,  April  and  First  Wednesday, 
November,  2:00  p.m.,  Clarksdale.  Walter  T. 
Taylor,  P.O.  Box  1237,  Clarksdale,  Secretary. 

Coast  Counties  Medical  Society,  First  Wednesday, 
January,  March,  May,  September  and  Novem- 
ber. C.  Hal  Cleveland,  P.O.  Box  1018,  Gulf- 
port, Secretary. 

Delta  Medical  Society,  Second  Wednesday,  April 
and  October.  Walter  H.  Rose,  122  E.  Baker 
St.,  Indianola  38751,  President. 

DeSoto  County  Medical  Society,  Third  Thursday, 
February  and  August,  1:00  p.m.,  Kenny’s  Res- 


taurant, Hernando.  Malcolm  D.  Baxter,  Jr., 
Baxter  Clinic,  Hernando,  Secretary. 

East  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  First  Tuesday, 
February,  April,  June,  August,  October,  and 
December.  Reginald  P.  White,  East  Mississip- 
pi State  Hospital,  Meridian,  Secretary. 

Adams  County  Medical  Society,  First  Tues- 
day, February,  April,  June,  August,  October, 
and  December,  Eola  Hotel  Roof,  Natchez. 
Walter  T.  Colbert,  Jefferson  Davis  Memorial 
Hospital,  Natchez,  Secretary. 

North  Central  District  Medical  Society,  Third 
Wednesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  De- 
cember. James  E.  Booth,  Eupora,  Secretary. 

Northeast  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second 
Tuesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. S.  Jay  McDuffie,  Nettleton,  Secretary. 

North  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  First  Thurs- 
day, April  and  October.  Cherie  Friedman, 
1004  Jackson  Ave.,  Oxford,  Secretary. 

Pearl  River  County  Medical  Society,  Second  Mon- 
day, March,  June,  September,  and  December. 
J.  M.  Howell,  139  Kirkwood  St.,  Picayune, 
Secretary. 

Prairie  Medical  Society,  Second  Tuesday,  March, 
June,  September,  and  December.  A.  Robert 
Dill,  1001  Main  Street,  Columbus,  Secretary. 

Singing  River  Medical  Society,  Third  Monday, 
January,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. Donald  E.  Dore,  Singing  River  Hospital, 
Pascagoula,  Secretary. 

South  Central  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second 
Tuesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. Julian  T.  Janes,  Jr.,  304  Clark,  McComb, 
Secretary. 

South  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  Thurs- 
day, March,  June,  September,  and  December. 
W.  B.  White,  Medical  Arts  Bldg.,  Laurel,  Sec- 
retary. 

West  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  Tues- 
day, January,  April,  July,  and  October,  7:00 
p.m..  Old  Southern  Tea  Room,  Vicksburg. 
Martin  E.  Hinman,  the  Street  Clinic,  Vicks- 
burg, Secretary. 


OCTOBER  1970 


577 


Drug  research 
rives  me  the  tools 
that  save  fives." 


A family  doctor  looks  at  new  de- 
velopments in  the  pharmaceutical 
industry.  And  he  speculates  on  the 
future. 

When  I look  back  at  some  of  my 
old  records,  I’m  constantly  re- 
minded of  the  changes  that  have 
come  about  in  medicine  just  during 
the  past  twenty-five  years.  Some  of 
the  diseases  I treated  and  prayed 
over  in  the  ’40’s  are  found  mostly 
in  medical  history  books  now. 

Thanks  to  drug  research  and  de- 
velopment, we’ve  made  substantial 
gains  in  the  control  of  cardiovas- 
cular disease,  diabetes,  malaria, 
mental  illness,  strep  and  staph  in- 
fections, meningitis  and  a long  list 
of  ailments.  It  seems  like  only  yes- 
terday when  a diagnosis  of  pneu- 
monia was  almost  the  kiss  of  death. 
Now,  w'th  modern  medical  tech- 
niques and  drug  therapy,  we  can 
offer  some  real  help. 

My  records  on  polio,  influenza 
and  measles  show  an  unbelievable 
trend  for  the  better.  New  vaccines 


have  reduced  the  toll  of  these  age- 
old  threats  dramatically.  And  I see 
patients  in  pain  from  crippling  ar- 
thritis helped  with  new  medicinals 
unknown  just  a few  years  ago. 

I hear  questions  about  the  three 
billion  or  so  dollars  spent  by  the 
drug  industry  in  research  during 
the  past  ten  years  . . . working 
on  new  and  better  drug  products. 
It  does  seem  like  quite  a bit  of 
money  to  spend,  and  I realize  some 
of  it  goes  into  dead  ends.  That’s 
the  problem  with  research,  any  re- 
search . . . you  often  don’t  know 
where  you’re  going  until  you  get 
there.  I want  all  the  tools  I can  get 
to  help  my  patients.  I want  more 
drugs  and  more  effective  druqs.  If 
they  mean  less  pain,  longer  lives 
and  more  productive  careers  for 
those  I treat  . . . well,  that’s  what 
really  counts. 

Another  point  of  view  . . . 
Pharmaceutical  Manufacturers 
Association,  1155  Fifteenth  Street, 
N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.  20005. 


This  advertisement  has  been  reaching  consumers  thru 
THE  ATLANTIC,  FAMILY  HEALTH,  HARPER'S  MAGAZINE,  NEWSWEEK, 
SATURDAY  REVIEW,  TIME  and  U.S.  NEWS  & WORLD  REPORT 


Taste! 


Dicarbosi 

ANTACID 

Your  ulcer  patients  and 
others  will  love  it.  Specify 
DICARBOSIL  144's-144  tab- 
lets in  1 2 rolls. 

ARCH  LABORATORIES 

11  319  South  Fourth  Street.  St.  Louis.  Missouri  63102 


Has  the  diagnostic  equipment  in  your  office  kept 
pace  with  your  own  knowledge  of  new  drugs, 
medicines  and  technics? 

Write  us  for  full  details  on  the  Burdick  EK-IV 
Dual-Speed  Electrocardiograph. 

KAY  SURGICAL  INC. 

663  North  State  St.  • Jackson,  Miss.  39201 


Index  to  Advertisers 


AMPAC,  MPAC  575 

Arch  Laboratories  579 

Becton  Dickinson  and  Company  540A.  540B 

Bio-Dynamics,  Inc 10A,  10B 

Blue  Cross-Blue  Shield  7 

Breon  Laboratories  8 

Burroughs-Wellcome  560B 

Campbell  Soup  Company  560A 

The  Carlton  Corporation  11 

Hill  Crest  Hospital  6 

Hynson,  Westcott  and  Dunning  3 

Kay  Surgical  579 

Lederle  Laboratories  4,  12 

Leonard  Wright  Sanatorium 10 


Eli  Lilly  and  Company  front  cover,  18 

Merck,  Sharp  and  Dohme  562.  563,  564 

William  S.  Merrell  Company  second  cover 


National  Drug  Company  536A,  536B,  572A,  572B 


Pharmaceutical  Manufacturers  Association  ......  578 

William  P.  Poythress  and  Company 568A 

A.  H.  Robins  Company  14,  14A,  14B 

Roche  Laboratories 


16,  17,  568B,  568C,  568D,  fourth  cover 


G.  D.  Searle  Company  548,  549 

Smith  Kline  and  French  Laboratories  15 

The  Stuart  Company  538,  539 

Thomas  Yates  and  Company  third  cover 


OCTOBER  1970 


579 


Physicians  are  serving  on  governing  boards  of  half  of  976  short- 
term, nonfederal  hospitals  recently  surveyed  by  AMA  Council  on 
Medical  Service.  In  each  instance,  survey  turned  up  good  relatio 
between  medical  staff  and  hospital  trustees  on  management  problem 
and  liaison  policies.  Virtually  every  state  medical  association, 
Mississippi  included,  aAIa,  AAGP,  American  College  of  Surgeons,  an 
even  Joint  Commission  on  Accreditation  of  Hospitals  support  move. 


Drug  procurement  policies  of  government  agencies  got  a going-over 
by  Sen.  Gaylord  kelson  (I).  ,Wis.  ) and  his  monopoly  subcommittee. 
Investigation  queried  Department  of  Defense,  U.S.  Public  Health 
Service,  and  medical  arm  of  Office  of  Economic  Opportunity.  Thru 
of  inquiry  was  emphasis  on  cheapest  generic  agents  available.  DO 
argued  for  quality  mini mums , stating  that  armed  forces  have  drugs 
around  the  world  in  highly  adverse  climatic  conditions. 


Special  emergency  radio  service  licenses  were  authorized  by  Peder 
Communications  Commission  for  local  and  state  medical  societies  a 
for  schools  of  medicine  in  recent  ruling.  Differing  from  citizen 
band  licenses,  emergency  frequencies  would  tie  medical  care  sourc' 
into  networks  for  service  in  disasters  and  other  critical  public 
needs.  Use  of  frequencies  would  be  limited  to  messages  pertainin, 
to  "safety  of  life  and  property"  and  medical  duties  of  licensees. 


Removal  of  all  tax  discrimination  against  the  professional  self- 
employed  has  been  announced  as  an  objective  of  Nixon  administrate 
and  Internal  Revenue  Service.  Not  altogether  altruistic,  move  se< 
to  eliminate  need  and  purpose  of  professional  corporations  by  per- 
mitting equal  tax  treatment,  for  example,  of  M. D. *s  and  corporate 
executives.  One  part  of  proposal,  almost  unbelievable,  would  be 
maximum  of  50  per  cent  tax  ceiling  on  earned  professional  income. 


Explanation  of  $40  annual  AMA  dues  increase,  directed  by  House  of 
Delegates  at  Chicago  last  June,  has  grown  to  major  communications 
campaign.  Series  of  articles  in  American  Medical  News  and  special 
mailings  to  state  association  leadership  groups  are  weekly  projec 
AMA  Board  of  Trustees  initially  proposed  upping  dues  to  $150 , but 
delegates  at  Chicago  pared  increase  to  $110  from  $70  previous  lev 
New  increase  is  effective  for  1971  with  fall  billings. 


Volume  XI 
Number  11 

November  1970 


• EDITOR 

William  M.  Dabney,  M.D. 

• ASSOCIATE  EDITORS 
George  H.  Martin,  M.D. 
Thomas  W.  Wesson,  M.D. 

• MANAGING  EDITOR 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 

• EDITORIAL  ASSISTANT 
Nola  Gibson 

• PUBLICATIONS  COMMITTEE 
Lawrence  W.  Long,  M.D. 

Chairman 

Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr.,  M.D. 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
and  the  editors 

• THE  ASSOCIATION 
Paul  B.  Brumby,  M.D. 

President 

Arthur  E.  Brown,  M.D. 

President-Elect 
Raymond  S.  Martin,  M.D. 

Secretary-T  reasurer 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
Speaker 

John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Vice  Speaker 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 
H.  Cody  Harrell 

Assistant  Executive  Secretary 
James  F.  McPherson,  II 
Executive  Assistant 


CONTENTS 

ORIGINAL  PAPERS 

Amputations  in  Patients 
with  Peripheral  Vascular 

Disease  581  Richard  Warren,  M.D. 

Surgical  Emergencies  of 

the  Newborn  585  Richard  C.  Miller, 
M.D. 

SPECIAL  ARTICLES 

Youth  and  Drugs  595  Carl  E.  Guernsey, 

LL.B. 

Radiologic  Seminar  Cl 
Roentgen  Changes  in  the 
Sella  Turcica  in  Pituitary 

Tumors  600  Lyndon  M.  Conley, 
M.D. 


EDITORIALS 


Mississippi  Peer  Review: 

The  Practicing  M.D.’s 

Own  Plan  603 

Be  Sure  to  Answer  NORC’s 

Call  605 

The  Passing  of  the  Panama  606 

Bloody  Tort:  Liability 
Without  Negligence  607 

Sen.  Eastland  Helps  the 

Chiropractors  607 


Masters  of  our  House 

Care  Cost  Study 
End  of  an  Era 

Dangerous  Doctrine 

Request  to  Reconsider 


The  Journal  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  is  owned  and  pub- 
lished by  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association,  founded  1856.  Editorial,  ex- 
ecutive, and  business  offices,  735  Riverside 
Drive,  Jackson,  Mississippi  39216;  office 
of  publication,  1201-5  Bluff  Street,  Fulton, 
Missouri  65251.  Subscription  rate,  $7.50 
per  annum;  $1  per  copy,  as  available.  Ad- 
vertising rates  furnished  on  request. 
Second-class  postage  paid  at  the  post  office 
at  Fulton,  Missouri. 


THIS  MONTH 

The  President  Speaking  602  ‘A  Busted  Play?’ 

Medical  Organization  615  CHP  Study  Would 

Consolidate  State 
Agencies  and  Abolish 
Board  of  Health 


Copyright  1970,  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


6 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  NOVEMBER  1970 


Dr.  Chafetz  Appointed 
Acting  Director 

Appointment  of  Dr.  Morris  E.  Chafetz  as  Act- 
ing Director  of  the  newly  established  Division 
of  Alcohol  Abuse  and  Alcoholism  of  the  National 
Institute  of  Mental  Health,  Health  Services  and 
Mental  Health  Administration,  is  announced  by 
Dr.  Bertram  S.  Brown,  Institute  Director. 

“The  establishment  of  this  Division,”  accord- 
ing to  Dr.  Brown,  “signifies  the  intensified  effort 
which  the  National  Institute  of  Mental  Health 
will  undertake  in  the  coming  months  and  years  to 
reduce  the  terrible  toll  which  alcohol  abuse  and 
addiction  continue  to  exact  from  our  society.  The 
programs  of  the  Division  will  advance  the  day 
when  we  can  fully  understand  and  treat  alcohol- 
ism, and  prevent  the  misuse  of  alcoholic  bever- 
ages through  education  and  other  techniques. 

Dr.  Chafetz  is  presently  Director  of  Clinical 
Psychiatric  Services  of  Massachusetts  General 
Hospital,  and  Associate  Clinical  Professor  of 
Psychiatry,  Harvard  Medical  School.  From  1957 
to  1968  he  was  Director  of  the  Hospital’s  Alcohol 
Clinic  and  from  1961  to  1968  Director  of  the 
Acute  Psychiatric  Services  there.  He  has  been 
active  in  alcoholism  research  and  training  through- 
out his  career  and  has  served  on  numerous  al- 


coholism advisory  groups  at  the  national,  state 
and  local  levels. 

Establishment  of  the  new  division  within 
NIMH  was  announced  recently  by  Dr.  Roger 
O.  Egeberg,  Assistant  Secretary  for  Health  and 
Scientific  Affairs,  HEW.  Its  functions  include 
planning  and  development  of  programs  of  re- 
search, training,  community  services,  and  public 
education  for  prevention  and  control  of  alcohol- 
ism; conduct  and  support  of  research  on  the  bio- 
logical, environmental,  and  social  causes  of  al- 
cohol abuse  and  alcoholism;  support  of  training  of 
professional  and  para-professional  personnel  in 
alcoholism  prevention  and  control;  support  of  the 
development  of  community  facilities  and  services 
for  alcoholics  and  other  problem  drinkers;  and 
collaboration  with  other  Federal  agencies,  na- 
tional, State,  and  local  organizations,  and  vol- 
untary groups  to  facilitate  and  extend  programs 
for  the  prevention  of  alcoholism  and  for  the  care, 
treatment,  and  rehabilitation  of  alcoholics. 

The  new  division  incorporates  and  absorbs  the 
NIMH  National  Center  for  Prevention  and  Con- 
trol of  Alcoholism,  which  was  established  at  the 
Institute  in  1966. 

Dr.  Chafetz  received  his  B.S.  degree  from  Tufts 
College  in  1944  and  his  M.D.  from  Tufts  Medical 
School  in  1948.  He  served  his  internship  at  the 
U.  S.  Marine  Hospital,  Detroit,  Michigan. 


HOSPITAL 

Hill  Crest  Foundation,  Inc. 


7 000  5TH  AVENUE  SOUTH 
Box  2896, 

Birmingham,  Alabama  35212 
Phone:  205-836-7201 


A patient  centered 
non-profit  hospital  for 
intensive  treatment  of 
nervous  disorders  . . . 


Hill  Crest  Hospital  was  estab- 
lished in  1925  as  Hill  Crest 
Sanitarium  to  provide  private 
psychiatric  treatment  of  ner- 
vous or  mental  disorders.  Indi- 
vidual patient  care  has  been 
the  theme  during  its  45  years 
of  service. 

Both  male  and  female  pa- 


tients are  accepted  and  depart- 
mentalized care  is  provided  ac- 
cording to  sex  and  the  degree 
of  illness. 


In  addition  to  the  psychiatric 
staff,  consultants  are  available 
in  all  medical  specialities. 


MEDICAL  DIRECTOR: 

James  K.  Ward,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 

CLINICAL  DIRECTOR: 

Hardin  M.  Ritchey,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 

HILL  CREST  is  a member  of: 

AMERICAN  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
. . . NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  PRI- 
VATE PSYCHIATRIC  HOSPITALS  . . . 
ALABAMA  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
BIRMINGHAM  REGIONAL  HOSPITAL 
COUNCIL; 

Hill  Crest  is  fully  accredited  by  the  Joint 
Commission  on  Accreditation  of  Hospitals 
and  is  also  approved  for  Medicare  pa- 
tients. 

C/iest 

HOSPITAL 

BIRMINGHAM,  ALABAMA 


IL 


November  1970 

r Doctor: 

sissippi's  restrictive  abortion  law  has  been  attacked  on  consti- 
iona2  founds  of  vagueness  and  invasion  of  the  mother  fs  ri^itsT 
t before  state  Supreme  Court  is  on  appeal  by  a Vicksburg  woman 
vie ted  of  illegal  abortion  and  sentenced  to  10  years.  Basis  of 
; eal  is  almost  identical  to  that  applied  in  Wisconsin  and  other 
tes , now  before  U.S.  Supreme  Court. 

Also  at  issue  is  state's  invasion  of  right  to  pregnancy 
interruption  without  compelling  public  necessity.  Mis- 
sissippi statute  permits  abortion  by  M.f).  only  when  life 
of  patient  is  endangered  or  when  the  pregnancy  results 
from  rape.  MSMA  seeks  liberalization  for  medical  reasons. 

sident  Nixon *s  welfare  reform  plan  took  a shellacking  at  hands 
Senate  Finance  Committee,  quasning  proposal  14-to-l.  Measure, 
led  Family  Assistance  flan  and  "Workfare,"  guarantees  minimum 
ome  of  Si, 600  annually  and  would  increase  welfare  rolls  to  24 
lion  from  present  10.4  million.  In  Mississippi,  administration 
n would  up  rolls  to  806,000  from  present  211,000,  282  per  cent. 

professional  liability  insurance  picture  darkened  with  announce- 
t that  AilA  program  may  have  to  be  abandoned  for  want  of  a carrier, 
otiations  with  CNA  Corp.  are  stalled  by  carrier  reluctance  to 
ume  risks.  Program,  if  and  when  implemented,  would  be  of  little 
efit  to  Mississippi  which  has  fourth  lowest  premium  rate  in  U.S. 

. seeks  help  for  states  with  premium  levels  up  to  $15,000  per  year. 

t 1-A  Medicare  deductible  and  co-ipay  for  hospitalization  goes 
again  on  J an . 1,1971.  the  third  in er  e as  e since  1 9 6 6 ♦ Admis- 
n deductible  will  be  $60,  up  from  present  $52,  and  co-pay  from 
t to  90th  days  will  be  $15  per  day.  Lifetime  reserve  co-pay  zooms 
$30  per  day,  while  daily  co-pay  for  extended  care  facility  rises 
$7.50  for  21st  through  100th  days. 

ly  bird  dues  payments,  under  new  service  to  members  permitting 
check  to  do  the  job,  will  establish  1976  income  tax  deductions, 
tern  eases  burden  of  billing  and  accounting  from  component  medical 
ieties  and  assures  records  accuracy.  Because  staff  is  doing  work 
h no  additional  personnel,  members  are  asked  to  respond  now  before 
iislature  and  annual  session  work  take  priority  over  billing  service. 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  NOVEMBER  1970 


1 0 

Mr.  Parish  Will 
Head  Blue  Shield 

Ned  F.  Parish,  executive  vice  president  of  the 
National  Association  of  Blue  Shield  Plans 
(NABSP),  has  been  designated  to  become  presi- 
dent of  the  National  Association  of  Blue  Shield 
Plans  when  John  W.  Castellucci  retires  next  year. 

In  an  announcement  released  from  Chicago 
headquarters,  Dr.  Ira  C.  Layton,  of  Kansas  City, 
chairman  of  the  National  Association  of  Blue 
Shield  Plans,  said: 

“By  designating  Mr.  Parish  at  this  time  as  the 
one  who  will  succeed  Mr.  Castellucci  as  president 
when  he  retires  on  Nov.  1,  1971,  we  will  assure 
the  Association  of  continuity  in  our  top  manage- 
ment.” 

Castellucci,  who  recommended  the  need  for  a 
plan  of  succession,  said: 

“We  are  facing  many  critical  issues  in  health 
care  financing.  It  is  essential  that  we  have  a 
strong  and  consistent  approach  to  meeting  them, 
and  Ned  Parish  will  be  able  to  provide  the 
needed  administrative  leadership.” 

Parish,  an  outstanding  administrator  in  the 
health  care  prepayment  field  for  more  than  a 


quarter  century,  has  been  executive  vice  presi- 
dent of  the  Association  since  1967. 

Castellucci  has  been  chief  executive  officer  of 
NABSP  since  1955.  At  that  time  Blue  Shield 
Plans  covered  34  million  persons. 

Today,  the  73  Blue  Shield  Plans  in  the  U.  S. 
and  Puerto  Rico  serve  79  million  persons  under 
private  and  government  programs. 

Syntex  Introduces 
Roll-top  Applicator 

Syntex  Laboratories,  Inc.  has  introduced  a new 
concept  in  pharmaceutical  packaging,  a roll-top 
applicator,  for  its  dematologic  product  Synalar 
Solution  0.01  per  cent  (fluocinolone  acetonide). 

The  new  roll-top  applicator  will  provide  an 
easier  method  of  applying  the  topical  corticoste- 
roid in  layered  therapy  and  diseases  with  wide- 
spread lesions.  Dermatologists  will  find  the  ap- 
plicator useful  in  both  atopic  and  contact  derma- 
titis. 

Syntex  Laboratories  is  the  U.  S.  subsidiary  of 
Syntex  Corporation  and  is  involved  in  the  de- 
velopment, production  and  marketing  of  pharma- 
ceutical and  animal  health  products. 


LEONARD  WRIGHT  SANATORIUM 


BYHALIA,  MISSISSIPPI  3861 1 TELEPHONE  A/C  601,  838-2162 

LEONARD  D.  WRIGHT.  SR.,  B.S.,  M.D.,  PSYCHIATRY 


Established  in  1948.  Specializing  in  the  treatment  of  ALCO- 
HOLISM and  DRUG  ADDICTIONS  with  a capacity  limited 
to  insure  individual  treatment.  Only  voluntary  admissions  ac- 
cepted. 

Located  25  miles  S.  E.  of  Memphis-Highway  78  on  20  acres 
of  beautifully  landscaped  grounds  sufficiently  removed  to 
provide  restful  surroundings. 

The  Sanatorium  is  approved  by  The  Commission  on  Hospital 
Care  in  the  State  of  Mississippi. 


MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 


Arizona  Cardiac 
Symposium  Scheduled 

The  Arizona  Heart  Association  has  scheduled 
its  14th  Annual  Cardiac  Symposium  for  Jan. 
22-24,  1971.  The  meeting  will  be  held  at  the 
Arizona  Biltmore  Hotel  in  Phoenix. 

Guest  speakers  include  Drs.  Roman  DeSanctis, 
Joseph  Perloff,  Gilbert  Blount,  and  Rene 
Fabalero. 

For  further  information,  write  Arizona  Heart 
Association,  1720  McDowell  Road,  Phoenix,  Ari- 
zona 85006. 

New  Treatment 
For  Resistant  Gonorrhea 

A treatment  program  that  can  cure  a high  per- 
centage of  even  supposedly  “resistant”  strains  of 
gonorrhea,  is  reported  in  a new  scientific  exhibit 
being  shown  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Ameri- 
can Academy  of  General  Practice  in  the  Civic 
Auditorium. 

The  study,  conducted  by  Dr.  Morton  Nelson, 
Assistant  Health  Officer  in  the  Alameda  County 
Health  Department,  Oakland,  Calif.,  states  that 
gonorrhea  is  now  number  one  among  reportable 
communicable  diseases,  with  two  million  cases — 
approximately  one  per  hundred  persons — esti- 
mated for  1969. 

Dr.  Nelson's  report  notes,  “Though  gonorrhea 
is  epidemic,  there  exists  no  systematic  national 
program  to  attack  the  problem.”  And,  “Treat- 
ment failures  using  previously  proven  schedules 
are  being  reported  from  around  the  country,  de- 
scribing N.  gonorrhea  "resistant  to  penicillin.’  ” 

The  study  presents  experience  with  rapid- 
acting aqueous  procaine  penicillin  (APP),  used 
in  treating  strains  of  N.  gonorrhea  whose  “re- 
sistance” has  been  attributed  to  undertreatment 
by  ( 1 ) infected  “hostesses”  around  military  bases 
in  Asian  countries  who  self-treat  with  subcura- 
tive oral  antibiotics,  and  (2)  clinicians  who  em- 
ploy sub-bactericidal  dosage  levels  of  penicillin. 

Dr.  Nelson’s  report  concludes: 

(1)  “At  increased  dosages  of  fast-acting  peni- 
cillin (APP)  practically  all  strains — even  the  sup- 
posedly ‘resistant’  ones — are  susceptible.” 

(2)  “The  cure  rates  98  per  cent  (males)  — 
100  per  cent  (females)  with  the  4.8  million  unit 
dose  of  APP  are  unquestionably  encouraging." 

(3)  “Nevertheless,  the  pattern  of  microbial 
resistance  is  constantly  changing.  It  is  imperative 
that  a high  enough  dose  be  employed  to  keep 
those  less  susceptible  strains  from  increasing  or 
mutating  to  more  virulent  ones.” 


1 1 

Mississippian  Joins 
USP  Staff 

Kenneth  N.  Barker  has  been  appointed  to  the 
staff  of  The  United  States  Pharmacopeial  Con- 
vention in  the  newly  created  position  of  Director 
of  Administrative  Research. 

According  to  U.S.P.C.  Executive  Director,  Wil- 
liam M.  Heller,  Barker’s  long-range  research  will 
be  in  areas  of  drug  utilization  that  relate  to  the 
U.S.P.  responsibilities  of  selecting  those  drugs 
best  established  medically,  providing  pharmaceuti- 
cal quality  standards,  and  encouraging  and  edu- 
cating health  practitioners  in  using  them.  His 
immediate  assignment  will  be  in  planning  the 
new  systems  and  facilities  needed  for  the  ex- 
panded activities  of  the  U.S.P.C.  organization,  a 
national  consortium  of  colleges  and  national  and 
state  organizations  of  medicine  and  pharmacy. 

As  Project  Director  of  Drug  Systems  Research, 
a multidisciplinary  research  group  organized  first 
at  the  University  of  Arkansas  and  later  at  the 
University  of  Mississippi,  Barker  developed  a 
methodology  for  measuring  the  incidence  of  medi- 
cation errors  in  hospitals  and  conducted  pioneer 
research  in  the  use  of  automated  patient  records 
and  unit-dose  packages  of  drugs  to  improve  hos- 
pital medication  systems.  His  recent  research  has 
concentrated  on  the  utilization  of  pharmists’ 
time  and  skills  in  small  hospitals. 

Mr.  Barker  received  his  B.S.  and  M.S.  degrees 
in  pharmacy  from  the  University  of  Florida  and 
expects  to  receive  his  Ph.D.  degree  in  pharmacy 
administration  from  the  University  of  Mississippi 
in  1971.  He  has  worked  as  a community  and 
hospital  pharmacist  and  taught  hospital  pharmacy 
at  the  University  of  Mississippi. 

His  consultant  activities  have  included  such 
companies  as  Wm.  S.  Merrell,  I.B.M.,  Brewer 
Pharmacal  Engineering,  Sherwood  Medical  In- 
dustries, and  several  university  and  non-university 
hospitals.  He  is  Consultant  on  Hospital  Pharmacy 
Facilities  Design  to  the  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Pharmacy  and  is  currently  involved  as 
the  editor  of  the  forthcoming  U.S.P.H.S.  manual 
on  planning  hospital  pharmacy  facilities. 

In  addition  to  articles  in  hospital,  pharmacy, 
and  nursing  journals,  Mr.  Barker  has  co-authored 
several  books  and  reports. 

Mr.  Barker  is  a member  of  the  American 
Pharmaceutical  Association,  the  American  Society 
of  Hospital  Pharmacists,  and  the  Rho  Chi  Society. 


It’s  available  because  of  Medicentei 


Someone 
acutely  ill 
needs  this 


Because  of  Medicenter,  this  hospital  bed  can  be  used 
by  someone  who  needs  it.  That’s  what  Medicenter  is 
all  about.  A recuperative  care  facility  specializing  in  the 
needs  of  patients  who  no  longer  require  the  intensive  care 
of  a general  hospital  and  who  are  on  the  road  to  recovery. 

But  that’s  only  part  of  the  Medicenter  story  . . . Beauti- 
fully carpeted  and  draped  patient  rooms,  tasty  foods,  rec- 
reation facilities,  physical  and  inhalation  therapy  are 
just  a few  of  many  luxurious  health  care  features  that 
make  recovery  in  the  Medicenter  as  pleasant  and  rapid 


as  possible.  The  Medicenter  is  within  minutes  of  a< 
care  facilities.  A professional  medical  staff  supervi 
all  recuperative  care  under  the  direct  orders  of  each  j 
tient’s  personal  physician.  Room  rates  are  nominal 
about  one-half  the  cost  of  general  hospitals.  And  the, 
a growing  list  of  insurance  companies  that  already  prov 
coverage  for  Medicenter  recuperation. 

The  Medicenter  is  a vital  addition  to  our  communi1 
health  care  system.  Get  to  know  the  Medicenter  soon.  Y 
visit  or  inquiry  is  welcome  anytime. 


£-j\  Ylice  Place  to  [jet  Well 


Medicenter  of  America  / Columbus  • Greenville,  Mississippi 


Students  Get  Chicago  - Medical  students  in  four  states  have 
ive  Membership  full  active,  voting  membership  in  medical  as- 
sociations. Colorado  and  Kansas  have  charter- 
student  societies,  while  Indiana  and  Pennsylvania  have  opened 
ing  membership  to  future  physicians.  In  Mississippi,  a committee 
the  Board  of  Trustees  is  working  with  UMC  faculty  and  student 
ders  to  set  up  voting  membership  for  juniors  and  seniors  who 
1 have  their  own  component,  the  University  Medical  Society. 


Opposes  Report  Washington  - AMA  has  filed  objections  to  the 
Payments  to  IRS  IRS*  proposal  which  would  require  insurance 

carriers  and  Medicare  to  report  "unassigned 
nents"  to  care  providers.  About  13  million  Americans  have 
tiple  coverage,  AMA  said,  and  often  collect  more  than  charged 
their  physicians.  Result  of  reports  would  be  a distortion  of 
. income,  making  it  appear  that  doctor  had  received  entire 
ant  of  benefit  payments  when,  in  fact,  he  had  not. 


tal  Health  Jackson  - A $7  million  investment  will  give 

gram  Progresses  the  state  seven  mental  health  centers  serving 

34  counties,  according  to  the  Interagency  Colli- 
sion on  Mental  Illness  and  Retardation.  Centers  are  open  and 
rational  at  Oxford,  Tupelo,  and  Gulfport  with  Clarksdale  slated 
Dpen  soon.  Another  three  centers  are  under  construction  at 
snville,  Jackson,  and  Meridian.  Program  was  authorized  by  1968 
Lslature.  Federal  funds  in  project  amount  to  $4  million. 


Slams  Teddy’s  Washington  - Lame  duck  liberal  Sen.  Ralph 
Proposal  Yarbrough  (D. ,Tex. ) held  bob tailed  hearing  on 

Sen.  Edward  Kennedy's  (D. ,Mass.)  national  health 
irance  bill,  but  Nixon  administration  bashed  it  as  "inconceivable." 
ts  of  program  would  be  $77  billion  per  year,  but  this  didn't  stop 
porters  Mike  DeBakey,  Rashi  Fein,  Isadore  Falk,  and  George  Me  any. ’ 
Lnistration  blast  was  delivered  by  HEW  Undersecretary  Veneraan 
sr  Me any  called  AMA  Medicredit  "legislative  quackery." 


Dama  Initiates  Birmingham  - The  University  of  Alabama  Medical 
Lstant  Training  Center  has  its  first  class  seeking  baccalaureate 

degrees  as  physicians'  assistants.  Students  will 
brained  to  take  histories,  do  physical  exams,  handle  casts  and 
srficial  wounds,  and  perform  diagnostic  studies,  relieving  M.D. 
aany  time-consuming  tasks.  Program  is  patterned  after  that  at 
3 University  for  family  practice.  Pioneer  program  at  University 
Colorado  emphasizes  pediatrics. 


MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 


MSBH  Studies 
Waste  Disposal 

A State  Board  of  Health  survey  shows  44 
nunicipalities  have  no  solid-waste  collection  ser- 
vice and  29  have  no  designated  site  for  disposal 
)f  such  waste. 

The  survey  is  part  of  a three-year  study  of 
vhat  local  communities  need  in  order  to  control 
he  growing  volume  of  bottles,  cans  and  other 
-efuse. 

The  survey  is  being  made  by  personnel  of  the 
Division  of  Sanitary  Engineering,  State  Board  of 
Health,  headed  by  Joe  D.  Brown,  with  V.  T. 
Hawkins  of  the  division,  designated  by  Brown  to 
direct  the  survey.  Some  100  sanitarians  at  the 
local  level  are  participating  in  the  survey,  which 
thus  far  has  covered  262  municipalities  and  132 
unincorporated  communities  in  80  counties. 

Figures  compiled  through  August  show  193 
municipalities  with  some  form  of  public  collection 
and  23  with  private  collection,  with  two  having 
both,  leaving  44  municipalities  with  no  collection 
service  for  solid  waste. 

The  figures  also  show  233  municipalities  with 
designated  sites  for  the  disposal  of  solid  waste — 
and  29  municipalities  without  such  designated 
sites. 

Of  the  132  unincorporated  communities,  five 


1 5 

have  some  form  of  public  collection  and  16  have 
private  collection,  but  the  other  111  do  not  have 
solid-waste  collection  services. 

The  survey  shows  67  of  the  unincorporated 
communities  with  designated  sites  for  the  disposal 
of  solid  waste,  but  the  other  65  do  not  have  sites 
designated  for  this  purpose. 

Hawkins  estimates  1,925,558  tons  of  refuse 
per  year  statewide,  making  an  average  of  .89 
tons  per  capita  annually,  using  an  estimated  state 
population  of  2,161,680. 

Brown  and  Hawkins  discussed  the  data  re- 
cently with  Elmer  G.  Cleveland,  regional  rep- 
resentative, in  Atlanta,  of  the  Bureau  of  Solid 
Waste  Management,  U.  S.  Public  Health  Service, 

H. E.W. 

Cleveland  praised  the  State  Board  of  Health 
for  being  well  ahead  of  schedule  in  its  study, 
scheduled  to  run  from  March  1,  1969,  to  March 

I,  1972.  In  1965,  Congress  passed  a Solid  Waste 
Disposal  Act  providing  grants  to  the  states  for 
studies,  and  Gov.  John  Bell  Williams  designated 
the  State  Board  of  Health  to  make  the  study. 
The  agency  is  matching,  on  a 50-50  basis,  a 
$31,000  U.  S.  Public  Health  Service  grant. 

“Solid  waste  programs,  for  example,”  said 
Cleveland,  “fight  all  forms  of  pollution,  because 
solid  waste  emptied  into  water  pollutes  the  water, 
and  solid  waste  burned  in  the  open  air  pollutes 
the  air.” 


—The  lowest  priced  tetracycline— nystatin  combination  available— 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

November  1970,  Vol.  XI,  No.  11 


Amputations  in  Patients  With 
Peripheral  Vascular  Disease 

RICHARD  WARREN,  M.D. 
Cambridge,  Massachusetts 


Amputation  in  the  lower  extremity  is  perhaps 
the  oldest  operation  known  to  surgeons,  but  the 
majority  of  patients  undergoing  it  (who  in  civilian 
life  are  largely  older  individuals  with  gangrene) 
are  not  reaping  the  benefits  of  modern  advances 
in  technique  and  rehabilitation.  The  reasons  for 
this  are  twofold. 

First,  although  modern  anesthesia,  supportive 
care,  and  antibiotic  treatment  have  made  thought- 
ful and  meticulous  operations  possible,  many  of 
the  tenets  still  being  applied  to  the  management 
of  these  patients  stem  from  a period  years  ago 
when  the  amputations  were  done  to  save  lives,  the 
patient's  potential  for  rehabilitation  to  walking  be- 
ing a secondary  consideration. 

Secondly,  although  modern  concepts  of  reha- 
bilitation can  be  applied  to  the  majority  of  these 
patients,  old  time  principles  which  make  for  de- 
layed and  discontinuous  rehabilitation  are  still 
practised  in  many  centers.  Eighty-five  per  cent  of 
the  amputations  for  ischemia  done  in  166  Vet- 
erans Administrations  Hospitals  were  performed 


Presented  before  the  Section  on  Surgery,  102nd  Annual 
Session,  May  12,  1970,  at  Biloxi. 

From  the  Department  of  Surgery,  Harvard  Medical 
School  and  the  Surgical  Departments  of  the  Cam- 
bridge Hospital  and  the  Veterans  Administration 
Hospital,  West  Roxbury,  Massachusetts. 


by  general  surgeons  with  no  competence  or  inter- 
est in  the  techniques  of  postoperative  ambula- 
tion.1 This  phenomenon  is  widespread  through- 
out the  country  and  is  one  of  the  major  draw- 
backs of  progress  in  the  field. 


The  author  discusses  levels  for  amputation 
in  patients  with  peripheral  vascular  disease, 
indications  for  surgery,  preparation,  tech- 
niques and  rehabilitation.  Special  emphasis 
is  given  to  various  methods  of  rehabilitation 
and  the  importance  of  assisting  the  patient  to 
walk  again  if  possible.  Some  time-worn  mis- 
conceptions are  pointed  out  and  precautions 
against  them  are  listed. 


The  mortality  among  patients  receiving  ampu- 
tations for  arteriosclerosis  is  about  25  per  cent  at 
the  two  year  period  and  50  per  cent  at  five 
years.2  The  importance  of  treating  the  patient 
with  dispatch  so  that  he  may  enjoy  his  later  years 
is  not  sufficiently  realized. 

Since  the  advent  of  arterial  reconstruction  tech- 
niques almost  20  years  ago,  many  legs  have  been 
saved  from  amputation  which  otherwise  would 


NOVEMBER  1970 


581 


AMPUTATIONS  / Warren 

have  been  lost.  The  increasing  age  of  the  popula- 
tion has,  however,  kept  hospitals  amply  supplied 
with  individuals  in  whom  arterial  reconstruction 
is  not  possible  and  therefore  must  receive  ampu- 
tation. 

Emphasis  on  certain  aspects  of  surgical  tech- 
nique not  widely  accepted  or  recognized  is  par- 
ticularly important  in  patients  with  impaired  cir- 
culation. A partial  list  follows:  (1)  simple  prep- 
aration of  the  skin,  (2)  flaps  cut  so  as  to  preserve 
circulation,  (3)  gentle  technique,  single  incisions, 
(4)  nerves  divided  without  treatment,  (5)  pri- 
mary closure  with  minimum  number  of  sutures 
and  no  drain,  and  (6)  the  part  to  be  placed  at 
rest  postoperatively. 

The  above  principles  put  the  least  burden  pos- 
sible on  the  healing  wound.  A wound  that  is  left 
open  must  heal  by  secondary  intention.  It  must 
create  infected  granulations,  thus  requiring  more 
blood  supply  than  the  healing  of  a primarily 
closed  wound.  Preparation  of  the  skin  is  done 
with  soap  and  water  or  pHisoHex,  no  antiseptics 
being  applied.  Attempts  to  wall  off  the  lesion  for 
which  the  amputation  is  being  done  are  usually 
ineffective  and  are  not  recommended.  This  is  un- 
dertaken after  the  skin  is  prepared.  The  remain- 
der of  the  items  on  the  list  are  self-evident. 

AMPUTATION  LEVELS 

The  levels  of  election  for  amputations  in  is- 
chemia are: 

(1)  transphalangeal,  (2)  transmetatarsal,  (3) 
Syme,  (4)  below  knee,  (5)  through  knee,  or  (6) 
above  knee. 

Other  levels  in  the  foot,  such  as  through  the 
tarsus,  are  unwise  choices  because  of  the  thin  is- 
chemic skin  that  lies  directly  over  the  bone  in 
such  amputations.  Since  the  Syme  and  the 
through-knee  levels  are  used  only  rarely  and  only 
by  specially  interested  groups,  only  four  sites  of 
election  are  commonly  considered.  Hip  joint  dis- 
articulation, or  even  higher  amputation  has  not 
been  listed,  because  it  is  rare  indeed  that  a pa- 
tient having  the  indications  for  operation  at  that 
level  presents  a favorable  prognosis  for  life. 

Selection  of  one  of  the  four  areas  is  made  on 
the  basis  of  the  appearance  of  the  skin  at  the  site 
of  the  proposed  amputation.  If  it  is  not  involved 
actively  in  infection  or  in  gangrene  and  is  not 
edematous,  amputation  should  be  undertaken  at 
the  most  distal  level  on  the  list  regardless  of  the 
state  of  the  pulsations  or  of  signs  of  collateral  cir- 
culation. 

When  the  lowest  pulse  is  at  the  femoral  area 
or  higher  and  evidence  for  collateral  circulation 

582 


is  poor,  the  prognosis  for  healing  at  the  point  of 
selection  is,  of  course,  less  good  than  when  lower 
pulsations  are  felt,  but  that  does  not  mean  that 
the  level  of  election  should  be  raised  for  this  rea- 
son. Likewise  if  there  is  very  poor  bleeding  during 
the  operative  procedure  so  that  few,  if  any,  ar- 
teries need  ligature,  the  prognosis  for  wound  heal- 
ing is  not  so  good  as  in  the  vigorously  bleeding 
one,  but  the  level  should  not  be  raised  because  of 
this  fact.  Many  wounds  have  healed  in  the  ab- 
sence of  pulses  in  the  area  and  of  bleeding  in  the 
wound  requiring  ligature. 

It  is  clinical  common  sense,  however,  that  if  a 
patient  has  no  potential  for  walking  and  a very 
ischemic  limb,  a more  proximal  amputation  will 
be  selected  than  in  a person  with  good  potential 
for  rehabilitation. 

INEVITABLE  AMPUTATION 

The  chief  factor  that  makes  amputation  in- 
evitable is  necrosis  involving  deep  structures 
(bone,  tendon,  joint,  or  joint  capsule).  Certain 
patients  with  dry  gangrene  who  are  non-ambula- 
tory and  senile  may  be  permitted  to  undergo  auto- 
amputation over  a period  of  months.  Otherwise, 
surgical  amputation  is  indicated. 

There  are  four  principles  in  the  preparation  for 
amputation  here: 

(1)  bed  rest,  (2)  local  drainage,  (3)  antibi- 
otics, and  (4)  patience. 

In  many  patients  the  level  at  which  the  amputa- 
tion will  be  done,  once  it  is  decided  upon,  is  clear. 
In  others  the  level  will  not  be  decided  until  the 
period  of  preparation  is  over.  If  the  lesion  is  dry 
but  infection  seems  to  be  spreading  upward  from 
it,  elevation  of  the  corner  of  the  eschar  to  see  if 
some  drainage  can  be  procured  is  helpful.  This 
should  not  be  done  to  any  major  extent,  and  not 
enough  to  cause  bleeding. 

If  infection  has  been  present,  it  often  takes  as 
long  as  10  days  before  a decision  in  favor  of  a 
transmetatarsal  amputation,  for  example,  for  a le- 
sion of  a toe,  can  be  made. 

The  techniques  of  the  various  amputations  are 
detailed  by  Warren  and  Record.2  It  is  important 
to  follow  them.  Some  of  the  more  important  have 
been  mentioned.  One  other  should  be  empha- 
sized. I refer  to  the  incision  for  the  below  knee 
amputation  which  consists  of  a long  posterior  and 
an  “absent”  anterior  flap.  This  arrangement 
makes  for  the  best  circulation  to  the  stump  since 
the  dorsal  flap  is  always  the  more  ischemic. 

REHABILITATION 

1.  Amputations  in  the  foot.  The  following 
principles  apply: 

(a)  bed  rest  for  7-10  days,  (b)  first  dressing 

JOURNAL  MSM A 


at  five  days,  (c)  protect  the  heel  and  bony  prom- 
inences of  both  the  amputated  and  the  opposite 
side,  (d)  overhead  trapeze,  (e)  no  cradle  over 
the  foot,  (f)  first  dependency  on  a trial  basis, 
(g)  leave  sutures  in  14  days,  and  (h)  full  weight 
bearing  at  between  two  and  one-half  and  three 
weeks. 

The  only  exception  to  changing  the  dressing 
first  on  the  fifth  day  is  if  there  is  excessive  pain 
or  fever  before  then,  or  if  the  wound  hematoma 
does  not  drain  through  and  stain  the  dressing.  In 
the  latter  case  it  may  mean  that  it  is  pocketed  un- 
der the  flaps  which  then  must  be  inspected.  If  the 
hematoma  has  not  drained  then  it  should  be  evac- 
uated. The  trapeze  is  to  allow  the  patient  to  move 
around  in  bed  without  scuffing  the  opposite  foot. 
The  banning  of  a cradle  is  to  prevent  the  patient 
inadvertently  striking  the  wound  against  its  rigid 
frame. 

Making  the  first  dependency  a trial  means  hav- 
ing the  patient  sit  on  the  edge  of  the  bed  with  the 
foot  dependent,  the  dressing  having  been  re- 
moved. One  then  observes  how  long  it  takes  be- 
fore the  wound  area  becomes  suffused  and  cya- 
notic. Periods  of  dependency  to  stay  within  that 
limit  are  arranged  during  the  next  day  or  two. 
The  wound  will  rapidly  become  tolerant  to  longer 
periods  over  the  next  four  or  five  days. 

2.  Amputations  above  the  foot.  In  patients 
who  are  candidates  for  rehabilitation  the  immedi- 
ate postoperative  plaster  technique  is  used  as  fol- 
lows: 

(a)  The  plaster  is  applied  on  the  operating  ta- 
ble and  changed  weekly. 

(b)  During  the  first  week  the  patient  stands 
but  with  no  weight  bearing. 

(c)  During  the  second  week  weight  bearing 
is  started  and  becomes  progressive  (provided  the 
wound  is  normal  to  inspection). 

(d)  During  the  third  week  full  weight  bearing 
is  instituted.  The  sutures  are  removed  during  this 
week. 

(e)  At  the  beginning  of  the  fourth  week  the 
“going  home”  prosthesis  is  provided  and  the  pa- 
tient is  discharged  before  the  end  of  it. 

The  advantages  of  this  technique  have  now 
been  well  established  as  follows: 

( 1 ) Short  hospital  stay. 

(2)  Excellent  patient  morale. 

(3)  Return  to  prior  (?home)  environment  fa- 
cilitated. 

(4)  Continuity  of  medical  responsibility  in 
that  the  doctor  doing  the  surgery  supervises  the 
rehabilitation. 

(5)  If  the  patient  is  a doubtful  candidate  for 
eventual  walking  an  early  decision  can  be  made 


on  the  extent  to  which  efforts  and  money  should 
be  expended  to  accomplish  it. 

Clinics  reporting  results  of  the  Immediate  Post- 
operative Plaster  technique  have  nearly  always 
applied  it  to  selected  cases  and  primarily  to  be- 
low-knee  levels.  Under  these  circumstances  reha- 
bilitation and  healing  success  has  been  procured 
in  80  to  90  per  cent  of  patients. 

It  must  be  made  clear  that  the  technique  is  en- 
tirely harmless,  provided  the  plaster  is  properly 
applied  and  weight  bearing  is  not  undertaken  too 
early.  Furthermore,  the  advantages  to  be  derived 
in  patients  who  are  candidates  for  rehabilitation 
are  overpowering,  as  listed  above. 

CAMBRIDGE  RESULTS 

The  results  of  the  technique  at  the  Cambridge 
Hospital,  for  example,  over  a period  of  two  years 


were  as  follows: 

Deaths 

Uninterrupted  rehabilitation  success  9 

Rehabilitation  success  after  delay  1 

Healing  success,  rehabilitation  failure  ....  2 1 

Healing  failure 7 3 


19  4 

In  the  above  table,  uninterrupted  rehabilitation 
success  means  that  the  patient  was  going  home 
walking  with  a prosthesis  within  four  weeks.  Re- 
habilitation success  after  delay  means  that  the  pa- 
tient healed  successfully  and  walked  but  not  with- 
in the  first  four  weeks.  Healing  success,  rehabili- 
tation failure  means  that  the  patient  healed  prop- 
erly but  did  not  turn  out  to  be  a candidate  for  re- 
habilitation after  trial  with  walking. 

HEALING  FAILURE 

It  is  to  be  emphasized  that  this  is  a city  hos- 
pital in  which  patients  are  old  and  frail  and  that 
our  enthusiasm  for  the  technique  and  exploring 
its  potentials  made  us  apply  it  to  nearly  all 
comers.  The  seven  causes  of  healing  failure 
(which  included  three  of  the  four  deaths)  are  list- 
ed as  follows : 


Hemorrhagic  purpura (BK) 

Thin  skin  over  bone  end (AK) 

Postoperative  seizure  and  injury  to  the  stump  . (BK) 

Extension  of  sepsis  from  lower  leg  (AK) 

Fell  out  of  bed  on  cast  (BK) 

Advanced  ischemia  (BK) 

Technical  fault  in  operative  technique  (BK) 


In  the  four  survivors,  the  stumps  were  either 
reamputated  or  the  patient  was  sent  out  with  an 
open  unhealed  wound.  In  none  of  them  could  we 
say  that  the  technique  was  responsible  for  the 
healing  failure,  an  event  that  is  only  too  familiar 


NOVEMBER  1970 


583 


AMPUTATIONS  / Warren 

in  this  type  of  patient  by  the  older  techniques. 

No  discussion  of  amputations  for  ischemia 
would  be  complete  without  mentioning  diabetic 
neuropathy  and  gangrene  even  though  the  pa- 
tients at  operation  have  good  circulation  and  may 
have  even  better  than  normal  pulses  in  their  feet. 

The  familiar  picture  is  one  in  which  severe  in- 
fection has  invaded  the  foot  of  a diabetic  with 
neuropathy  via  a soft  corn  or  a fungus  infection. 
Because  of  the  lack  of  pain  sensation  it  is  neglect- 
ed by  the  patient  who  finally  appears  with  a 
draining  sinus  in  a swollen  red  foot  and  some  ne- 
crosis of  one  of  the  toes.  The  pulses  are  easily 
palpable  and  the  foot  is  surprisingly  insensitive. 

The  principles  of  management  are  the  reverse 
from  those  with  good  circulation  except  that  any 
deep  structure  involved  with  the  infection  must 
be  removed,  hence  the  term  “drainage  amputa- 
tion.” Here  primary  closure  cannot  be  done,  in- 
cisions must  be  wide  and  extend  far  more  proxi- 
mal than  the  infection  so  that  dependent  drainage 
will  be  possible.  The  wounds  are  packed  open. 
The  incisions  for  these  amputations  are  demon- 
strated in  Warren  and  Record.2 

The  patient  who  was  walking  before  he  devel- 
oped the  lesion  that  caused  the  loss  of  his  foot 
should  be  able  to  walk  again.  Emphasis  preop- 
eratively,  intraoperatively,  and  postoperatively 
must  be  on  future  ambulation  and  this  should  be 
understood  by  the  patient  from  the  beginning  so 
that  optimism  will  prevail. 

VARIED  RESULTS 

Different  hospitals  report  varied  results  in 
terms  of  rehabilitation,  because  their  clienteles  are 
different.  A city  or  a county  hospital  has  a high 
percentage  of  patients  who  come  from  nursing 
homes  and  homes  for  the  aged  who  have  no  po- 
tential for  walking  and  many  associated  diseases. 
A private  practice  which  caters  to  the  well-to-do 
will  be  at  the  other  end  of  the  spectrum,  whereas 
in  between  will  lie  the  community  hospital  and 
the  veterans  hospital  groups. 

In  order  to  realize  the  potential  of  whatever 
group  one  is  dealing  with,  one  must  follow  prin- 


ciples similar  to  those  outlined  in  this  paper  but 
must  also  resolve  to  suppress  certain  misconcep-  i 
tions  which  have  been  passed  down  through  gen- 
erations of  surgeons  and  are  unfortunately  wide- 
spread. Here  is  a list  of  precautions  against  them: 

1.  Avoid  precautionary  preamputation  sym- 
pathectomy; it  does  not  assist  healing. 

2.  Eliminate  the  term  “mid-thigh”;  leave  a 
long  lever  arm  in  an  AK  amputation. 

3.  Do  not  succumb  to  the  temptation  of  a 
“provisional”  BK  incision  with  the  idea  of  going 
higher  if  bleeding  is  poor. 

4.  Eliminate  “It  is  only  an  amputation — a 
good  case  for  the  junior  resident”;  the  patients 
may  be  operated  on  by  the  junior  residents,  of 
course,  but  only  with  the  help  of  a Visit  who  is 
educated  in  these  matters. 

5.  Forget  the  old  concept  “the  circulation  is 
so  poor  that  the  wound  must  be  left  open”;  the 
more  granulation  tissue,  the  more  circulation  is 
required  to  heal  it. 

6.  The  presence  or  absence  of  diabetes  does 
not  by  itself  affect  the  selection  of  level. 

SUMMARY 

The  principles,  detailed  technique,  preoperative 
and  postoperative  care,  indications,  and  selection 
of  level  for  patients  with  ischemic  limbs  undergo- 
ing amputation  are  presented.  In  patients  who 
may  be  candidates  for  walking,  the  most  distal 
level  of  election  where  the  skin  is  normal  should 
be  selected,  regardless  of  the  state  of  the  peripher- 
al circulation. 

An  experience  with  the  immediate  postopera- 
tive prosthetic  fitting  technique  showed  that  of  19 
patients  10  were  uninterrupted  rehabilitation  suc- 
cesses in  a city  hospital  type  of  practice.  The 
technique  is  highly  recommended. 

A warning  is  sounded  against  certain  time- 
worn adages  relating  to  amputations  for  ischemia 
in  the  lower  extremity.  *** 

REFERENCES 

1.  Veterans  Administration  Surgical  Service  Survey  of 

Lower  Extremity  Amputations  for  Ischemia.  (VA 

Form  10-2-313  (NR))  March  1966. 

2.  Warren,  R.  and  Record,  E.  E. : Lower  Extremity 

Amputations  for  Arterial  Insufficiency,  Boston:  Little, 

Brown,  1967. 


584  JOURNAL  MSMA 


Seminar  on  Care  of  the  Newborn-  V 


Surgical  Emergencies  of  the  Newborn 


RICHARD  C.  MILLER,  M.D. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


Surgical  emergencies  of  the  newborn  infant 
are  of  multiple  etiology.  Generally  such  infants 
will  present  with  respiratory  distress,  abdominal 
distention  and  vomiting,  obstructive  uropathy,  tu- 
mors of  embryonic  origin,  or  with  abnormalities 
of  the  central  nervous  system.  In  addition,  there 
are  a number  of  infants  with  miscellaneous  sur- 
gical problems  such  as  omphaloceles,  fractures 
and  other  manifestations  of  birth  trauma,  cu- 
taneous defects,  etc.  This  presentation  will  deal 
with  the  principal  surgical  pathological  conditions 
leading  to  emergent  respiratory  and  abdominal 
distress.  Anomalies  of  less  urgent  or  elective  na- 
ture have  been  omitted. 

Although  those  conditions  leading  to  respirato- 
ry distress  are  generally  more  urgent  than  those 
causing  abdominal  problems,  many  of  the  ab- 
dominal conditions  nevertheless  require  prompt 
attention  if  the  infant  is  to  survive.  Little  con- 
solation may  be  gained  from  the  adequate  han- 
dling of  a respiratory  emergency  at  two  hours  of 
age  only  to  have  the  child  succumb  to  an  un- 
suspected abdominal  abnormality  a week  later. 
The  management  of  any  particular  problem 
therefore  becomes  one  of  priority.  Prompt  recog- 
nition and  treatment  will  usually  lead  to  an  im- 
proved outcome. 

Respiratory  distress  in  the  newborn  infant  may 
be  quite  sudden  in  onset  or  may  present  from 
the  time  of  birth.  Acute  respiratory  distress  de- 
mands aspiration  of  the  pharynx  and  the  estab- 
lishment of  an  airway,  with  or  without  an  endo- 
tracheal tube.  The  nares  and  the  esophagus 
should  be  checked  for  patency  and  a chest  film 


From  the  Division  of  Pediatric  Surgery,  Departments 
of  Surgery  and  Pediatrics,  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  Miss. 


obtained.  Several  surgical  diagnoses  should  be 
considered. 


Surgical  emergencies  of  the  newborn  in- 
fant are  of  multiple  etiology  and  may  in- 
volve nearly  all  organs  and  areas  of  the 
body.  The  author  describes  the  principal 
anomalies  and  abnormalities  which  may 
lead  to  acute  respiratory  and  abdominal  dis- 
tress. He  gives  special  attention  to  atresia, 
atelectasis,  diaphragmatic  hernias,  obstruc- 
tion, and  gastrointestinal  perforations. 


As  the  newborn  infant  is  an  obligatory  nasal 
breather,  obstruction  of  the  nasal  passages  may 
rapidly  lead  to  asphyxiation.  Choanal  atresia  is  a 
congenital  malformation  of  the  posterior  nares  in 
which  there  is  either  a membranous  or  bony 
block  between  the  nasal  cavity  and  the  naso- 
pharynx. The  diagnosis  may  be  rapidly  estab- 
lished by  passing  a small  plastic  catheter,  usually 
8 Fr.  in  size,  through  each  side  of  the  nose  into 
the  pharynx.  If  an  obstruction  is  encountered, 
choanal  atresia  is  likely  and  may  be  either  unilat- 
eral or  bilateral.  When  one-sided,  obstruction  and 
respiratory  difficulty  may  occur  if  the  single  patent 
side  becomes  plugged  with  mucus  or  if  a catheter 
is  inserted.  An  oral  airway  is  used  as  an  imme- 
diate but  temporary  measure.  Surgical  correc- 
tion consists  of  relieving  the  obstruction  and  the 
use  of  tubular  splints  for  a period  of  several 
weeks  until  the  airway  is  well  established  and 
epithelialized. 

Although  esophageal  atresia  represents  an  ab- 


NOVEMBER  1970 


585 


The  blowfish,  a small  spt 
of  fish,  reacts  to  stress  or 
fright  by  puffing  itself  up 
air.  After  about  a dozen 
noisy  gulps  the  belly  is  ba 
shaped  and  hard.  When 
replaced  in  the  water  th« 
quickly  expelled,  and 
the  fish  sinks  to  the  botto 


in  the  presence  of  spasm  or  hypermotility, 
gas  distension  and  discomfort,  KINESED 5 
provides  more  complete  relief : 


□ belladonna  alkaloids  — for  the  hyper- 
active bowel  □ simethicone  — for  ac- 
companying distension  and  pain  due  to 
gas  □ phenobarbital  — for  associated 
anxiety  and  tension 

Composition:  Each  chewable,  fruit-flavored,  scored  tab- 
let contains:  16  mg.  phenobarbital  (warning:  may  be 
habit-forming);  0.1  mg.  hyoscyamine  sulfate;  0.02  mg. 
atropine  sulfate;  0.007  mg.  scopolamine  hydrobromide; 
40  mg.  simethicone. 

Contraindications:  Hypersensitivity  to  barbiturates  or 


belladonna  alkaloids,  glaucoma,  advanced  renal  or  he- 
patic disease. 

Precautions:  Administer  with  caution  to  patients  with 
incipient  glaucoma,  bladder  neck  obstruction  or  uri- 
nary bladder  atony.  Prolonged  use  of  barbiturates  may 
be  habit-forming. 

Side  effects:  Blurred  vision,  dry  mouth,  dysuria,  and 
other  atropine-like  side  effects  may  occur  at  high  doses, 
but  are  only  rarely  noted  at  recommended  dosages. 
Dosage:  Adults:  One  or  two  tablets  three  or  four  times 
daily.  Dosage  can  be  adjusted  depending  on  diagnosis 
and  severity  of  symptoms.  Children  2 to  12  years:  One 
half  or  one  tablet  three  or  four  times  daily.  Tablets  may 
be  chewed  or  swallowed  with  liquids. 


STUART  PHARMACEUTICALS  | Pasadena,  California  91109  I Division  of  ATLAS  CHEMICAL  INDUSTRIES,  INC. 


(from  the  Greek  kinetikos, 
to  move, 

and  the  Latin  sedatus, 
to  calm) 

KINESED* 

antispasmodic/sedative/antiflatulent 


NEWBORN  EMERGENCIES  / Miller 

normality  of  the  alimentary  canal,  it  clinically 
presents  as  a problem  in  respiratory  distress.  The 
most  common  (86  per  cent)  malformation  is 
that  of  a blind  upper  esophageal  pouch  with  a 
tracheoesophageal  fistula  between  the  lower 
pouch  and  the  trachea  usually  at  the  level  of  the 
carina.1  Respiratory  distress  occurs  when  swal- 
lowed saliva  fills  the  blind  upper  pouch  and  over- 
flows into  the  pharynx  causing  airway  obstruc- 
tion and  aspiration. 

Of  equal  or  greater  importance  is  the  fact  that 
gastric  juice  may  regurgitate  via  the  lower  seg- 
ment fistula  directly  into  the  lungs.  Although  sud- 
den regurgitation  of  mucus  from  the  upper  pouch 
may  cause  acute  cyanotic  episodes,  it  is  the  re- 
peated soiling  of  the  lungs  with  gastric  acidic 
fluid  which  may  cause  the  most  amount  of  diffi- 
culty in  terms  of  pneumonitis.  This  is  illustrated 
by  the  example  that  infants  with  pure  esophageal 
atresia  without  fistula  may  have  less  difficulty 
with  pneumonitis  than  those  patients  in  whom  a 
distal  fistula  is  present. 

ESOPHAGEAL  ATRESIA 

Esophageal  atresia  should  be  suspected  in  any 
infant  with  excessive  salivation.  It  should  further 
be  recognized  that  the  mothers  of  infants  with 
high  intestinal  obstruction,  either  at  the  level  of 
the  esophagus  or  duodenum,  may  have  hydram- 
nios  because  the  fetus  cannot  swallow  or  absorb 
normal  amounts  of  amniotic  fluid.  Thus,  it  be- 
comes axiomatic  that  any  child  born  of  a mother 
with  hydramnios  of  unexplained  origin  is  a candi- 
date for  investigation  of  esophageal  patency.  This 
may  be  easily  accomplished  by  the  passage  of  a 
nasogastric  tube.  However,  care  must  be  taken  to 
avoid  the  situation  where  a small  flexible  plastic 
catheter  may  turn  or  curl  in  a blind  esophageal 
pouch  giving  the  examiner  a false  sense  of  se- 
curity as  to  the  length  of  the  esophagus. 

When  esophageal  atresia  is  suspected,  it  is  far 
safer  to  pass  a No.  12  or  14  Fr.  catheter  through 
the  mouth.  A tube  this  size  and  stiffness  will  not 
curl  in  the  pouch  and  will  meet  an  obstruction 
at  about  12  cm  from  the  upper  alveolar  ridge  if 
esophageal  atresia  is  present.  Although  the  dis- 
tance from  the  alveolar  ridge  to  the  end  of  the 
pouch  will  vary  somewhat  from  infant  to  infant 
depending  on  size,  birth  weight,  and  the  level  of 
atresia,  this  measurement  is  surprisingly  constant 
with  a variance  of  only  one  or  two  cm  either  way. 

A blind  upper  esophageal  pouch  filled  with  air 
is  often  visible  on  A-P  and  lateral  chest  x-rays, 
while  the  presence  or  absence  of  gas  in  the  stom- 


ach on  the  same  films  will  give  an  indication  of 
the  presence  or  absence  of  a distal  pouch  tracheo- 
esophageal fistula.  In  fact,  infants  with  tracheo- 
esophageal fistulae  often  have  increased  amounts 
of  gas  in  the  abdominal  viscera  as  air  is  forced 
through  the  fistula  during  expiration,  particularly 
when  the  baby  cries. 

RADIOLOGIC  DIAGNOSIS 

The  diagnosis  of  esophageal  atresia  may  be 
confirmed  radiologically  after  a controlled  amount 
of  water  soluble  x-ray  contrast  material  has  been 
placed  in  the  blind  upper  pouch.  During  this  pro- 
cedure, care  must  be  taken  to  deliver  a precise 
amount  of  dye  (not  over  1 cc)  into  the  pouch 
to  prevent  overflow  aspiration.  This  is  accom- 
plished by  first  aspirating  the  upper  pouch  of  all 
mucus  and  then  inserting  a contrast  filled  catheter 
into  the  pouch  with  syringe  attached.  One-half  to 
one  cc  of  30  per  cent  contrast  material  is  then  in- 
stilled into  the  pouch,  a lateral  upright  film  is 
taken,  the  dye  aspirated,  and  the  catheter  re- 
moved. While  the  use  of  contrast  material  may 
not  be  necessary  to  establish  a diagnosis  which 
has  already  been  clinically  confirmed  by  the 
use  of  a catheter,  it  will  help  to  rule  out  those 
rare  cases  where  there  is  also  an  upper  pouch 
tracheoesophageal  fistula. 

Management  of  the  child  with  esophageal 
atresia  and  tracheoesophageal  fistula  should  in- 
clude an  early  gastrostomy  under  local  anesthesia. 
The  gastrostomy  tube  is  placed  to  suction  to 
minimize  the  possibility  of  regurgitation  of  gastric 
juice  into  the  airway.  Immediate  and  continuous 
attention  must  also  be  paid  to  keep  the  upper  air- 
way free  of  mucus  and  to  treat  any  pneumonitis 
or  atelectasis  which  may  already  be  present. 

SUCTION  MANAGEMENT 

Management  of  the  upper  pouch  consists  of 
oropharyngeal  suctioning  through  the  mouth  at 
15  minute  intervals.  Aspiration  in  this  fashion  in- 
sures that  the  blind  upper  esophageal  pouch  will 
be  kept  empty  of  saliva.  The  use  of  an  indwelling 
catheter  in  the  upper  pouch  placed  to  constant 
suction  may  be  helpful  but  may  lead  to  com- 
placency and  should  not  replace  constant  obser- 
vation and  intermittent  aspiration  by  the  nursing 
staff. 

The  definitive  therapy  of  esophageal  atresia  is 
that  of  a thoracotomy  with  division  of  the  fistula 
and  establishment  of  esophageal  continuity  by 
anastomosis.  This  procedure  should  be  attempted 
only  when  conditions  as  related  to  the  respiratory 
status  are  optimal. 

Post-operatively,  the  gastrostomy  is  used  for 


588 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


feeding  until  esophageal  continuity  is  assured  by 
an  esophagogram  on  the  fifth  or  sixth  day.  There- 
after, the  tube  may  be  sealed  but  left  in  place 
until  a repeated  barium  swallow  at  four  to  six 
weeks  shows  no  evidence  of  esophageal  stricture. 
If  stenosis  at  the  suture  line  has  developed,  a 
string  may  be  passed  and  the  gastrostomy  used 
for  retrograde  dilatations. 

Much  more  infrequently  (3-4  per  cent),  in- 
fants may  present  with  an  H-type  tracheoesopha- 
geal fistula  without  atresia.  These  lesions  are  often 
difficult  to  diagnose  as  the  fistula  may  be  of  small 
caliber  and  only  infrequently  passes  material  from 
the  esophagus  into  the  trachea.  Any  child  with 
repeated  coughing  or  respiratory  distress  associat- 
ed with  feedings  should  be  suspect.  The  diagnosis 
is  best  established  with  cineffuorographic  studies. 
Frame  by  frame  analysis  of  the  movie  film  is 
essential,  and  repeated  studies  are  often  neces- 
sary. Unlike  the  common  type  of  esophageal 
atresia,  where  the  tracheoesophageal  fistula  is  usu- 
ally at  or  near  the  carina,  H-type  fistulae  may  oc- 
cur anywhere  along  the  posterior  wall  of  the 
trachea  and  are  often  at  the  cervical  level. 

PNEUMOTHORAX 

Pneumothorax  is  not  an  infrequent  complica- 
tion of  infants  with  respiratory  distress,  with  or 
without  vigorous  attempts  at  resuscitation,  and 
may  occur  in  otherwise  asymptomatic  infants.  It 
may  be  secondary  to  the  “air  block”  phenome- 
non. In  this  situation,  blockage  of  an  air  passage 
may  produce  markedly  altered  pressure  relation- 
ships within  the  chest  with  subsequent  rupture  of 
alveoli  and  dissection  of  air  subpleurally  along  the 
bronchi.  Air  may  then  dissect  either  into  the  me- 
diastinum producing  pneumomediastinum  or  may 
break  into  the  pleural  space  producing  pneumo- 
thorax. As  air  in  the  pleural  space  increases,  it 
in  itself  becomes  a source  of  increasing  respira- 
tory distress. 

A small  amount  of  unilateral  pneumothorax  in 
a child  without  respiratory  distress  may  on  oc- 
casion be  observed  and  will  subside  spontaneous- 
ly. In  other  instances,  it  may  be  wise  to  aspirate 
the  air  or  to  place  a thoracotomy  catheter  to 
waterseal  drainage  and  suction  particularly  if 
there  is  an  increasing  amount  of  air  with  me- 
diastinal shift,  herniation  of  the  pleura  to  the 
opposite  hemithorax,  or  bilateral  pneumothorax. 
When  there  is  doubt  regarding  the  amount  or 
significance  of  pneumothorax,  or  as  to  the  avail- 
ability of  adequate  nursing  personnel,  it  is  by  far 
wiser  to  place  a thoracotomy  tube. 

Occasionally,  total  or  partial  collapse  of  an  en- 
tire lung  may  result  from  the  aspiration  of  amni- 


otic  fluid  or  from  other  secretions.  Such  an  in- 
fant presents  with  respiratory  distress,  and  opaci- 
fication of  the  lung  by  x-ray.  Vigorous  efforts  are 
indicated  to  inflate  the  lung  before  consolidation 
and  infection  ensue.  This  may  be  simply  done  by 
passing  a small  smooth-tipped  catheter  into  the 
trachea  under  direct  laryngoscopy.  Aspiration  of 
the  secretions  may  immediately  correct  the  prob- 
lem. 

ALTERNATE  METHOD 

An  alternate  method  is  to  insert  an  endotracheal 
tube  through  which  the  infant  may  alternately 
be  suctioned  and  supplied  with  oxygen.  This  lat- 
ter method  enables  the  physician  to  aspirate  re- 
peatedly without  additional  trauma  to  the  larynx. 
An  atmosphere  of  high  humidity  and  mist,  along 
with  postural  drainage  and  pulmonary  physio- 
therapy, is  essential  if  recurrence  of  the  collapse 
is  to  be  avoided.  All  aspirated  secretions  should 
be  preserved  for  culture  and  antibiotic  sensitiv- 
ities. 

Diaphragmatic  hernias  causing  acute  symptom- 
atology in  infancy  are  largely  of  the  postero- 
lateral, foramen  of  Bochdalek,  type.  This  foramen 
represents  a persistence  of  the  embryonic  pleuro- 
peritoneal canal.  The  great  majority  of  these  her- 
nias occur  on  the  left  side  where  there  is  no  but- 
tressing by  the  liver  and  where  persistence  of  the 
foramen  allows  the  abdominal  contents  to  reside 
in  the  left  pleural  cavity.  Usually  these  hernias 
have  no  true  sac.  Depending  on  the  amount  of 
abdominal  viscera  in  the  chest  and  the  amount  of 
air  swallowed,  respiratory  distress  may  be  present 
soon  after  birth  or  may  develop  during  the  first 
few  days  or  even  weeks  of  life. 

DIAGNOSTIC  PROBLEMS 

An  occasional  child  or  adult  with  limited  her- 
niation may  be  entirely  asymptomatic.  The  diag- 
nosis of  diaphragmatic  hernia  cannot  be  made  ac- 
curately without  a chest  film  since  breath  sounds 
from  the  right  side  of  the  chest  are  easily  trans- 
mitted and  heard  on  the  left  side.  Similarly, 
bowel  sounds  may  be  transmitted  from  the  ab- 
domen in  a normal  infant.  Dullness  and  de- 
creased breath  sounds  in  the  left  side  of  the  chest, 
accompanied  by  a mediastinal  and  cardiac  shift 
to  the  right  side,  are  presumptive  evidence  for 
the  diagnosis  of  diaphragmatic  hernia.  An  emer- 
gency chest  film  is  then  indicated. 

Once  the  diagnosis  of  diaphragmatic  hernia 
has  been  established,  operative  intervention 
should  follow  without  delay.  While  awaiting  sur- 
gery, a nasogastric  tube  should  be  inserted  and 
placed  on  suction  hopefully  to  prevent  further 


NOVEMBER  1970 


589 


NEWBORN  EMERGENCIES  / Miller 

distention  of  the  stomach  and  viscera  residing 
within  the  chest.  If  respiratory  distress  is  marked, 
an  endotracheal  tube  with  positive  pressure  as- 
sistance of  respiration  is  indicated.  Positive  pres- 
sure with  a face  mask  should  be  avoided  as  air 
may  be  forced  down  the  esophagus,  further  com- 
promising respiratory  status. 

The  operative  procedure  should  be  accom- 
plished through  an  upper  abdominal  subcostal  or 
transverse  incision  which  gives  immediate  access 
to  the  diaphragm.  A thoracic  incision  should  be 
avoided  since  the  surgical  problem  is  usually  not 
one  of  closure  of  the  hernia  defect  but  rather  one 
of  accommodating  the  viscera  in  the  unused  ab- 
dominal cavity.  It  is  far  more  difficult  to  attempt 
to  stuff  the  intestine  into  the  abdomen  from  above 
the  diaphragm  than  it  is  to  deliver  the  intestine  on 
to  the  operating  field  from  below  the  diaphragm,  to 
complete  the  hernia  repair,  and  then  to  replace 
the  intestine  into  the  abdomen  closing  only  skin 
if  it  is  found  that  a fascial  closure  will  compromise 
respiration. 

In  most  instances,  however,  it  is  possible, 
after  manual  stretching  of  the  abdominal  wall, 
to  reduce  the  entire  bowel  into  the  peritoneal 
cavity  and  to  accomplish  muscle,  fascial,  and 
skin  closures.  In  addition,  the  intestinal  tract 
should  be  inspected  for  other  congenital  anom- 
alies, particularly  those  of  abdominal  adhesions 
and  bands  associated  with  malrotation  which  is 
almost  invariably  present. 

CLOSING  THE  DEFECT 

Usually  the  diaphragmatic  defect  is  closed 
without  an  indwelling  thoracotomy  catheter.  In- 
stead, the  mediastinum  is  shifted  to  the  midline 
by  negative  pressure  produced  with  a rubber 
bulb  syringe  and  rubber  catheter  which  is  removed 
from  the  chest  as  the  last  diaphragmatic  suture  is 
tightened.  The  anesthesiologist  may  assist  during 
this  portion  of  the  procedure  by  advising  when 
the  cardiac  impulse  has  shifted  from  the  right 
side  to  the  midline  or  slightly  to  the  left.  No  at- 
tempt should  be  made  to  forcibly  inflate  the  un- 
expanded lung  since  this  often  results  in  a rup- 
ture of  pulmonary  tissue  and  a continued  air 
leak.  Usually,  left  alone,  the  uninflated  lung  will 
expand  slowly  over  the  course  of  the  first  few 
post-operative  days  as  the  pneumothorax  is  ab- 
sorbed. On  occasion,  true  agenesis  of  the  lung  may 
be  encountered. 

Upper  airway  obstruction  may  result  from  a 
number  of  deformities  about  the  mouth,  palate, 
neck  and  pharynx  as  well  as  from  congenital 
cervical  tumors  including  goiter.  These  deformities 


often  predispose  to  incoordination  of  the  swallow- 
ing mechanism  with  resultant  aspiration  and  cy- 
anotic episodes,  especially  at  the  time  of  feeding. 
Treatment  in  many  infants  may  consist  of  naso- 
gastric tube  feedings  or  of  the  use  of  a gastros- 
tomy. 

Of  particular  interest  are  those  infants  with 
micrognathia  and  glossoptosis  (Pierre-Robin  Syn- 
drome). Failure  to  control  the  tongue  in  such  pa- 
tients may  result  in  sudden  asphyxiation.  These 
infants  require  intensive  nursing  care.  A silk  su- 
ture may  be  placed  through  the  tip  of  the  tongue 
as  a temporary  measure  to  keep  the  tongue  for- 
ward or  to  be  used  for  traction  during  a cyanotic 
episode. 

LOBAR  EMPHYSEMA 

Lobar  emphysema  may  cause  acute  respiratory 
distress  in  infancy  and  is  manifested  by  a me- 
diastinal shift  and  a hyperlucent  area  in  the  lung 
fields  on  chest  x-ray.  The  x-ray  may  appear  so 
hyperlucent  as  to  be  confused  with  pneumothorax, 
but  scattered  lung  markings  are  usually  visible 
and  serve  to  establish  the  correct  diagnosis.  The 
emphysema  usually  involves  a single  upper  lobe. 
Treatment  consists  of  lobectomy. 

Although  ascites  is  a rare  entity  in  the  newborn 
infant,  it  does  on  occasion  present  a severe  prob- 
lem with  abdominal  distention  and  secondary  res- 
piratory distress.  This  is  especially  true  in  those 
infants  born  with  ascites  in  whom  the  diaphragms 
are  extremely  high  and  in  whom  the  neonatal 
respiratory  state  is  severely  compromised  from 
the  outset.  Although  of  multiple  causes,  neonatal 
ascites  should  be  treated  by  paracentesis  at  the 
first  sign  of  respiratory  distress.  It  is  by  far  better 
to  tap  an  abdomen  not  knowing  what  is  there 
than  to  risk  further  respiratory  deterioration. 
When  respiratory  distress  is  not  a problem,  ab- 
dominal x-rays  and  intravenous  urograms  may  be 
obtained  prior  to  paracentesis. 

ABDOMINAL  EMERGENCIES 

The  classical  presentation  of  a newborn  in- 
fant with  an  intestinal  abnormality  is  that  of 
bile-stained  vomiting,  distention,  and  failure  to 
pass  normal  meconium.  It  should  be  noted,  how- 
ever, that  a distended  abdomen  generally  implies 
the  patency  of  a sufficient  number  of  intestinal 
loops  which  may  enlarge  as  air  is  swallowed.  It  is 
therefore  apparent  that  children  with  high  intes- 
tinal obstruction,  either  of  the  duodenum  or  proxi- 
mal jejunum,  may  have  maximally  distended  in- 
testine without  overall  distention  of  the  abdomen. 
If  there  is  any  suspicion  of  an  intraabdominal 
problem,  feedings  should  be  discontinued  at  once 
and  x-rays  of  the  abdomen  obtained. 

It  is  our  custom  to  request  A-P,  supine  and  up- 


590 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


right,  and  lateral  films  of  the  abdomen.  The  later- 
al film  is  often  helpful  in  detecting  the  presence 
of  colonic  gas,  especially  in  the  area  of  the  rec- 
tum. These  plain  abdominal  films,  which  use  air 
for  contrast,  will  provide  most  surgical  diagnoses. 
However,  there  will  always  be  some  infants 
where  the  diagnosis  will  be  less  obvious  and 
where  the  differential  lies  between  that  of  a para- 
lytic ileus,  perhaps  associated  with  sepsis,  and 
that  of  a low  intestinal  obstruction  such  as  Hirsch- 
sprung’s disease.  In  these  infants,  it  may  be  neces- 
sary to  proceed  with  a barium  enema.  The  bari- 
um enema  is  particularly  helpful  in  the  diagnosis 
of  malrotation,  Hirschsprung’s  disease,  and  the 
meconium  plug  syndrome.  In  the  latter  instance, 
it  may  also  be  curative  since  the  enema  itself  will 
wash  out  the  plug.  It  should  also  be  noted  that 
the  diagnosis  of  Hirschsprung’s  disease  by  barium 
enema  in  the  newborn  infant  may  be  difficult  as 
the  change  in  caliber  from  a distally  contracted 
to  a proximally  dilated  bowel  may  not  be  ap- 
parent at  this  age. 

When  a surgical  condition  has  been  diagnosed, 
the  infant  should  be  placed  on  nasogastric  suc- 
tion, and  hydrated  with  intravenous  fluids.  How- 
ever, most  newborn  infants,  unless  they  have 
been  neglected  for  some  time  and  have  had 
considerable  vomiting,  will  be  in  normal  electro- 
lyte balance.  Intraoperatively,  temperature  regu- 
lation with  a heating  mattress  and  a continuously 
recording  rectal  thermometer  should  be  provided. 
In  the  small  premature  infant,  many  abdominal 
operations  may  be  completed  under  local  anes- 
thesia. Regardless  of  whether  a local  or  general 
anesthetic  is  used,  the  anesthesia  team  should  be 
present  to  continuously  monitor  the  patient. 

ATRESIA 

Atresia  is  the  most  common  cause  for  intestinal 
obstruction  in  the  newborn  (imperforate  anus  ex- 
cepted). Most  commonly  occurring  in  the  ileum  or 
duodenum,  atresias  are  less  often  encountered  in 
the  jejunum  and  rarely  in  the  colon.  The  diagnosis 
is  readily  suspected  from  the  plain  abdominal 
x-rays  and  in  the  case  of  duodenal  obstruction, 
the  infant  presents  with  a classical  double-bubble 
appearance.  The  two  bubbles  represent  stomach 
and  dilated  duodenum.  In  almost  all  cases  of 
duodenal  obstruction,  the  level  of  obstruction  is 
distal  to  the  common  bile  duct  and  the  infant 
therefore  vomits  bile  stained  fluid. 

Although  it  is  impossible  on  the  basis  of  x-ray 
to  accurately  predict  the  cause  of  duodenal  ob- 
struction, it  makes  little  difference  from  the  sur- 
gical point  of  view.  Since  patients  with  annular 
pancreas  also  have  an  underlying  duodenal  atresia 
or  stenosis,  the  operation  for  congenital  duodenal 


obstruction  consists  of  the  shortest  possible  by- 
pass. In  most  infants,  this  may  be  accomplished 
with  a duodenoduodenostomy,  although  occasion- 
ally a duodenojejunostomy  may  be  necessary.  A 
gastrojejunostomy  should  be  avoided. 

When  atresia  occurs  more  distally  in  the  bowel, 
the  level  of  obstruction  may  be  surmised  from 
the  number  of  small  intestinal  loops  visible  on  the 
abdominal  films.  Usually  the  most  distal  loop  just 
proximal  to  the  point  of  atresia  will  be  markedly 
dilated.  At  operation,  atresia  of  the  distal  bowel 
should  be  handled  by  adequate  resection  of  the 
blind,  dilated,  atonic,  proximal  loop  and  by  an 
end-to-end  anastomosis  to  the  distal  bowel.  The 
surgeon  must  be  certain  that  the  distal  bowel  has 
internal  continuity  for  its  entire  length.  Patency  is 
insured  by  injection  of  saline  through  a small 
needle  into  the  lumen  of  the  distal  intestine  and 
by  watching  the  saline  proceed  all  the  way  to  the 
sigmoid  colon. 

ANASTOMOSIS 

Although  it  may  be  technically  more  difficult, 
an  end-to-end  anastomosis  is  preferred  and  should 
be  accomplished  with  a single  layer  of  inter- 
rupted 5-0  atraumatic  silk  sutures.  Care  should  be 
taken  not  to  turn  in  a large  cuff  since  this  easily 
obstructs  the  anastomosis.  Internal  splints  or  cath- 
eters are  not  used,  and  every  effort  is  made  to 
be  sure  that  the  anastomosis  is  not  angled  or 
doubled  upon  itself  as  the  bowel  is  replaced  into 
the  abdomen.  A side-to-side  by-pass  anastomosis 
should  be  avoided  because  it  may  leave  a blind 
intestinal  loop. 

Malrotation  of  the  intestine,  in  itself  a benign 
anomaly,  is  associated  with  other  abnormalities 
which  may  produce  acute  symptomatology  in 
newborn  infants.  Of  particular  importance  are  ex- 
trinsic duodenal  bands,  and  lack  of  mid-gut  fixa- 
tion. While  duodenal  bands  may  produce  a par- 
tial or  complete  obstruction  of  the  bowel  at  that 
level,  an  unfixed  mid-gut  may  undergo  volvulus 
as  it  hangs  suspended  on  the  axis  of  the  superior 
mesenteric  artery. 

INTESTINAL  INFARCTION 

Unless  corrected,  infarction  of  the  intestine 
from  the  ligament  of  Treitz  to  the  transverse 
colon  may  rapidly  ensue.  If  this  catastrophy  is  to 
be  avoided,  surgical  intervention  should  follow 
quickly  upon  the  diagnosis  of  acute  intestinal  ob- 
struction especially  where  there  is  distention  of 
the  entire  small  bowel.  Although  a barium  enema 
will  usually  suggest  the  correct  diagnosis  by  vir- 
tue of  confirming  the  presence  of  a malrotation, 
it  is  not  a mandatory  study  and  should  never  de- 
lay operation. 

At  laparotomy,  the  mid-gut  volvulus,  which  is 


NOVEMBER  1970 


591 


NEWBORN  EMERGENCIES  / Miller 

usually  in  a clockwise  direction,  should  be  re- 
duced, following  which  the  surgeon  must  make  a 
systematic  search  to  rule  out  other  congenital 
anomalies  and  to  look  for  abnormal  duodenal 
bands  and  other  adhesions.  All  abnormal  adhe- 
sions and  attachments  should  be  lysed.  Mean- 
while the  bowel  involved  in  the  volvulus  may  be 
observed  for  areas  of  questionable  viability.  Fi- 
nally, it  is  necessary  to  check  the  internal  con- 
tinuity of  the  duodenum  because  of  the  known  as- 
sociation of  intrinsic  stenoses  and  webs  with  ex- 
trinsic adhesions  and  bands.  This  is  most  con- 
veniently accomplished  by  passing  a duodenal 
catheter  through  a small  gastrotomy. 

Approximately  10  per  cent  of  infants  born  with 
cystic  fibrosis  will  have  a meconium  problem  in 
the  neonatal  period.  Within  this  group  of  patients, 
there  will  be  a wide  spectrum  of  disease  from 
those  infants  presenting  with  mild  colonic  ob- 
struction due  to  sticky  meconium  and  to  those  in- 
fants with  the  full-blown  picture  of  inspissated 
meconium  in  the  ileum  or  jejunum,  with  or  with- 
out secondary  volvulus  and  atresia. 

MECONIUM  ILEUS 

A number  of  the  patients  will  have  perfora- 
tions and  meconium  peritonitis  as  may  be  diag- 
nosed radiologically  by  intraabdominal  calcifica- 
tion. The  infants  with  meconium  ileus  presents 
with  a distended  abdomen,  with  or  without  pal- 
pable meconium-filled  loops,  and  an  x-ray  pattern 
suggestive  of  distal  small  bowel  obstruction.  Me- 
conium ileus  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  only 
form  of  intestinal  obstruction  where  fluid  levels 
are  not  usually  visible  on  the  upright  abdominal 
film,  simply  because  the  meconium  is  too  vicid  to 
layer  out. 

Recent  investigations  have  shown  that  a num- 
ber of  children  with  meconium  ileus  may  be  treat- 
ed with  hypertonic  enemas  using  x-ray  contrast 
materials.  The  technique  involves  the  reflux  of 
contrast  material  through  the  colon  and  into  the 
small  bowel  under  fluoroscopic  control.  The  con- 
trast material  should  enter  the  dilated  loops  above 
the  area  of  obstruction  where  its  hypertonic  na- 
ture produces  an  influx  of  fluid  from  the  wall  of 
the  gut  with  subsequent  lysis  of  the  obstructing 
meconium  and  passage  per  rectum.  This  tech- 
nique was  first  described  by  Noblett.2  The  enema 
may  be  repeated  in  24  to  48  hours  if  there  is 
still  obstruction. 

Elowever,  it  should  be  stressed  that  all  cases 
of  meconium  ileus  may  not  lend  itself  to  this 
form  of  therapy,  particularly  when  there  is  evi- 
dence of  meconium  peritonitis  signifying  perfora- 


tion or  when  associated  atresias  are  suspected.  In 
the  latter  situations,  the  operative  approach  with 
decompression  of  the  bowel,  evacuation  of  the 
meconium,  and  with  one  of  several  surgical 
anastomoses  is  indicated. 

It  must  be  stressed  that  the  post-operative 
prognosis  of  the  child  with  meconium  ileus  lies 
with  vigorous  and  continuous  therapy  of  the  pul- 
monary complications  which  will  soon  ensue.  It 
is  essential  that  these  children  receive  the  maximal 
effort  in  pulmonary  care  from  the  immediate  new- 
born period. 

PERFORATIONS 

Spontaneous  perforations  of  the  gastrointestinal 
tract  occur  in  early  infancy,  and  present  a true 
surgical  emergency.  The  overall  survival  rate  in 
these  infants  has  generally  not  been  better  than 
50  per  cent.  Perforations  have  been  reported  in 
anatomical  locations  from  the  stomach  to  the 
anus  and  in  the  majority  of  instances,  when  not 
associated  with  other  anomalies,  are  seemingly 
without  obvious  cause. 

Of  particular  interest  are  a group  of  perfora- 
tions occurring  in  premature  infants  along  the 
greater  curvature  of  the  stomach.  Because  these 
perforations  may  involve  a long  linear  rent  of 
almost  the  entire  stomach,  massive  pneumoperito- 
neum and  abdominal  distention  often  results. 
However,  other  perforations  in  the  duodenum 
and  small  bowel  may  also  give  rise  to  a con- 
siderable amount  of  intraperitoneal  air.  Fluid  and 
electrolyte  imbalance,  peritonitis,  and  septicemia 
rapidly  ensue,  and  unless  treatment  is  prompt  and 
vigorous,  the  infant  may  not  survive. 

ABDOMINAL  X-RAY 

Any  infant  with  undiagnosed  distention  of  the 
abdomen  requires  an  abdominal  x-ray.  Unlike  the 
adult  patient,  signs  and  symptoms  of  perforation 
may  be  lacking  in  the  neonate;  and  the  infant 
with  a perforation  characteristically  may  continue 
to  feed  until  the  problems  of  peritonitis  and  ab- 
dominal distention  become  grossly  evident.  As 
in  the  infant  with  neonatal  ascites,  massive  dis- 
tention of  the  abdomen  which  embarrasses  res- 
piratory efforts,  should  be  treated  with  immediate 
paracentesis.  Treatment  of  the  perforation  is  that 
of  laparotomy  and  surgical  repair  after  intra- 
venous antibiotics,  fluids,  and  nasogastric  suction 
have  been  instituted. 

Gastrointestinal  hemorrhage  in  the  newborn  in- 
fant is  not  a common  problem.  Although  hemor- 
rhage may  occur  secondarily  to  a number  of  gas- 
trointestinal tract  lesions,  it  is  well  to  first  con- 
sider that  the  infant  may  have  a bleeding  dis- 
order and  appropriate  hematological  consultation 


592 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


should  be  obtained.  Surgical  intervention  should 
be  considered  only  when  it  is  clear  that  the  pa- 
tient does  not  have  a bleeding  disorder  and  when 
conservative  management  has  not  led  to  cessation 
of  bleeding. 

Congenital  aganglionosis  of  the  colon,  common- 
ly known  as  Hirschsprung’s  disease,  may  cause 
acute  obstructive  symptomatology  in  the  new- 
born infant.  However,  as  most  children  with 
Hirschsprung’s  disease  become  manifested  in 
later  infancy  or  in  the  preschool  years,  it  is  easy 
to  overlook  this  problem  in  the  neonate  particu- 
larly when  the  diagnosis  is  difficult  and  not  at  all 
obvious.  Abdominal  x-rays  may  mimic  those  of  a 
paralytic  ileus,  and  the  barium  enema  may  not 
show  the  characteristic  disparity  in  size,  which  is 
so  commonly  seen  in  the  older  child  between  the 
dilated,  proximal,  ganglionic  bowel  and  the  con- 
tracted, distal,  aganglionic  segment.  However, 
Hirschsprung’s  disease  must  enter  into  the  differ- 
ential diagnosis  of  any  acute  neonatal  intestinal 
obstruction,  particularly  when  the  obstruction  ap- 
pears to  be  in  the  colon.  Hirschsprung’s  disease  in 
infancy  may  be  further  complicated  by  severe 
enterocolitis  in  the  proximal  obstructed  intestine. 
This  complication  is  a particularly  lethal  problem 
in  the  young  infant  and  must  be  treated  by  an 
emergency  decompressing  colostomy  above  the 
aganglionic  area. 

It  is  therefore  apparent  that  any  infant,  in 
whom  the  diagnosis  of  Hirschsprung’s  disease  is 
suspected,  should  receive  prompt  attention.  At 
the  time  of  colostomy,  it  is  essential  to  obtain  a 
frozen  section  of  the  bowel  at  the  colostomy  site 
to  be  sure  that  the  decompression  has  been  ac- 
complished in  a normally  ganglionic  area.  The 
colostomy,  if  possible,  should  be  placed  just  prox- 
imal to  the  area  of  aganglionosis.  When  time  and 
the  patient’s  condition  permit,  definitive  diagnosis 
may  be  made  by  colonic  biopsy  taken  from  the 
rectum  above  the  level  of  the  internal  sphincter. 

Although  there  is  some  recurrent  interest  in 
primary  surgical  pull-through  procedures  in  the 
neonatal  period  using  some  of  the  newer  surgical 
techniques,  most  surgeons  would  still  prefer  a 
temporary  diverting  colostomy  with  a pull- 
through  procedure  at  a later  date. 

IMPERFORATE  ANUS 

Although  the  diagnosis  of  ‘‘imperforate  anus” 
may  be  easily  established  by  physical  examina- 
tion, the  exact  underlying  embryological  deformi- 
ty is  not  always  as  apparent.  Intelligent  manage- 
ment of  the  infant  depends  upon  an  accurate  em- 
bryological and  anatomical  knowledge  regarding 
the  level  of  deformity,  the  relationship  of  the  rec- 
tal pouch  to  the  levator  ani  sling  mechanism 


and  the  presence  or  absence  of  any  fistulae, 
either  internal  or  external.  It  is  now  appreciated 
that  the  term  “imperforate  anus”  encompasses  a 
multiplicity  of  anomalies  of  the  rectum,  anus  and 
perineum.  At  a recent  international  congress  of 
pediatric  surgeons,  39  different  deformities  were 
documented. 

Examination  of  the  newborn  with  imperforate 
anus  should  include  a close  inspection  of  the 
perineum,  particularly  in  the  male,  for  a minute 
fistulous  tract.  These  fistulae  are  often  not  ap- 
parent until  several  hours  after  birth  when  me- 
conium has  been  forced  into  the  tract  making  it 
visible.  In  the  female,  inspection  of  the  perineum 
should  include  the  area  of  the  vestibule  and  lower 
posterior  vaginal  wall  as  fistulae  are  often  present 
in  these  areas. 

If  a fistula  is  not  present,  the  next  step  is  that  of 
the  upside  down  x-ray  as  was  originally  de- 
scribed by  Wangensteen  and  Rice.3  On  these  films, 
the  relationship  of  the  blind  rectal  pouch  to  the 
pubococcygeal  line  should  be  noted.4  If  the 
pouch  is  well  distended  and  ends  above  the  line, 
one  can  assume  that  there  is  a “high,”  supraleva- 
tor  deformity  and  that  the  bowel  has  not  passed 
through  the  levator  sling.  A rectal  fistula  in  these 
patients  enters  either  into  the  posterior  urethra 
or  bladder  in  the  male,  or  into  the  high  vagina  or 
cloaca  in  the  female.  Any  child  with  a supra- 
levator  deformity  should  be  treated  with  colostomy 
in  the  neonatal  period  pending  a definitive  pull- 
through  procedure  at  about  one  year  of  age.  In 
situations  where  the  deformity  is  infralevator  or 
where  there  is  a fistula  to  the  perineum,  a local 
perineal  surgical  procedure  will  usually  provide 
egress  for  meconium  without  the  need  for  a 
colostomy. 

Infants  with  imperforate  anus  have  an  in- 
creased incidence  of  atresias  elsewhere  in  the 
alimentary  tract,  especially  in  the  esophagus,  as 
well  as  a greater  number  of  urinary  tract  anom- 
alies. A nasogastric  tube  should  always  be  in- 
serted to  check  esophageal  patency,  and  a sub- 
sequent intravenous  urogram  should  become  a 
routine  part  of  the  patient’s  diagnostic  work-up. 

★★★ 

2500  N.  State  Street  (39216) 

REFERENCES 

1.  Miller,  R.  C.,  and  Moynihan,  P.  C.:  Esophageal 
atresia.  South.  Med.  J.  63:939,  1970. 

2.  Noblett,  H.  R. : The  treatment  of  uncomplicated 
meconium  ileus  by  Gastrografin  enema.  J.  Pediat. 
Surg.  4:190,  1969. 

3.  Wangensteen,  O.  H.,  and  Rice,  C.  O.:  Imperforate 
anus:  a method  for  determining  the  surgical  approach, 
Ann.  Surg.  92:77,1930. 

4.  Stephens,  F.  D.:  Congenital  Malformations  of  the 
Rectum,  Anus  and  G enito-U rinary  Tracts.  E.  and  S. 
Livingstone,  Ltd.,  London,  1963. 


NOVEMBER  1970 


593 


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594 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Youth  and  Drugs 


CARL  E.  GUERNSEY,  LL.B. 

Jackson,  Mississippi 


I can  say  quite  honestly  that  most  of  the  infor- 
mation I have  acquired  regarding  drug  abuse  has 
come  from  conferences  with  a wide  range  of  au- 
thorities. The  very  fact  that  there  is  no  central 
fountain  of  knowledge  on  this  tremendous 
problem  points  up  our  inexcusable  tardiness  in 
dealing  with  one  of  the  greatest  crises  of  our 
time.  We  have  profited  greatly  from  our  contact 
with  Joe  Moynihan,  narcotic  authority  for  the 
State  Board  of  Health;  we  have  worked  closely 
with  the  Jackson  office  of  the  Bureau  of  Narcotics 
and  Dangerous  Drugs;  we  have  sought  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  investigators  for  the  State  Board  of 
Pharmacy;  we  have  been  given  aid  by  the  admin- 
istrative heads  of  Whitfield  and  East  Mississippi 
Hospitals.  Much  help  has  been  given  us  by  the 
Bureau  of  Narcotics  and  the  crime  lab  for  the 
Jackson  Police  Department  and  by  the  Highway 
Patrol  Narcotic  Division.  Why  is  there  no  central 
source  of  information  and  why  especially  is  there 
not  a dynamic  planning  and  action  drug  control 
authority  in  Mississippi? 

There  have  been  other  sources  of  information 
for  the  remarks  I make  here — face  to  face  con- 
frontation with  pitiable  children  of  talent  who 
cried  for  help  to  wrest  them  from  the  grip  of  nar- 
cotic addiction  or  dependency;  and  the  obituaries 
of  children  I have  known  whose  deaths  have  been 
caused  or  contributed  to  by  inhalants  or  narcotics. 
Any  person  who  has  analyzed  the  trend  of  pyra- 
miding drug  usage  knows  that  we  cannot  afford 
the  spiraling  economic  and  social  cost.  Any  per- 
son who  has  seen  the  stark  tragedy  in  the  eyes  of 
an  addicted  child  must  have  a very  personal  rea- 
son for  a commitment  to  action. 


Presented  before  the  Section  on  Preventive  Medicine, 
102nd  Annual  Session.  May  13.  1970,  at  Biloxi. 
Presiding  Judge  of  the  Hinds  County  Youth  Court.  Jack- 
son. 


Drug  addiction  was  for  many  years  almost  ex- 
clusively an  adult  problem.  In  1958,  only  3.8  per 
cent  of  arrested  drug  violaters  were  under  25.  In 
1968,  3 per  cent  of  arrested  drug  violators  were 


Drug  use  and  abuse  is  a rising  problem 
among  American  youth.  The  author,  Presid- 
ing Judge,  Hinds  County  Youth  Court, 
points  out  the  lack  of  drug  authorities,  in- 
formation services,  and  avenues  of  treatment 
for  youthful  users.  He  discusses  initial  steps 
that  could  be  taken  in  forming  a compre- 
hensive plan  to  deal  effectively  with  this  ma- 
jor social  crisis. 


under  15;  26.6  per  cent  were  under  18;  and  76.6 
per  cent  were  under  25.  From  July  1968  to  July 
1969,  more  than  6,200  children  under  age  15 
were  arrested  for  drug  law  violation  in  this  coun- 
try. Despite  these  facts,  very  few  states  have  any 
kind  of  treatment  program  for  the  teen-aged  ad- 
dict and  any  one  under  18  is  excluded  by  admin- 
istrative ruling  from  the  narcotic  hospitals  at  Lex- 
ington and  Fort  Worth  administered  by  the  Na- 
tional Institute  for  Mental  Health,  a division  of 
the  Department  of  Health,  Education  and  Wel- 
fare. 

I,  here  and  now,  charge  the  Department  of 
Health,  Education  and  Welfare  with  discrimina- 
tion against  youth  in  the  operation  of  narcotic 
hospitals  and  with  depriving  the  young  of  equal 
protection  of  the  law.  I submit  that  it  is  time  they 
realized  that  addicted  children  are  as  much  en- 
titled to  treatment  as  addicted  adults.  I do  not 
pretend  to  know  all  the  factors  contributing  to 
drug  addiction  and  I doubt  if  anyone  present 


NOVEMBER  1970 


595 


YOUTH  AND  DRUGS  / Guernsey 


would  claim  such  knowledge  which  would  have  to 
approach  omniscience.  Emotional  or  mental  dis- 
orders or  chemical  unbalance,  physical  weakness 
or  temporary  depression  can  couple  with  drug 
experimentation  or  medical  treatment  to  create 
addiction.  Perhaps  the  greatest  drug  chaos  of  our 
time  is  the  use  and  abuse  of  amphetamines  by 
overweight  Americans.  Their  story  is  told  time 
after  time  in  the  admission  records  of  mental  hos- 
pitals. So  diverse  and  complex  are  the  causes  of 
addiction  that  we  err  badly  in  our  blanket  con- 
demnation of  the  drug  addict  or  dependent. 

In  order  to  fully  evaluate  the  drug  problem 
which  we  encounter  we  must  consider  specific 
facts  peculiar  to  this  problem.  Of  all  crime  or 
health  problems  confronting  our  nation,  drug  ad- 
diction and  dependency  are  the  hardest  to  mea- 
sure in  scope.  Both  a felonious  vendor  and  an  ad- 
dicted buyer  will  go  to  any  extreme  to  conceal  the 
fact  of  a crime  committed  or  of  a physical  addic- 
tion indulged.  It  is  not  so  with  either  bank  rob- 
bery or  cancer.  We  cannot  presently  solve  the 
drug  problem,  and  can’t  even  measure  it,  and 
many  persons  in  positions  of  prominence  will  not 
even  admit  that  it  exists.  If  we  could  determine 
the  quantity  of  drugs  used  in  violation  of  our 
laws,  and  we  can’t,  we  still  would  not  know  the 
number  of  users  or  the  measure  of  their  addiction 
or  dependency. 

INADEQUATE  ENFORCEMENT 

Federal,  state  and  local  law  enforcement  au- 
thorities are  not  yet  geared  to  a drug  traffic  more 
than  10  times  as  great  as  that  in  the  beginning  of 
the  1960’s.  We  have  in  Mississippi  today  fewer 
than  10  full  time  state  narcotic  officers,  and  only 
seven  police  departments  in  our  state  have  nar- 
cotic units.  Six  of  these  have  been  established 
within  the  past  year.  This  force  is  ill-equipped  to 
deal  with  more  than  1,000  drug  users  in  our  state, 
many  of  whom  are  actively  recruiting  new  users. 

Our  criminal  laws  offer  little  or  no  alternative 
to  long  term  sentences.  By  such  sentences  we  can 
vent  our  public  wrath  on  a perplexing  problem 
without  expending  the  energy  required  to  seek  its 
proper  solution.  We  have  not  yet  accepted  drug 
addiction  as  a medical  problem  or  treatment  as 
an  alternative  to  prison. 

The  comparative  handful  convicted  of  drug 
usage  receive  little  or  no  treatment  nor  have  our 
hospitals  or  prisons  ever  effectively  cut  off  their 
source  of  supply,  even  during  periods  of  confine- 
ment. In  some  places  hospital  attendants  and 


prison  guards  are  our  country’s  worst  pushers, 
and  they  are  protected  by  a monopoly  any  Wall 
Street  broker  would  envy. 

These  are  only  a few  of  the  many  indications 
that  our  nation  is  still  figuratively  sitting  on  its 
hands,  seemingly  unwilling  to  commit  itself  to  an 
intelligent  and  effective  drug  control  program.  If 
and  when  the  State  of  Mississippi  fixes  attention 
and  resolution  on  the  drug  problem  and  creates 
a drug  authority,  equipped  with  manpower,  legal 
power  and  know  how  to  cut  this  serious  problem 
down  to  manageable  size,  a positive  plan  of  action 
should  be  adopted.  These  nine  steps  should  be  at 
the  heart  of  our  solution  as  I see  it: 

( 1 ) Drug  education  today  is  as  faulty  and  in- 
adequate as  the  sex  education  made  available  to 
my  generation.  We  try  to  solve  a very  real  prob- 
lem with  unreal  answers,  half  truths  and  plati- 
tudes, and  failing  to  impress,  we  threaten  instant 
insanity.  Just  as  our  parents  substituted,  in  many 
cases,  scare  tactics  for  facts  about  sex,  so  are  we 
giving  our  children  a “birds  and  bees”  story  about 
drugs.  Drug  education  must  be  introduced  inten- 
sively into  the  public  school  curriculum  during 
late  elementary  years  and  continued  through  high 
school  and  based  upon  honest  research  and  hard 
facts.  Surveys  indicate  that  only  half  a dozen 
school  systems  in  the  country  have  effective  drug 
education  programs. 

(2)  An  intelligent  drug  control  program  must 
commence  with  a medicine  cabinet  inventory. 
Amphetamines,  barbiturates,  benzedrine,  nail  pol- 
ish, glue,  hair  spray,  gasoline  and  lighter  fluid  are 
all  capable  of  providing  children  with  the  first 
step  of  a long  trip,  right  in  their  own  homes.  No 
child  will  take  seriously  the  drug  advice  of  par- 
ents whose  “uppers”  and  “downers”  are  a regular 
part  of  their  lives. 

(3)  By  legal  requirement  and  cooperation  of 
pharmaceutical  and  medical  personnel,  modern 
computer  techniques  can  uncover  the  prescrip- 
tion shopper  and  the  rare  pharmacist  or  the  rare 
physician  who  makes  narcotics  or  drugs  too  easily 
available.  Let  me  emphasize  here  that  I fully  ap- 
preciate the  need  for  safeguards  against  witch- 
hunting  and  second-guessing  regarding  profes- 
sional judgment  on  medication. 

Names  of  druggists,  physicians,  patients  and 
dosage  of  drugs  could  be  easily  keyed  to  a com- 
puter card  which  could  be  incorporated  into  a 
comprehensive  record  system.  By  proper  inquiry 
of  a mechanical  brain  we  could  have  an  instant 
accounting  of  the  drugs  a pharmacist  buys  and 
dispenses,  those  a doctor  prescribes  and  those  a 
patient  receives.  To  avoid  use  of  false  names,  pa- 
tient’s social  security  numbers  could  be  used. 

(4)  In  every  area  of  crime,  effective  law  en- 


596 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


forcement  is  a part,  but  only  a part  of  the  solu- 
tion. All  the  policemen  in  the  world  could  not 
solve  our  drug  problem  unless  and  until  the  courts 
to  which  the  cases  are  referred  have  treatment  al- 
ternatives available.  Nevertheless,  drug  traffic  will 
never  be  broken  without  adequate  numbers  of 
well-trained  narcotic  officers.  In  addition  to  the 
shortage  of  state  narcotic  officers,  one  example 
of  our  deficiency  in  this  area  is  the  fact  that  the 
Federal  Bureau  of  Narcotics  and  Dangerous 
Drugs  had  for  nearly  40  years,  until  1968,  the 
same  quota  of  300  agents  and  the  same  budget 
as  when  that  agency  was  founded.  Narcotic  offi- 
cers are  so  rushed  that  many  times  there  appears 
a laissez  faire  attitude  toward  the  user  and  a con- 
centration only  on  source  of  supply.  It  is  equally 
important  that  the  user,  as  well  as  the  seller, 
know  the  consequences  of  narcotic  law  violation, 
and  there  must  be  vigorous  pursuit  of  the  illegal 
drug  consumer. 

(5)  Just  as  there  must  be  legal  deterrents  on 
the  user  of  drugs  and  a price  paid  for  proved  use 
or  possession,  so  must  there  be  an  avenue  of  vol- 
untary withdrawal.  Such  alternative  is  available 
through  youth  crisis  centers,  sanctuaries  with  legal 
immunity  where  a drug  user  can  seek  and  find 
with  amnesty,  treatment  for  the  acute  physical  ills 
of  drug  usage,  therapy  for  the  emotional  lameness 
which  contributes  to  drug  dependency,  and  there 
must  be  available  referral  to  long  range  services. 
Many  addicts  are  earnestly  seeking  a bridge  back 
to  normal  life  and  youth  crisis  centers  can  serve 
as  one  of  society’s  expressions  of  concern  and 
help. 

(6)  Too  much  time  is  spent  in  the  debate  be- 
tween advocates  of  long  and  short  term  sentences 
for  addicts.  The  length  of  time  segregated  from 
society  is  not  nearly  as  significant  as  the  nature 
of  confinement.  There  are  situations  in  which  the 
present  use,  possession  and  sale  sanctions  are  ab- 
solutely essential,  but  there  are  also  cases  in 
which  probation  and  treatment  are  indicated. 

Recently,  in  San  Antonio,  Texas,  a heroin  ring 
was  broken  and  92  pounds  of  pure  heroin  was 
confiscated.  This  haul  represents  25  million  dol- 
lars on  the  drug  market.  Those  arrested  could 
hardly  be  considered  fit  subjects  for  probation  or 
short  term  sentences. 

Right  now,  in  this  county,  Mississippi’s  first 
heroin  traffic  case  is  being  prosecuted.  I do  not 
propose  leniency  here.  Unless  we  deal  effectively 
with  young  persons  caught  in  the  early  stages  of 
experimentation  they  might  easily  graduate  from 
use  to  sale,  from  marijuana  to  heroin.  Lest  I be 
accused  of  contributing  to  false  drug  information 
let  me  say  categorically  here  that  there  is  docu- 
mented proof  of  correlation  between  marijuana 


use  and  subsequent  heroin  addiction.  A California 
study  during  the  period  from  1960  to  65  estab- 
lished that  one  out  of  eight  persons  convicted  of 
marijuana  use  were  also  convicted  of  using  heroin 
within  five  years  thereafter.  Smugglers  from  Mex- 
ico supply  an  estimated  800,000  marijuana  users 
per  year.  What  will  the  heroin  picture  be  five 
years  from  now?  We  must  not  relax  our  present 
sentencing  structure  for  drugs,  including  mari- 
juana, but  we  must  place  treatment  alternatives 
within  the  grasp  of  trial  judges. 

(7)  In  the  field  of  drug  addiction  as  in  the 
field  of  alcoholism,  society  has  such  a vested  in- 
terest in  the  addicted  individual  that  it  has  a right 
to  enforce  withdrawal  and  treatment  as  an  alter- 
native to  confinement.  We  cannot  continue  under 
the  assumption  that  only  the  well  motivated  ad- 
dict can  be  helped.  It  is  suggested  that  in  this 
area,  as  in  the  area  of  treatment  of  the  resistive 
psychotic,  research  can  make  techniques  available 
to  change  attitudes  of  determined  users  and  can 
fortify  a resolve  to  abstain. 

TREATMENT  FACTORS 

Let  us  be  perfectly  frank  about  one  thing — the 
patient  is  not  always  the  only  reluctant  partici- 
pant in  the  treatment  process.  There  is  a medical 
factor  in  the  treatment  of  practicing  addicts  and 
alcoholics.  It  cannot  be  passed  off  as  either  a psy- 
chiatric or  law  enforcement  problem  on  any 
moral  or  any  professionally  logical  grounds.  The 
arbitrary  unwillingness  of  many  physicians  to 
treat  alcoholics  or  drug  addicts  is  no  more  de- 
fensible than  refusal  to  treat  numerous  other  pa- 
tients whose  ailments  are  caused  or  contributed 
to  by  the  human  will.  An  addict  is  as  much  en- 
titled to  treatment  as  an  ulcer  patient.  Society  has 
a right  to  demand  that  an  addict  accept  medical 
treatment.  What  demand,  if  any,  do  the  needs  of 
the  community  and  the  Hippocratic  oath  impose 
upon  the  internist  to  provide  that  treatment? 

Candor  must  overcome  courtesy  at  this  point. 
The  oldest  known  drug  in  our  society  is  alcohol, 
but  the  medical  profession  as  a whole  has  shown 
extreme  reticence  in  tackling  the  basic  problem 
of  alcoholism.  Although  some  more  fortunate  al- 
coholics may  be  admitted  to  some  hospitals  on 
such  veiled  diagnoses  as  gastritis  or  dehydration, 
alcoholic  admissions  to  medical  wards  are  ex- 
tremely rare.  Of  equal  significance  is  the  attitude 
of  many  practitioners  that  the  acute  medical 
problems  of  alcoholism  must  await  treatment  until 
sobriety  is  restored  or  until  psychiatric  treatment 
has  passed  some  mystical  point.  This  does  not  get 
the  job  done  with  the  alcoholic  and  will  succeed 
even  less  with  the  drug  addict. 

(8)  The  very  heart  and  soul  of  effective  drug 


NOVEMBER  1970 


597 


YOUTH  AND  DRUGS  / Guernsey 

control  must  lie  in  a long  term  treatment  program 
with  a three  stage  course  of  action.  The  first  stage, 
which  must  be  conducted  under  close  confine- 
ment, is  that  of  physical  withdrawal  from  drugs 
and  restoration  of  the  body.  This  should  include 
treatment  of  organic  damage  including  maximum 
recovery  from  brain,  liver,  kidney  and  respiration 
dysfunction.  It  should  include  a physical  fitness 
program  approaching  the  program  of  military 
service  to  provide  the  morale  factor  of  maximum 
health. 

Step  two,  perhaps  the  most  difficult,  would  be 
the  treatment  of  the  emotional  aspects  of  addic- 
tion. Although  every  member  of  this  audience  is 
more  capable  of  evaluating  this  premise  than  I 
am,  it  is  suggested  that  addiction  or  dependency 
is  both  a cause  and  an  effect  of  emotional  prob- 
lems, many  of  them  treatable.  Many  children  with 
drug  problems  come  back  from  evaluation  with 
a diagnosis  of  passive  aggressive  personality  dis- 
order or  adolescent  adjustment  reaction.  With  ei- 
ther diagnosis,  therapy  has  proved  helpful  in  sim- 
ilar cases.  The  fact  that  the  problem  has  mani- 
fested itself  in  drug  experimentation  does  not  alter 
the  fact  that  there  is  an  underlying  emotional  dis- 
order. How  much  by  way  of  therapy  must  be  pro- 
vided in  a closed  ward  and  how  much  can  be  han- 
dled on  an  outpatient  basis,  conceivably  in  a com- 
munity mental  health  clinic,  remains  to  be  seen. 

The  third  and  final  stage  of  the  treatment  proc- 
ess is  to  train  or  re-train  the  addict  for  successful 
participation  in  society.  Addiction  strikes  many 
at  such  an  early  age  that  it  cuts  off  the  individu- 
al's preparation  for  a life  work.  Often  the  addict 
is  an  excessively  bright  person  equipped  by  edu- 
cation to  be  no  more  than  a service  station  at- 
tendant or  a short  order  cook.  Such  a person  is 
destined  for  frustration  and  could  be  expected  to 
seek  escape  from  what  he  sees  as  life’s  cruelty  in 
the  pleasurable  anesthesia  he  once  knew.  I do  not 
suggest  that  vocational  training  is  the  only  essen- 
tial of  the  process  of  returning  addicts  to  society, 
but  it  is  a most  significant  one. 


Other  problems  in  re-socialization  of  the  addict 
would  be  the  establishment  of  acceptable  pastimes 
and  the  formation  of  new  contacts,  possibly 
through  such  groups  as  a synanon,  the  addict’s 
equivalent  of  Alcoholics  Anonymous.  Total  resto- 
ration would  be  different  in  every  case  and  would 
depend  upon  multiple  variations  of  physical,  men- 
tal, emotional  and  spiritual  support. 

(9)  The  ninth  and  final  step  in  a total  drug 
control  program  would  be  an  after  care  program 
for  addicts  with  some  of  the  components  of  the 
present  parole  system.  Just  as  a parole  from  pris- 
on is  now  a conditional  privilege,  release  from  a 
treatment  center  should  also  be.  We  should  not 
hesitate  for  the  sake  of  society  and  the  individual 
user  to  utilize  Naline  which  causes  immediate 
withdrawal  syndrome  or  polygraph  tests  to  deter- 
mine that  the  user  does  not  revert  to  old  practices. 
It  is  postulated  that  individuals  with  defective 
conscience  can  find  reinforcement  for  abstinence 
from  the  certainty  that  use  would  be  detected. 

The  program  which  is  blueprinted  here  is  one 
of  unquestionable  expense.  It  is  also  one  which 
calls  for  a re-thinking  of  legal  and  medical  con- 
cepts. To  such  truths  I can  only  say  that  the  alter- 
native is  even  greater  economic  loss,  chaos  and 
the  destruction  of  multiplied  thousands  of  human 
lives. 

We  must  not  fall  into  pitfalls  which  have 
threatened  our  approach  to  other  social  problems. 
There  is  no  quick  and  easy  solution  to  the  drug 
problem  nor  is  there  a miracle  cure  for  drug  ad- 
diction. At  the  same  time,  this  problem  is  of  such 
major  proportion  that  we  cannot  afford  the  luxury 
of  punitive  self-righteousness.  We  cannot  punish 
our  national  drug  problem  out  of  existence  any 
more  than  we  can  hide  our  heads  ostrich-like  in 
the  sand  and  say  we  have  no  problem. 

I do  not  suggest  that  the  blueprint  which  I have 
set  forth  is  a panacea  for  drug  abuse.  I do  pro- 
pose it  as  a beginning  point  in  a comprehensive 
plan  to  deal  effectively  with  a major  social  crisis 
confronting  the  American  people.  *** 

4729  Kings  Highway  (39201) 


BAGGAGE  CLAIM 

Upon  landing  on  the  moon  and  surveying  the  situation,  one 
astronaut  quipped  to  the  other:  “Even  though  our  technology  has 
advanced  remarkably,  I’m  happy  to  see  one  feature  of  our 
government  hasn’t  changed  since  World  War  II.  Here  we  are 
on  the  moon  and  our  supplies  are  on  Venus.” 


598 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


the  case  against 
chiropractic 


J'- 


, 


-f 


Who  are  they?  Why  are  they  rejected  by  the  medical 
profession?  What  exactly  is  the  cult  of  chiropractic? 

Learn  the  answers  to  these  questions  and  many  more 
from  a startling  new  book  by  renowned  medical  jour- 
nalist and  public  affairs  specialist,  Ralph  Lee  Smith. 

AT  YOUR  OWN  RISK:  The  Case  Against  Chiropractic  is 
a probing  study  of  chiropractors  and  their  methods  of 
treatment.  It  follows  the  history  of  chiropractic  from 
its  conception  by  an  Iowa  grocer  in  1895  to  present 
day  practices. 

Travel  with  Mr.  Smith  as  both  patient  and  visitor  to 
many  of  the  nation’s  chiropractic  schools  and  clinics. 
And  learn  why  he  recommends  that  chiropractic  be 
the  subject  of  immediate  legislative  review. 

Available  from  the  AMA  through  special  arrangements 
with  the  publisher.  Send  your  order  to  the  AMA,  535 
North  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois  60610. 


I enclose  $. 


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The  Case  Against  Chiropractic. 


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Radiologic  Seminar  Cl 
Roentgen  Changes  in  the  Sella  Turcica 

in  Pituitary  Tumors 


The  location  of  the  pituitary  gland  in  relation 
to  the  sella  turcica  is  such  that  a pituitary  tumor 
can  readily  produce  changes  in  the  sella  which  can 
be  demonstrated  on  plain  skull  films. 

The  vast  majority  of  pituitary  tumors  are  ade- 
nomas, either  chromophobe  in  type  or  chromo- 
philic  in  type.  The  chromophilic  adenomas  may 
either  be  of  the  acidophilic  or  basophilic  type  and 
make  up  about  20  per  cent  of  these  tumors. 
Chromophobe  adenomas  make  up  about  80  per 
cent  of  the  tumors.  Adenocarcinoma  and  adaman- 
tinomas of  the  pituitary  gland  may  occur,  but  they 
are  rare. 

The  roentgen  findings  are  the  result  of  pres- 
sure atrophy  caused  by  direct  contact  with  the 
tumor.  Basophilic  and  acidophilic  adenomas  may 
cause  marked  symptoms  without  demonstrable 
changes  in  the  sella.  Chromophobe  adenomas  can 
also  be  large  enough  to  produce  neurological 
signs,  especially  from  pressure  on  the  optic 
chasma,  without  producing  x-ray  changes  in  the 
sella. 

A typical  early  deformity  is  simultaneous 
atrophy  of  the  dorsum  sella  and  the  floor  of  the 
sella  turcica.  The  dorsum  first  becomes  thinner 
and  more  concave  and  appears  pushed  backward 
causing  an  increase  in  the  sagittal  dimension  of 
the  fossa.  This  then  may  go  on  to  complete  de- 
struction of  the  dorsum  and  the  posterior  clinoid 
process.  At  the  same  time  the  floor  of  the  sella 
becomes  thinner  and  more  depressed  and  finally 
encroaches  on  the  sphenoid  sinus.  The  tumor  may 
produce  changes  on  one  side  more  than  the  other. 
The  anterior  clinoid  processes  do  not,  as  a rule, 
share  in  bone  atrophy  in  connection  with  pituitary 
tumors. 


Sponsored  by  the  Mississippi  Radiological  Society. 

From  the  Department  of  Radiology,  Houston  Hospital, 
Inc. 


LYNDON  M.  CONLEY,  M.D. 

Houston,  Mississippi 

Calcification  can  occur  in  pituitary  adenomas. 
Malignant  tumors  tend  to  be  more  rapid  in  growth 
and  to  destroy  by  infiltration. 

Clinically,  hypopituitarism  is  usually  associ- 
ated with  chromophobe  adenomas.  In  children, 
this  results  in  pituitary  dwarfism.  In  adults,  there 
is  loss  of  energy,  easy  fatigability,  and  lack  of 
libido.  There  is  also  frequently  a superior  quad- 
rant defect  in  the  temporal  visual  field  followed 
by  progressive  changes  and  finally  a loss  of  vision. 

Pituitary  acidophilism  in  childhood  results  in 
gigantism.  In  adults,  there  is  acromegaly. 


Figure  1.  Note  erosion  of  floor  of  the  sella  and 
destructive  changes  in  anterior  and  posterior  clinoids. 


Pituitary  basophifism  results  in  a particular 
symptoms  complex  identified  by  rapid  and  pain- 
ful obesity,  hypertrichosis  and  amenorrhea,  high 
red  blood  cell  count,  high  hemoglobin,  high  blood 
pressure,  kyphosis,  abdominal  purplish  stiae,  high 
cholesterol,  glycosuria,  and  general  osteoporosis. 
The  syndrome  is  more  common  in  females. 


600 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Figure  2.  Note  rounding  of  the  sella  turcica,  un- 
dermining of  the  anterior  clinoid  process  and  thin- 
ning of  the  dorsum  sella,  producing  so-called  “bal- 
looning.” 


It  should  be  noted  that  changes  in  the  sella 
turcica  are  not  limited  by  any  means  to  tumors  of 
the  pituitary  gland,  although  pituitary  tumors  are 
the  most  common  cause  of  enlargement  of  the 
sella.  Craniopharyngiomas  (Rathke  pouch  tu- 
mors), suprasellar  or  tuberculum  sella  meningio- 
mas, and  aneurysms  of  the  adjacent  intracavern- 
ous  portion  of  the  internal  carotid  artery  may  also 
produce  enlargement  and  destruction  of  the  sella. 
Also,  dilatation  of  the  third  ventricle  with  in- 
creased intracranial  pressure  may  produce  these 
changes. 

Recognition  of  gross  changes  in  the  sella  tur- 
cica is  usually  an  easy  matter.  More  subtle,  earlier 
changes  may  easily  be  overlooked  unless  one 
measures  the  sella.  Normally  on  the  lateral  x-ray 
the  greatest  anteroposterior  diameter  in  the 
adult  will  not  exceed  17  mm.,  and  the  depth  will 
not  be  greater  than  13  mm.  Other  measurements 
including  area  calculations  may  be  informative  in 
borderline  cases.  Also,  one  must  not  loose  sight 
of  the  fact  that  borderline  cases  of  enlargement, 
without  symptoms  pointing  to  a lesion  in  this 
area,  exist.  In  most  of  these  cases  further  investi- 
gation by  arteriography  and  pneumoencephalog- 
raphy will  reveal  no  evidence  of  abnormality. 

Following  are  three  example  of  x-ray  findings 
in  pituitary  tumors: 

Case  No.  1.  This  patient  was  originally  seen 
because  of  injury  and  the  skull  x-rays  showed  ex- 
tensive changes  in  the  sella  turcica.  There  is  noted 
erosion  of  both  anterior  and  posterior  clinoid 
processes  and  erosion  of  the  floor  of  the  sella. 


3.  Note  extensive  destructive  changes  in  dorsum 
and  posterior  clinoid  process.  Also  demonstrated  is 
enlargement  of  the  paranasal  sinuses  commonly  seen 
in  acromegaly. 


The  patient  apparently  gave  a history  of  progres- 
sive loss  of  vision  over  a period  of  time. 

Case  No.  2.  This  patient  presented  symptoms 
of  acromegaly.  This  sella  turcica  does  not  show 
as  extensive  changes  as  in  Case  No.  1.  The 
changes  in  this  case  are  seen  mainly  as  erosion 
of  the  floor  of  the  sella  turcica.  Also,  in  this  case, 
the  findings  appear  to  be  more  pronounced  on 
one  side  than  on  the  other.  Arrows  outline  the 
floor  of  sella. 

Case  No.  3.  The  patient  also  presents  clini- 
cal findings  of  acromegaly.  Here  again,  there  are 
extensive  changes  in  the  sella  turcica.  The  dorsum 
and  posterior  clinoid  processes  snow  evidence  of 
destruction,  and  also  the  flood  of  the  sella,  while 
the  anterior  clinoid  processes  appear  intact. 

In  conclusion,  the  pituitary  gland  is  located  in 
an  area  where  a tumor  can  produce  changes  in 
the  sella  turcica  which  can  be  of  diagnostic  sign- 
ificance on  plain  films  of  the  skull,  although  tu- 
mors of  the  pituitary  can  cause  clinical  findings 
without  appreciable  changes  in  the  sella  turcica. 

★★★ 

Hwy.  8 East  (3885 1 ) 

REFERENCES 

1.  Eugene  P.  Pendergrass,  M.D.;  J.  Parsons  Schaeffer, 
M.D.  and  Phillip  J.  Hodges,  M.D.:  Head  and  Neck 
in  Roentgen  Diagnosis,  2nd  Edition,  Vol.  II,  Pages: 
950-971.  ~ 

2.  Alfred  A.  De  Lorimier.  M.D.;  Henry  C.  Moehring, 
M.D.  and  John  R.  Honnan,  M.D.:  Clinical  Roentgen- 
ology, Vol.  II,  Pages:  149-153. 

3.  Paul  F.  J.  New,  M.D.:  The  Radiological  Clinics  of 
North  America,  April  1966,  Pages:  75-91. 


NOVEMBER  1970 


601 


The  President  Speaking 


‘A  Busted  Play?’ 


PAUL  B.  BRUMBY,  M.D. 
Lexington,  Mississippi 


During  the  1970  football  season,  we  have  seen  the  busted 
play  which,  on  occasion  is  turned  into  a gain  by  an  alert  offense. 
This  is  a fair  description  of  consideration  of  H.R.  17550,  the 
Social  Security  Amendments  of  1970,  now  before  the  Senate 
Finance  Committee  after  passage  by  the  House  of  Representatives. 
We  are  concerned  with  amendments  to  Titles  V (Maternal  and 
Child  Welfare  Grants),  XVIII  (Medicare)  and  XIX  (Medicaid). 
Especially  are  we  interested  in  peer  review,  a program  of  Amer- 
ican medicine  to  which  the  Congress  has  taken  a liking. 

Sen.  Wallace  Bennett  (R.,  Utah),  basically  a conservative, 
introduced  Amendment  No.  851  to  the  bill,  providing  for  a Pro- 
fessional Standards  Review  Organization.  Apart  from  this,  he  is 
a cosponsor  of  AMA’s  Medicredit  and  PRO,  the  kissing  cousin 
to  his  PSRO.  It  is  in  the  latter  that  medicine  has  found  reason 
to  record  objections.  PSRO,  while  maintaining  in  principle  the 
concept  of  physician  review  of  medical  services,  goes  too  far  and 
is  too  punitive  in  certain  aspects. 

AMA’s  testimony  hit  hard  on  points  of  objection:  Limiting 
peer  review  to  physicians’  services  and  not  including  those  of 
other  providers,  i.e.,  hospitals,  dentists,  etc.;  the  punitive  provi- 
sions, including  fines  for  infractions;  and  the  requirement  for  prior 
approval  in  admissions  for  elective  procedures. 

The  Senate  Finance  Committee  receded  from  most  of  this  hard 
line  position  by  limiting  physician  review  to  medical  services 
by  physicians,  substituting  “professional  persuasion”  as  the  first 
resort  for  blatant  misuse  instead  of  fines,  and  by  eliminating 
the  prior  approval  requirement,  leaving  the  matter  in  the  hands 
of  the  review  organization.  Still  dangling  are  the  composition  of 
the  review  body  and  priority  to  state  medical  associations  in 
determining  who  shall  perform  this  task. 

We  should  support  AMA’s  position  and  give  new  and  impor- 
tant impetus  to  the  Mississippi  concept  of  peer  review  approved 
by  our  House  of  Delegates  and  implemented  by  our  competent 
Committee  on  Peer  Review.  This  is  one  busted  play  which  can 
be  turned  into  a touchdown.  *** 


602 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


JOURNAL  OF  THE 
MISSISSIPPI  STATE 
MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

VOLUME  XI,  NUMBER  11 
NOVEMBER  1970 


Mississippi  Peer  Review: 
The  Practicing  M.D.’s  Own  Plan 


I 

Peer  review  is  the  newest  American  medical 
household  word.  It  has  no  hidden  or  surreptitious 
meanings,  no  clandestine  connotation,  nor  sub- 
versive intent.  As  far  as  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  is  concerned,  peer  review 
means  what  it  says:  Physicians’  managing  their 
own  house  with  review  of  the  quality  and  costs  of 
medical  care. 

At  the  102nd  Annual  Session  in  May  1970, 
peer  review  was  the  most-discussed  and  voted  on 
issue  before  the  House  of  Delegates.  It  was  the 
heart  of  the  president’s  address  and  the  subject 
of  a supplemental  report  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 
Open  debate  on  it  was  conducted  before  the  best- 
attended  reference  committee,  and  the  delegates 
voted  on  it,  directly  and  indirectly,  three  times. 
All  votes  were  overwhelmingly  affirmative  with 
no  opposition  recorded. 

The  House  of  Delegates  created  a constitu- 
tional Committee  on  Peer  Review  and  gave  it  one 
of  the  most  massive  assignments  ever  handed  to 
a committee.  The  nine-member  body,  geograph- 
ically apportioned  by  association  districts  so  as 
to  be  representative  of  the  practicing  profession, 
has  conducted  four  meetings,  despite  the  fact  that 
the  1970-71  association  year  has  not  yet  reached 


the  half-way  mark.  The  committee  has  reached 
out  to  touch  elements  of  the  health  care  team  and 
voluntary  and  government  financing  mechanisms 
which  have  never  before  had  liaison  with  the 
association. 

Peer  review  is  a going  concern  in  Mississippi, 
operating  under  association  aegis,  association  def- 
initions, association  policies,  and  physician  leader- 
ship. But  recent  legislation  before  the  final  hours 
of  the  91st  Congress  has  stirred  some  doubts 
about  peer  review,  and  regrettably,  much  mis- 
information about  it  has  been  circulated.  In  most 
instances,  this  is  a matter  of  misunderstanding. 
The  time  has  come  to  restate  association  policy 
as  established  by  the  House  of  Delegates  and  to 
describe  constructive  effort  and  work  by  the  new 
committee.  In  brief,  we  are  going  to  clear  up  peer 
review  pollution  and  get  on  with  the  job. 

II 

“Cur  names  are  labels,  plainly  printed  on  the 
bottled  essence  of  our  past  behavior,”  wrote 
Logan  Pearsall  Smith.  For  American  medicine, 
peer  review  is  nothing  new.  In  1955,  the  griev- 
ance committee  mechanism,  designed  to  prevent 
and  resolve  differences  between  physician  and 
patient  was  standardized  among  almost  all  medi- 


NOVEMBER  1970 


60  3 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

cal  societies.  In  1968,  fee  review  was  approved 
by  the  state  medical  association.  The  following 
year,  peer  review  began  to  take  shape  under  the 
leadership  of  Dr.  James  L.  Royals,  the  1969-70 
president. 

“Within  our  own  ranks,”  Dr.  Royals  said,  “we 
must  develop  a working  system  of  peer  review  as 
an  effective  instrument  of  self-regulation.  The  un- 
acceptable alternative — and  it  is  virtually  upon 
us — is  submission  to  third  parties  who  would 
sit  in  judgment  upon  the  quality  of  care  and  the 
price  paid  for  it.” 

The  president  emphasized  that  “physicians  are 
best  equipped  to  make  these  judgments,  but  we 
must  make  responsible  and  worthy  judgments  if 
we  are  to  have  them  accepted.” 

“Perhaps  most  important  of  all,”  Dr.  Royals 
reminded,  “is  the  thrust  of  peer  review  which  is 
not  punitive  but  educational  and  corrective.  We 
must  learn  to  work  in  harmony  with  peer  re- 
view and  honor  the  judgments  of  our  colleagues. 
Otherwise,  we  shall  certainly  be  judged  by 
others.” 

Frequently,  Dr.  Royals  said  in  speeches,  pre- 
sentations to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  even  in 
conversation  that  he  “wanted  no  insurance  com- 
pany or  third  party  judging  me  and  my  profes- 
sional services.  I want  other  physicians  to  review 
my  services  to  my  patients.” 

This,  then,  is  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  As- 
sociation Peer  Review  program  which  combines 
the  functions  and  responsibilities  of  the  old 
grievance  committee,  the  fee  review  activity,  and 
now  the  umbrella  of  peer  review  for  quality,  de- 
livery, and  cost  of  care.  The  association  defini- 
tion, since  formalized  in  the  By-Laws,  includes 
but  is  not  limited  to  resolution  of  differences  be- 
tween patient  and  physician,  review  of  the  qual- 
ity of  medical  care,  adequacy  and/or  reason- 
ableness of  fees  whether  due  or  paid  from  pri- 
vate or  public  sources,  and  liaison  with  private 
and  public  sources  of  medical  care  financing. 

In  its  special  report  which  was  approved  by  the 
House  of  Delegates,  the  Board  of  Trustees  of- 
fered precise  definitions:  “Peer  review  operates 
essentially  in  two  areas,  scientific  and  economic. 
Scientifically,  we  are  concerned  with  the  quality 
of  medical  care.  We  are  interested  in  the  orga- 
nization and  delivery  of  care  and  availability  and 
accessibility.  We  are  just  as  interested  in  prob- 
lems of  underutilization  of  health  care  resources 
as  we  are  in  overutilization,  a wasteful  drain  on 
manpower,  facilities,  and  funds. 

“Economically,”  the  Board  continued,  “peer 


review  is  a two-way  street.  We  are  interested  in 
fair  and  just  compensation  for  quality  services 
rendered,  preferably  under  the  concept  of  usual 
and  customary  fees  which  we  have  also  en- 
dorsed. We  are  equally  concerned  when  there 
is  reason  to  believe  that  excessive  charges  have 
been  made  or  when  any  charge  relates  to  what 
physicians  may  determine  to  be  an  unnecessary 
service.  We  are  interested  in  proper  and  optimum 
and  maximum  benefit  use  of  the  health  care  dol- 
lar, whether  personal  and  out-of-pocket  or  from 
tax  (public)  sources.” 

Almost  no  major  program  of  the  association 
has  been  implemented  so  rapidly  or  so  com- 
petently as  the  peer  review  project.  And  it  has 
been  done  under  an  association-forged  program 
by  association  members  in  a constitutional 
frame  of  reference  and  crystal  clear  policy  es- 
tablished by  the  House  of  Delegates. 

Ill 

Enter  now  upon  the  American  medical  scene 
H.R.  17550,  the  Social  Security  Amendments 
of  1970,  which  is  concerned  in  no  small  way 
with  Medicare  and  Medicaid.  The  combined  fed- 
eral tab  on  these  programs  is  about  $15  billion 
per  year,  and  they  have  extended  the  medical 
care  purchasing  base  by  almost  40  million  Amer- 
icans. It  is  not  in  the  least  astonishing  that  the 
Congress  would  have  a logical  concern  about  get- 


604 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


ting  the  most  for  the  public  health  care  dollar. 

AMA’s  Medicredit  bill  (Medicredit:  Delivery 
System  in  AMA’s  Image,  J.M.S.M.A.  XI:69-71 
(Feb.)  1970)  took  this  into  account  by  propos- 
ing a Peer  Review  Organization  (PRO)  under 
state  medical  association  control  and  sponsorship. 
Since  introduction  of  the  measure,  a separate 
PRO  bill  has  been  dropped  into  the  hopper  with 
nearly  30  Congressional  sponsors. 

Meanwhile,  H.R.  17550  cleared  the  House  of 
Representatives  and  went  to  the  Senate  where 
Sen.  Wallace  Bennett  (R.,  Utah)  offered  Amend- 
ment No.  851  which  would  establish  a Profes- 
sional Standards  Review  Organization  (PSRO). 
The  Bennett  amendment,  while  closely  parallel 
to  AMA’s  PRO,  has  some  rough  edges  and  puni- 
tive provisions.  Nobody  in  the  Senate,  no  mem- 
ber of  the  Senate  Finance  Committee  which  re- 
ceived the  bill  and  amendment,  and  especially 
Sen.  Bennett  himself  expect  Amendment  No.  851 
to  be  enacted  into  law  as  initially  drafted. 

In  testimony  before  the  committee,  Dr.  Wil- 
liam O.  LaMotte,  Jr.,  of  Wilmington,  Del.,  chair- 
man of  the  AMA  Council  on  Legislation,  made 
medicine’s  objections  to  portions  of  the  amend- 
ment quite  clear.  He  asked  that  priority  on  con- 
tracts with  state  medical  associations  for  PSRO 
activities  be  mandatory,  as  opposed  to  contracts 
with  “medical  societies.”  He  asked  that  composi- 
tion of  the  PSRO  be  specified,  as  it  is  in  AMA’s 
PRO. 

Dr.  LaMotte  objected  to  prior  authorization 
for  elective  procedures,  and  he  found  the  puni- 
tive provisions  unacceptable.  Moreover,  the  AMA 
testimony  stressed,  PSRO  reviews  the  full  spec- 
trum of  health  services,  whereas  PRO  is  con- 
cerned only  with  physicians. 

That  the  AMA  testimony  was  effective  is  seen 
in  changes  made  in  PSRO.  The  prior  authoriza- 
tion requirement  for  elective  procedures  was 
sacked,  and  separate  review  mechanisms  were  au- 
thorized for  each  provider  field,  i.e.,  physicians 
reviewing  physicians  and  dentists  reviewing  den- 
tists. “Professional  persuasion”  was  prescribed 
for  findings  of  unnecessary  surgery  or  overuti- 
lization of  hospital  facilities  as  a measure  of  first 
resort — not  punitive  measures. 

While  these  processes  were  developing,  some 
became  apprehensive  about  the  Bennett  amend- 
ment, forgetting  for  the  moment  that  the  senator 
from  Utah  is  no  wild-eyed  liberal.  His  intention 
parallels  that  of  AMA.  It  has  been  a matter  of 
adjusting  viewpoints,  clarifying  language  in  pro- 
posed law,  and  bringing  together  the  parties  at 
essential  interest  in  the  medical  care  plans  af- 
fected. 


IV 

What  began  as  a logical  extension  of  grievance 
and  fee  review  committee  activity  suddenly  found 
itself  in  federal  and  federally-assisted  health  care 
plans.  All  of  this  is  to  say  that  peer  review  is  for 
real,  and  it  is  rapidly  becoming  a matter  of  fish 
or  cut  bait  for  state  medical  associations.  Nobody 
should  be  surprised  that  where  a state  medical 
association  is  unwilling  or  unable  to  conduct  its 
own  peer  review,  the  Secretary  of  HEW  will  do 
it  for  the  organization. 

The  few  who  became  overly  alarmed  at  the 
Bennett  amendment  made  their  fears  known  be- 
fore the  Senate  Finance  Committee  hearings  were 
complete  or  the  tentative  position  of  the  commit- 
tee was  announced.  One  state  medical  association 
called  a special  session  of  its  House  of  Dele- 
gates before  the  hearing  was  conducted  and  con- 
demned peer  review. 

But  here  in  Mississippi,  the  association  has 
acted  with  foresight  and  prudence.  The  clear-cut 
policy,  the  sound  organization  under  the  Commit- 
tee on  Peer  Review,  the  stability  of  leadership, 
and  a host  of  sensibly  planned  and  executed  ac- 
tions make  the  Mississippi  peer  review  system  one 
to  be  emulated.  In  Dr.  Royals’  words,  we  are  on 
our  way  to  being  masters  of  our  own  house. — 
R.B.K. 

Be  Sure  to  Answer 
NORC’s  Call 

Four  thousand  two  hundred  American  physi- 
cians in  private  practice  may  soon  be  interviewed 
on  costs  of  health  care  and  use  of  medical  ser- 
vices by  their  patients.  It  is  all  part  of  a land- 
mark study  by  the  Center  for  Health  Administra- 
tion Studies  and  the  National  Opinion  Research 
Center  (NORC)  of  the  University  of  Chicago. 
AMA  has  endorsed  the  project. 

NORC  is  initiating  its  fourth  study  of  care 
cost  and  use  of  medical  services  by  American 
families.  The  purpose  is  to  measure  the  effective- 
ness of  health  insurance,  commercial  and  Blue 
plans,  in  meeting  the  costs  of  care.  Only  those 
families  purchasing  medical  care  in  the  past  year 
will  be  in  the  sample.  When,  in  the  course  of  the 
family  interview,  a physician’s  name  is  mentioned, 
the  research  organization  will  ask  the  inter- 
viewee’s permission  to  query  the  doctor. 

The  NORC  interviewer  will  present  the  phy- 
sician a letter  of  introduction  and  endorsement 
from  Dr.  Ernest  B.  Howard,  executive  vice  pres- 
ident of  AMA.  Information  sources,  identity  of 


NOVEMBER  1970 


605 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

those  interviewed,  and  information  derived  from 
the  sessions,  are,  of  course,  held  in  strict  con- 
fidence. 

As  some  physicians  know,  these  insurance  ef- 
fectiveness studies  are  not  new.  NORC  has  con- 
ducted three,  in  f 95 3 , 1958,  and  1963,  and  they 
have  become  standard  references  on  authorita- 
tive information  on  health  insurance  effective- 
ness. The  interview  of  families  selected  in  the 
sample  will  be  comprehensive  and  lengthy.  Not 
so  with  the  physician  interviews  which  are  more 
in  the  nature  of  verification  inquiries. 

The  support  of  Mississippi  physicians  is  re- 
quested in  this  project  which  will  be  immensely 
valuable  to  American  medicine,  voluntary  pre- 
payment, and  insurance  carriers  in  measuring  the 
impact  of  voluntary  health  care  financing  on 
costs.  When  the  doorbell  rings,  if  it’s  NORC  in- 
stead of  Avon  calling,  we  ask  your  help. — R.B.K. 

The  Passing 
of  the  Panama 

The  Panama  Limited,  perhaps  the  last  of  the 
nation’s  great  passenger  trains,  will  be  no  more 
after  Nov.  23.  The  passing  of  the  Panama  hardly 
seems  a fit  subject  for  editorial  comment  in  a 
medical  journal,  but  this  train  has  figured  prom- 
inently in  the  lives  of  hundreds  of  Mississippi 
physicians. 

Consider  how,  during  the  40-odd  years  that  Nos. 
5 and  6 of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  plied  the 
Main  Line  of  Mid-America,  many  Mississippi 
M.D.’s  and  their  families  regarded  it  as  the  only 
way  to  and  from  a Chicago  medical  meeting. 
How  many  more  medical  students,  now  in  prac- 
tice, savored  the  luxury  of  Panama  transporta- 
tion between  New  Orleans,  Memphis,  St.  Louis, 
and  Chicago  and  their  respective  Mississippi 
homes? 

And  consider  the  impressive  list  of  IC  surgeons 
from  McComb  City  (as  the  conductor  always 
said)  all  the  way  up  to  Batesville  who  cared  for 
the  crews  and  maintenance  teams.  In  fact,  it  was 
an  unusual  night  when  there  wasn’t  a physician 
headed  north  on  the  Panama  or  when  no  M.D. 
checked  in  at  the  first  gate  in  the  just-south  Chi- 
cago IC  station. 

The  Panama  Limited  is  a victim  of  progress, 
shifting  values,  and  changing  times.  During  1969, 
operation  of  the  train  lost  $1  million  for  the  IC, 
and  equipment  obsolescence  is  another  prime  con- 

606 


sideration.  The  two  train  units,  diesels  and  cars, 
are  25  years  old.  Despite  excellent — and  expen-  1 
sive — maintenance,  they  need  replacing,  and  the 
tab  on  this  is  $7  million.  1C  officials  point  out 
that  they  haven’t  that  kind  of  investment  capital 
to  put  into  a losing  proposition. 

To  many  Mississippians,  the  Panama  is  more 
of  an  institution  than  a common  carrier.  Luxury 
and  personal  service  were  the  bywords  during 
the  happy,  halcyon  hours  of  travel  in  the  all- 
Pullman  streamliner.  The  cheerful,  competent 
porters  and  waiters  took  pride  in  long  service  and 
professionalism.  The  bedroom  was  invariably  im- 
maculate, and  you  always  wondered  how  the  lug- 
gage got  there  ahead  of  you  with  bags  neatly 
stowed  away  and  coats  hung  on  real  wood  hang- 
ers. 

Then  there  was  the  club  car,  the  complimentary 
Kauna  cheese  with  the  refreshments,  and  a handy 
copy  of  the  Times  Picayune  or  Chicago  Tribune 
to  peruse.  Dinner  was  a state  occasion  on  the 
two-car  diner  with  crab  fingers,  Great  Lakes 
whitefish,  and  a charcoaled  steak  two  inches 
thick.  And  as  at  the  auberge  adjacent  to  the  gour- 
met restaurants  in  Lyons,  the  bed  was  turned 
down  for  the  well-nourished  traveler  upon  return 
to  the  Pullman. 

Breakfast  was  no  less  a ceremony  of  good  ser- 
vice and  excellent  food.  The  steaming  coffee, 
thick  French  toast  with  real  maple  syrup,  the 


“That’s  the  third  one  this  week.  O' Brian.  . . . We 
make  a pretty  good  team.” 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


morning  papers,  and  gleaming  silver  on  flawless 
napery  started  the  day  just  right.  Overnight,  the 
shoes  had  been  shined,  too. 

Just  how,  if  all  this  is  true,  can  a mobile  pop- 
ulation let  the  Panama  pass  away?  Time  and 
schedule  pressures  are  the  primary  reasons,  be- 
cause Delta  and  Southern  require  only  two  hours 
to  do  what  the  Panama  did  in  14  hours.  And 
there  is  the  matter  of  transportation  economics: 
A single  DC-9  jet  can  carry  more  passengers  be- 
tween Chicago  and  New  Orleans  in  a week  than 
both  Panamas  can  in  a month — for  much  less 
money,  too. 

American  railroads,  unquestionably  the  win- 
ners of  the  west  in  the  19th  century,  haven’t  had 
a fair  shake  in  the  1900’s.  Whereas  the  air  lines 
enjoy  the  use  of  modern  terminal  and  airport 
facilities  built  by  cities  with  federal  aid,  the  rail- 
roads must  purchase  their  right-of-way,  build  and 
maintain  tracks,  and  pay  taxes  on  the  whole  she- 
bang. 

The  air  lines  enjoy  use  of  the  world’s  best  high- 
way system  with  100  per  cent  federally  financed 
and  supported  VOR  navigation  facilities  and 
terminal  radar.  The  railroads  buy,  install,  and 
operate  their  own  communications  and  signal  sys- 
tems, just  as  they  must  provide  for  “terminal” 
facilities  in  stations.  Almost  half  of  the  team  back- 
ing up  the  jet  are  on  the  federal  payroll,  but  about 
the  only  federal  salary  implicit  in  the  railroad  pic- 
ture is  that  of  the  U.  S.  district  attorney  who  sues 
it. 

So  the  passing  of  the  Panama  convokes  a happy 
and  simultaneously  sad  nostalgia  as  it  marks  the 
end  of  an  era.  It  also  reminds  us  that  transporta- 
tion economics  need  a second  look. — R.B.K. 

Bloody  Tort:  Liability 
Without  Negligence 

The  Illinois  State  Supreme  Court  has  shaken 
up  hospitals  and  physicians  in  its  decision  in 
Cunningham  v.  MacNeal  Memorial  Hospital.  The 
tribunal  applied  the  products  liability  doctrine 
to  blood  supplied  for  human  transfusion,  even 
though  no  negligence  was  involved. 

The  suit  was  brought  when  one  Frances  Cun- 
ningham sought  damages  for  blood  received 
which  caused  hepatitis.  The  trial  court  found  for 
the  defendant  hospital  which  had  not  been  negli- 
gent. On  appeal,  the  Supreme  Court  found  for 
the  plaintiff,  stating  that  “it  is  no  defense  for  the 
hospital  to  show  that  it  had  done  everything  pos- 
sible to  preclude  the  existence  of  the  virus."  By 
remanding  the  case  to  the  lower  court  for  retrial 


under  strict  tort  liability  doctrine  in  product  litiga- 
tion, the  high  court  defined  blood  as  a product 
and  not  a service. 

Mississippi  was  one  of  the  first  four  states 
to  secure  a legislative  enactment  defining  blood 
transfusion  as  a service  and  not  a sale.  The  doc- 
trine, therefore,  would  not  and  could  not  apply 
here.  Altogether,  25  states  have  this  vital  law 
on  the  books.  Illinois,  unfortunately,  does  not. 

Bernard  D.  Hirsh,  general  counsel  of  AMA, 
said  that  “this  doctrine,  applied  previously  to 
commercial  products,  imposes  liability  for  un- 
limited damages  for  injuries  caused  by  a defec- 
tive or  contaminated  product,  regardless  of  wheth- 
er the  defect  or  contamination  was  caused  by 
negligence,  and  regardless  of  whether  it  is  pos- 
sible to  prevent  the  defect  or  contamination. 

“As  applied  to  blood  for  transfusions,”  Mr. 
Hirsh  continues,  “this  doctrine  would  appear  to 
create  a serious  financial  hazard  in  the  use  of 
blood  for  transfusions  in  medical  care.  Even  if 
insurance  protection  can  be  obtained,  it  seems 
likely  to  have  a substantial  effect  of  increasing 
the  general  cost  of  medical  care.” 

Both  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society  and 
Illinois  Hospital  Association  went  to  the  Supreme 
Court  in  the  case  as  amici  curiae  or  friends  of 
the  court  who  had  a substantial  interest  in  the 
outcome  of  the  case.  As  it  turns  out,  they  did, 
because  hospitals  and  physicians  stand  naked  and 
virtually  defenseless  before  the  decision,  easy  prey 
to  damage  suits  even  where  no  negligence  is  pres- 
ent. And  exactly  half  of  the  states  have  a new 
reason  for  concern  in  tort  liability. — R.B.K. 

Sen.  Eastland  Helps 
the  Chiropractors 

It  is  disquieting  to  learn  that  Sen.  James  O. 
Eastland,  the  respected  and  powerful  leader  in 
the  U.  S.  Senate,  cosponsored  a bill  to  include 
the  services  of  chiropractors  under  Medicare’s 
Part  1-B.  In  fact,  there  is  every  reason  in  the 
world  for  the  senator  to  withhold  his  immense 
prestige  and  influence  from  such,  because  he  rep- 
resents one  of  the  two  states  which  refuse  to  place 
the  badge  of  respectability  and  legality  on  this 
cult. 

But  it  is  true,  because  Sen.  Eastland  has  joined 
as  a cosponsor  with  Sen.  Clinton  Anderson  (D., 
N.  Mex.)  for  S.  1812,  “a  bill  to  amend  Title 
XVIII  of  the  Social  Security  Act  so  as  to  include 
chiropractors’  services  among  the  benefits  provided 
by  the  insurance  program  established  by  Part  B 
of  such  title.” 


NOVEMBER  1970 


607 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 


There  is  further  reason  for  the  senator’s  having 
avoided  this  action:  Just  about  every  agency,  or- 
ganization, and  individual  with  the  smallest  modi- 
cum of  interest  in  health  care  delivery  have  de- 
nounced chiropractic  for  the  quackery  it  is. 

The  AFL-CIO  opposes  chiropractic,  as  does 
the  Senior  Citizens  of  America.  President  Nixon’s 
Task  Force  on  Medicaid  and  Medicare  slammed 
the  cult.  The  National  Advisory  Commission  on 
Health  Manpower  gave  the  spine  punchers  the 
shaft,  and  even  former  HEW  Secretary  Wilbur 
J.  Cohen,  hardly  the  president  of  the  AMA  fan 
club,  denounced  it  with  a fervor  difficult  to  de- 
scribe and  a logic  impossible  to  refute. 

The  House  Committee  on  Ways  and  Means 
turned  the  cultists  away,  and  HEW  has  recom- 
mended to  the  Congress  that  “a  legislative  amend- 
ment should  be  enacted  denying  financial  partici- 
pation in  Medicaid  payments  to  chiropractors. . . 

The  American  Chiropractic  Association,  re- 
porting its  1970  national  convention  in  Hawaii, 
said  in  its  journal  that  “to  help  make  the  conven- 
tion a successful  one  and  to  give  cause  for  extra 
celebration,  convention  goers  were  treated  to  the 
good  news  that  U.  S.  Senator  James  Eastland  of 
Mississippi  had  cosponsored  S.  1812  now  being 
considered  by  the  U.  S.  Senate  for  chiropractic 
inclusion  in  Medicare.” 

The  chiropractors  were  so  ecstatic  about  the 
powerful  Mississippian  that  they  failed  to  mention 
the  name  of  Sen.  Anderson,  their  legislative  angel, 
at  all. 

We  hope  that  Sen.  Eastland,  who  has  always 
commanded  our  respect  and  admiration  for  his 
exercise  of  statesmanship,  will  withdraw  his  in- 
fluential endorsement  from  this  harmful  proposal. 
— R.B.K. 


Pediatric  Heart 
Disease  Course  Slated 

“Congenital  and  Acquired  Heart  Disease  in  In- 
fants and  Children,”  a pediatric  cardiology  post- 
graduate course,  will  be  presented  by  the  Amer- 
ican Academy  of  Pediatrics  and  the  Department 
of  Pediatrics  of  the  University  of  Florida  Col- 
lege of  Medicine,  Dec.  9-12,  1970. 

The  seminar  will  convene  at  the  Happy  Dol- 
phin Inn,  St.  Petersburg  Beach,  Fla.  Inquiries 
and  requests  for  registration  forms  should  be  di- 
rected to  Dr.  Gerald  Hughes,  Secretary  for  Edu- 
cational Affairs,  American  Academy  of  Pediat- 
rics, P.  O.  Box  1034,  Evanston,  111.  60204. 


I 


November  4,  1970 

Thromboembolic  Disease:  The  pClot  That 
Kills 

University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 
November  4,  1970,  beginning  at  9:30  a.m. 

Sponsored  by  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  with  the  support  of  the 
Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Program 

Participants: 

Kenneth  R.  Bennett,  M.D.,  assistant  professor  of 
medicine,  The  University  of  Mississippi  School 
of  Medicine,  and  director  of  the  coronary  care 
training  program,  Mississippi  Regional  Medical 
Program 

H.  Davis  Dear,  M.D.,  assistant  professor  of  medi- 
cine, The  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine 

C.  Jay  Kees,  M.D.,  instructor  in  radiology,  The 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 

John  D.  Morgan,  M.D.,  instructor  in  medicine, 
The  University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medi- 
cine 

Francis  S.  Morrison,  M.D.,  associate  professor  of 
medicine  and  instructor  in  clinical  laboratory 
sciences,  The  University  of  Mississippi  School 
of  Medicine 

Joe  Robert  Norman,  M.D.,  professor  of  medicine, 
Christmas  Seal  professor  of  respiratory  dis- 
eases, and  associate  professor  of  physiology 
and  biophysics,  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine 

Roland  B,  Robertson,  M.D.,  assistant  professor 
of  medicine,  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine 

Arthur  A.  Sasahara,  M.D.,  assistant  professor  of 
medicine,  Harvard  Medical  School,  Boston, 
Massachusetts;  assistant  chief,  Medical  Ser- 
vice, and  director,  Cardiopulmonary  Labora- 
tory, Veterans  Administration  Hospital,  West 
Roxbury,  Massachusetts 

Hiliary  H.  Timmis,  M.D.,  associate  professor  of 
surgery,  The  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine 

T.  Walter  Treadwell,  M.D.,  assistant  professor  of 
medicine,  The  University  of  Mississippi  School 
of  Medicine,  and  associate  director  of  the 
chronic  pulmonary  disease  training  program, 
Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Program 

Henry  B.  Tyler,  M.D.,  clinical  instructor  in  sur- 
gery, The  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine 


608 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Myra  Tyler,  M.D.,  associate  professor  of  medi- 
cine and  director  of  pulmonary  research,  The 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine, 
and  director  of  the  chronic  pulmonary  disease 
training  program,  Mississippi  Regional  Medical 
Program 

Wednesday  Morning 

Clinical  Setting 
Dr.  M.  Tyler 

Anticoagulants:  Old  and  New 
Dr.  Morrison 
Diagnosis 

Dr.  Sasahara 
Sandwich  Seminars 

Anticoagulation — Dr.  Morrison 
Bedside  Diagnosis — Dr.  Treadwell 
EKG  and  Pulmonary  Embolism — Dr. 
Bennett 

Surgical  Therapy — Dr.  Timmis 
Treatment  of  Thrombophlebitis — Dr. 
H.  Tyler 

Blood  Gasses — Dr.  Morgan 
Pulmonary  Arteriography  and  Scans — 
Dr.  Kees 

Enzymes — Dr.  Robertson 
Wednesday  Afternoon 

Pathophysiology 
Dr.  Norman 
Current  Therapy 
Dr.  Sasahara 
Prophylaxis 
Dr.  Dear 

December  11 , 1970 

Infections  in  Obstetrics  and  Gynecology 
Seminar 

University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 
December  11,  1970,  beginning  at  8:50  a.m. 

Sponsored  by  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  with  the  support  of  the 
Center  for  Disease  Control.  U.  S.  Public  Health 
Service 

Participants: 

Alfred  W.  Brann,  Jr.,  M.D..  assistant  professor  of 
pediatrics,  assistant  professor  of  medicine,  in- 
structor in  physiology  and  biophysics,  and  di- 
rector of  newborn  services,  The  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 
John  Kitchings,  M.D.,  clinical  assistant  professor 
of  obstetrics  and  gynecology,  The  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 
James  Lucus,  M.D.,  assistant  to  the  chief.  Ve- 
nereal Disease  Branch,  Center  for  Disease  Con- 
trol, Atlanta.  Georgia 


John  Sever,  M.D.,  head,  Section  on  Infectious 
Diseases,  Perinatal  Research  Branch,  National 
Institute  of  Neurological  Diseases  and  Stroke, 
National  Institutes  of  Health,  Bethesda,  Mary- 
land 

Donald  Sherline,  M.D.,  associate  professor  of 
obstetrics  and  gynecology  and  instructor  in 
anesthesiology,  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine 

Henry  A.  Thiede,  M.D.,  assistant  dean,  professor 
of  obstetrics  and  gynecology,  and  chairman  of 
the  department,  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine 

William  Wiener,  M.D.,  clinical  associate  professor 
of  obstetrics  and  gynecology,  The  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 

Gary  Wood,  M.D.,  assistant  instructor  in  ob- 
stetrics and  gynecology,  The  University  of  Mis- 
sissippi School  of  Medicine,  and  senior  resident, 
University  Hospital 

Robert  Yelverton,  M.D.,  assistant  instructor  in 
obstetrics  and  gynecology,  The  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  and  senior 
resident,  University  Hospital 

Friday  Morning 

Current  Diagnosis  and  Therapy:  Gonorrhea 
Dr.  Lucus 

Pelvic  Inflammatory  Disease 
Dr.  Wood 

Vaginitis  and  Cervicitis 
Dr.  Wiener 

Panel:  Venereal  Disease 

Dr.  Lucus,  Dr.  Wiener,  Dr.  Wood 

Viral  Disease  in  Pregnancy 
Dr.  Sever 

Friday  Afternoon 

Septic  Abortion 
Dr.  Yelverton 

Antibiotic  Therapy  During  Pregnancy 
Dr.  Thiede 

Panel:  Premature  Rupture  of  Membranes 
Dr.  Kitchings,  Dr.  Brann.  Dr.  Sherline 

MISSISSIPPI  POSTGRADUATE 

INSTITUTE  IN  THE  MEDICAL 

SCIENCES 

November  30-December  4,  1970 

Cardiology  Intensive  Course 
University  Medical  Center.  Jackson 
November  30,  December  1,  2,  3,  4,  1970,  be- 
ginning at  8 a.m. 

Sponsored  by  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  with  the  support  of  the 
Mississippi  Reginal  Medical  Program 


NOVEMBER  1970 


609 


POSTGRADUATE  / Continued 


Coordinator: 

Patrick  H.  Lehan,  M.D.,  professor  of  medicine 
and  Mississippi  Heart  Association  William  D. 
Love  research  professor  of  cardiology,  The 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 
This  one-week  intensive  course  is  designed 
to  familiarize  family  physicians  with  current 
concepts  in  bedside  diagnosis  of  heart  disease, 
aided  by  pulse  tracings,  photocardiograms, 
electrocardiograms,  x-rays,  and  hemodynamic 
data.  Participants  will  round,  observe  cardiac 
catheterizations  and  join  the  cardiovascular 
team’s  discussions  on  management  of  patients. 

November  30-December  4,  1970,  and 

January  11-15,  1971 

Neurological  Diseases  and  Stroke  Intensive 
Course 

University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 
November  30,  December  1,  2,  3,  4,  1970,  and 
January  11,  12,  13,  14,  15,  1971,  begin- 
ning at  8 a.m. 

Sponsored  by  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  with  the  support  of  the 
Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Program 

Coordinators: 

Robert  D.  Currier,  M.D.,  professor  of  medicine 
(neurology),  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  and  co-director  of  the 
demonstration  stroke  unit,  Mississippi  Regional 
Medical  Program 

Robert  R.  Smith,  M.D.,  associate  professor  of 
neurosurgery,  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  and  co-director  of  the 
demonstration  stroke  unit,  Mississippi  Regional 
Medical  Program 

This  one-week  intensive  course,  one  of  the 
seven  Mississippi  Postgraduate  Institute  in  the 
Medical  Sciences  courses  to  be  offered  twice 
this  year,  features  management  of  acute  stroke 
patients,  acute  head  injuries,  seizure  problems 
and  other  neurological  and  neurosurgical  dis- 
orders. Participants  will  attend  seminars,  rounds 
and  discussion  groups,  with  special  emphasis 
on  day-to-day  care  of  patients  in  the  Missis- 
sippi Regional  Medical  Program  demonstration 
stroke  unit. 

December  7-11 , 1970 

Nephrology  Intensive  Course 
University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 
December  7,  8,  9,  10,  11,  1970,  beginning  at 
8 a.m. 

610 


Sponsored  by  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine,  with  the  support  of  the  j 
Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Program 

Coordinator: 

John  D.  Bower,  M.D.,  assistant  professor  of 
medicine  and  director  of  the  artificial  kidney 
unit,  The  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine 

Course  content  will  emphasize  the  reversible 
and  treatable  forms  of  kidney  disease,  with  an 
in-depth  study  of  the  management  of  acute 
kidney  failure  and  control  of  reversible  fea- 
tures of  chronic  kidney  disease.  Registrants 
will  take  up  management  of  pyelonephritis, 
fluid  and  electrolyte  problems,  acid  base  bal- 
ance and  hemodialysis. 

Registration  in  all  intensive  courses  is  limited 
to  five  of  40  family  physicians  enrolled  in  the 
Mississippi  Postgraduate  Institute  in  the  Medi- 
cal Sciences,  a Mississippi  Regional  Medical 
Program-supported  project  designed  by  the 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 
and  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association. 

CIRCUIT  COURSES 

Northern  Circuit 

Greenville — October  29 — Session  2;  November 
5 — Session  3,  Greenville  General  Hospital, 

8 p.m. 

Tupelo — November  17 — Session  3,  North  Mis- 
sissippi Medical  Center,  7 p.m. 

Session  2 — Back  Pain 

Neurological  Approach,  Dr.  Armin  Haerer 
Neurosurgical  Approach,  Dr.  Robert  R. 
Smith 

Session  3 — Modern  Management  of  Rh  Sen- 
sitization 

In  the  Mother,  Dr.  Calvin  Hull 
In  the  Infant,  Dr.  Alfred  Brann 

Southeast  Circuit 

• 

Pascagoula — November  10 — Session  1,  Sing- 
ing River  Hospital,  6:30  p.m. 

Session  1 — Current  Trends  in  the  Manage- 
ment of  Septic  Shock,  Dr.  William  A. 
Neely 

Management  of  Breast  Lumps,  Dr.  James 
Spell 

Eastern  Circuit 

Columbus — November  24 — Session  1,  The 
Downtowner  Motor  Inn,  6:30  p.m. 

Session  1 — Surgical  Aspects  of  Urinary  Tract 
Trauma,  Dr.  W.  Lamar  Weems 
Topic  to  be  announced,  Dr.  Tom  Kilgore 

JOURNAL  MSMA 


FUTURE  CALENDAR 

October  29,  1970 

Circuit  Course,  Greenville 

November  2-6 

Radiology  Intensive  Course 
Electrocardiography  Intensive  Course 

November  4 

Thromboembolic  Disease:  The  pClot 
That  Kills 

November  5 

Circuit  Course,  Greenville 

November  9-13 

Gastroenterology  Intensive  Course 
Pediatrics  Intensive  Course 

November  10 

Circuit  Course,  Pascagoula 

November  17 

Circuit  Course,  Tupelo 

November  24 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 

November  30-December  4 

Neurological  Diseases  and  Stroke  In- 
tensive Course 
Cardiology  Intensive  Course 

December  7-11 

Nephrology  Intensive  Course 

December  1 1 

Infections  in  Obstetrics  and  Gynecol- 
ogy Seminar 

January  6,  197 1 

Circuit  Course,  Biloxi 

January  7 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 

January  11-15 

Neurological  Diseases  and  Stroke  In- 
tensive Course 

January  12 

Circuit  Course,  McComb 

January  18-22 

Cancer  Chemotherapy  Intensive  Course 

February  1-5 

Electrocardiography  Intensive  Course 

February  3 

Circuit  Course,  Gulfport 

February  4 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 

February  1 6 

Circuit  Course,  Natchez 


February  18 

Neurology  Seminar 

February  23 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 

March  1-5 

Gastroenterology  Intensive  Course 

March  3 

Circuit  Course,  Bay  St.  Louis 

March  4 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 

March  5 

Renal  Seminar 

March  8-12 

Nephrology  Intensive  Course 
Cardiology  Intensive  Course 

March  9 

Circuit  Course,  Meridian 

April  5-9 

Pediatrics  Intensive  Course 

A pril  6 

Circuit  Course,  Meridian 

April  13 

Circuit  Course,  McComb 

April  19-23 

Radiology  Intensive  Course 

April  20 

Circuit  Course,  Natchez 

A pril  2 7 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 

May  3-6 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 

May  11 

Circuit  Course,  Meridian 


Dempsey  T.  Amacker  of  Natchez  announces 
the  opening  of  the  Downtown  Clinic  at  304 
Franklin  Street  for  the  practice  of  family  medi- 
cine and  surgery. 

W.  J.  Aycock  of  Calhoun  City  was  recently 
honored  with  a special  program  and  luncheon  by 
the  Calhoun  City  Rotary  Club  for  his  many  years 
of  service  to  the  community. 


NOVEMBER  1970 


611 


PERSONALS  / Continued 

Tom  E.  Benefield,  Jr.,  and  J.  R.  House,  Jr., 
of  Gulfport  announce  the  association  of  D.  L. 
Clippinger  in  the  general  practice  of  medicine 
and  surgery. 

Theresa  L.  R.  Buckley  of  Biloxi  is  serving  as 
chairman  of  the  professional  division  of  the  Unit- 
ed Fund  Campaign  in  the  Biloxi  area. 

E.  L.  Carruth  and  J.  E.  Mann  of  Jackson  an- 
nounce the  removal  of  their  offices  for  family 
practice  to  5429  Suncrest  Drive. 

R.  J.  Field,  Jr.,  of  Centreville  was  a guest  speak- 
er at  a seminar  on  Areawide  Emergency  Medical 
Systems  in  Tulsa,  Okla. 

E.  Flechas  of  Natchez  announces  the  removal 
of  his  office  of  172  Sgt.  Prentiss  Drive. 

Ben  Hilbun  of  Tupelo  received  a trophy  as 
winner  of  the  dove  hunt  given  for  North  Missis- 
sippi Medical  Center  staff  and  friends  by  E.  L. 
King,  hospital  administrator. 

Seven  physicians  were  on  the  program  of  the  Oct. 
6 four-day  clinical  nursing  conference  sponsored 
by  the  Mississippi  Nurses’  Association  at  Jackson. 
Participating  were:  W.  L.  Jacquith,  Alton  B. 
Cobb,  Steven  Moore,  William  F.  Kleisch, 
Alfred  W.  Brann,  Jr.,  Donald  M.  Sherline, 
and  Daniel  H.  Draughn,  all  of  Jackson. 

Joseph  Kuljis  of  Biloxi  has  been  awarded  a 
special  certificate  from  President  Richard  M. 
Nixon  in  appreciation  for  serving  as  a medical 
advisor  on  Selective  Service  System  Local  Board 
25  since  1948. 

Robert  L.  McKinley  of  Tupelo,  Medical  Di- 
rector of  the  Regional  Mental  Health  Complex  of 
the  North  Mississippi  Medical  Center,  participated 
in  a recent  program  on  various  phases  of  mental 
health  for  the  Lee  County  Bar  Association. 

Veronica  M.  Pennington  of  Jackson  has  been 
honored  by  Central  Medical  Society  for  her  50 
years  in  the  American  and  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Associations.  She  received  a plaque,  50 
year  pin  and  lifetime  membership  in  AMA  and 
MSMA. 

Donald  R.  Rayner  of  Long  Beach  has  been 
named  Chief  of  the  Medical  Staff  at  Memorial 
Hospital  at  Gulfport. 

Louis  A.  Rubenstein  has  opened  his  office  for 
the  general  practice  of  medicine  in  Spring  Plaza 
Shopping  Center  in  Ocean  Springs. 

612 


Stanley  C.  Russell  of  Jackson  has  been  ap- 
pointed chief,  psychiatric  service,  VA  Center,  [ 
Jackson. 

Edward  G.  Scott,  Jr.,  of  Meridian  has  been 
appointed  to  the  Mississippi  Heart  Association 
Cardiopulmonary  Resuscitation  Committee.  Oth- 
er members  of  the  committee,  all  CPR  instructors, 
are  Karl  Hatten  of  Vicksburg;  Walter  Rose 
of  indianola;  T.  E.  Ross,  III,  of  Hattiesburg; 
M.  A.  Taqino  of  Biloxi;  and  Henry  Tyler  of 
Jackson. 

James  T.  Thompson  of  Moss  Point  was  recently 
recognized  for  31  years  of  Rotarian  service  by 
the  Moss  Point  Rotary  Club.  Dr.  Thompson 
served  as  president  of  the  State  Medical  Associa- 
tion during  1966-67. 


No  reports  of  deaths  in  the  association  were 
reported  to  the  Journal  during  the  month  of 
September,  1970. 


Owens,  Louis  Jennings,  Woodville.  Born  Cen- 
treville, Miss.,  Aug.  14,  1937;  M.D.  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  Miss., 
1969;  interned.  University  Medical  Center,  Jack- 
son,  Miss.,  one  year;  elected  Sept.  1,  1970  by 
Amite-Wilkinson  Counties  Medical  Society. 

Dr.  Thiede  Named 
Assistant  Dean 

Dr.  Henry  A.  Thiede,  professor  of  obstetrics 
and  gynecology  and  chairman  of  the  department 
at  the  University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medi- 
cine, has  been  named  assistant  dean  of  the  medi- 
cal school  in  addition  to  his  other  duties. 

A University  of  Rochester  graduate,  Doctor 
Thiede  holds  the  M.D.  degree  from  the  University 
of  Buffalo  School  of  Medicine  and  Dentistry.  He 
received  his  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine  faculty  appointment  in  1967,  prior  to 
which  he  was  associate  professor  of  obstetrics 
and  gynecology  at  the  University  of  Rochester 
School  of  Medicine  and  Dentistry. 

JOURNAL  MSMA 


Book  Reviews 

Acute  Renal  Failure:  Diagnosis  and  Manage- 
ment. By  Robert  C.  Muehrcke,  M.D.  263  pages 
with  126  illustrations.  St.  Louis:  The  C.  V. 
Mosby  Company,  1969.  $19.75. 

The  introduction  to  Acute  Renal  Failure  by 
Robert  C.  Muehrcke  acquaints  the  reader  with 
mechanical,  iatrogenic  and  disease  states  that  in- 
duce acute  anuria.  More  detailed  treatment  of 
these  problems  is  taken  up  further  in  the  book. 
In  addition,  he  also  introduces  diagnostic  proce- 
dures that  are  helpful  in  acute  renal  failure  and 
therapeutic  modalities  that  may  be  useful  in  the 
treatment  of  acute  renal  failure. 

The  section  on  intrinsic  renal  disease  goes  into 
a brief  historical  review  of  terminology.  The  per- 
plexing state  of  classification  of  interstitial  nephri- 
tis is  not  significantly  changed  by  the  author’s 
discourse.  The  major  causes  of  acute  renal  failure 
are  discussed  and  are  supplemented  with  case  his- 
tories and  photomicrographs  of  renal  lesions. 

The  author’s  most  important  section  deals  with 
the  etiology  of  acute  renal  failure  and  puts  phy- 
sicians on  guard.  The  incidence  of  severe  iatro- 
genic renal  disease  is  increasing  with  the  increased 
use  of  both  old  and  new  drugs.  A listing  of  the 
drugs  causing  acute  renal  failure  is  presented  and 
a diagram  of  a nephron  showing  sites  of  damage 
is  given. 

The  author  points  out  that  complicating  medi- 
cal problems  alter  the  method  of  treatment  of 
acute  renal  failure.  Since  infection  is  the  most 
common  complication,  a useful  listing  of  the  ex- 
cretion rate  of  antibiotics  is  given. 

The  portion  on  treatment  of  acute  renal  failure 
is  rather  superficial  but  a more  lengthy  approach 
would  not  be  in  keeping  with  the  aim  of  this 
book. 

I have  some  minor  disagreements  with  the 
author,  such  as  his  recommendation  to  treat  acute 
papillary  necrosis  with  tetracycline  and  Chloro- 
mycetin and  his  sentence  suggesting  that  all  hypo- 
natremic  individuals  with  renal  disease  should  be 
corrected  with  hypertonic  saline. 


This  book  covers  the  problems  of  acute  renal 
failure  in  a comprehensive  manner.  The  author 
has  created  a clinical  monograph  that  will  be  use- 
ful to  the  practice  of  physicians  and  residents  in 
most  specialties.  The  references  used  have  in- 
cluded recent  publications  as  well  as  the  pertinent 
original  publications.  The  reader  is  not  bored 
with  the  presentation  of  basic  concepts  which  are 
available  and  expected  in  more  voluminous  texts 
and  the  cost  is  not  out  of  keeping  with  publica- 
tions of  similar  scope. 

Karl  W.  Hatten,  M.D. 


Current  Diagnosis  & Treatment.  By  Henry 
Brainerd,  M.D.;  Marcus  A.  Krupp,  M.D.;  Milton 
J.  Chatton,  M.D.;  and  Sheldon  Margen,  M.D. 
884  pages.  Los  Altos,  Calif.:  Lange  Medical 
Publications,  1970.  $11.00 

Medical  Students  are  adept  at  finding  sources 
of  material  presented  in  a concise,  usable  man- 
ner and  this  book  has  found  widespread  use 
among  them.  As  is  stated  in  the  Preface,  it  is  not 
intended  to  be  used  as  a textbook  of  medicine, 
but  as  a handy  desk  reference  on  the  most  widely 
used  and  accepted  techniques  available  for  diag- 
nosis and  treatment.  However,  there  are  many 
subjects  covered  which  are  so  new  that  they  do 
not  appear  in  the  major  textbooks  of  medicine. 
For  instance,  Fredrickson’s  classification  of  hyper- 
lipidemias,  along  with  diagnostic  points  and  treat- 
ment, is  outlined  in  chart  form.  There  are  many 
helpful  graphs  and  charts  scattered  throughout 
the  book  which  aid  in  differential  diagnosis. 

The  subjects  are  not  indexed  as  thoroughly  as 
is  desirable.  The  fat  disorders  are  listed  under 
hyperlipidemias,  not  under  cholesterol  or  triglyc- 
eride. Multiple  myeloma  is  discussed  but  not  in- 
dexed for  this  main  discussion. 

For  the  busy  practitioner  this  would  be  a use- 
ful desk  reference.  In  addition,  if  more  infor- 
mation is  needed  on  a particular  subject,  current 
references  from  the  literature  are  given  following 
each  discussion. 

A.  Robert  Dill,  M.D. 


NOVEMBER  1970 


613 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Georgia  Internists 
Hold  Meeting 

The  American  College  of  Physicians  (ACP) 
will  hold  an  annual  scientific  meeting  for  special- 
ists in  internal  medicine  and  related  specialties 
Nov.  14  in  Atlanta. 

The  Georgia  state  meeting  is  one  of  37  state 
and  area  scientific-educational  meetings  the  ACP 
is  planning  for  the  1970-71  academic  year.  Held 
throughout  the  United  States  and  Canada,  the 
meetings  help  the  College’s  16,000  members  keep 
informed  of  developments  in  the  basic  sciences 
and  in  clinical  medicine  that  affect  their  practices. 
The  College  has  been  sponsoring  these  meetings 
annually  since  1930. 

The  Georgia  meeting  is  being  planned  under 
the  direction  of  Dr.  Tully  T.  Blalock,  Atlanta, 
ACP  Governor  for  Georgia  and  assistant  pro- 
fessor of  medicine  at  Emory  University  School  of 
Medicine. 

Alabama  Scientist 
Studies  Sleep 

Insomnia,  sleepwalking,  nightmares,  they’re 
just  three  of  the  “sleep”  problems  most  people 
would  like  to  banish,  or  at  least  control. 

Scientists  at  the  University  of  Alabama  in 
Birmingham  are  setting  out  to  do  something  about 
these  nuisances.  Their  work  could  bring  cures  for 
some  types  of  mental  illness  and  control  of  such 
sleep-related  conditions  as  fatigue,  alertness,  and 
general  physical  and  mental  well  being. 

A scientist  who  is  conducting  extensive  re- 
search into  sleep,  Dr.  G.  Vernon  Pegram,  Jr., 
has  joined  a new  UAB  brain  research  program. 
Dr.  Pegram,  most  recently  chief  of  the  Bio  Effects 
Division  at  Holloman  Air  Force  Base,  New 
Mexico,  is  executive  secretary  to  the  international 
sleep  research  organization,  the  Association  for 
the  Psychophysiological  Study  of  Sleep.  His  new 
appointment  is  in  experimental  psychiatry  at  the 
UAB  School  of  Medicine,  and  he  will  be  working 
in  the  UAB  Neurosciences  Program. 

“Insomnia  and  mental  illness  are  closely  re- 
lated,” said  Dr.  Pegram,  who  explained  that  there 
is  a physiological  need  in  each  man  for  a certain 
amount  of  sleep.  When  sleep  patterns  are  dis- 
turbed, an  individual's  whole  outlook  is  altered. 
He  may  be  affected  both  physically  and  mentally. 


In  addition,  man’s  physiological  needs  are  not 
just  for  sleep , but  for  specific  amounts  of  specific 
types,  or  stages,  of  sleep.  It  is  important,  says 
the  scientist,  for  each  sleep  stage  to  remain  con- 
stant. Dr.  Pegram’s  research  has  dealt  largely 
with  the  field  of  sleep-staging. 

Because  rhesus  monkeys  have  sleep  stages 
similar  to  those  of  man,  and  because  the  brain 
transmitters  which  produce  sleep  are  similar  in 
both  man  and  rhesus,  Dr.  Pegram  has  worked 
extensively  with  the  primates  in  his  search  for 
answers  to  the  riddle  of  sleep,  “one  of  man’s  basic 
drives.” 

Through  computer  technology,  Dr.  Pegram  and 
other  scientists  have  learned  to  utilize  the  “sleep 
prints”  of  both  monkeys  and  people.  The  prints, 
which  represent  electrical  activity  in  the  brain 
during  a full  night’s  sleep,  are  analyzed  by  the 
computers,  allowing  scientists  to  accomplish  in 
minutes  what  once  took  them  many  hours  of 
skilled  interpretation. 

What  are  the  goals  of  sleep  researchers?  Dr. 
Pegram  explains  that  this  basic  need,  if  under- 
stood and  controlled,  may  enable  man  to  in- 
crease or  decrease  at  will  the  amount  of  sleep 
he  has  each  night,  sleep  better  when  he  does  go 
to  bed,  stay  more  alert  and  active  during  his 
waking  hours,  stay  mentally  healthy  throughout 
his  life,  and  do  away  with  such  annoyances  as 
sleepwalking,  insomnia,  fitful  sleep,  and  night- 
mares. 

Through  research  into  the  nature  of  sleep  pat- 
terns, more  sophisticated  forms  of  therapy  may 
be  discovered  for  treatment  of  drug  abusers. 

Even  good  news  for  the  seasoned  traveler  may 
come  from  the  research  of  Dr.  Pegram  and  his 
associates.  When  flying  from  time  zone  to  time 
zone,  therefore  “losing”  or  “gaining”  time  which 
disturbs  the  ordinary  cycles  of  sleep  and  wake- 
fulness, it  may  take  days  for  a traveler  to  “get 
back  to  normal.”  When  sleep  can  be  controlled, 
the  problem  may  never  arise  again.  Drugs  which 
allow  a person  to  “catch  up”  on  the  sleep  he 
has  missed  may  be  just  around  the  corner. 

Dr.  Pegram,  a native  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  re- 
ceived his  Ph.D.  degree  in  psychology  from  the 
University  of  New  Mexico  and  his  B.S.  degree  in 
biology  from  the  University  of  the  South,  Se- 
wanee,  Tenn. 

Prior  to  his  Holloman  AFB  appointment,  Dr. 
Pegram  was  head  of  the  Neurosciences  Program 
at  Holloman  Aeromed.  He  has  served  in  the  De- 
partment of  Psychology,  University  of  New  Mexi- 
co, and  the  Holloman  Physiology  Section.  He 
was  a postdoctoral  fellow  of  the  National  Science 
Foundation,  National  Research  Council. 


614 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


CHP  Study  Would  Consolidate  State 
Agencies  and  Abolish  Board  of  Health 


A study  report  recommending  sweeping  reor- 
ganization of  state  health  and  health-related  agen- 
cies has  been  released  by  the  Division  of  Com- 
prehensive Health  Planning.  The  report  and  rec- 
ommendations relate  to  a study  conducted  for 
CHP  by  Peat,  Marwick,  Mitchell  and  Co.,  a na- 
tional firm  of  certified  public  accountants  and 
management  consultants. 

Heart  of  the  study  recommendations  is  con- 
solidation of  20  health  and  health-related  state 
agencies  into  a single  Commission  for  Health  Pro- 
grams. Among  agencies  to  be  abolished  as  sep- 
arate entities  and  combined  under  the  new  com- 
mission are  the  State  Board  of  Health,  charity 
hospitals,  State  Hospital  Commission,  Board  of 
Trustees  of  Mental  Institutions,  Medicaid  Com- 
mission, Cerebral  Palsy  Hospital  School,  Com- 
mission of  Hospital  Care,  Air  and  Water  Pollu- 
tion Control  Commission,  and  Interagency  Com- 
mission on  Mental  Illness  and  Retardation. 

The  new  commission  would  consist  of  seven 
members,  four  of  whom  would  be  appointed  by 
the  governor,  two  by  the  lieutenant  governor,  and 
one  by  the  speaker  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives. The  commission  would  have  a director  and 
staff. 

Also  consolidated  would  be  professional  li- 
censure for  physicians,  dentists,  nurses,  and  al- 
lied professional  personnel  under  a single  multi- 
discipline board  with  a single  administrative  of- 
fice. 

The  study  report  lists  53  state  agencies  with 
principal  or  secondary  activities  in  health  or 
health  services  with  a combined  annual  appro- 
priation of  about  $78  million.  The  consolidation 
move,  approved  by  the  Comprehensive  Health 
Planning  office  and  transmitted  to  the  legislature, 
would  reduce  the  number  of  state  employees  in- 
volved and  expenditures,  the  report  contended. 

The  Departments  of  Public  Welfare  and  Edu- 
cation, both  with  health  functions,  would  be  un- 
affected in  the  consolidation,  as  would  be  the 


Board  of  Trustees  of  Institutions  of  Higher  Learn- 
ing under  which  the  University  Medical  Center  is 
operated. 

The  study  report  said  that  $22  million  is  being 
expended  annually  for  purchase  of  health  services 
from  the  private  sector.  Of  this  $17  million  is 
in  federal  funds.  This  includes  the  Medicaid  pro- 
gram for  the  first  six  months  of  1970.  About  $9.6 
million  are  expended  for  totally  federal  fund  proj- 
ects, including  the  Tufts-Delta  project,  the  Coun- 
ty Health  Improvement  Program  (CHIP),  the 
UMC  Regional  Medical  Program,  the  Mound 
Bayou  Hospital,  and  various  community  action 
agencies. 

The  CHP  program  is  guided  by  a 40-member 
advisory  body  of  which  seven  key  health-related 
agency  chief  are  ex  officio,  non-voting  members. 

Physicians  on  the  33-member  voting  body  are 
Drs.  Temple  Ainsworth  of  Jackson,  Guy  D. 
Campbell  of  Jackson,  Verner  S.  Holmes  of  Mc- 
Comb,  Edley  H.  Jones  of  Vicksburg,  William 
E.  Lotterhos  of  Jackson,  Gilbert  R.  Mason  of 
Biloxi,  and  Rhea  L.  Wyatt  of  Holly  Springs. 

Dr.  Holmes  is  chairman  of  the  advisory  coun- 
cil as  well  as  representative  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  Institutions  of  Higher  Learning. 

The  report  stated  that  extensive  changes  in  law 
by  the  legislature  will  be  necessary  to  implement 
the  sweeping  plan,  since  each  of  the  20  agencies 
to  be  abolished  are  under  separate  laws.  It  is  ex- 
pected that  legislation  will  be  presented  to  the 
1970  Regular  Session  in  January. 

The  new  agency  concept  has  met  opposition 
from  some  medical  and  legislative  leaders.  The 
Associated  Press  reported  that  Sen.  Hayden 
Campbell  of  Jackson,  chairman  of  the  Senate 
Committee  on  Public  Health,  opposes  the  plan. 

Sen.  Campbell  was  quoted  as  saying  that  the 
plan  “would  abolish  the  State  Board  of  Health 
which  we  have  kept  out  of  politics.” 

The  Senator  also  said  that  “this  plan  will  put 


NOVEMBER  1970 


615 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

all  our  agencies  into  politics.” 

Dr.  William  E.  Lotterhos  of  Jackson,  newly  in- 
stalled president  of  the  American  Academy  of 
Family  Physicians,  told  the  Journal  that  he  op- 
poses the  recommendations  and  proposed  aboli- 
tion of  state  health-related  agencies.  Another 
medical  leader  on  the  advisory  council  voiced  ob- 
jections to  the  consolidated  licensure  function  for 
professional  individuals. 

Association  spokesmen  said  that  the  Council 
on  Medical  Service  and  Board  of  Trustees  will 
study  the  report  and  recommendations  prior  to 
the  convening  of  the  1971  legislative  session. 

Also  included  in  the  recommendations  is  a 
proposal  to  combine  county  public  health  de- 
partments into  districts  with  10  regional  offices 
throughout  the  state. 

The  AP  reported  that  Dr.  Holmes,  chairman  of 
the  advisory  council,  transmitted  the  report  to  the 
legislature  stating  that  the  body’s  interest  was  not 
to  be  critical  of  any  program  but  to  set  up  the 
best  possible  organization  to  manage  them. 

He  was  quoted  as  saying  to  the  legislators  that 
the  consolidation  could  be  achieved  as  recom- 
mended in  the  report  or  through  “some  alterna^ 
tive  which  you  in  your  wisdom  and  counsel  feel 
would  better  secure  the  desired  goal.” 

The  news  story  said  that  the  study  cost  $80,- 
000  and  covered  a five-month  period. 

ICS  Will  Meet 
in  Las  Vegas 

The  program  for  the  Third  Western  Hemi- 
sphere Congress  to  be  held  in  Las  Vegas,  Nov. 
20-24,  1970,  will  feature  Canadian,  United  States, 
Mexican  and  South  American  surgeons.  There 
will  also  be  guests  from  other  nations  presenting 
papers. 

Mr.  Frederick  Fitzgerald,  Orthopedist  of  Har- 
ley Street,  London,  Prof.  Francois  Mattei  of 
France,  Prof.  Dr.  D.  Juzbasic  from  Yugoslavia, 
and  Prof.  Dr.  Med  habil  A.  K.  Schmauss  from 
East  Berlin,  are  a few  of  the  world  wide  surgeons 
to  be  presented. 

Dr.  Esteban  D.  Rocca  of  Lima,  Peru,  will  suc- 
ceed Dr.  Ed  Compere  of  Chicago  as  president  of 
the  International  College  of  Surgeons  Jan.  1, 
1971.  Dr.  Lawrence  W.  Long  of  Jackson,  Miss., 
will  continue  in  the  office  of  treasurer  for  two 
more  years,  having  been  re-elected  in  Paris  last 
April. 


UMC  Announces 
Faculty  Changes 

A number  of  faculty  changes  at  the  University 
of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine  went  into  effect 
in  October. 

Dr.  Thomas  M.  Blake  has  been  promoted 
from  associate  professor  of  medicine  to  professor. 
A Vanderbilt  University  School  of  Medicine  grad- 
uate, Dr.  Blake  joined  the  University  of  Missis- 
sippi medical  school  faculty  in  1955. 

Promotions  from  assistant  professor  to  associ- 
ate professor  include  director  of  pulmonary  re- 
search Dr.  Myra  Tyler,  medicine;  Dr.  Francis 
S.  Morrison,  medicine;  and  co-director  of  the 
MRMP  demonstration  stroke  unit  Dr.  Robert  R. 
Smith,  neurosurgery. 

Dr.  Michel  Hersen,  new  associate  professor  of 
psychiatry  (psychology),  holds  the  B.A.  degree 
from  Queens  College  and  the  M.A.  from  Hofstra 
University.  He  earned  the  Ph.D.  from  the  State 
University  of  New  York  at  Buffalo  in  1966. 
Prior  to  his  appointment.  Dr.  Hersen  was  director 
of  internship  training  at  Fairfield  Hill  Hospital  in 
Newton,  Connecticut. 

Sister  Mary  Bernadette  Ferrel  of  Aberdeen, 
S.  D.,  Miss  Suzanne  Robert  of  Montreal,  Canda- 
da,  and  Mrs.  Minta  Uzodinma  of  Jackson  are 
new  associates  in  the  department  of  obstetrics 
and  gynecology,  in  connection  with  the  nurse- 
midwifery  program.  All  are  among  the  program’s 
first  graduates. 

Two  new  faculty  members,  Dr.  Robert  W. 
Scott  and  Dr.  Gaston  R.  Rodriguez,  joined  the 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 
teaching  staff  in  September. 

Dr.  Scott,  psychiatry  (psychology)  assistant 
professor,  holds  the  B.S.  degree  from  the  Univer- 
sity of  Arkansas  and  the  M.S.  from  Oklahoma 
State  University.  He  earned  the  Ph.D.  degree  in 
1968  at  the  University  of  Houston,  taking  his 
internship  at  Oklahoma  University  Medical  Cen- 
ter, where  he  was  an  instructor.  Prior  to  his  ap- 
pointment, Dr.  Scott  was  a clinical  psychologist 
at  the  Miami  V.  A.  Hospital  and  psychological 
consultant  to  the  Dade  County  Public  Schools, 
Northeast  District,  in  Florida. 

A native  of  Lima,  Peru,  Dr.  Rodriguez  is  an 
instructor  in  medicine.  He  received  the  M.D. 
degree  from  the  University  Nacional  de  Son  Mar- 
cos in  Lima.  He  interned  at  St.  Francis  Hospital 
in  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  and  did  his  residency 
at  the  University  Medical  Center  in  Jackson, 
where  he  was  also  a fellow  and  research  associate. 


616 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Richman  Essay 
Contest  Announced 

Announcement  of  the  1971  Alfred  A.  Rich- 
man  Essay  Contest  was  made  today  by  the 
American  College  of  Chest  Physicians.  The  an- 
nual contest  offers  undergraduate  medical  stu- 
dents throughout  the  world  the  opportunity  to 
submit  in  open  competition  manuscripts  on  any 
phase  of  the  diagnosis  and  treatment  of  cardio- 
vascular or  pulmonary  disease. 

Research  or  review  articles  relating  to  the  diag- 
nosis or  treatment  of  cardiovascular  or  pulmonary 
disease  are  acceptable.  In  accord  with  the  rules 
of  the  contest,  preceptors  are  at  liberty  to  assist 


the  student  in  selecting  a suitable  subject  and 
guide  him  in  the  preparation  of  his  essay. 

Three  cash  prizes  totaling  $1,000  are  award- 
ed annually.  The  first  prize  will  be  $500;  second 
prize,  $300  and  third  prize,  $200.  Each  winner 
will  also  receive  a certificate  of  merit.  A trophy 
inscribed  with  the  name  of  the  winner  and  the 
name  of  his  school  will  be  presented  to  the 
winner’s  school. 

The  winning  essayist  will  be  announced  by 
the  judges  in  June,  and  subsequently,  awards  will 
be  presented  at  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Col- 
lege in  October. 

The  official  application  form  may  be  secured 
by  writing  Essay  Contest,  American  College  of 
Chest  Physicians,  112  East  Chestnut  Street,  Chi- 
cago, 111.  60611,  USA. 


Dr.  Carter  Honored  at  Open  House 


University  of  Mississippi  Medical  Center  faculty, 
staff,  other  personnel  and  students  attended  a re- 
ception for  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Robert  E.  Carter,  left,  on 
Sept.  28,  1970.  Dr.  Carter  resigned  his  post  as  Medi- 
cal Center  director  and  medical  school  dean,  effective 
Oct.  1,  to  accept  an  appointment  as  Dean  of  the 


Basic  Sciences  for  Medical  Education  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  Minnesota  new  Duluth  campus.  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Robert  E.  Blount,  right,  talk  with  the  Carters  at  the 
open  house.  Dr.  Blount,  former  assistant  director 
and  assistant  dean,  is  currently  acting  director  and 
acting  dean  at  the  Medical  Center. 


NOVEMBER  1970 


617 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Dr.  Brumby  Day  Held 
in  Lexington 

Dr.  Paul  B.  Brumby  of  Lexington,  president 
of  the  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association,  was 
honored  with  a reception  and  special  ceremony 
at  the  Holmes  County  Country  Club  in  late  Sep- 
tember. 

More  than  400  friends,  civic  leaders,  and  as- 
sociates were  present  to  pay  tribute  to  the  physi- 
cian who  has  practiced  medicine  in  Holmes 
County  for  40  years.  The  Lexington  Lions, 
Rotary,  and  Business  and  Professional  Women 
clubs  were  in  charge  of  arrangements. 

Guests  were  greeted  by  Mr.  C.  M.  McDaniel 
and  presented  to  the  receiving  line  composed  of 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Brumby  and  their  daughter  and 
son-in-law,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Donald  Holder  of  New 
Orleans. 

Mr.  Marvin  McLellan,  master  of  ceremonies, 
presented  Dr.  Brumby  with  a plaque  inscribed 
with  the  following  words:  “Presented  to  Paul  B. 
Brumby,  M.D.  in  appreciation  for  more  than 
forty  years  of  unselfish,  devoted  and  humane 
medical  service  to  our  community,”  and  signed 
“Friends.” 

The  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Holmes  County 


Dr.  J.  Dan  Mitchell  of  Jackson,  right,  MSMA 
vice  president,  presents  a letter  of  tribute  from  the 
association  to  Dr.  Brumby,  center,  as  Mrs.  Brumby 
looks  on. 

Community  Hospital  passed  a resolution  express- 
ing “the  deep  appreciation  of  that  board  and 
the  community  at  large  for  his  years  of  profes- 
sional and  personal  service.” 


Mr.  C.  B.  Read,  Administrator  of  Holmes 
County  Community  Hospital,  read  a letter  from  1 
the  hospital  Board  of  Trustees  and  employees. 
The  letter  stated  that  in  lieu  of  a gift,  they  had 
commissioned  a portrait  of  Dr.  Brumby  to  be 
painted  and  placed  in  the  hospital. 

Dr.  J.  Dan  Mitchell  of  Jackson,  vice  president 
of  MSMA,  read  a letter  of  tribute  from  the  medi- 
cal association. 

Mr.  Alton  Parker,  chairman  of  Selective  Ser- 
vice Board  No.  29,  presented  a special  certificate 
of  appreciation  for  loyal  and  faithful  service  to 
the  nation  and  Selective  Service  System  as  medi- 
cal advisor  to  the  registrants  since  World  War  II. 

Also  representing  the  medical  association  were 
Dr.  A.  E.  Brown,  president-elect  and  Mrs. 
Brown  of  Columbus. 

MHA  Announces 
Research  Program 

The  Mississippi  Heart  Association  has  an- 
nounced its  1971-72  research  grants  and  fellow- 
ships program. 

The  research  program  was  instituted  to  aid  in 
the  development  of  cardiovascular  research,  and 
of  future  leaders  in  the  broad  field  of  cardio- 
vascular function  and  disease.  The  research  funds 
are  used  to  support  individual  investigators  and 
research  projects. 

Each  year  the  association  makes  the  follow- 
ing research  awards:  (1)  to  the  University  Medi- 
cal Center  in  support  of  the  Love  Memorial 
Chair  of  Cardiovascular  Research — no  less  than 
$20,000;  (2)  to  departments  in  Mississippi  in- 
stitutions of  higher  learning  engaged  in  cardio- 
vascular research  to  establish  research  fellow- 
ships. The  stipend  is  $6,000  plus  a dependency 
allowance  of  $500.  Departments  must  apply  each 
year  for  continuation  of  fellowships;  (3)  to  indi- 
vidual investigators,  grants-in-aid  from  $2,000  to 
$4,000  to  encourage  support  of  basic  and  clinical 
research  in  cardiovascular  function  or  disease,  or 
in  related  fundamental  problems.  Grants  are 
made  for  one  year,  and  the  project  must  have  the 
approval  of  the  department  chairman. 

Application  forms  may  be  requested  at  any 
time  from  the  MHA,  Box  5002,  Jackson,  Miss., 
telephone  362-6945.  Deadline  for  receipt  of  fel- 
lowship and  grant-in-aid  applications  is  Nov.  23, 
1970. 

Awards  will  be  announced  in  May,  1971,  for 
the  year  beginning  July  1,  1971.  The  doctoral 
degree  is  required  for  all  categories. 


618 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Dr.  Lotterhos  Discusses  New  AAGP  Program 


Dr.  William  E.  Lotterhos  (left),  Jackson,  family 
physician  and  president  of  the  American  Academy 
of  General  Practice,  discusses  a new  pilot  project 
in  medical  communications  with  a physician  for 
HEW  and  the  Executive  Director  of  the  Kansas 
City-based  Academy.  Dr.  Jerri  Barden  (center),  a 
representative  of  the  Health  Care  Technology  Di- 
vision of  the  Health  Services  and  Mental  Health 
Administration  of  HEW , sought  the  31 ,000-member 
Academy’s  assistance  in  linking  doctors’  offices  with 

AAOS  Publishes  Book 
on  Sports  Medicine 

“A  Bibliography  of  Sports  Medicine"  has  been 
published  by  the  American  Academy  of  Ortho- 
paedic Surgeons,  Chicago. 

Compiled  by  the  Academy’s  Committee  on 
Sports  Medicine,  the  96-page  volume  is  identified 
as  an  introduction  to  the  interdisciplinary  litera- 
ture for  physicians  and  others  handling  athletes 
and  athletic  programs. 

More  than  1,300  article  and  publication  refer- 


a  federal  computer  center  in  Valley  Forge,  Pa., 
through  use  of  a touch-tone  system  combined  with 
the  telephone  system.  Mac  F.  Cahal  (right),  chief 
executive  officer  of  the  Academy,  joined  Dr.  Lotter- 
hos in  working  out  a project  whereby  members  of  the 
Academy  will  take  part  in  the  project  providing  them 
instant  access  to  drug  incompatibility  data.  Dr.  Lot- 
terhos, who  became  president  of  the  Academy  Sep- 
tember 30,  serves  also  as  chairman  of  the  organiza- 
tion’s Liaison  Committee  on  Technology. 

ences  are  cross-indexed  from  allergy  to  wres- 
tling. The  175  index  subjects  include  aquatics, 
biomechanics,  conditioning,  drugs,  equipment,  the 
knee,  pain,  research  methods,  scuba  and  skin 
diving,  sleep,  warm-up,  and  weight. 

The  book  was  edited  by  Dr.  Jack  C.  Hughston, 
Columbus,  Committee  Chairman,  and  Kenneth 
S.  Clarke,  Ph.D.,  former  Academy  Coordinator 
of  Continuing  Education.  It  is  available  at  $2.00 
per  copy  with  quantity  discounts.  Write  Publica- 
tions Committee,  American  Academy  of  Ortho- 
paedic Surgeons,  430  North  Michigan  Avenue, 
Chicago,  111.  60611. 


NOVEMBER  1970 


619 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Alabama  Has  3 Year 
M.D.  Degree  Program 

Starting  next  July,  Alabama’s  medical  students 
can  obtain  their  M.D.  degrees  in  three  years  in- 
stead of  the  traditional  four. 

Dr.  Clifton  K.  Meador,  dean  of  the  School  of 
Medicine,  University  of  Alabama  in  Birming- 
ham, made  the  announcement. 

The  School  of  Medicine  is  one  of  several  U.  S. 
medical  schools  undergoing  extensive  curriculum 
changes  in  an  effort  to  provide  a more  relevant 
education  for  the  modern  medical  student. 

“Advantages  of  the  curriculum  changes  are 
numerous,”  said  Dr.  T.  Albert  Farmer,  director 
of  the  school’s  Office  of  Undergraduate  Medical 
Education. 

“Now  the  medical  student  can  decide  a year 
earlier  the  directions  that  his  career  will  take,” 
he  said. 

One  great  advantage  in  the  new  curriculum 
will  be  the  year-round  use  of  all  medical  teach- 
ing facilities,  instead  of  the  virtual  closing  down 
of  the  school  during  the  summer. 

“The  new  program  has  tremendous  recruiting 
appeal  for  Alabama  youth.  Our  main  goal  is  to 
train  Alabamians  for  practice  in  our  state. 
Once  he  knows  that  he  can  get  his  medical  educa- 
tion in  three  years — a shorter  period  of  time  than 
the  vast  majority  of  other  medical  schools — the 
aspiring  medical  student  will  be  encouraged  to 
train  here,”  said  Dr.  Farmer. 

In  order  to  get  the  most  out  of  educational 
facilities  at  the  University  of  Alabama  School  of 
Medicine,  freshmen  will  attend  the  first  five 
quarters  of  school  without  a break. 

“In  a nation  needing  more  and  better  health 
manpower,  we  cannot  afford  to  lose  valuable 
summer  months  during  which  we  could  be  train- 
ing future  physicians,”  Dr.  Farmer  said. 

The  remaining  seven  quarters  of  medical  edu- 
cation will  be  tailored  for  the  individual  student, 
leaving  room  for  some  to  hold  jobs,  others  to  take 
vacations,  still  others  to  graduate  in  three  and 
one-half  or  four  years  if  necessary. 

“We  will  be  oriented  toward  having  a student 
learn  what  he  actually  needs  to  know  or  be  able 
to  do,”  said  Dr.  Farmer.  “We  want  our  future 
graduate  to  be  more  of  a problem-solver,  able  to 
identify  patients’  problems  and  solve  them  as 
quickly  and  expertly  as  possible. 

“The  crisis-oriented  present  system  must  be 
supplemented  by  emphasis  on  comprehensive 


care  with  better  efforts  at  preventive  medicine.” 

The  new  curriculum  will  introduce  clinical  ex-  | 
perience  to  the  new  medical  student  virtually 
from  the  first  day  of  training. 

A major  reduction  in  formal  classroom  time 
will  allow  the  student  to  assume  more  responsi- 
bility for  his  own  personal  learning,  thereby  estab- 
lishing a pattern  for  a lifetime  of  learning. 

“During  his  education,  the  student  will  have 
experiences  with  a full  range  of  situations  similar 
to  those  he  will  encounter  in  actual  practice. 

“The  curriculum  should  provide  an  opportu- 
nity for  the  student  to  recognize  the  broad  social 
and  economic  responsibilities  of  the  medical  pro- 
fession as  a whole,”  Dr.  Farmer  concluded. 

Dr.  Blount  Named 
UMC  Acting  Director 

Dr.  Robert  E.  Blount,  assistant  director  of  the 
University  of  Mississippi  Medical  Center  and 
assistant  dean  of  the  School  of  Medicine,  has 
been  appointed  acting  director  and  acting  dean 
by  the  Board  of  Trustees,  Institutions  of  Higher 
Learning. 

Former  UMC  director  and  School  of  Medicine 
dean  Dr.  Robert  E.  Carter  resigned  his  post  to 

accept  an  appoint- 
ment as  Dean  of  the 
Basic  Sciences  Pro- 
gram for  Medical  Ed- 
ucation at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Minnesota 
new  Duluth  campus. 

Dr.  Blount,  who  is 
also  medicine  profes- 
sor and  preventive 
medicine  associate 
professor,  came  to  the 
Mississippi  institution 
in  1968  from  Fitz- 
simons  General  Hos- 
pital in  Denver,  Colo., 
where  he  was  Commanding  General. 

During  his  U.  S.  Army  career,  Dr.  Blount  held 
assignments  across  the  United  States,  in  the  Far 
East  and  in  Europe.  Prior  to  his  Denver  post, 
he  served  as  Commanding  General  of  the  U.  S. 
Army  Medical  Research  and  Development  Com- 
mand in  the  Office  of  the  Surgeon  General. 

The  new  acting  dean  and  acting  director,  a 
Millsaps  College  graduate,  earned  the  M.D.  de- 
gree at  Tulane  University  School  of  Medicine 
and  interned  at  the  U.  S.  Marine  Hospital  in  New 
Orleans.  He  entered  active  duty  in  1933. 


620 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Medical  Center  Hosts 
Attorney  General 


A.  F.  Sumner,  center , Mississippi  Attorney  General, 
spoke  to  faculty  and  students  on  “Mississippi  and 
Minnesota”  at  the  year’s  first  Student  Assembly. 
This  lecture  series,  now  in  its  second  year , features 
monthly  speakers  from  various  fields.  School  of 
Medicine  junior  Bill  Tatum  of  Meridian,  left,  chair- 
man of  the  Student  Assembly  programs,  and  senior 
Donald  Blackwood  of  Drew,  right,  student  body 
president,  greet  the  visiting  state  official. 

Illinois  Plans 
Postgraduate  Course 

The  Department  of  Otolaryngology  of  the  Eye 
and  Ear  Infirmary  of  the  University  of  Illinois 
Hospital  and  the  Abraham  Lincoln  School  of 
Medicine  of  the  College  of  Medicine,  University 
of  Illinois  at  the  Medical  Center,  will  conduct 
a postgraduate  course  in  laryngology  and  bron- 
choesophagology  March  15-26,  1971. 

This  course  is  limited  to  15  physicians  and 
will  be  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Paul  H.  Holin- 
ger.  It  will  be  held  largely  at  the  Eye  and  Ear 
Infirmary,  1855  West  Taylor  Street,  Chicago,  and 
will  include  visits  to  a number  of  other  Chicago 
hospitals. 

Instruction  will  be  provided  by  means  of  animal 
demonstrations  and  practice  in  bronchoscopy  and 
esophagoscopy,  diagnostic  and  surgical  clinics,  as 
well  as  didactic  lectures. 

Interested  registrants  will  please  write  directly 


to  the  Department  of  Otolaryngology,  University 
of  Illinois  at  the  Medical  Center,  Postoffice  Box 
6998,  Chicago,  Illinois  60680. 

Ole  Miss  Publishes 
Marihuana  Index 

The  world’s  scientific  literature  on  “pot”  has 
been  indexed  in  a 200-page  bibliography  pub- 
lished this  week  by  the  University  of  Mississippi. 

The  “Annotated  Bibliography  of  Marijuana 
1964-1969”  is  being  issued  by  the  School  of 
Pharmacy’s  Research  Institute  of  Pharmaceuti- 
cal Sciences  under  a contract  with  the  National 
Institute  of  Mental  Health.  The  publication  was 
edited  by  Dr.  Coy  W.  Waller,  director  of  the  Re- 
search Institute,  and  staff  members  Dr.  Hugh 
D.  Bryan,  Jacqueline  J.  Denny  and  Lois  P. 
Schiff. 

The  index  to  international  scientific  literature 
includes  information  on  marihuana  found  in  jour- 
nals in  the  free  world  as  well  as  in  publications 
behind  the  iron  curtain.  The  bibliography  includes 
references  to  some  800  books,  magazines,  jour- 
nals, and  articles  relating  to  Cannabis  Sativa  L., 
the  technical  name  for  “pot.” 

Dr.  Waller  said  the  bibliography  was  issued 
because  of  a great  amount  of  scientific  literature 
published  on  marihuana  in  recent  years. 

“The  last  such  publication  was  published  in 
1965  by  the  United  Nations  Commission  on 
Narcotic  Drugs  and  included  1,860  references. 
Considerable  progress  has  been  made  in  the  last 
six  years  on  the  chemistry  of  the  constituents  in 
marihuana  and  an  updating  of  the  bibliography  of 
scientific  literature  is  timely,”  Dr.  Waller  said. 

“The  cannabis  literature  during  the  years  1964- 
69  contains  many  reports  on  the  chemistry  of  the 
plant  constituents,  synthesis  of  the  tethrahydro- 
cannabinols  and  cannabinoids — the  active  in- 
gredients— and  the  use  of  new  analytical  tools  to 
identify  and  confirm  the  major  components  of 
cannabis.” 

Dr.  Waller  said  advances  in  the  chemical 
knowledge  of  marihuana  appear  to  precede  a new 
wave  of  study  of  the  biological  aspects  of  the 
drug.  “It  is  predicted  that  during  the  next  five 
years,  major  contributions  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  pharmacology,  toxicology,  teratology  and 
medicinal  use  of  cannabinoid  will  be  published,” 
he  said. 

Dr.  Waller,  consultant  to  the  National  Institute 
of  Mental  Health  on  its  national  marihuana  re- 
search program,  said  the  bibliography  would 
be  made  available  to  scientists. 


NOVEMBER  1970 


621 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Chicago  Society 
Sets  Two  PG  Courses 

The  Chicago  Medical  Society  will  sponsor  two 
postgraduate  courses  in  November,  1970.  A 
course  in  internal  medicine  will  be  held  Nov. 
9-13,  and  a course  in  obstetrics  and  gynecology 
will  be  featured  Nov.  16-20. 

The  courses  will  be  held  in  the  Knickerbocker 
Hotel,  163  East  Walton,  Chicago. 

Registration  is  limited.  The  registration  fee  for 
each  course  is  $150.00  which  includes  luncheon 
tickets,  refreshments  and  a booklet  summarizing 
each  lecture.  A limited  number  of  resident  phy- 
sicians will  be  accommodated  at  a reduced  fee. 

Dr.  Peter  J.  Talson  is  chairman  of  the  internal 
medical  course,  and  Dr.  Charles  P.  McCartney 
is  chairman  of  the  course  on  obstetrics  and 
gynecology. 

The  program  is  acceptable  for  3 2 Vi  elective 
hours  by  the  American  Academy  of  General 
Practice. 

For  further  information  and  applications,  write 
the  Chicago  Medical  Society,  310  S.  Michigan 
Avenue,  Chicago,  111.  60604. 

APA  Salutes  SK&F 
Remotivation  Project 

The  American  Psychiatric  Association  has  pre- 
sented a special  award  to  Smith  Kline  & French 
Faboratories  for  its  involvement  and  contribu- 
tions to  the  “Remotivation”  project,  a highly  suc- 
cessful therapeutic  program  used  in  mental  hos- 
pitals for  the  past  14  years. 

Mr.  Charles  F.  Bolling,  a vice  president  in 
SK&F’s  Pharmaceutical  Division,  accepted  the 
award  from  Dr.  Robert  S.  Garber,  APA  Presi- 
dent, at  the  opening  session  of  the  APA’s  22nd 
annual  Institute  on  Hospital  and  Community 
Psychiatry  recently  held  at  the  Sheraton  Hotel. 

Dr.  Garber  has  been  associated  with  the  “Re- 
motivation”  program  for  many  years. 

Remotivation  is  a therapeutic  technique  used 
by  the  psychiatric  aide  with  his  own  patients,  but 
under  the  supervision  of  a professional  nurse. 
It  augments  other  therapy — not  replaces  it. 

The  program  consists  of  a series  of  patient 
meetings  held  once  or  twice  a week  under  the 
leadership  of  the  aide  who  initiates  a discussion 
that  is  purely  objective  in  nature.  The  sessions 
give  even  the  most  regressed  patient  the  oppor- 


tunity of  enjoying  something  with  other  people. 

Remotivation  originated  at  the  Philadelphia 
State  Hospital  in  1956.  Increased  interest  led  to 
the  formation  of  the  Remotivation  Advisory  Com- 
mittee of  the  APA  Mental  Hospital  Service.  The 
committee  worked  with  SK&F’s  Mental  Health 
Education  Unit  in  establishing  programs  through- 
out the  country. 

From  1956  to  1960,  SK&F,  working  with  the 
APA,  planned,  coordinated  and  paid  for  classes, 
seminars  and  demonstrations  that  taught  the  tech- 
nique to  thousands  of  nurses  and  aides.  SK&F 
continued  its  financial  support  after  the  APA  as- 
sumed full  administrative  control  of  the  program 
in  1960. 

The  program  has  been  recently  decentralized 
with  17  hospitals  around  the  country  designated 
as  regional  training  centers  by  the  APA.  It  is 
self-sustaining  and  requires  no  additional  support 
from  SK&F,  the  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  manufacturer 
of  prescription  medicines  and  other  health-re- 
lated products. 


Dr.  Leathers’  Portrait 
Donated  to  UMC 


The  University  of  Mississippi  Medical  Center  has 
received  a portrait  of  the  late  Dr.  Waller  S.  Leathers, 
first  dean  of  the  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine  who  later  served  with  distinction  as  dean 
of  the  Vanderbilt  University  medical  school.  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  James  E.  Ridgeway  of  Tampa,  Fla.,  at  right, 
made  the  presentation.  Mrs.  Ridgeway  is  the  artist. 
Her  husband,  formerly  of  Vanderbilt  Clinic,  College 
of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  Columbia  University, 
was  a student  at  the  Ole  Miss  two-year  medical 
school  on  the  Oxford  campus  when  Dr.  Leathers  was 
dean.  Dr.  David  B.  Wilson,  left,  University  Medical 
Center  assistant  director  for  health  planning,  accepts 
the  painting  on  behalf  of  the  University. 


622 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Family  Doctor  Group 
Takes  New  Name 

The  nation's  second  largest  medical  group  has 
voted  to  change  its  name  of  23  years.  The  Ameri- 
can Academy  of  General  Practice,  national  as- 
sociation of  family  physicians,  now  will  become 
known  as  the  American  Academy  of  Family 
Physicians. 

The  action,  which  will  take  a year  to  develop 
fully,  was  taken  by  the  Academy’s  Congress  of 

Delegates  in  the  final 
session  of  the  group’s 
annual  meeting  at  the 
Fairmont  Hotel.  It 
immediately  preceded 
election  of  Dr.  J.  Je- 
rome Wildgen,  Kali- 
spell,  Mont.,  as  presi- 
dent-elect. Dr.  Wild- 
gen will  become  presi- 
dent a year  from  now 
at  the  organization’s 
meeting  in  Miami 
Beach. 

Dr.  William  E.  Lot- 
terhos,  Jackson,  Miss., 
became  president  of 
the  group  in  special  inaugural  ceremonies. 

According  to  Mac  F.  Cahal,  executive  director, 
the  change  of  the  name  was  an  important  step  in 
the  continuing  move  to  revitalize  the  nation’s  pri- 
mary health  care  forces. 

“This  truly  is  a significant  thing  because  it 
shows  that  doctors  everywhere,  including  our 
members,  are  beginning  to  be  comfortable  with 
the  concept  of  family  practice,  the  new  primary- 
care  specialty  that  is  obviously  beginning  to  take 
hold,”  Cahal  said.  “We’ve  tried  to  do  this  a num- 
ber of  times  before  but  only  now,  when  the  spe- 
cialty has  become  a reality  and  the  first  examina- 
tions given,  has  this  become  possible.” 

Cahal  said  the  new  name  more  accurately  re- 
flects what  the  organization  represents.  He  added, 
however,  that  it  will  not  become  official  until  the 
next  meeting  of  the  Congress  (normally,  the  fall 
of  1971)  because  it  requires  a change  in  the 
constitution  and  90  days  notice  to  delegates.  He 
explained  that  the  organization’s  Board  of  Di- 
rectors had  been  empowered  by  the  Congress 
of  Delegates  to  “utilize  the  new  name  in  the 
interim  as  it  sees  fit,”  though,  so  that  the  organiza- 
tion could  proceed  to  use  the  new  name  with 
due  speed. 

In  addition  to  Dr.  Wildgen.  these  other  officers 


and  directors  were  named: 

Dr.  Norman  Coulter,  Orlando,  Fla.,  vice  presi- 
dent, and  Drs.  Robert  E.  Heerens,  Rockford, 
111.;  Herbert  A.  Holden,  San  Leandro,  Calif.,  and 
Thomas  L.  Lucas,  Alexandria,  Va.  The  directors 
will  serve  3-year  terms. 

Drs.  James  G.  Price,  Brush,  Colo.,  and  Stan- 
ley A.  Boyd,  Eugene,  Ore.,  were  re-elected  speak- 
er and  vice  speaker  respectively  of  the  Congress 
of  Delegates. 

Wyeth  Films  Win 
Festival  Awards 

Two  films  produced  by  Wyeth  Laboratories 
received  awards  at  the  12th  annual  American 
Film  Festival,  held  recently  in  New  York  City. 
The  Festival,  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  Edu- 
cational Film  Library  Association,  is  the  major 
showcase  each  year  for  over  400  films  and  film- 
strips selected  from  over  1,000  entries. 

In  the  category  designated  “Health  for  General 
Audience,”  Wyeth’s  film  titled  “Happy  Family 
Planning’  won  the  blue  ribbon  (first  place  in 
category).  Another  Wyeth  film,  “Case  In  Point,” 
won  the  red  ribbon  (second  place)  in  the  “Voca- 
tional Guidance”  category. 

“Happy  Family  Planning”  is  an  eight-minute 
animated,  color  film  with  music,  available  in 
either  16-mm.  or  8-mm.  The  film,  using  graphic 
devices  and  no  dialogue,  reviews  various  contra- 
ceptive methods  which  are  identified  in  five  lan- 
guages: English,  French,  Spanish,  Arabic  and 
Chinese.  “Happy  Family  Planning”  is  designed 
for  showing  to  lay  groups,  especially  hospitalized 
women  in  the  immediate  postpartum  period.  It 
also  can  serve  as  a valuable  educational  aid  in 
clinics,  physicians’  offices  and  at  health  meetings. 

Prints  of  “Happy  Family  Planning”  are  avail- 
able on  loan  through  Wyeth  representatives  or 
the  Wyeth  Film  Library,  P.  O.  Box  8299,  Phila- 
delphia, Pa.  19101.  Also,  prints  can  be  purchased 
at  cost  through  Planned  Parenthood  Federation, 
515  Madison  Avenue,  New  York,  N.  Y.  10022. 

“Case  In  Point”  outlines  precautions  by  which 
the  medical  assistant  and  her  physician-employer 
can  help  protect  themselves  from  lawsuits.  Using 
a documentary  approach,  “Case  In  Point”  de- 
picts various  professional  activities  of  the  medical 
assistant,  and  dramatizes  the  importance  of  ob- 
serving fundamental  safeguards  in  each  area.  The 
film,  which  is  16-mm.,  color,  and  runs  25  min- 
utes, is  available  for  showing  to  physicians  and 
to  chapters  of  the  American  Association  of  Medi- 
cal Assistants. 


Dr.  Lotterhos 


NOVEMBER  1970 


623 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

UMC  Offers  Nurses 
Master  Degree 

The  Board  of  Trustees,  Institutions  of  Higher 
Learning,  has  approved  the  state’s  first  master  of 
nursing  degree  program,  to  be  offered  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Mississippi  School  of  Nursing  this  year. 

Program  director  will  be  Dr.  Faustena  Blaisdell, 
who  was  formerly  nursing  professor  and  head  of 
the  masters  program  at  the  University  of  North 
Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill.  She  holds  B.S.,  N.Ed. 
and  Ed.D.  degrees  from  Teachers  College,  Co- 
lumbia University. 

The  new  course  of  study  was  developed  in  di- 
rect response  to  the  demands  of  the  state’s  nurs- 
ing schools  for  masters-level  teachers  and  the 
needs  of  Mississippi  hospitals  for  equally  quali- 
fied nurse  supervisors,  according  to  Dean  Chris- 
tine L.  Oglevee. 

In  1970  the  Mississippi  State  Legislature  in- 
creased the  nursing  school’s  appropriation  to  fund 
the  additional  curriculum  load.  The  masters  pro- 
gram is  largely  the  result  of  efforts  by  the  Mis- 
sissippi Nurses'  Association,  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association,  Mississippi  Hospital  As- 
sociation, junior  colleges  and  other  professional 
organizations. 

Plans  are  underway  for  specialization  in  ma- 
ternal-infant care  or  medical-surgical  nursing. 

Dr.  Wong  Appointed 
NEI  Clinical  Director 

The  appointment  of  Dr.  Vernon  G.  Wong  as 
Clinical  Director  of  the  National  Eye  Institute 
has  been  announced  by  Dr.  Carl  Kupfer,  Institute 
Director.  The  Institute  is  the  primary  Federal 
organization  for  the  support  of  research  aimed  at 
improved  diagnosis,  prevention,  and  treatment  of 
visual  disorders. 

As  Clinical  Director,  Dr.  Wong  is  responsible 
for  continuous  review  and  supervision  of  NEI  re- 
search involving  patients  and  normal  volunteers, 
including  overseeing  the  maintenance  of  quality 
standards  by  physicians  and  nurses  and  the  pro- 
priety of  patient  care. 

Dr.  Wong  has  been  with  NEI’s  Ophthalmology 
Branch  since  1962  when  it  was  part  of  what  is 
now  the  National  Institute  of  Neurological  Dis- 
eases and  Stroke.  Beginning  as  a Clinical  As- 
sociate, Dr.  Wong  advanced  to  the  position  of 


Associate  Ophthalmologist  and  Senior  Investiga- 
tor by  1967. 

At  NIH,  Dr.  Wong  has  worked  in  collabora- 
tion with  scientists  of  various  Institutes.  Among 
his  accomplishments  has  been  the  introduction  of 
immunosuppressive  drugs  in  ophthalmology,  dem- 
onstrating that  a number  of  refractory  conditions 
of  the  eye,  including  corneal  graft  rejection, 
could  be  significantly  improved  by  these  agents. 
Dr.  Wong  also  helped  develop  a simple  method 
for  diagnosing  the  inherited  metabolic  disorder 
cystinosis  by  assaying  biopsies  of  conjunctiva, 
eliminating  the  need  for  the  more  difficult  and 
time-consuming  methods  previously  used. 

In  addition  to  his  duties  as  Clinical  Director, 
Dr.  Wong  will  continue  his  current  research  in 
uveitis  and  conjunctival  and  corneal  diseases. 

Medical  Aspects  of 
Sports  Meet  Set 

The  12th  National  Conference  on  the  Medical 
Aspects  of  Sports,  sponsored  by  the  American 
Medical  Association  under  the  auspices  of  its 
Committee  on  the  Medical  Aspects  of  Sports,  will 
be  held  in  Boston  at  the  Sheraton-Boston  Hotel 
on  Nov.  29,  1970.  The  Conference  is  held  an- 
nually in  conjunction  with  and  on  the  first  day 
of  the  Clinical  Convention  of  the  American  Medi- 
cal Association. 

As  was  true  of  the  previous  11  Conferences, 
the  12th  will  cover  a wide  range  of  subjects  of 
interest  to  those  serving  school  and  college  ath- 
letic programs.  Included  will  be  forums  and  dis- 
cussion sections  relating  to  research  in  sports, 
aquatic  sports,  football  rules  and  injuries,  psy- 
chology in  sports,  girls  in  sports,  and  emergency 
and  public  health  aspects  of  sports. 

At  the  Conference  Luncheon,  Dr.  Francis  D. 
Moore,  Moseley  Professor  of  Surgery,  Harvard 
Medical  School;  Surgeon-in-Chief,  Peter  Bent 
Bingham  Hospital,  Boston;  and  eminent  deep- 
water skipper  will  discuss  the  topic  “Sailing 
Into  Trouble.”  At  the  evening  session,  dem- 
onstrations on  preventive  and  therapeutic  taping, 
and  musculo-skeletal  aspects  of  pre-participation 
examination  will  be  staged. 

The  Conference  is  open  to  key  non-medical 
athletic  personnel  as  well  as  interested  physicians. 
Those  who  would  like  further  information  con- 
cerning the  Conference  should  address  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  Medical  Aspects  of  Sports,  Ameri- 
can Medical  Association,  535  North  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois  60610. 


624 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


MPAC 

AMPAC 

give  you  IMPACT,  doctor! 


But  make  it  a mutual  impact,  doctor,  because  your  PAC 
needs  you  and  you  need  your  PAC.  Both  AMPAC  and 
each  of  the  50  state  PAC’s  are  voluntary,  nonprofit,  un- 
incorporated, autonomous  groups  whose  members  are 
physicians,  their  wives,  and  others  in  allied  professions. 
Every  group  is  bipartisan,  bound  by  no  party  label.  The 
voting  record,  platform,  and  program  of  a candidate — 
not  his  party — is  what  the  PAC  considers. 

The  basic  purpose  is  twofold:  To  educate  in  political 
affairs  and  to  provide  a means  through  which  the  physi- 
cian-citizen can  effectively  make  his  voice  heard  in  the  po- 
litical arena.  MPAC  is  medically  oriented  and  medically 
directed  by  a 10  member  board  consisting  of  nine  physi- 
cians and  a Woman’s  Auxiliary  representative. 

With  the  elections  behind,  MPAC  is  looking  ahead  to 
1971  when  there  will  be  a job  to  do.  Make  your  voice 
count  by  sending  your  dues  today,  $10  for  MPAC  and 
$10  for  AMPAC.  Better  send  dues  for  your  wife,  too. 


MISSISSIPPI  MEDICAL 
POLITICAL  ACTION 
COMMITTEE 


NOVEMBER  1970 


625 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Master  of  Public  Health 
Programs  Announced 

The  Division  of  Maternal  and  Child  Health  of 
the  University  of  California  School  of  Public 
Health  at  Berkeley  announces  postgraduate  pro- 
grams leading  to  the  degree  of  Master  of  Public 
Health.  These  programs  are  for  pediatricians, 
obstetricians,  and  other  physicians  interested  in 
receiving  training  in  the  field  of  Maternal  and 
Child  Health.  Fellowship  support  is  available,  in- 
cluding basic  support  for  the  trainee,  and  allow- 
ance for  dependents,  tuition  and  fees. 

Program  areas  now  available  include  nine- 
month  programs  in  maternal  and  child  health, 
health  of  school-age  children,  and  maternal  health 
and  family  planning.  A 21-month  program  in 
care  of  handicapped  children,  perinatology,  and 
comprehensive  care  is  available.  There  are  also 
three-year  career  development  programs  in  pedi- 
atrics and  obstetrics  which  combine  public  health 
and  residency  training.  Fellowships  are  available 
for  these  programs  also. 

Applications  are  now  being  accepted  for  the 
group  entering  September  1971.  For  information, 
write  to  Dr.  Helen  M.  Wallace,  School  of  Public 
Health,  University  of  California,  Berkeley,  Calif. 
94720. 

NHLI  Establishes 
Research  Centers 

The  National  Heart  and  Lung  Institute  (NHLI  ) 
has  announced  its  intent  to  establish,  on  a com- 
petitive basis,  a limited  number  of  specialized 
research  centers  devoted  to  the  solution  of  speci- 
fic problems  identified  by  the  Institute  as  of  high 
priority,  and  in  one  of  the  following  disease  areas: 
arteriosclerosis,  thrombosis,  pulmonary  disease, 
and  hypertension.  The  objective  of  the  program 
is  to  focus  resources,  facilities  and  manpower 
on  particular  problems  and  to  expedite  the  de- 
velopment and  application  of  new  knowledge 
essential  for  improved  diagnosis,  treatment,  and 
prevention  of  these  diseases. 

The  support  mechanism  for  the  centers  will  be 
the  grant-in-aid,  but  it  will  differ  from  other  re- 
search grants  both  in  its  goal  orientation  and  in 
the  degree  of  participation  by  the  National  Heart 
and  Lung  Institute.  In  this  sense,  the  award  of  a 
Center  grant  will  connote  a special  relationship 


between  the  NHLI  and  the  grantee  institution. 

The  deadline  for  receipt  of  applications  is  Jan. 
1,  1971,  and  applicants  may  expect  to  be  ad- 
vised of  the  action  on  their  proposals  about  June 
1971. 

The  National  Heart  and  Lung  Institute  is 
planning  to  hold  an  orientation  meeting  concern- 
ing the  Specialized  Research  Center  Program  in 
Washington,  D.  C.,  on  Oct.  5,  1970. 

Copies  of  a detailed  Program  Announcement 
describing  the  NHLI  Specialized  Centers  of  Re- 
search, and  information  concerning  the  orientation 
meeting,  may  be  obtained  by  writing  to  Dr. 
Jerome  G.  Green,  Associate  Director  for  Extra- 
mural Research  and  Training,  National  Heart 
and  Lung  Institute,  Bethesda,  Md.  20014. 

Arteriosclerosis  Research 

Group  Meets 

A new  task  force  has  met  at  the  National  In- 
stitutes of  Health  to  plan  for  a 10-year  research 
assault  against  arteriosclerosis — the  hardening  of 
the  arteries  that  leads  to  heart  attacks  and  other 
troubles.  The  13-member  group,  led  by  Dr.  Elliot 
V.  Newman  of  the  Vanderbilt  University  School 
of  Medicine,  was  heard  by  Dr.  Theodore  Cooper, 
director  of  the  National  Heart  and  Lung  Institute. 

Arteriosclerosis  is  a factor  in  the  great  majority 
of  the  more  than  1 million  cardiovascular-disease 
deaths  that  occur  each  year  in  the  United  States. 
It  disables  hundreds  of  thousands  more.  The  eco- 
nomic toll  runs  to  nearly  $25  billion  annually. 

This  disease  is  characterized  by  the  gradual 
narrowing — and  sometimes  closure — of  arteries 
by  fatty  materials  and  other  substances  in  the 
blood.  When  arteriosclerosis  attacks  the  arteries 
that  nourish  the  heart  muscle,  it  is  called 
coronary  heart  disease;  when  blood  vessels  to 
the  brain  are  the  main  target,  it  is  called  cerebro- 
vascular disease;  and  when  it  threatens  the  blood 
supply  of  the  arms  and  legs,  it  is  called  peripheral 
vascular  disease. 

In  planning  NHLI’s  attack  on  this  urgent 
problem,  the  Task  Force  on  Arteriosclerosis  will 
draw  on  the  expertise  of  special  panels,  each  com- 
posed of  specialists  in  fields  such  as  cardiology, 
lipid  metabolism,  hormone  metabolism,  instru- 
mentation, hematology,  cardiovascular  physiology 
and  aging. 

The  final  report  of  the  task  force  is  scheduled 
to  be  submitted  to  NHLI  in  June,  1971. 
It  will  have  an  important  bearing  on  future  pro- 
grams by  the  Institute  and  its  advisory  bodies. 


626 


JOURNAL  MSM  A 


Burdick 

DIRECTED,  DEEP- 
TISSUE  HEATING 
WITH  THE  MW-200 
MICROWAVE  UNIT 

The  MW-200’s  simplicity 
of  operation  and  ease 
of  electrode  application 
have  contributed  much 
to  the  popularity  of  mi- 
crowave diathermy.  Mi- 
crowave radiations  can  be  reflected,  focused 
and  directed.  Treatment  intensities  may  be 
preset. 

Write  us  for  descriptive  literature  and  com- 
plete price  information. 

KAY  SURGICAL  INC. 

663  North  State  St.  * Jackson,  Miss. 


Ec- 
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Your  ulcer  patients  and 
others  will  appreciate  it. 
Specify  DICARBOSIL  144's- 
144  tablets  in  1 2 rolls. 

ARCH  LABORATORIES 

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Index  to  Advertisers 


AMPAC,  MPAC  625 

Arch  Laboratories 627 

Beckton,  Dickinson  and  Company 612A,  612B 

Breon  Laboratories 8 

Burroughs-Wellcome  & Co.  10A 

Campbell  Soup  Company 596A 

Hill  Crest  Hospital 6 

Hynson,  Westcott  & Dunning,  Inc 3 

Kay  Surgical  627 

Lederle  Laboratories  second  cover,  4,  15 

Leonard  Wright  Sanatorium 10 


Eli  Lilly  and  Company  front  cover,  18 

Medicenters  of  America,  Inc 12 

The  Wm.  S.  Merrell  Company  7 


The  National  Drug  Company  604A,  604B,  616A,  616B 


William  P.  Poythress  and  Co.,  Inc 10B 

A.  H.  Robins  Company  14,  14A,  620A,  620B 

Roche  Laboratories  14B,  14C,  14D,  16,  17,  fourth  cover 

G.  D.  Searle  Company 596B,  596C 

Stuart  Pharmaceuticals  586,  587,  596D 

Thomas  Yates  and  Company  third  cover 


NOVEMBER  1970 


627 


Television  critic  Cleveland  Amory,  self-styled  expert  on  labora- 
t or y animals  and  anti vi vi s e c t i onls t extraordinary,  told  a House 
of  Representatives  subcommittee  that  dolphins  cannot  be  anesthe- 
tized, But  American  Veterinary  Medical  Association  reports  that 
halo thane  works  well  on  dolphins  and  marine  animals  in  general. 
Amory,  dour  critic  who  pans  almost  everything,  supports  proposals 
to  make  use  of  lab  animals  much  more  restrictive. 


A nsurgical  knowledge  self-assessment  program"  will  be  inaugurated 
by  the  American  dollege  of  Surgeons  in  late  1971.  Designed  for 
those  who  have  practiced  surgery  for  10  or  more  years,  the  self- 
assessment  consists  of  a home  examination  with  bibliographies  ac- 
companying each  question  so  that  examinee  surgeon  may  use  referenc; 
in  answering.  College  says  that  no  time  limit  is  placed  on  pre- 
paring answers  to  be  graded  confidentially  by  a computer  center. 


The  American  Academy  of  Pediatrics  made  a strong  case  against  lead 
based  paint  and  has  called  on  the  Congress  to  make  use  of  the  mate: 
al  illegal  in  painting  residential  housing.  Testimony  was  presenti 
before  senate  committee  considering  H.R.  17260.  the  Lead-Based  Pai 
Elimination  Act  of  1970*  AAP  witnesses  shook  up  committee  by  stati 
that  there  is  more  brain  damage  in  New  York  children  from  lead  pai 
than  there  was  from  measles  before  immunization  program. 


Married  to  the  same  spouse  for  130  years?  A definite  possibility  i 
the  future,  says  Dr.  C.  W.  Hall,  chief  of  artificial  organs  progra 
of  Southwest  Research  Institute  of  San  Antonio.  Dr.  Hall  foresees 
human  life  span  of  175  years  with  ersatz  transplants  but  wonders  i 
it  won*t  cause  marital  problems.  He  also  concedes  that  century  an 
a half  lifetime  will  play  havoc  with  life  insurance  actuarial  tabl* 
and  health  insurance  experience. 


The  flap  over  microwave  oven  dangers  goes  on  with  AMA  asserting  tki 
as  many  as  a third  of  the  60,000  now  in  use  have  excessive  mi crows ( 
leakage.  The  oven  which  bakes  a cake  in  two  minutes  can  emit  heal 
producing  waves  capable  of  causing  cataracts  and  deep  tissue  bums 
General  Electric,”  a major  manufacturer  of  the  ovens , called,  in  the 
Bureau  of  Radiological  Health  to  survey  and  test  GE  models  which 
were  found  to  be  safe  and  without  leakage. 


Volume  XI 
Number  12 

December  1970 


• EDITOR 

William  M.  Dabney,  M.D. 

• ASSOCIATE  EDITORS 
George  H.  Martin,  M.D. 
Thomas  W.  Wesson,  M.D. 

• MANAGING  EDITOR 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 

• EDITORIAL  ASSISTANT 
Nola  Gibson 

• PUBLICATIONS  COMMITTEE 
Lawrence  W.  Long,  M.D. 

Chairman 

Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr.,  M.D. 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
and  the  editors 

• THE  ASSOCIATION 
Paul  B.  Brumby,  M.D. 

President 

Arthur  E.  Brown,  M.D. 

President-Elect 
Raymond  S.  Martin,  M.D. 

Secretary-T  reasurer 
William  E.  Lotterhos,  M.D. 
Speaker 

John  B.  Howell,  Jr.,  M.D. 

Vice  Speaker 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 
H.  Cody  Harrell 

Assistant  Executive  Secretary 
James  F.  McPherson,  II 
Executive  Assistant 


CONTENTS 


ORIGINAL  PAPERS 


Surgery  of  the  Thymus 

The  Significance  of 
Analytical  Toxicology  in 
the  Treatment  of  Poisoning 


Use  of  Artificial  Kidney 
in  Cases  of  Poisoning 


629  Philip  E.  Bernatz, 
M.D. 


636  Arthur  S.  Hume, 
Ph.D.,  and  John  D. 
Bower,  M.D. 

639  John  D.  Bower,  M.D., 
and  Arthur  S.  Hume, 
Ph.D. 


SPECIAL  ARTICLE 


Radiologic  Seminar  CII 
Paget’s  Disease 


644  T.  Scott  McCay, 
M.D. 


EDITORIALS 


The  Four  Faces  of  National 
Health  Insurance 


647  Great  Health  Debate 


The  Growing  Role  of  the 
Joint  Commission 
The  Doctor  Has  Everything, 
Except  Time 
Hijacking  and  Health 
Insurance 
Can  He  Do  the  Job? 
Then  Hire  Him! 


650  Improving  Care  Quality 

651  Too  Much  for  Too  Few 

651  Covered  in  Cuba 

652  Ability  Counts 


The  Journal  of  the  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association  is  owned  and  pub- 
lished by  the  Mississippi  State  Medical 
Association,  founded  1856.  Editorial,  ex- 
ecutive, and  business  offices,  735  Riverside 
Drive,  Jackson,  Mississippi  39216;  office 
of  publication,  1201-5  Bluff  Street,  Fulton, 
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per  annum;  $1  per  copy,  as  available.  Ad- 
vertising rates  furnished  on  request. 
Second-class  postage  paid  at  the  post  office 
at  Fulton,  Missouri. 


THIS  MONTH 


The  President  Speaking  646  ‘LPN’s  Fight  Drug 

Abuse’ 


Medical  Organization  657  MSMA  Membership 

Opened  to  UMC 
Upperclassmen 


Copyright  1970,  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 


6 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  DECEMBER  1970 


AAP  Makes  Health 
Care  Recommendations 

The  American  Academy  of  Pediatrics  has 
called  for  formation  of  a National  Advisory 
Council  on  Children  which  would  be  responsi- 
ble to  the  President  of  the  United  States.  The 
Academy  also  called  for  the  creation  of  a vol- 
untary multidisciplinary  national  health  service 
corps,  and  a national  health  insurance  program 
to  insure  comprehensive  coverage  for  all  chil- 
dren. 

These  were  among  the  recommendations 
made  by  the  AAP  in  a special  study  on  the  de- 
livery of  health  care  to  children,  the  recom- 
mendations of  which  were  presented  at  the 
opening  session  of  the  Academy’s  annual  meet- 
ing in  San  Francisco’s  Civic  Auditorium.  The 
study  will  be  published  in  its  entirety  sometime 
in  1971. 

The  Academy  is  the  Pan-American  association 
of  physicians  certified  in  the  care  of  infants, 
children  and  adolescents.  It  has  more  than  11,- 
500  members  in  the  U.  S.,  Canada,  and  Latin 
America. 


The  AAP  study  emphasized  that  because  of 
the  importance  of  children  to  society,  health 
programs  for  children  require  a higher  degree 
of  priority.  To  accomplish  this,  the  AAP  recom- 
mended the  creation  of  a National  Advisory 
Council  on  Children,  and  the  establishment  of 
an  Office  of  Deputy  Assistant  Secretary  for  Chil- 
dren and  Youth  in  the  Department  of  Health, 
Education  and  Welfare. 

The  Academy  indicated  that  the  information 
collected  in  the  study  “amply  demonstrates  that 
the  American  health  care  delivery  system  for 
children  is  presently  lacking  adequate  numbers 
of  professional  persons  who  are  available,  ac- 
cessible, and  acceptable  to  those  in  need  of 
care.” 

The  report  therefore  called  for  an  expansion 
in  the  supply  of  physicians  to  eliminate  these 
shortcomings  through  an  increase  in  enrollment 
in  medical  schools;  an  increase  in  scholarships, 
loans  and  other  methods  of  tuition  financing 
for  medical  schools;  expanded  and  well-funded 
residency  programs  for  the  training  of  primary 
care  physicians,  and  adequate  funding  for  med- 
ical schools  “to  permit  them  to  maintain  quality 
teaching  of  large  numbers  of  students  as  well 


HOSPITAL 

Hill  Cresi  Foundation , Inc. 


7000  5TH  AVENUE  SOUTH 
Box  2896, 

Birmingham,  Alabama  3521 2 

Phone:  205-836-7201 


A patient  centered 
non-profit  hospital  for 
intensive  treatment  of 
nervous  disorders  . . . 


Hill  Crest  Hospital  was  estab- 
lished in  1925  as  Hill  Crest 
Sanitarium  to  provide  private 
psychiatric  treatment  of  ner- 
vous or  mental  disorders.  Indi- 
vidual patient  care  has  been 
the  theme  during  its  45  years 
of  service. 

Both  male  and  female  pa- 


tients are  accepted  and  depart- 
mentalized care  is  provided  ac- 
cording to  sex  and  the  degree 
of  illness. 


In  addition  to  the  psychiatric 
staff,  consultants  are  available 
in  all  medical  specialities. 


MEDICAL  DIRECTOR: 

James  K.  Ward,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 


CLINICAL  DIRECTOR: 

Hardin  M.  Ritchey,  M.D.,  F.A.P.A. 


HILL  CREST  is  a member  of: 

AMERICAN  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
. . . NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  PR!- 
VATE  PSYCHIATRIC  HOSPITALS  . . . 
ALABAMA  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION  . . . 
BIRMINGHAM  REGIONAL  HOSPITAL 
COUNCIL. 

Hill  Crest  is  fully  accredited  by  the  Joint 
Commission  on  Accreditation  of  Hospitals 
and  is  also  approved  for  Medicare  pa- 
tients. 


9M  C/iest 

HOSPITAL 

BIRMINGHAM,  ALABAMA 


MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 


7 


as  to  continue  their  needed  research  and  service 
functions.” 

The  AAP  further  called  for  the  institution 
throughout  the  country  of  training  programs 
for  pediatric  nurse  associates,  pediatric  office  as- 
sistants, and  pediatric  aides  to  improve  the 
quantity  and  effectiveness  of  care  provided  to 
children. 

The  AAP  urged  that  incentives  be  made  avail- 
able to  stimulate  the  “better  distribution  of 
health  professionals  to  areas  of  greatest  need  so 
as  to  provide  medical  care  of  high  quality  to  the 
entire  spectrum  of  the  population.” 

The  study  also  called  for  the  creation  of  a 
voluntary  multidisciplinary  national  health  ser- 
vice corps  to  provide  the  opportunity  for  all 
types  of  health  personnel  to  join  such  a corps 
in  an  effort  to  deliver  health  care  services  to 
those  areas  not  now  receiving  such  services. 

In  examining  the  methods  of  financing  the 
delivery  of  health  care  to  children,  the  Acade- 
my report  pointed  out  that  child  health  care  is 
far  too  expensive  for  millions  of  families,  and 


that  voluntary  health  insurance  is  beyond  the  fi- 
nancial capabilities  of  many  families.  “With 
few  exceptions,  prepaid  health  insurance  poli- 
cies give  very  inadequate  coverage  of  child 
health  care  services,”  the  study  revealed.  The 
Academy  therefore  called  for  the  development 
of  a national  health  insurance  program  “that 
will  insure  comprehensive  coverage  for  all  chil- 
dren.” 

The  Academy  report  also  examined  the  health 
care  of  special  groups  of  children.  The  AAP 
pointed  out  that  large  numbers  of  children,  par- 
ticularly those  living  in  remote  rural  areas  or  in 
urban  ghettos,  can  only  obtain  health  care  for 
acute  and  serious  illnesses,  “and  even  this  is 
done  with  difficulty.” 

In  other  recommendations,  the  Academy 
called  for  the  recognition  that  dental  services 
are  an  integral  part  of  child  health  care.  The 
AAP  further  urged  that  ongoing  surveys  of 
health  needs,  as  seen  by  families,  be  undertak- 
en as  an  essential  step  in  planning  the  restruc- 
turing of  health  care  systems. 


8 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  DECEMBER  1970 


LOOK  IN 
THE  BOOK 


When  you  have  problems  filling  out  claim  forms,  you’ll 
find  the  Blue  Shield  Physician’s  Manual  a helpful  reference. 
The  “blue  book’’  also  explains  the  function  of  Blue  Cross 
- Blue  Shield  as  a voluntary,  non-profit  prepayment  health 
care  plan.  Representatives,  who  visit  physicians’  offices  reg- 
ularly with  up-to-date  information  on  Blue  Cross  - Blue 
Shield,  will  be  glad  to  answer  any  questions  you  may  have 
which  are  not  discussed  in  the  Manual. 


BLUEC-CROSS.  BLUElSHIELD. 


Mississippi  Hospital  & Medical  Service 
530  E.  Woodrow  Wilson  / P.  O.  Box  1043  / Jackson,  Mississippi  39205  / 366-1422 


December  1970 


ar  Doctor: 

der's  raiders  have  hit  American  medicine,  calling  for  a National 
dical  Board  with  full  authority  over  delivery  of  services  in 
e consumer  crusader  also  called  for  uniform  national  standards 
perfomance  for  physicians,  standardized  medical  records  on  com- 
ters , and  a system  to  control  and  limit  entrance  into  and  contin- 
tion  of  medical  practice. 

The  230-page  report  was  prepared  by  two  law  students, 
a medical  student,  an  attorney,  ana  a former  FDA  M.D. 

Unlike  other  Ralph  leader  projects,  the  medical  report 
generated  little  public  interest.  AMA  President  Walter 
Bomemeier  issued  perfunctory  statement  in  response. 

i tain's  new  conservative  government  is  putting  crunch  on  welfare 
ate,  taking  away  some  of  the  National  Health  Service  benefits, 
escription  co-pay  is  up  60  per  cent,  and  price  of  eyeglasses has 
en  raised.  Most  drastic  cutback  is  requirement  for  public  to  pay 
If  of  dental  care  costs  against  former  deductible  of  only  $3*60 
r course  of  treatment.  Move  is  seen  as  pro-free  enterprise. 

e California  legislature  enacted  Gov.  Regan's  program  to  place 
1 health  and  medical  activities  under  state  department  of  health, 
position  to  move,  however,  made  the  governor  promise  to  delay  im- 
ementation  of  program  two  years.  In  Mississippi,  current  try  is 
derway  to  abolish  State  Board  of  Health  and  20  other  health-re- 
ted  offices,  creating  new  single  state  agency. 

ssissippi  ranks  first  among  eight  southeastern  states  in  accept- 
ce  of  Medicare  assignments  by  physicians!  Rate  for  state  is  now 
A per  cent,  meaning  that  less  than  l5  per  cent  of  Mississippi 
D. 's  bill  Medicare  patients  directly.  Average  among  eight  states 
region  is  68  per  cent  assignments.  Florida  physicians  have  low 
te,  taking  assignment  on  only  49  per  cent  of  Medicare  claims. 

out  600  MSMA  members  have  established  current  year  income  tax 
duct  ions  by  paying  1971  dues.  New  billing  statement,  sent  six 
eks  ago , permits  members  to  pay  all  dues  in  one  check  with  docu- 
ntation  of  transaction.  State  association  reports  local  society 
es  back  to  home  unit  secretary.  Members  are  asked  to  respond  to 
llings  now  for  improved  administration  and  tax  records. 


Sincerely, 


Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
Executive  Secretary 


MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 


1 1 


Tulane  Plans 
Therapeutics  Symposium 

Dr.  Arthur  C.  DeGraff,  professor  of  medicine 
and  cardiology.  New  York  University,  and  Dr. 
William  J.  Grace,  chief  of  medicine  at  St.  Vin- 
cent’s Hospital,  New  York  City,  and  professor 
of  clinical  medicine,  New  York  University,  will 
participate  in  a one-and-a-half-day  therapeutics 
session  at  Tulane  University  School  of  Medicine 
on  Jan.  8-9,  1971. 

Co-directors  of  this  brief  refresher  symposi- 
um will  be  Dr.  George  E.  Burch,  chairman,  de- 
partment of  medicine  and  professor  of  medi- 
cine, together  with  Dr.  F.  Gilbert  McMahon, 
head  of  therapeutics  and  professor  of  medicine 
at  Tulane.  Several  other  members  of  the  de- 
partment of  medicine  at  Tulane  will  also  par- 
ticipate in  this  meeting. 

The  meeting  is  aimed  at  clinicians  and  is  in- 
tended to  be  a refresher  course.  The  manage- 
ment of  some  common  cardiovascular  problems, 
the  proper  use  of  digitalis,  management  of 
acute  myocardial  infarction,  hypertension,  ar- 
rhythmias, and  hyperlipidemia  will  be  among 
the  problems  discussed.  Tuition  is  free. 


Albany  Medical  College 
Announces  Seminar  Cruise 

The  Department  of  Postgraduate  Medicine 
of  Albany  Medical  College  announces  that  res- 
ervations are  now  being  accepted  for  the  12th 
Postgraduate  Medical  Seminar  Cruise  Jan.  5-20, 
1971. 

The  trip  includes  a 15-day  cruise  from  New 
York  aboard  the  luxurious  and  distinguished 
ship  “Gripsholm”  of  the  Swedish  American 
Line. 

Ports  of  call  include  San  Juan,  Dominica,  St. 
Vincent,  Trinidad,  Barbados,  Martinique,  and 
St.  Thomas. 

Faculty  of  the  Albany  Medical  College  will 
present  a comprehensive  shipboard  postgradu- 
ate program,  covering  subjects  in  internal  med- 
icine, cardiology,  oncology,  psychiatry,  surgery, 
and  obstetrics  and  gynecology. 

Request  has  been  made  for  continuation 
study  credit  by  the  American  Academy  of  Gen- 
eral Practice. 

For  information  write  to:  Dr.  Girard  J. 

Craft,  Department  of  Postgraduate  Medicine, 
Albany  Medical  College,  Albany,  New  York 
12208. 


LEONARD  WRIGHT  SANATORIUM 

BYHALIA,  MISSISSIPPI  3861 1 TELEPHONE  A/C  601,  838-2162 

LEONARD  D.  WRIGHT,  SR.,  B.S.,  M.D.,  PSYCHIATRY 

• Established  in  1948.  Specializing  in  the  treatment  of  ALCO- 
HOLISM and  DRUG  ADDICTIONS  with  a capacity  limited 
to  insure  individual  treatment.  Only  voluntary  admissions  ac- 
cepted. 

• Located  25  miles  S.  E.  of  Memphis-Highway  78  on  20  acres 
of  beautifully  landscaped  grounds  sufficiently  removed  to 
provide  restful  surroundings. 

• The  Sanatorium  is  approved  by  The  Commission  on  Hospital 
Care  in  the  State  of  Mississippi. 


1 2 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  DECEMBER  1970 


Cryosurgery  Society 

To  Meet 

The  Society  for  Cryosurgery  will  hold  its  reg- 
ular meeting  March  1-6,  1971,  at  the  Diplomat 
Hotel  and  Country  Club  in  Hollywood,  Fla.  Dr. 
Richard  Lillehei,  Department  of  Surgery,  Uni- 
versity of  Minnesota,  will  preside. 

Section  topics  and  leaders  are:  Cryosurgery 
for  Cancer  and  General  Surgery,  Dr.  William 
Cahan,  Cancer  Memorial  Hospital,  New  York; 
Urology,  Dr.  Maurice  Gonder,  Millard  Fillmore 
Hospital,  Buffalo;  Dermatology,  Dr.  Douglas 
Torre,  Columbia-Presbyterian  Hospital,  New 
York;  Gynecology,  Dr.  Frank  Paloucek,  Cancer 
Prevention  Center,  Chicago;  Otolaryngology, 
Dr.  Daniel  Miller,  Massachusetts  Eye  and  Ear 
Infirmary,  Boston. 

Because  of  great  demand  for  a longer  session, 
the  ophthalmology  section  will  hold  a three-day 
meeting  March  4-6.  Included  among  the  speak- 
ers are:  Dr.  Claes  Dohlman,  Retina  Foundation, 
Boston;  Dr.  Harvey  Lincoff,  Cornell  University, 


New  York;  Dr.  Harold  Scheie,  University  of  l* 
Pennsylvania,  Philadelphia;  Dr.  Charles  Schep- 
ens,  Retina  Foundation  and  Harvard  Universi- 
ty, Boston;  and  Dr.  Saul  Sugar,  Wayne  State 
University,  Detroit. 

For  further  information,  write:  Mary  True- 
blood,  Secretary,  Society  for  Cryosurgery,  30  N. 
Michigan  Avenue,  Chicago,  111.  60602. 

New  Historical 
Journal  Published 

History  of  Medicine,  a new  journal  for  phy- 
sicians interested  in  medicine  and  the  arts,  has 
made  its  debut  in  the  United  Kingdom. 

The  journal  is  published  quarterly  and  con- 
tains biographical,  historical  and  literary  fea- 
tures by  lay  and  medical  authorities. 

Subscription  price  is  $6.00  annually  including 
postage. 

Dr.  Harold  Maxwell  is  editor  and  the  journal 
is  published  at  History  of  Medicine,  Ltd.,  78 
Queen  Victoria  Street,  London  E.C.  4. 


Announcing  the  Thirty-Fourth  Annual  Meeting  of 
THE  NEW  ORLEANS  GRADUATE  MEDIEAL  ASSEMBLY 

Conference  Headquarters— -The  Roosevelt  Hotel— March  8,  9,  10,  11,  1971 

GUEST  SPEAKERS 


Chas.  Ronald  Stephen,  M.D.,  Dallas,  Tex. 
Anesthesiology 

Alejandro  F.  Castro,  M.D.,  Washington,  D.C. 

Colon  and  Rectal  Surgery 
Alexander  A.  Fisher,  M.D.,  Woodside,  L.I.,  N.Y. 
Dermatology 

Thomas  P.  Almy,  M.D.,  Hanover,  N.H. 
Gastroenterology 

Jack  H.  Hall,  M.D.,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

General  Practice 

Denis  Cavanagh,  M.D.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Gynecology 

John  T.  Galambos,  M.D.,  Atlanta,  Ga. 

Internal  Medicine 
Roger  F.  Palmer,  M.D.,  Miami,  Fla. 

Internal  Medicine 

Nathan  S.  Schlezinger,  M.D.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Neurology 


Ernest  W.  Page,  M.D.,  San  Francisco,  Calif. 
Obstetrics 

Henry  F.  Allen,  M.D.,  Boston.  Mass. 
Ophthalmology 

Phillip  L.  Dav,  M.D.,  San  Antonio,  Tex. 

Orthopedic  Surgery 
Edley  H.  Jones,  M.D.,  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
Otolaryngology 

John  A.  Shively,  M.D.,  Columbia,  Mo. 
Pathology 

Max  D.  Cooper,  M.D.,  Birmingham,  Ala. 
Pediatrics 

William  B.  Seaman,  M.D..  New  York,  N.Y. 
Radiology 

Robert  S.  Litwak,  M.D.,  New  York,  N.Y. 
Surgery 

Edward  R.  Woodward.  M.D.,  Gainesville,  Fla. 
Surgery 


James  F.  Glenn,  M.D.,  Durham,  N.C. 
Urology 


Lectures,  clinicopathologic  conference,  round-table  luncheons,  medical  motion  pictures,  technical  exhibits,  and  en- 
tertainment for  visiting  wives. 

(All-inclusive  registration  fee — S35.00) 


For  information  concerning  the  AssemSdy  meeting  write  Secretary, 
The  New  Orleans  Graduate  Medical  Assembly,  Room  1538, 
1430  Tulane  Avenue,  New  Orleans,  Louisiana  (0112. 


r~ 

■ | 


.ckson's  CONTACT  Jackson  - A joint  church-social-medical  program 
New  Teleministry  is  underway  in  the  state  capital,  offering  24- 

hour  counseling  by  telephone.  Service  offers 
•ained  workers  manning  phones  around  the  clock  to  help  depressed, 
coholics,  drug  users,  or  just  about  anybody  with  a problem  or 
neliness.  Program  is  supported  chiefly  by  church  groups,  but  a 
pber  of  physicians  are  on  advisory  and  training  committees.  The 
w Jackson  CONTACT  is  the  eighth  such  project  activated  in  U.S. 


mputer  Loses  on  Santa  Rosa,  Calif.  - Alfred  E.  Puller,  71,  a 
dicare  Claim  Medicare  beneficiary,  successfully  sued  for  re- 

covery of  $3.20  due  on  a Medicare  claim  from 
lifomia  Blue  Shield.  After  meeting  with  rebuffs  in  writing  the 
rt  1-B  carrier,  Puller  took  his  case  to  federal  court.  He  proved 
at  Blue  Shield  and  HEW  buried  him  in  paperwork,  and  the  trial 
dge  ordered  payment  of  the  $3.20  and  court  costs,  noting  sadly 
at  "we  are  losing  the  battle  to  the  computer. 11 


.descent  Suicide  Chicago  - Researchers  at  Michael  Reece  Medical 
bte  Is  Rising  Center  report  that  adolescent  suicide,  already 

the  fifth  ranking  cause  of  death  in  the  15-to- 
age  group,  is  rising.  Last  year,  12  per  cent  of  all  suicide  at- 
fmpts  were  made  by  adolescents,  and  nine  out  of  10  attempts  were 
[ de  by  girls.  Males,  the  study  report  said,  are  about  twice  as  suc- 
•ssful  in  death  try  than  girls.  Report  said  that  adolescent  sui- 
' de  gestures  are  not  always  taken  seriously  and  are  "cries  for  help," 


-A  Procedure  Code  Baltimore  - Medicare  chief  Thomas  M.  Tierney 
ts  5SA  Support  announced  that  Part  1-B  carriers  will  adopt 

the  new  AMA  Current  Procedural  Terminology, 
five-digit  code  which  describes  every  medical  procedure.  It  is 
: further  development  of  the  California  four-digit  code  now  in  al- 
ist  universal  use.  New  code  will  enable  error-free  communication 
i services  rendered  patients.  Only  Blue  Shield  opposes  adoption 
( new  CPT  on  objection  to  conversion  costs  and  retraining. 


capitals  Lose  Chicago  - A survey  by  the  Hospital  Financial 

( Computer  Use  Management  Association  reveals  that  a third  of 

2,800  institutions  with  data  processing  units 
t little  or  no  support  from  companies  leasing  computers  to  them, 
out  600  hospitals  have  computers,  and  the  rest  use  outside  data 
. Dcessing  services.  Costs  range  from  $1  to  a high  of  $8  per 
Itient  day.  Most  hospitals  use  prepackaged  programs  for  billing, 
counting,  and  recordskeeping. 


THE  JOURNAL  FOR  DECEMBER  1970 


1 4 


MSBH  Expands 
Rubella  Program 

Mississippi  is  making  “major  progress”  against 
the  crippling  effects  of  Rubella,  or  German  mea- 
sles, according  to  Dr.  Durward  Blakey,  director 
of  the  Division  of  Preventable  Disease  Control, 
State  Board  of  Health. 

Dr.  Blakey  and  Paul  M.  Turner  Jr.,  supervisor 
of  the  agency’s  immunization  program,  said  the 
State  Board  of  Health,  through  August  31,  has 
given  165,000  doses  of  Rubella  vaccine  to  chil- 
dren from  one  through  1 1 years  of  age. 

Purpose  of  the  campaign  is  to  keep  these  chil- 
dren from  passing  Rubella  on  to  their  mothers 
and  thereby  causing  future  babies  to  be  born 
mentally  retarded  or  with  eye  cataracts,  heart 
defects,  liver  damage,  bone  malformation  and 
other  defects. 

Last  November,  Dr.  Blakey  announced  that  the 
State  Board  of  Health  would  launch  a “massive” 
immunization  attack  against  Rubella  as  part  of 
an  all-out  national  assault  upon  the  disease  which 
caused  severe  birth  defects  in  over  20,000  infants 
during  the  1964-65  epidemic. 

During  the  past  school  year,  the  State  Board 
of  Health,  working  through  the  various  county 
health  departments  throughout  the  state,  conduct- 
ed Rubella  immunization  programs  in  67  coun- 
ties, and  the  agency  is  now  beginning  another 
series  during  this  school  year. 

Because  of  a limited  supply  of  vaccine  last 
year,  the  State  Board  of  Health  restricted  recipi- 
ents of  the  vaccine  to  children  five  through  seven 
in  first  and  second  grades  of  public  and  private 
schools  and  in  Head  Start  groups  and  day-care 
centers. 

In  17  of  these  67  counties,  children  eight 
through  1 1 were  included  in  the  immunization 
programs  where  additional  funds  were  available 
through  Appalachia  grants  and  through  financial 
support  at  the  local  level. 

Vaccine  is  now  available  on  a wider  scale, 
said  Turner,  because  stocks  purchased  through 
federal  assistance  are  sufficient  to  meet  State 
Board  of  Health  needs  through  the  present  fiscal 
year  ending  next  June  30. 

“We  have  30  county-wide  school  immunization 
programs  presently  scheduled  throughout  the 
state,”  said  Turner,  “and  more  are  being  sched- 
uled each  day.  We  hope  to  reach  every  county 
in  the  state  during  the  present  school  year. 

“In  the  process,  we  expect  to  immunize  over 
225,000  more  children,  bringing  the  total  im- 
munized by  the  State  Board  of  Health  to  close 


to  400,000,  not  counting  the  thousands  im- 
munized by  private  physicians,  who  have  given 
widespread  support  to  this  program.” 

Of  the  30  counties  scheduled  thus  far,  said 
Turner,  seven  had  no  Rubella  program  last  year, 
while  23  are  conducting  their  second  program, 
in  order  to  provide  a chance  for  immunization 
for  those  not  immunized  last  year. 

“There  was  some  confusion  last  year,”  said 
Turner,  “among  parents  who  thought  because 
their  children  had  been  immunized  for  red  mea- 
sles (Rubeola)  they  were  also  immunized  for 
Rubella.  This  is  not  the  case.  Two  separate  im- 
munizations are  involved.” 

Turner  said  the  Rubella  vaccine  given  by  the 
State  Board  of  Health  is  “very  safe  and  effective,” 
and  he  said  he  has  had  no  reports  of  any  adverse 
reaction  to  the  vaccine,  other  than  minor  rash 
or  transient  pain  in  the  joints  in  some  instances. 

He  said  any  county  can  make  arrangements 
for  a county-wide  Rubella  immunization  program 
by  getting  in  touch  with  the  county  health  de- 
partment. He  said  the  Rubella  vaccine  is  now 
being  offered  routinely  through  every  county 
health  unit  in  the  state. 


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JOURNAL  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI  STATE  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

December  1970,  Vol.  XI,  No.  12 


Surgery  of  the  Thymus 

PHILIP  E.  BERNATZ,  M.D. 

Rochester,  Minnesota 


Galen,  the  noted  Greek  physician  of  Rome, 
observed  the  thymus  in  many  stages  of  involu- 
tion in  his  dissections  and  referred  to  it  as  “an 
organ  of  mystery.”1  The  accumulated  experi- 
ence over  the  centuries  has  not  dispelled  this 
aura,  although  as  early  as  1921  Hammar2  pro- 
tested the  use  of  the  adjective  “enigmatic”  for 
the  thymus  when  he  concluded  that  its  role  was 
antitoxic.  An  astounding  volume  of  literature 
in  the  last  decade  relating  the  primary  impor- 
tance of  the  thymus  in  developmental  immuno- 
biology may  be  considered  a revival  of  the  an- 
cient Greek  concept  of  this  gland  as  the  “seat 
of  the  soul.” 

But  all  the  contributions  have  not  been  re- 
cent. In  1614,  Platter  introduced  the  concept  of 
status  thymicolymphaticus,  and  we  are  still  try- 
ing to  evict  it  from  the  medical  literature.1  In 
1771,  the  curious  paradox  of  the  involution  of 
the  thymus  as  peripheral  lymph  nodes  reached 
full  size  was  described  in  ingenious  experiments 
by  Hewson.1  His  almost  modern  conclusions 
were  that  small  corpuscles  left  the  thymus  by 
lymphatic  vessels  to  support  peripheral  lymph- 
oid structures  in  the  prepubertal  period.  This 
aura  of  mystery  about  thymic  function  keeps 
us  feeling  slightly  queasy  because  most  of  our 


Presented  before  the  Section  on  Surgery,  102nd  Annual 
Session,  May  12,  1970,  at  Biloxi. 

From  the  Department  of  Surgery,  Mayo  Clinic  and 
Mayo  Foundation,  Rochester,  Minnesota. 


practical  activities  have  involved  extirpation  of 
the  thymus.  Further  comfort  is  not  afforded  by 
Good’s  comparative  anatomy  studies  that  re- 


At  the  Mayo  Clinic  thymectomy  is  offered 
to  most  young  patients  who  have  severe  my- 
asthenia gravis  if  control  by  medication  has 
been  poor.  There  have  been  remissions  or 
marked  improvement  in  74  per  cent  of 
thymectomized  patients,  and  results  were 
especially  good  in  cases  wherein  the  prior 
duration  was  less  than  two  years.  Among 
197  cases  of  thymoma,  myasthenia  gravis 
was  associated  in  45  per  cent;  and  20-year 
year  survival  in  that  group  was  only  21  per 
cent,  as  compared  to  41  per  cent  in  those 
with  thymoma  alone.  If  the  thymoma  was 
invasive,  survival  was  only  17  per  cent  at 
10  years.  The  overall  survival  rates  for 
197  patients  with  thymic  tumors  were  65 
per  cent  for  five  years,  50  per  cent  for  10 
years,  30  per  cent  for  20  years,  and  17 
per  cent  for  25  years. 


vealed  the  thymus  as  one  of  the  organs  which 
permit  the  phylogenetic  development  of  ani- 
mals with  advanced  tissues,  organ  systems,  and 
immune  systems.3 

From  a practical  standpoint,  however,  my  col- 


DECEMBER  1970 


629 


SURGERY  OF  THYMUS  / Bernatz 

leagues  and  I have  had  the  opportunity  to  re- 
view the  histories  of  a number  of  children  who 
have  had  thymectomy  at  our  institution.  Only 
one  of  these  children  subsequently  had  any 
problems  that  might  be  related  to  a faulty  im- 
mune mechanism,  this  being  systemic  lupus 
erythematosis  and  chronic  ulcerative  colitis. 

Thymectomy  in  adult  life  seems  to  lead  to  no 
significant  impairment  of  immune  capacity,  but 
Adner  and  associates4  have  reported  an  immu- 
nologic survey  on  48  post-thymectomy  patients, 
and  when  compared  to  a control  series,  the  thy- 
mectomized  patients  demonstrated  a reduction 
in  blood  lymphocyte  count,  a reduced  cellular 
hypersensitivity,  and  a reduction  in  immuno- 
logic capacity.5  The  authors  did  not  describe 
any  particular  clinical  problems  that  might  be 
related  to  these  serologic  findings. 

Recent  investigations  about  thymic  function 
show  that  thymectomy  for  myasthenia  gravis  is 
reasonable.  Immunologic  implications  of  thymic 
function  and  the  designation  of  “immunologic 
suicide”  for  myasthenia  gravis  with  both  etio- 
logic  and  prognostic  connotations  encourage  sur- 
geons to  continue  thymectomy  as  a mode  of 
therapy. 

SURGICAL  HISTORY 

The  modern  era  of  surgical  interest  in  the 
thymus  followed  a report  by  Blalock  and  asso- 
ciates6 in  1939  of  a patient  with  myasthenia 
gravis  from  whom  a tumor  of  the  anterior  me- 
diastinum had  been  removed  and  who  subse- 
quently derived  benefit  with  respect  to  her  my- 
asthenia gravis.  An  uneasiness  pervaded  this  re- 
port because  the  authors  carefully  pointed  out 
that  this  case  involved  a tumor  in  the  region  of 
the  thymus,  actually  a cyst,  in  which  no  histo- 
logic evidence  of  the  thymus  was  found.  Much 
speculation  and  presumption  was  associated 
with  this  report. 

At  the  Mayo  Clinic  generally,  thymectomy  is 
offered  to  all  young  patients,  male  or  female, 
who  have  severe  myasthenia  gravis  and  in  whom 
control  has  been  poor  with  medication.  Patients 
with  ocular  symptoms  alone  should  not  undergo 
operation  because  their  outlook  is  good.  At  the 
other  extreme,  patients  who  are  desperately  ill 
with  myasthenia  should  not  be  operated  on  as 
an  emergency.  Although  my  colleagues  and  I 
have  done  this  occasionally,  the  results  have 
been  sufficiently  discouraging  that  we  rec- 
ommend thymectomy  be  delayed  until  reason- 
able control  of  the  disease  has  been  gained. 
Many  presumed  myasthenic  crises  have  resulted 


from  too  much  medication,  and  in  these  pa- 
tients, medication  must  be  withheld,  respiration  i 
supported,  and  gradual  control  of  the  myasthe- 
nia gravis  regained. 

Although  the  anesthetic  management  of  these  , 
patients  is  challenging,  anesthesiologists  have 
not  considered  their  cases  as  being  unusually 
formidable.  Indeed,  the  patient  with  myasthe- 
nia gravis  is  safer  in  the  operating  room  than 
out,  because  there  his  airway  and  ventilation  re- 
ceive constant  attention.  Muscle  relaxants  are 
generally  avoided,  even  during  intubation,  and 
light  ether  analgesia  has  furnished  excellent  op- 
erating conditions  without  the  need  for 
amounts  involving  a curare-like  effect. 

MEDIAN  STERNOTOMY 

The  operation  is  accomplished  by  use  of  a 
median  sternotomy.  The  sternal  incision  can  be 
kept  low  both  for  cosmetic  purposes  and  for  fa- 
cilitation of  a tracheotomy  if  necessary.  Embry- 
ologic  derivation  from  the  third  branchial 
pouch  forces  the  surgeon  to  remove  the  more 
cephalad  portions  of  the  gland  in  the  neck  re- 
gion but  does  not  require  extension  of  the  skin 
incision  to  accomplish  this.  The  rather  con- 
sistent arterial  supply  from  branches  of  the  in- 
ternal mammary  artery  and  venous  drainage  in- 
to the  left  innominate  vein  is  not  formidable 
but  is  annoying  if  it  is  not  handled  properly. 

Complete  removal  of  the  thymus  by  the  cer- 
vical route,  as  recently  revived  by  Kirschner  and 
associates,7  has  not  appealed  to  us  but  has  theo- 
retic advantage.  We  do  not  employ  tracheotomy 
routinely  but  prefer  to  select  patients  who  are 
ill  with  bulbar  problems  or  those  whose  ventila- 
tory function  is  diminished  or  inadequate.  Ven- 
tilation can  be  evaluated  prior  to  removal  of 
the  endotracheal  tube,  and  if  ventilation  is  not 
satisfactory,  the  endotracheal  tube  can  be  left 
intact  for  a few  more  hours  to  facilitate  me- 
chanical assistance,  with  the  hope  that  trache- 
otomy may  be  avoided.  If  mechanical  assistance 
is  required  after  24  to  48  hours,  tracheotomy 
should  be  done. 

ANTICHOLINERGIC  MEDICATION 

Experience  with  these  patients  has  made  it 
evident  that  a primary  source  of  postoperative 
difficulty  is  the  excessive  use  of  anticholinergic 
medication.  Our  postoperative  problems  have 
decreased  since  we  have  stopped  employing  the 
patient’s  usual  amount  of  medication,  as  deter- 
mined from  the  preoperative  schedule,  and  have 
used  a different  philosophy.  We  now  give  no 
medication  unless  it  is  deemed  necessary  through 
frequent  evaluation  of  the  patient’s  status.  This 


630 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


need  may  be  less  apparent  if  ventilation  is  being 
supported  artificially.  Patients  seldom  require 
anticholinergic  medication  for  24  hours  after 
operation,  but  then  the  need  usually  becomes  ev- 
ident and  increases  for  several  days,  after  which 
the  need  may  progressively  decrease  with  remis- 
sion of  the  disease. 

Valid  comparisons  of  the  results  of  thymec- 
tomy in  myasthenia  gravis  require  complete  ran- 
domization of  patients.  However,  we  have  not 
felt  such  a program  to  be  reasonable  and  shall 
compare  the  course  of  thymectomized  patients 
with  the  course  of  those  who  refused  operation 
or  who  were  not  considered  for  surgery  because 
of  other  circumstances. 

At  the  Mayo  institution,  of  163  patients  with 
myasthenia  gravis  who  underwent  thymectomy, 
74  per  cent  had  remission  or  marked  improve- 
ment of  symptoms,  with  better  control  of  the 
myasthenic  symptoms  on  less  medication.8  Re- 
ports from  other  institutions  are  similar,  though 
the  type  of  statistics  makes  direct  comparisons 
difficult.  For  example,  1,355  patients  were  stud- 
ied in  a cooperative  effort  at  Massachusetts  Gen- 
eral Hospital  and  at  Mount  Sinai  Hospital  in 
New  York,  and  of  these,  188  patients  without 
tumor  had  thymectomy  and  55  per  cent  were  im- 
proved.9 Of  the  entire  group,  75  per  cent  of 
the  patients  who  underwent  surgery  survived 
five  years,  while  only  57  per  cent  of  the  treat- 
ed medically  survived  the  same  period.  These 
authors  reported  that  the  mortality  rate  for  fe- 
males with  myasthenia  gravis  treated  surgically 
was  significantly  lower  than  that  for  females 
not  undergoing  surgery.  Their  results  for  males 
suggested  also  that  the  remission  rate  was  much 
higher  if  thymectomy  was  done.  I agree,  and 
think  that  the  same  may  be  true  for  any  age 
group  if  the  myasthenia  gravis  is  of  recent  on- 
set. My  colleagues  and  I are  impressed  with  the 
more  favorable  results  when  the  duration  of 
the  myasthenia  gravis  is  less  than  two  years. 

THYMIC  TUMORS 

Results  with  thymoma  are  more  uncertain. 
More  disagreement  and  confusion  over  diagnos- 
tic criteria,  subclassification,  and  clinicopatho- 
logic  correlation  have  been  caused  by  neoplasms 
of  the  thymus  than  by  almost  any  other  tumor 
in  the  body.10-13  Tumors  in  the  region  of 
the  thymus  may  be  diverse,  thus  making  it  dif- 
ficult to  select  a group  of  tumors  that  are  de- 
rived truly  from  the  thymus.  Hopefully,  our 
classification  of  thymic  tumors  does  not  include 
all  the  lymphomatous  tumors  or  tumors  of 
mesothelial  origin  (Table  1). 

The  primary  activity  of  the  thymoma  that  is 


of  concern  is  its  malignant  potential.  The  his- 
tologic structure  of  the  thymic  tumors  does  not 
permit  ready  division  into  benign  and  malig- 
nant tumors;  invasion  by  the  neoplasm  is  the 
most  reliable  sign  of  malignancy  and  was  found 
in  28  per  cent  of  197  tumors  in  one  series.15 
The  surgeon  can  best  judge  this  at  operation. 
Unless  a pathologist  has  histologic  evidence  of 
extracapsular  invasion,  it  is  sometimes  difficult 


TABLE  1 

CLASSIFICATION  OF  THYMIC  TUMORS 


Andritsakis  & Sommers, 14 
1959 

Bernatz,  Harrison, 
& Clagett ,io  1961 

Thymic  tumors 

f Noninvasive 

Epithelial 

Thymoma 

Undifferentiated 

Invasive 

Reticular 

Spindle  cell 

Clear  cell 

Trabecular 

Predominantly 

Epidermoid 

Lymphocytic 

Glandular 

Epithelial 

Adenoacanthomatous 

Mixed 

Lymphoid 

Spindle  cell 

Embryonic 

Fatty 

Cystic 

Hyperplastic 

for  him  to  look  at  a section  of  a thymoma  and 
predict  its  malignant  potential.  In  fact,  this  is 
one  of  the  bits  of  circumstantial  evidence  that 
suggest  the  possible  hormonal  activity  of  tumors 
of  the  thymus,  because  a similar  problem  can 
be  found  in  other  neoplasms  of  endocrine  ori- 
gin, such  as  chemodectomas  and  adrenal  and 
pancreatic  lesions. 

In  the  presence  of  invasion  (27  per  cent),  a 
survival  rate  of  17  per  cent  was  noted  at  10 
years,  but  at  20  years,  there  were  no  survi- 
vors.15 Among  the  patients  with  noninvasive 
tumors,  and  particularly  among  those  patients 
who  do  not  have  myasthenia  gravis,  cures  can  be 
discussed  because  after  about  the  eighth  year 
following  resection  the  curve  for  survival  paral- 
lels that  of  the  normal  population,  according 
to  the  Berkson  and  Gage  calculation  method.16 

Patients  with  invasive  tumors  invariably  died 
from  complications  of  local  invasion,  such  as 
pericardial  tamponade  and  other  cardiorespira- 
tory complications.  Distant  metastasis  is  rare; 
for  example,  in  our  series  of  197  patients,  only 
two  had  distant  metastasis. 

Consideration  of  the  relationship  of  survival 
to  predominant  cell  type  revealed  that  patients 
with  spindle  cell  or  predominantly  lymphocytic 


DECEMBER  1970 


63  1 


SURGERY  OF  THYMUS  / Bernatz 

cell  tumors  had  a much  better  survival  rate  than 
did  those  with  mixed  or  predominantly  epitheli- 
al cell  lesions.  The  long-term  outlook  for  pa- 
tients with  the  epithelial  cell  type  of  thymoma 
is  discouraging.  There  were  no  long-term  survi- 
vors in  this  group.  Interestingly,  51.4  per  cent 
of  the  tumors  with  predominantly  epithelial 
cells  were  invasive.  However,  14.3  per  cent  of 
the  tumors  with  lymphocytic  cells  and  15.9  per 
cent  of  the  tumors  with  spindle  cells  were  asso- 
ciated with  invasion.  Tumors  of  mixed  cells  had 
a much  higher  incidence  of  invasiveness,  name- 
ly 40.8  per  cent,  indicating  the  invasive  potenti- 
ality of  epithelial  cells;  and  only  7 per  cent  of 
patients  with  this  cell  type  survived  15  years. 

The  prognosis  is  ominous  when  myasthenia 
gravis  is  associated  with  thymoma  (45  per  cent). 
The  20-year  survival  rate  of  patients  with  asso- 
ciated myasthenia  gravis  was  21.3  per  cent,  or 
half  the  20-year  survival  rate  for  patients  with- 
out associated  myasthenia  gravis  (41.2  per 
cent).15  The  follow-up  studies,  which  were 
possible  in  99  per  cent  of  cases,  revealed  that 
most  of  these  patients  died  from  the  complica- 
tions of  myasthenia  gravis  rather  than  from  the 
local  or  metastatic  effects  of  the  thymic  tumor. 
The  outlook  for  patients  with  invasive  thy- 
moma and  myasthenia  gravis  was  approximately 
the  same;  there  were  no  survivors  after  18  years. 
This  was  not  true  for  the  patient  with  nonin- 
vasive  tumors  without  myasthenia  gravis  for 
whom  the  20-year  survival  rate  was  60.9  per 
cent;  this  rate  paralleled  the  normal  population 
survival. 

TUMOR  SURVIVAL  RATE 

The  overall  survival  among  197  patients  with 
thymic  tumors  was  65  per  cent  for  five  years,  50 
per  cent  for  10  years,  30  per  cent  for  20  years, 
and  1 7 per  cent  for  25  years. 

Results  at  our  institution  after  thymectomy 
for  myasthenia  gravis  are  sufficiently  encourag- 
ing that  we  have  liberalized  our  indications  with 
respect  to  age  and  sex.  Operation  is  offered  to 
most  patients  whose  symptoms  cannot  be  con- 
trolled by  a good  medical  program,  particularly 
when  the  duration  of  the  myasthenia  gravis  is 
less  than  two  years.  We  have  noted  good  results 
in  80  per  cent  of  such  patients,  with  complete 
remission  in  30  per  cent.8 

The  accumulated  experience  with  thymic  tu- 
mors does  not  permit  complacency.  Factors  that 
influence  the  prognosis  of  the  patients  with  a 
thymoma  include  ( 1 ) presence  or  absence  of  in- 


vasion, (2)  associated  myasthenia  gravis,  and 
(3)  histologic  cell  type. 

Invasion  was  present  in  28  per  cent  of  the  197 
thymic  tumors.  At  10  years  after  operation,  only 
17  per  cent  of  patients  with  invasive  tumors 
were  alive  as  compared  to  64  per  cent  of  pa- 
tients with  well-encapsulated  tumors.  Invasion 
is  not  always  easy  to  determine  because  the  des- 
moplastic reaction  as  well  as  the  inflammatory 
reaction  around  the  thymoma  may  be  marked 
and  may  simulate  invasion  of  the  tumor.  Inva- 
sion may  be  especially  difficult  to  determine 
when  there  is  adherence  to  the  pericardium,  and 
initially  the  lesion  is  ominously  fixed,  as  palpat- 
ed by  the  surgeon’s  exploring  hand.  If  there  is 
any  question  of  invasion,  the  pericardium  and 
lung  (which  are  the  most  frequently  adherent 
tissues,  other  than  pleura)  can  be  readily  excised 
with  the  neoplasm.  Because  thymomas  exert 
their  malignant  effects  locally,  the  surgeon  must 
be  aggressive  in  his  resection. 

COMPLETE  EXCISION 

In  the  presence  of  associated  myasthenia 
gravis,  a complete  excision  of  the  thymus  must 
be  accomplished,  along  with  removal  of  the  tu- 
mor. Our  experience,  as  well  as  the  experience 
of  others,  offers  adequate  justification  that  the 
association  of  myasthenia  gravis  and  thymoma 
is  particularly  ominous.10  Long-term  follow- 
up reveals  an  early  toll  taken  by  the  invasive 
complications  and  a delayed  but  equally  discour- 
aging devastation  by  the  myasthenia  gravis. 
However,  23  per  cent  of  patients  had  remission 
or  marked  improvement  of  their  myasthenic 
symptoms  after  removal  of  the  thymus  and 
thymoma.15 

The  various  clinical  syndromes  associated 
with  thymic  tumors  provide  impetus  for  specu- 
lation and  research.  Agenesis  of  the  erythro- 
cytes, acquired  agammaglobulinemias,  Cushing’s 
syndrome,  dermatomyositis,  and  granulomatous 
myocarditis  may  provide  perplexing  clinical 
findings.  We  can  only  speculate  why  removal  of 
the  tumor  does  not  frequently  cure  or  influence 
the  serologic  manifestations,  why  the  thymic  tu- 
mor and  the  unusual  extrathymic  diseases  may 
appear  at  different  times,  and  whether  the  tumor 
may  damage  or  alter  the  function  of  the  re- 
maining thymic  tissue  and  prevent  emergence 
of  the  immunologically  active  cells  which  may 
be  attributed  to  thymic  function. 

Retrospective  studies  offer  little  in  solving 
these  puzzles,  and  we  need  to  study  all  of  these 
patients  prospectively  with  everything  at  our 
command,  including  complete  hematologic  and 
immunologic  surveys.  So  much  information  has 


632 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


been  compiled  about  these  patients,  and  yet  so 
few  definite  statements  can  be  made. 

CONCLUSION 

Of  163  patients  with  myasthenia  gravis  who 
underwent  thymectomy,  74  per  cent  had  remis- 
sion or  marked  improvement  of  symptoms. 
Good  results  were  noted  in  those  who  had  the 
disease  less  than  two  years. 

Results  of  up  to  a 27-year  follow-up  of  197 
patients  with  thymoma  revealed  the  ominous  ef- 
fect of  associated  myasthenia  gravis  and  inva- 
sion. The  predominant  cell  type  in  the  thymic 
tumor  was  also  an  important  prognostic  factor. 
Patients  with  epithelial-cell  tumors  had  a poor 
long-term  survival  rate  (7  per  cent).  This  type 
of  tumor  also  had  the  highest  percentage  of 
gross  invasion  (51  per  cent).  Overall  survival 
rates  for  the  197  patients  with  thymic  tumors 
were  65  per  cent  for  five  years,  50  per  cent  for 
10  years,  30  per  cent  for  20  years,  and  17  per 
cent  for  25  years.  *** 

Mayo  Clinic  (55901) 

REFERENCES 

1.  Spees,  E.  K.:  Thymos  Primer  (narration),  J.A.M.A. 
207:1436  (Feb.  24)  1969. 

2.  Hammar:  Cited  by  Spees,  E.  K.1 

3.  Good,  R.  A.;  Peterson.  R.  D.  A.;  and  Gabrielsen. 
Ann  E.:  The  Thymus:  Current  Concepts,  Postgrad. 
Med.  36:505  (Nov.)  1964. 

4.  Adner,  M.  M.;  Sherman,  J.  D.;  Ise,  C.;  Schwab, 
R.  S.;  and  Dameshek,  W.:  An  Immunologic  Survey 
of  Forty-eight  Patients  With  Myasthenia  Gravis, 
New  Eng.  J.  Med.  271:1327  (Dec.  24)  1964. 


5.  Adner,  M.  M.;  Ise,  C.;  Schwab,  R.;  Sherman,  J.  D.; 
and  Dameshek,  W.:  Immunologic  Studies  of  Thy- 
mectomized  and  Nonthymectomized  Patients  With 
Myasthenia  Gravis,  Ann.  N.Y.  Acad.  Sci.  135:536 
(Jan.  26)  1966. 

6.  Blalock,  A.;  Mason,  M.  F.;  Morgan,  H.  J.;  and  Riv- 
en, S.  S.:  Myasthenia  Gravis  and  Tumors  of  the 
Thymic  Region:  Report  of  a Case  in  Which  the 
Tumor  Was  Removed,  Ann.  Surg.  110:544  (Oct.) 
1939. 

7.  Kirschner,  P.  A.;  Osserman,  K.  E.;  and  Kark,  A.  E.: 
Studies  in  Myasthenia  Gravis:  Transcervical  Total 
Thymectomy,  J.A.M.A.  209:906  (Aug.  11)  1969. 

8.  Howard,  F.:  Personal  communication. 

9.  Schwab,  R.  S.;  Wilkins,  E.  W.,  Jr.;  Head,  J.  M.;  Pon- 
toppidan,  H.;  and  Viets,  H.  R.:  Thymectomy  in 
Myasthenia  Gravis,  J.A.M.A.  187:850  (Mar.  14) 
1964. 

10.  Bernatz,  P.  E.;  Harrison,  E.  G.;  and  Clagett,  O.  T. : 
Thymoma:  A Clinicopathologic  Study,  J.  Thorac. 
Cardiov.  Surg.  42:424  (Oct.)  1961. 

11.  Lattes,  R.:  Thymoma  and  Other  Tumors  of  the  Thy- 
mus: An  Analysis  of  107  Cases,  Cancer  15:1224 
(Nov. -Dec.)  1962. 

12.  Wilkins,  E.  W.,  Jr.;  Edmunds,  L.  H.,  Jr.;  and  Castle- 
man,  B.:  Cases  of  Thymoma  at  the  Massachusetts 
General  Hospital,  J.  Thorac.  Cardiov.  Surg.  52:322 
(Sept.)  1966. 

13.  Sellors,  T.  H.;  Thackray,  A.  C.;  and  Thomson,  A.  D.: 
Tumours  of  the  Thymus:  A Review  of  88  Operation 
Cases,  Thorax  22:193  (May)  1967. 

14.  Andritsakis,  G.  D.;  and  Sommers,  S.  C.:  Criteria 
of  Thymic  Cancer  and  Clinical  Correlations  of 
Thymic  Tumors,  J.  Thorac.  Surg.  37:273  (Mar.) 
1959. 

15.  Khonsari,  S.;  Bernatz,  P.  E.;  Harrison,  E.  G.;  and 
Taylor,  W.  F.:  Thymoma:  Factors  Influencing  Prog- 
nosis (unpublished  data). 

16.  Berkson,  J.;  and  Gage,  R.  P.:  Specific  Methods  of 
Calculating  Survival  Rates  of  Patients  With  Cancer. 
In  Treatment  of  Cancer  and  Allied  Diseases.  Volume 
1 : Principles  of  Treatment.  Second  edition.  Edited 
by  G.  T.  Pack  and  I.  M.  Ariel.  New  York,  Hoeber 
Medical  Division,  Harper  & Row,  Publishers,  Inc., 
1958,  pp.  578-589. 


YOU  KNOW  WHO! 

A distraught  man  was  standing  on  the  rail  of  the  Pearl  River 
Bridge  at  Jackson,  proclaiming  to  the  world  in  a sobbing  voice  that 
he  was  about  to  end  it  all.  A police  cruiser  screeched  to  a halt  on 
the  bridge,  and  an  officer  jumped  out  and  implored  the  man  to 
reconsider. 

“Think  of  your  family  and  your  church,”  the  policeman  pleaded. 

“I  have  no  family,  and  I do  not  believe  in  religion,”  the  poten- 
tial suicide  retorted. 

“Then  think  of  Archie  and  the  Rebels.” 

“Archie  who?” 

“Jump,  you  so-and-so,  jump!” 


DECEMBER  1970 


633 


When  irritable  colon  feels  like  this 


p - 


The  blowfish,  a small  spe 
of  fish,  reacts  to  stress  or 
fright  by  puffing  itself  up 
air.  After  about  a dozen 
noisy  gulps  the  belly  is  bal 
shaped  and  hard.  When 
replaced  in  the  water  the 
quickly  expelled,  and 
the  fish  sinks  to  the  botto 


in  the  presence  of  spasm  or  hypermotility, 
gas  distension  and  discomfort,  KINESED® 
provides  more  complete  relief : 


□ belladonna  alkaloids  — for  the  hyper- 
active bowel  □ simethicone  — for  ac- 
companying distension  and  pain  due  to 
gas  □ phenobarbital— for  associated 
anxiety  and  tension 

Composition:  Each  chevvable,  fruit-flavored,  scored  tab- 
let contains:  16  mg.  phenobarbital  (warning:  may  be 
habit-forming);  0.1  mg.  hyoscyamine  sulfate;  0.02  mg. 
atropine  sulfate;  0.007  mg.  scopolamine  hydrobromide; 
40  mg.  simethicone. 

Contraindications:  Hypersensitivity  to  barbiturates  or 


belladonna  alkaloids,  glaucoma,  advanced  renal  or  he- 
patic disease. 

Precautions:  Administer  with  caution  to  patients  with 
incipient  glaucoma,  bladder  neck  obstruction  or  uri- 
nary bladder  atony.  Prolonged  use  of  barbiturates  may 
be  habit-forming. 

Side  effects:  Blurred  vision,  dry  mouth,  dysuria,  and 
other  atropine-like  side  effects  may  occur  at  high  doses, 
but  are  only  rarely  noted  at  recommended  dosages. 
Dosage:  Adults:  One  or  two  tablets  three  or  four  times 
daily.  Dosage  can  be  adjusted  depending  on  diagnosis 
and  severity  of  symptoms.  Children  2 to  12  years:  One 
half  or  one  tablet  three  or  four  times  daily.  Tablets  may 
be  chewed  or  swallowed  with  liquids. 


STUART  PHARMACEUTICALS  | Pasadena,  California  91109  | Division  of  ATLAS  CHEMICAL  INDUSTRIES,  INC. 


(from  the  Greek  kinetikos, 
to  move, 

and  the  Latin  sedatus, 
to  calm) 

KINESED 

antispasmodic/ sedative/ antiflatulent 


The  Significance  of  Analytical  Toxicology 

in  the  Treatment  of  Poisoning 

ARTHUR  S.  HUME,  Ph.D.  and 
JOHN  D.  BOWER,  M.D. 
Jackson,  Mississippi 


The  demand  for  toxicological  services  has  in- 
creased tremendously  in  recent  years.  The  in- 
crease in  requests  for  analyses  has  been  the  re- 
sult of  several  factors.  Increase  in  the  abuse  of 
drugs  in  our  society  is  a major  factor.  It  is  esti- 
mated that  over  50  per  cent  of  the  teenagers  in 
the  United  States  have  experimented  with  at 
least  one  drug.1  Overdosage  with  drugs  is  one  of 
the  leading  causes  of  death  in  children  under  15 
years  of  age  in  New  York  City. 

It  is  difficult  to  determine  the  extent  of  the 
abuse  of  drugs  in  our  own  state,  but  it  can  be 
stated  that  the  use  of  drugs  is  certainly  greater 
than  in  previous  years.  The  availability  of  drugs 
to  small  children  has  increased  because  a larger 
percentage  of  our  population  are  on  maintenance 
drugs  than  in  previous  years.  The  number  of 
self-poisoning  cases  with  drugs,  both  accidental 
and  intentional,  has  increased.  In  one  commu- 
nity, where  a comprehensive  study  of  incidence 
figures  are  available,  the  rate  of  self-poisoned 
patients  increased  235  per  cent  between  1962 
and  1967. 2 

More  and  more  of  these  cases  are  multi-agent 
overdosages;  that  is,  two  or  more  drugs  are  pres- 
ent to  produce  toxic  response.  Therefore,  the  need 
for  the  analysis  of  body  tissue  for  drugs  and  other 
agents  has  increased  greatly  in  recent  years.  It  is 
of  the  utmost  importance  in  some  cases  of  mixed 
poisoning  that  all  the  agents  be  recognized.  For 
example,  the  attending  physician  should  be  aware 
that  he  is  treating  an  overdosage  of  amitriptyline 
and  perphenazine,  rather  than  amitriptyline  alone, 


From  the  Departments  of  Medicine  and  Pharmacology 
and  Toxicology,  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine,  Jackson,  Miss. 


for  the  treatment  of  the  two  situations  would  differ 
greatly. 


Demand  for  toxicological  services  has  in- 
creased greatly  in  recent  years.  Increased  use 
of  drugs  and  subsequent  overdosage  and  poi- 
soning problems  are  primary  factors  in  the 
increase.  The  authors  discuss  acute  and 
chronic  analytical  toxicology  at  UMC  and 
specific  cases  treated  there. 


In  cases  in  which  combinations  of  alcohol  and 
drugs  which  produce  convulsions  are  present,  the 
choice  of  anti-convulsants  should  be  based  some- 
what upon  the  possibility  of  potentiating  the 
central  nervous  system  depression  of  the  alcohol. 
Consequently,  it  is  necessary  to  screen  the  patient 
for  alcohol  and  drugs  to  become  aware  of  all  the 
possibilities. 

Analytical  toxicology  at  the  Medical  Center 
may  be  divided  into  two  categories,  acute  and 
chronic.  In  acute  toxicology  cases,  determinations 
of  the  character  of  the  toxic  substance  and  its 
quantity  can  be  life  saving  in  the  treatment  of 
over-dosages  cases,  for  the  treatment  can  then 
be  more  specific.  The  specimens  for  analysis  are 
processed  at  the  University  Medical  Center  on  an 
emergency  basis.  The  analysis  revealing  the  caus- 
ative agent  may  require  30  minutes  to  several 
hours,  depending  upon  the  nature  of  the  toxic 
agent.  These  acute  cases  may  include  inorganic 
compounds  (boric  acid,  phosphorous  or  arsenic, 
etc.)  or  organics  (pesticides  or  drugs  such  as 


636 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


barbiturates,  tranquilizers,  alcohol  or  narcotics, 
etc.).  The  most  frequently  encountered  cases  of 
overdosages  at  the  University  Hospital  do  not  in- 
volve barbiturates  as  in  previous  years,  but  are 
more  likely  to  contain  combinations  of  either  al- 
cohol and/or  tranquilizers  and  sedatives. 

In  cases  in  which  the  causative  agent  or  agents 
is  not  known,  the  specimen  is  submitted  to  a 
“general"  toxicological  screening  procedure  which 
first  involves  a qualitative  analysis  for  alcohol  or 
other  volatiles.  Then  the  specimen  is  subjected  to 
a separatory  analytical  procedure  which  separates 
acidic,  basic,  neutral  and  narcotic  drugs. 

In  addition,  the  sample  will  be  examined  for 
heavy  metal  by  atomic  absorption  spectrophotom- 
eter, if  this  determination  is  deemed  necessary 
at  this  point.  An  analytical  toxicology  laboratory 
is  requested  to  analyze  for  a wide  array  of  or- 
ganic and  inorganic  substances.  The  method  of 
analysis  selected  is  dependent  upon  the  situation, 
the  history  of  the  patient  and  the  suspected  toxic 
agent.  Gas  chromatography  is  employed  for  the 
determination  of  volatiles,  i.e.  alcohols,  am- 
phetamine, some  sedatives  and  other  drugs.  Ul- 
traviolet spectophotometry  is  utilized  for  the  anal- 
ysis of  organic  drugs  in  general.  Thin  layer  chro- 
matography and  infrared  spectrophotometry  are 
also  employed  in  specific  situations.  Spectrophoto- 
flurometry  is  utilized  in  the  determination  of  hal- 
lucinogenic agents  as  LSD,  psilocybin,  mescaline 
and  others. 

TOXICOLOGICAL  ANALYSES 

The  results  of  toxicological  analyses  are  con- 
sidered essential  in  the  evaluation  of  a patient  in 
an  acute  toxic  condition  to  determine  if  the  con- 
centration of  the  poison  is  sufficiently  toxic  to  re- 
quire rapid  removal  by  hemodialysis  to  insure 
survival  of  the  patient.  Not  only  is  the  qualitative 
and  quantitative  determination  of  the  poison  help- 
ful, but  the  dialyzability  and  the  removal  rate  of 
the  poison  by  hemodialysis  can  be  of  aid  in  the 
treatment  of  the  poisoned  patient.  The  toxicology 
laboratory  at  the  University  of  Mississippi  cooper- 
ates closely  with  the  Artificial  Kidney  Unit  at  the 
Medical  Center  in  this  respect. 

A few  typical  acute  cases  involving  toxicology 
are  described  below: 

A female  patient  was  admitted  with  a history 
of  phenobarbital  ingestion.  She  was  comatose  and 
areflexic.  An  analysis  of  a blood  sample  revealed 
a concentration  of  13  mg.  per  cent  phenobarbital. 
A blood  level  such  as  this  and  clinical  symptoms 
as  manfested  are  considered  criteria  for  necessary 
hemodialysis.  The  patient  was  placed  on  dialysis 
until  she  awakened. 

A female  patient,  six  months  pregnant,  was  ad- 


mitted to  the  University  Hospital  with  a history 
of  acute  onset  of  symptoms  of  loss  of  conscious- 
ness, ataxia,  etc.  Her  condition  was  considered 
neurological  in  origin  until  a blood  level  of  five 
mg.  per  cent  phenobarbital  was  determined.  The 
patient  was  treated  as  a drug  overdose  case  with 
supportive  therapy. 

A male  patient  was  admitted  in  a severe  co- 
matose condition  with  a history  of  possible  in- 
gestion of  tranquilizer,  aspirin  and  narcotics.  How- 
ever, toxicological  analysis  of  blood  sample  re- 
vealed that  he  had  ingested  none  of  the  suspects, 
but  had  a sufficient  quantity  of  a non-narcotic 
analgesic  and  alcohol  to  produce  the  central  ner- 
vous system  depression  observed.  It  was  deter- 
mined that  the  patient  could  be  treated  adequate- 
ly with  supportive  therapy. 

ACUTE  CASES 

Perhaps  the  greatest  contribution  a toxicology 
laboratory  can  make  is  in  acute  cases  in  which 
the  history  of  the  patient  is  inadequate  or  obscure. 
This  situation  occurs  quite  frequently  in  cases 
in  which  the  patients  are  children,  and  it  is  not 
known  whether  the  symptoms  are  the  responses 
of  a foreign  agent  or  are  the  results  of  other  dis- 
orders. 

In  areas  of  chronic  toxicology,  the  requests  of 
heavy  metal  analysis  far  exceed  request  for  other 
examinations  in  this  area.  A number  of  cases 
of  poisoning  have  been  uncovered  by  the  deter- 
mination of  lead,  mercury  or  arsenic  in  urine 
and/or  blood.  It  is  of  particular  value  to  screen 
the  urine  of  people  who  are  exposed  to  lead  in 
their  occupation  or  who  have  histories  of  chronic 
ingestion  of  “moonshine”  whisky. 

In  addition,  the  laboratory  receives  requests  to 
monitor  drug  levels  of  therapeutic  agents  being 
used  chronically  in  which  a certain  blood  level  is 
necessary  or  toxic  levels  are  to  be  avoided.  An 
example  of  these  are  patients  receiving  aspirin, 
sulfonamides,  lithium  and  tranquilizers. 

PESTICIDE  PROBLEMS 

An  area  of  immediate  need  is  toxicology  of 
pesticides.  Mississippi  is  one  of  the  leading  states 
in  the  use  of  pesticides.  Our  population  is  exposed 
frequently  and  numerous  cases  of  poisoning  have 
already  been  reported.  With  the  knowledge  that 
massive  overdosages  of  pesticides  have  occurred 
in  other  parts  of  the  world,  the  facilities  in  the 
state  for  the  detection  of  pesticides  should  be 
expanded. 

The  toxicology  laboratory  also  functions  in  de- 
terminations of  the  cause  of  death  where  drugs 
or  poisons  are  suspected.  Recently,  samples  of 
blood,  gastric  contents  and  liver  were  submitted 


DECEMBER  1970 


637 


Analytical  Toxicology  / Hume  et  al 

for  examination.  A barbiturate  was  detected  in 
large  concentration  in  the  blood,  residue  of  bar- 
biturate capsules  were  identified  in  the  gastric 
content  and  a relatively  low  level  of  drug  was 
found  in  the  liver.  From  the  relationships  of 
these  findings,  it  can  be  surmised  that  this  person 
had  ingested  a large  amount  of  barbiturate  just 
a short  time  prior  to  death.  This  introduces  the 
probability  of  suicide. 

It  is  apparent  from  requests  for  toxicological 
analyses  at  the  University  Hospital  that  a labora- 
tory which  could  make  toxicological  analyses 


available  to  physicians  on  a statewide  basis  is 
essential  to  the  well-being  of  the  people  of  the 
state.  With  expansion  of  present  facilities,  the 
laboratory  at  the  University  could  handle  the 
medical  toxicology  needs  for  the  state  and  con- 
tinue to  aid  the  crime  laboratories  in  the  analyses 
of  drugs  of  abuse  and  biological  tissue  for  drugs 
and/or  poisons.  ★★★ 

2500  North  State  Street  (39216) 

REFERENCES 

1.  Chanin,  A.:  Toward  Understanding  Teenagers,  Al- 
ternative to  Drug  Abuse,  Clin.  Ped.  8:6,  1969. 

2.  Kessel,  G.  R.:  Self-Poisoning,  Part  I,  Br.  Med. 
2:1269,  1965. 


PAR  AT  MATURITY 

Rearing  a child  to  age  18  is  a costly  process,  estimates  In- 
surance Economics  Survey,  the  official  publication  of  the  Insur- 
ance Economics  Society  of  America. 

The  study  says  that  it  costs  $580  to  be  born,  $2,490  for 
medical  and  health  care,  $8,020  for  food,  $3,790  for  clothing 
(discounted  for  hand-me-downs),  $8,590  for  housing,  $3,800 
for  transportation,  $860  for  personal  care  (haircuts  and  the  like), 
$1,920  for  recreation,  all  for  a total  of  about  $30,000. 

Then  there  is  $20,000  for  college,  about  $???  for  the  wedding, 
$???  for  the  loan,  and  $580  for  the  first  baby.  . . . 


638 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Use  of  Artificial  Kidney  in 
Cases  of  Poisoning 


JOHN  D.  BOWER,  M.D.,  and 
ARTHUR  S.  HUME,  Ph.D. 
Jackson,  Mississippi 


Since  the  installation  of  the  Artificial  Kidney 
Unit  at  the  University  of  Mississippi  Medical 
Center  in  1967,  the  unit  has  been  requested  to 
assist  in  the  treatment  of  numerous  cases  of  poi- 
sonings admitted  to  the  University  Hospital.  The 
purpose  of  this  paper  is  to  familiarize  the  reader 
with  the  use  of  the  artificial  kidney  in  rapid  re- 
moval of  poisons. 

The  artificial  kidney  was  first  used  clinically 
for  the  treatment  of  acute  poisoning  in  1950. 
Since  that  time,  the  list  of  dialyzable  poisons  has 
grown  to  such  an  extent  that  a detailed  discussion 
of  all  these  substances  would  not  be  possible.1 

It  is  most  important  that  the  reader  understand 
at  the  onset  that  hemodialysis  does  not  substitute 
for  good  supportive  care  of  the  poisoned  patient. 
Dialysis  is  the  most  rapid  means  of  removing  a 
poison  from  the  blood,  but  prompt  gastric  evac- 
uation and  maintenance  of  an  adequate  airway 
and  other  supportive  therapy  cannot  be  over- 
emphasized. 

In  cases  of  poisoning,  the  question  “Is  this 
poison  dialyzable?”  must  be  answered.  The  fol- 
lowing criteria  for  judging  the  applicability  of 
dialysis  in  the  therapy  of  poisoning  were  estab- 
lished by  Schreiner:2 

1.  Molecules  should  diffuse  through  the  dialyz- 
ing membrane,  such  as  cellophane  or  peritoneum, 
from  plasma  water  and  have  a reasonable  re- 
moval rate  or  dialysance. 

2.  The  drug  must  be  distributed  in  plasma 
water  or  accessible  body  fluid  compartments,  or 


From  the  Departments  of  Medicine  and  Pharmacology 
and  Toxicology,  University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine,  Jackson,  Miss. 


readily  equilibrate  with  the  circulating  volume. 
Tight  protein  or  tissue  binding  limits  dialysis. 
This  limitation  is  diminished  if  the  bound  or 
loculated  portion  can  equilibrate  with  plasma  wa- 
ter during  the  usual  time  of  clinical  dialysis. 


Hemodialysis  can  safely  and  effectively 
remove  many  intoxicating  agents  from  the 
poisoned  patient.  These  include  aspirin  and 
barbiturates  which  are  readily  removed, 
many  sedatives  which  are  less  readily  re- 
moved and  phenothiazines  which  are  poorly 
removed.  Some  antibiotics  are  also  readily 
dialyzed.  The  Medical  Center  Artificial  Kid- 
ney Unit  in  the  Department  of  Medicine  is 
equipped  to  do  both  lipid  and  aqueous  he- 
modialysis in  those  patients  in  whom  con- 
servative management  will  not  suffice. 


3.  There  should  be  a relationship  between  the 
blood  concentration,  the  duration  of  the  body’s 
exposure  to  the  chemical,  and  its  ultimate  clini- 
cal toxicity.  This  has  been  termed  the  “time-dose- 
cytoxic  relationship.” 

4.  The  amount  of  poison  dialyzed  should  con- 
stitute a significant  addition  to  the  normal  body 
mechanisms  for  dealing  with  the  particular  poison 
under  the  physiologic  circumstances  which  may  be 
encountered  under  clinical  conditions  of  intoxi- 
cation. The  mechanisms  include  metabolism,  con- 
jugation, enzyme  induction,  pharmacologic  antag- 
onism, and  elimination  of  the  substance  by  bowel 
and  kidney.  The  physiologic  circumstances  may 


DECEMBER  1970 


639 


ARTIFICIAL  KIDNEY  / Bower  et  al 

include  shock,  oliguria,  and  poor  liver  perfusion. 
Metabolic  rates  may  not  be  extrapolated  from 
the  normal  dog  to  the  sick  patient. 

The  indications  for  hemodialysis  vary  quite 
widely  but  the  clinical  symptoms  of  severe  cen- 
tral nervous  system  depression  and  a toxic  blood 
level  of  barbiturate  as  quantitated  by  analysis 
are  considered  indications  for  hemodialysis.  A 
blood  level  of  3.5  mg.  per  cent  or  ingestion  of 
3.0  gm.  of  a short-acting  barbiturate  is  an  indi- 
cation of  severe  intoxication.  A blood  level  of 
8.9  mg.  per  cent  or  the  ingestion  of  5.0  gm.  of 
long-acting  barbiturates  is  indication  that  hemo- 
dialysis may  be  necessary.  This  is  particularly 
true  when  alcohol  or  other  drugs  may  be  present. 
In  general,  the  patients  treated  by  hemodialysis 
have  a 10-30  times  faster  removal  of  barbiturates 
than  by  the  other  most  efficacious  method,  which 
is  forced  diuresis.  Dialysis  definitely  shortens  the 
duration  of  coma  and  increases  survival  rate. 
Although  the  rate  of  removal  of  short  acting  bar- 
biturates is  significantly  less  than  for  the  long 
acting  preparations,  due  primarily  to  their  pro- 
tein binding,  it  is  felt  that  even  here  the  small 
quantity  removed  by  hemodialysis  has  consider- 
able pharmacologic  and  clinical  significance. 

GLUTETHIMIDE  HEMODIALYSIS 

Hemodialysis  for  glutethimide  intoxication  has 
proven  to  be  much  less  effective  than  it  is  for 
phenobarbital  poisoning.  This  is  preferentially  se- 
several  factors.  Glutethimide  is  preferentially  se- 
questered in  body  fat  where  the  drug  may  be  con- 
centrated 10-15  times  that  of  the  blood  concentra- 
tion. Glutethimide  is  also  protein  bound  and  the 
amount  recovered  by  hemodialysis  is  small  rela- 
tive to  the  ingested  dose.  Blood  levels  do  decline 
more  rapidly  with  dialysis  than  with  conservative 
therapy  and  it  is  felt  that  it  definitely  shortens  the 
duration  of  coma.  Internal  recycling  such  as  might 
occur  through  the  biliary  system  with  intestinal 
re-absorption  sometimes  will  require  a second  or 
even  a third  dialysis,  when  the  patient  goes  back 
into  coma  after  being  awakened  by  dialysis. 

Other  methods  that  have  been  attempted  to 
facilitate  removal  consist  of  biliary  drainage  and 
induction  of  diarrhea  with  sorbital.  Neither  of 
these  have  proven  to  be  extremely  efficacious. 
Patients  who  have  ingested  an  overdose  of  glu- 
tethimide have  a tendency  to  develop  pulmonary 
edema  and  this  tends  to  contraindicate  osmotic 
diuresis.  Peritoneal  dialysis  is  much  less  efficient 
than  hemodialysis,  but  several  modifications  of 
this  have  increased  its  efficiency.  Some  investi- 
gators add  fat  emulsions  to  the  peritoneal  fluid 


and  have  enhanced  markedly  the  rate  of  removal 
of  glutethimide  by  this  method.  Still  others  have 
hemodialyzed  patients  using  only  fat  emulsions 
as  the  dialysate  with  a significant  improvement. 
Fat  emulsions  have  definitely  increased  the  clear- 
ance during  both  hemodialysis  and  peritoneal 
dialysis.  It  is  felt  that  dialysis  is  definitely  indi- 
cated when  10  or  more  gm.  of  glutethimide  has 
been  ingested  or  the  blood  level  is  in  excess  of 
3.0  mg.  per  cent. 

TRANQUILIZER  INTOXICATION 

It  is  somewhat  difficult  to  discuss  the  effective- 
ness of  dialysis  in  the  management  of  intoxication 
with  tranquilizers  since  overdosage  of  any  one 
tranquilizer  is  relatively  rare.  Good  reports  have 
been  published  for  the  dialysis  of  paraldehyde, 
methpyrlon  (Noludar®),  phenelzine  (Nardil®) 
and  primidone  (Mysoline®).  Fair  results  have 
been  reported  in  the  dialysis  of  pargyline  hydro- 
chloride (Eutonyl®),  imipramine  (Tofranil®), 
amitriptyline  (Elavil®)  and  ethchlorvynol  (Pla- 
cidyl®).  Dialysis  studies  of  the  phenothiazine 
group  (chlorpromazine,  chlorproperazine)  have 
shown  that  hemodialysis  is  not  very  effective.  It 
is  felt  that  the  high  percentage  of  protein  binding 
interferes  with  the  transference  from  blood  to  di- 
alysate. The  dialysis  of  chlordiazepoxide  (Lib- 
rium®) and  diazepam  (Valium®)  are  reported  as 
poor. 

Considerable  success  has  been  observed  in  the 
Artificial  Kidney  Unit  at  the  University  of  Mis- 
sissippi Medical  Center  with  the  use  of  lipid  di- 
alysis for  ethchlorvynol  (Placidyl®).  Soybean  oil 
was  used  as  the  dialysate  bath  rather  than  water. 
This  resulted  in  a threefold  increase  in  removal 
rate  of  ethchlorvynol. 

SALICYLATE  REMOVAL 

Acetylsalicylic  acid  has  been  studied  extensive- 
ly being  the  original  agent  that  was  experimental- 
ly removed  from  intoxicated  dogs  in  19 13. 3 The 
artificial  kidney  removes  salicylates  three  to  five 
times  faster  than  the  human  kidney.  Survival  has 
been  reported  after  the  ingestion  of  as  much  as 
150  and  even  210  gm.  when  treated  with  dialysis. 
It  is  recommended  that  patients  with  blood  levels 
above  90  mg.  per  cent  be  strongly  considered  for 
dialysis  for  two  reasons.  First  of  all,  dialysis  will 
correct  the  severe  state  of  acidosis  that  exists  and 
also  correct  the  associated  electrolyte  abnormali- 
ties. Dialysis  will  also  prevent  the  later  compli- 
cations of  salicylate  intoxication,  namely  bleed- 
ing. 

Peritoneal  dialysis  and  exchange  transfusion 
have  been  recommended,  but  hemodialysis  proves 
to  be  much  more  efficacious  than  either  of  these 


640 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


methods  even  when  albumin  was  added  to  the 
peritoneal  dialysis  fluid. 

Methyl  salicylate  intoxication  has  also  been 
treated  successfully  on  several  occasions  with  he- 
modialysis. Dextro  propoxyphene  hydrochloride 
(Darvon®)  has  also  been  treated  successfully 
with  hemodialysis. 

Clinically,  ethyl  alcohol  would  rarely,  if  ever, 
require  hemodialysis  except  after  massive  inges- 
tion with  severe  life  threatening  intoxication. 
There  have  been  several  patients,  however,  who 
were  inadvertently  dialyzed  for  ethyl  alcohol  in- 
toxication that  were  presumed  at  the  onset  to  be 
intoxicated  with  methyl  alcohol.  One  case  was  re- 
ported where  the  blood  level  of  ethanol  was  284 
mg.  per  cent  and  fell  to  46  mg.  per  cent  within 
three  hours  after  being  placed  on  the  artificial 
kidney.  The  plasma  concentration  of  ethyl  alco- 
hol decreases  6-1 1 times  faster  with  dialysis  than 
spontaneously  and  the  level  of  methyl  alcohol  de- 
creases 40-60  times  faster  with  dialysis.  There  are 
two  indications  for  promot  dialysis  in  methyl  al- 
cohol intoxication.  One  is  to  accomplish  rapid 
removal  of  the  methyl  alcohol  or  its  degradation 
products  and  the  second  is  to  correct  the  severe 
metabolic  acidosis  that  exists.  Hemodialysis  can 
alter  the  course  of  the  visual  impairment  that 
follows  methyl  alcohol  intoxication. 

ETHYLENE  GLYCOL 

Ethylene  glycol  (permanent  antifreeze)  is  a 
frequently  encountered  substance  that  is  acci- 
dently ingested.  Here  again,  there  are  two  rea- 
sons to  promptly  place  this  type  of  patient  on  the 
artificial  kidney  as  soon  as  the  diagnosis  is  made. 
One  is  that  ethylene  glycol  has  a direct  nephro- 
toxic effect  that  will  cause  acute  renal  failure  if 
not  removed  promptly  and  another  is  the  acidosis 
from  ethylene  glycol  intoxication.  This  can  be  cor- 
rected quite  promptly  with  dialysis.  It  is  felt  that 
methanol  and  ethylene  glycol  are  best  managed 
by  prompt  and  early  hemodialysis  when  this 
treatment  is  available. 

Accidental  salt  poisoning  can  be  handled  either 
by  the  artificial  kidney  or  with  peritoneal  dialysis. 
The  serum  sodium  has  been  promptly  lowered 
in  cases  of  hypernatremia  in  several  documented 
cases  with  favorable  results  being  reported.  The 
correction  of  hyponatremia  by  dialysis  has  also 
been  well-documented  many  times.  Potassium  can 
be  handled  very  promptly  by  hemodialysis.  This 
is  done  in  two  ways.  First  of  all  there  is  a rapid 
net  removal  of  potassium  from  the  blood  stream 
plus  a prompt  shift  of  potassium  back  into  the  in- 
tracellular compartment  if  systemic  acidosis  is  a 
contributing  factor.  Many  acute  and  chronic  re- 
nal failure  patients  have  been  saved  from  death 


due  to  hyperkalemia  by  the  artificial  kidney.  Mag- 
nesium intoxication  is  also  seen  in  this  group  of 
patients  and  can  be  handled  quite  readily  with 
the  artificial  kidney.  Peritoneal  and  hemodialysis 
have  also  been  used  to  manage  acute  hypercal- 
cemia crisis  quite  successfully. 

A good  response  to  dialysis  has  been  noted  in 
cases  of  intoxication  due  to  streptomycin,  kana- 
mycin,  vancomycin,  penicillin,  sulfamethoxypyrid- 
azine,  isoniazid,  and  cycloserine.  Methacillin,  ox- 
acillin, tetracycline,  chloramphenicol,  and  colis- 
tin  are  very  poorly  removed  by  dialysis.  Dialysis 
has  also  been  used  to  treat  the  hemolytic  anemia 
associated  with  sulfamethoxypyridazine  ingestion. 
Information  on  the  dialysance  of  antibiotics  is 
accumulating  very  rapidly  due  to  the  recent  em- 
phasis on  the  maintenance  of  life  in  chronic 
uremia  by  dialysis  and  transplantation. 

THIOCYANATE  INTOXICATION 

Hemodialysis  has  been  used  successfully  in  the 
treatment  of  thiocyanate  intoxication  as  well  as 
sodium  chlorate  and  potassium  chlorate  intoxica- 
tion. It  has  also  been  used  to  manage  the  methe- 
moglobinemia due  to  aniline  dye  poisoning.  Boric 
acid  poisoning  has  also  been  treated  successfully 
with  dialysis.  Carbon  tetrachloride  likewise  has 
been  treated  successfully  with  dialysis  following 
accidental  ingestion.  In  one  instance  where  several 
hundred  ml.  of  carbon  tetrachloride  were  ingest- 
ed, prompt  institution  of  hemodialysis  prevented 
both  hepatic  and  renal  insufficiency. 

Digitalis  is  very  poorly  dialyzed.  To  the  con- 
trary, severe  fatal  cases  have  now  been  reported 
where  digitalis  intoxication  developed  while  the 
patient  was  on  dialysis.  This  was  due  to  a sud- 
den shift  in  serum  potassium.  This  is  a docu- 
mented potentially  lethal  complication  of  dialysis. 
Sodium  citrate  and  dextroamphetamine  have 
both  been  treated  by  the  artificial  kidney  with 
good  results.  Atropine  poisoning  failed  to  respond 
to  hemodialysis. 

ETHCHLORVYNOL 

At  the  University  of  Mississippi  Medical  Cen- 
ter the  most  common  intoxicating  agent  seen  is 
ethchlorvynol  (Placidyl®).  Few  of  these  patients 
have  actually  required  hemodialysis,  but  it  is  ap- 
parent that  more  suicide  is  being  attempted  with 
this  compound  than  with  the  barbiturates.  We 
have  also  dialyzed  several  patients  for  barbiturate 
and  aspirin  intoxication.  We  have  seen  several 
methyl  alcohol  intoxications,  as  well  as  carbon 
tetrachloride  and  gasoline. 

The  Artificial  Kidney  Unit  is  equipped  to  do 
toxicology  dialysis  using  both  aqueous  and  lipid 
bath  solutions.  As  the  experience  of  the  person- 


DECEMBER  1970 


641 


ARTIFICIAL  KIDNEY  / Bower  et  al 

nel  involved  with  the  operation  of  the  dialysis 
unit  has  increased,  the  actual  number  of  patients 
requiring  hemodialysis  has  decreased.  It  was  once 
felt  that  if  a patient  was  unconscious  to  the  extent 
that  access  could  be  achieved  to  the  blood  stream 
without  the  use  of  local  anesthesia,  then  hemo- 
dialysis was  indicated.  It  is  felt  now  that  with  in- 
tensive nursing  care,  this  criterion  is  no  longer  ap- 
plicable. It  is,  however,  safe  to  state  that  dialysis 
is  usually  not  indicated  if  the  patient  responds  to 
the  pain  of  a cut  down  or  needle  puncture. 

The  artificial  kidney  is  currently  proving  itself 
to  be  an  accepted  means  of  therapy  for  the  man- 
agement of  many  toxicological  problems.  It  is  in 
no  way  a substitute  for  conventional  medical 
management,  nor  should  it  ever  replace  such  es- 
sentials as  gastric  lavage,  maintenance  of  airway, 
and  general  supportive  care  of  the  comatose  pa- 
tient. Dialysis  may  be  looked  upon  as  the  defini- 
tive method  for  management  of  a toxicology  prob- 
lem. This  is  particularly  true  if  the  patient  has 
become  hypotensive  and  is  incapable  of  main- 
taining liver  and  kidney  blood  flow.  This  would 
result  in  an  inability  to  remove  the  substance  by 
normal  mechanisms.  Dialysis  should  be  consid- 
ered in  any  comatose  patient  even  with  adequate 
hepatic  and  renal  function  if  there  are  existing 
complications  of  coma  itself.  An  example  of  this 
would  be  in  a patient  with  extensive  pneumonia 
and  a prognosis  of  prolonged  coma.  The  prompt 
removal  of  offending  agents  that  are  capable  of 
direct  tissue  toxicity  is  also  indicated.  If  the  pa- 
tient has  ingested  ethylene  glycol,  methyl  alco- 
hol, or  carbon  tetrachloride,  then  immediate  di- 


alytic  intervention  is  indicated  even  in  the  ab- 
sence of  coma  as  these  agents  are  capable  of  pro- 
ducing direct  tissue  injury. 

For  these  reasons,  precise  analytical  determina- 
tion of  blood  levels  is  essential  to  the  manage- 
ment of  the  intoxicated  patient.  Although  the 
hazards  of  hemodialysis  are  minimal,  exposing 
any  patient  to  this  procedure  without  there  being 
a good  chance  of  benefiting  the  patient  is  ob- 
viously contraindicated. 

The  precise  role  of  dialysis  in  the  management 
of  poison  and  drug  intoxications  remains  un- 
known. Our  experience  leads  us  to  believe  that 
certainly  not  all  patients  with  drug  overdose  are 
candidates  for  hemodialysis.  Neither  do  we  feel 
that  dialysis  should  in  any  way  substitute  for  con- 
servative medical  management.  There  is  a group 
of  patients,  however,  in  whom  medical  manage- 
ment will  not  suffice.  It  is  this  population  in  whom 
early  intervention  with  hemodialysis  is  indicated. 

2500  North  State  Street  (39216) 

The  authors  would  like  to  acknowledge  the  work  of 
Dr.  George  E.  Schreiner,  editor  of  the  Transactions  of 
the  American  Society  for  Artificial  Internal  Organs,  for 
his  continuing  work  in  the  field  of  the  dialysis  of  poisons 
and  drugs.  His  annual  review  of  the  literature,  as  well 
as  his  personal  contributions,  has  proven  indispensible 
to  those  of  us  involved  in  this  field. 

REFERENCES 

1.  Schreiner,  G.  E.:  The  Role  of  Hemodialysis  (Arti- 
ficial Kidney)  in  Acute  Poisoning,  Arch.  Intern.  Med. 
102:896-913  (Dec.)  1958. 

2.  Schreiner,  G.  E.:  The  Dialysis  of  Poisons  and  Drugs, 
Trans.  Amer.  Soc.  Artif.  Int.  Organs  16:544,  1970. 

3.  Abel,  John  J.,  Rountree,  L.  G.  and  Turner,  B.  B.: 
On  the  Removal  of  Diffusible  Substances  from  the 
Circulating  Blood  by  Means  of  Dialysis,  Trans,  of 
the  Assn,  of  Amer.  Physicians  28:1914. 


COLLECTIVE  SECURITY 

At  a meeting  of  the  local  American  communist  cell,  the  com- 
rades were  discussing  plans  for  world  revolution.  The  chairman 
asked  for  comment  and  observations. 

“Comrade  chairman,”  timidly  inquired  a member,  “what  will 
happen  to  our  unemployment  compensation  when  we  have  over- 
thrown the  imperialist  facists  in  Washington?” 


642 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


NATIONAL  AND  REGIONAL 

American  Medical  Association,  Annual  Conven- 
tion, June  20-24,  1971,  Atlantic  City,  Clinical 
Convention,  Nov.  28-Dec.  1,  1971,  New  Or- 
leans. Ernest  B.  Howard,  Executive  Vice  Presi- 
dent, 535  N.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111.  60610. 

STATE  AND  LOCAL 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association,  103rd  An- 
nual Session,  May  3-6,  1971,  Biloxi.  Mr. 
Rowland  B.  Kennedy,  Executive  Secretary, 
735  Riverside  Drive,  Jackson  39216. 

Mississippi  Academy  of  General  Practice,  Annual 
Assembly,  June  24-26,  1971;  Biloxi.  Miss  Lou- 
ise Lacey,  Executive  Secretary,  P.O.  Box  3112, 
Jackson  39207. 

Amite-Wilkinson  Counties  Medical  Society,  Third 
Monday,  March,  June,  September,  December. 
James  S.  Poole,  Centreville,  Secretary. 

Central  Medical  Society,  First  Tuesday,  January, 
March,  May,  September,  November,  6:30  p.m., 
Primos  Northgate  Restaurant,  Jackson.  Robert 
P.  Henderson,  Suite  B-6,  Medical  Arts  Build- 
ing, Jackson,  Secretary. 

Claiborne  County  Medical  Society,  1st  Tuesday 
each  month,  6:00  p.m.,  Claiborne  County 
Hospital,  Port  Gibson.  D.  M.  Segrest,  Port 
Gibson,  Secretary. 

Clarksdale  and  Six  Counties  Medical  Society, 
Third  Wednesday,  April  and  First  Wednesday, 
November,  2:00  p.m.,  Clarksdale.  Walter  T. 
Taylor,  P.O.  Box  1237,  Clarksdale,  Secretary. 

Coast  Counties  Medical  Society,  First  Wednesday, 
January,  March,  May,  September  and  Novem- 
ber. C.  Hal  Cleveland,  P.O.  Box  1018,  Gulf- 
port, Secretary. 

Delta  Medical  Society,  Second  Wednesday,  April 
and  October.  Walter  H.  Rose,  122  E.  Baker 
St.,  Indianola  38751,  President. 

DeSoto  County  Medical  Society,  Third  Thursday, 
February  and  August,  1:00  p.m.,  Kenny’s  Res- 


taurant, Hernando.  Malcolm  D.  Baxter,  Jr., 

Baxter  Clinic,  Hernando,  Secretary. 

East  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  First  Tuesday, 

February,  April,  June,  August,  October,  and 
December.  Reginald  P.  White,  East  Mississip- 
pi State  Hospital,  Meridian,  Secretary. 

Adams  County  Medical  Society,  First  Tues- 
day, February,  April,  June,  August,  October, 
and  December,  Eola  Hotel  Roof,  Natchez. 

Walter  T.  Colbert,  Jefferson  Davis  Memorial 
Hospital,  Natchez,  Secretary. 

North  Central  District  Medical  Society,  Third 
Wednesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  De- 
cember. James  E.  Booth,  Eupora,  Secretary. 

Northeast  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second 
Tuesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. S.  Jay  McDuffie,  Nettleton,  Secretary. 

North  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  First  Thurs- 
day, April  and  October.  Cherie  Friedman, 

1004  Jackson  Ave.,  Oxford,  Secretary. 

Pearl  River  County  Medical  Society,  Second  Mon- 
day, March,  June,  September,  and  December. 

J.  M.  Howell,  139  Kirkwood  St.,  Picayune, 

Secretary. 

Prairie  Medical  Society,  Second  Tuesday,  March, 

June,  September,  and  December.  A.  Robert 
Dill,  1001  Main  Street,  Columbus,  Secretary. 

Singing  River  Medical  Society,  Third  Monday,  r- 

January,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. Donald  E.  Dore,  Singing  River  Hospital, 

Pascagoula,  Secretary. 

South  Central  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  ; 

Tuesday,  March,  June,  September,  and  Decem- 
ber. Julian  T.  Janes,  Jr.,  304  Clark,  McComb, 

Secretary. 

South  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  Thurs- 
day, March,  June,  September,  and  December. 

W.  B.  White,  Medical  Arts  Bldg.,  Laurel,  Sec- 
retary. 

West  Mississippi  Medical  Society,  Second  Tues- 
day, January,  April,  July,  and  October,  7:00 
p.m.,  Old  Southern  Tea  Room,  Vicksburg. 

Martin  E.  Hinman,  the  Street  Clinic,  Vicks- 
burg, Secretary. 


DECEMBER  1970 


643 


Radiologic  Seminar  CII 

Paget’s  Disease 


T.  SCOTT  McCAY,  M.D. 
Jackson,  Mississippi 


Paget’s  disease,  or  osteitis  deformans,  is  an  os- 
seous condition  of  unknown  etiology  and  for 
which  there  is  no  specific  treatment. 

The  disease  was  first  described  by  Sir  James 
Paget  in  1877  and  is  relatively  common,  affect- 
ing 3 per  cent  of  all  persons  over  age  40.  Males 
are  more  frequently  affected  than  females  by 
a ratio  of  two  to  one. 

Symptoms  encountered  most  frequently  are 
localized  pain  in  the  area  of  skeletal  involve- 
ment and  fatigue.  When  the  skull  is  involved 
there  may  develop  basilar  invagination,  a condi- 
tion wherein  softening  of  the  bones  of  the  base 
of  the  skull  leads  to  settling  of  the  skull  on  the 
cervical  spine,  which  may  lead  to  neurological 
complications.  Symptoms  of  this  disease  develop 
gradually  since  it  is  a slowly  progressive  process. 
The  disease  may  be  limited  to  a single  site  or 
may  involve  multiple  areas  of  bone. 

The  basic  pathology  involved  in  Paget’s  dis- 
ease consists  initially  of  replacement  of  normal 
bone  by  a very  vascular  fibrotic  tissue.  There 
follows  a reparative  process  wherein  osteoblas- 
tic activity  is  quite  disorganized  leading  to  de- 
velopment of  a characteristically  coarsened  tra- 
becular pattern  in  the  involved  bone.  Frequent- 
ly, there  will  develop  an  expansion  of  the  af- 
fected bone  during  the  process  of  abnormal  re- 
pair. Finally,  when  the  disease  becomes  inactive, 
the  involved  bony  structures  will  present  a dif- 
fusely sclerotic  appearance,  so-called  “ivory 
bone.” 


Sponsored  by  the  Mississippi  Radiological  Society. 
From  the  Department  of  Radiology,  St.  Dominic-Jackson 
Memorial  Hospital. 


While  this  disease  is  basically  a progressive 
process,  frequently  it  is  possible  to  divide  the 
disease  into  three  separate  stages  based  on  x-ray 
appearance.  Initially  one  sees  a lytic  type  defect. 
This  appearance  is  most  often  seen  in  the  skull 
where  a localized,  well  defined,  washed  out  area 
of  deossification  is  seen.  Next  one  sees  begin- 
ning of  the  reparative  process,  wherein  mixed 
lytic  areas  of  demineralization  are  seen  along 
with  areas  of  new  bone  osteosclerosis.  This  is 
the  classical  x-ray  pattern. 

Finally  as  the  disease  becomes  quiescent  there 
develops  a diffuse  sclerosis  producing  the  “ivory 
bone”  x-ray  appearance.  When  long  bones  are 
involved,  the  disease  always  extends  to  one  end 
of  the  bone.  Bowing  deformities  are  frequent 
in  long  bones  secondary  to  weight  bearing  stress. 
Fractures  are  relatively  frequent,  but  heal  readi- 
ly- 


: 


Differential  diagnosis  of  Paget’s  disease  from 
metastatic  tumor  can  at  times  be  difficult. 
Usually,  the  coarsened  trabecular  pattern  of 
Paget’s  disease,  which  one  does  not  see  in  osteo- 
blastic metastatic  disease,  will  provide  the  dis- 
tinguishing clue. 

Among  the  complications  seen  in  this  disease 
are  fractures  of  the  involved  bones  and  rarely 
sarcomatous  degeneration.  Also,  particularly  if 
there  is  widespread  disease,  during  the  destruc- 
tive phase  there  will  be  hypercalciuria  which 
may  lead  to  renal  calculi.  Occasionally  conges- 
tive heart  failure  develops  secondary  to  shunt- 
ing of  blood  through  the  hypervascular  areas  of 
affected  bone.  Neurological  complications  result- 
ing from  basilar  invagination  of  the  skull  and 


644 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


Figure  7.  Note  sclerotic  appearance  of  ilium  with 
disorganized  trabecular  pattern  (upper  arrow).  Also, 
note  expansion  of  ischium  (lower  arrow).  Bony 
structures  of  left  side  of  pelvis  are  normal. 


compression  fractures  of  the  spine  are  also  seen. 

The  presented  radiographs  are  those  of  a 79- 
year-old  female  who  was  admitted  to  the  hos- 
pital for  gastrointestinal  complaints.  During  the 
course  of  a diagnostic  work-up  skeletal  lesions 
of  Paget’s  disease  were  demonstrated.  The  pa- 
tient was  entirely  asymptomatic  in  the  areas  of 
skeletal  involvement.  The  alkaline  phosphatase 
was  found  to  be  moderately  elevated,  as  is  often 
the  case. 

In  summary,  Paget’s  disease  is  a relatively 
common  bony  disorder  which  may  be  localized 
to  one  area  or  may  be  widespread.  Symptoms  are 
frequently  minimal  and  not  uncommonly  the 
disease  is  entirely  asymptomatic.  Often  the  dis- 
ease is  first  suspected  when  radiographs  obtained 


Figure  2.  Lateral  and  AP  views  of  11th  thoracic 
vertebra  (arrows)  demonstrating  mixed  or  combined 
changes.  Note  coarse  vertical  striations  and  increased 
density.  Also  note  increase  in  AP  and  lateral  di- 
mensions and  compression  deformity . 

for  other  purposes  reveal  changes  in  bones  diag- 
nostic of  the  disease.  *** 

969  Lakeland  Drive  (39216) 

REFERENCES 

1.  Edeiken,  Jack  and  Hodes,  Philip  J.:  Roentgen  Diag- 
nosis of  Disease  of  Bone.  Baltimore.  The  Williams 
and  Wilkins  Co.,  1957,  pp.  6.220-6.236. 

2.  Meschan,  Isadore:  Roentgen  Signs  in  Clinical  Prac- 
tice, Vol.  I.  Philadelphia,  W.  B.  Saunders  Co.,  1966. 
pp.  373-374,  478-479. 

3.  Wilmer,  Daniel  and  Sherman,  Robert  S.:  Roentgen 
Diagnosis  of  Paget's  Disease  (Osteitis  Deformans). 
Medical  Radiography  and  PhoiO^raphy  42:35-78. 
1966. 

4.  Paul,  Lester  W.  and  Juhl,  John  H.:  The  Essentials  of 
Roentgen  Interpretation,  2nd  Edition.  New  York, 
Hoeber  Medical  Division.  Harper  and  Row,  Pub- 
lishers, 1965,  pp.  186-188. 


CELESTIAL  SYNDROME 

“I  can't  understand  why  I have  so  many  headaches,”  the  young 
patient  complained  to  his  doctor.  “I  don’t  drink,  smoke,  stay  out 
late  or  even  bother  with  women.  What’s  wrong?” 

“I’d  guess,”  was  the  reply,  “your  halo  is  on  too  tight.” 


DECEMBER  1970 


645 


The  President  Speaking 


‘LPN’s  Fight  Drug  Abuse’ 


PAUL  B.  BRUMBY,  M.D. 
Lexington,  Mississippi 


In  keeping  with  the  times,  Mississippi  licensed  practical  nurses 
recently  held  a two-day  workshop  on  drugs  and  drug  abuse.  This 
in-depth  program  was  well  executed  by  a committee  of  LPN’s  and 
their  physician  advisers.  The  problems  discussed  were  of  deep 
concern  to  the  individuals  at  the  workshop  and  to  every  hospital, 
hospital  staff,  nurse  and  physician.  In  many  of  the  hospitals  this 
problem  has  been  of  great  significance  and  there  has  been  loss  and 
downgrading  of  personnel.  Too,  it  has  been  reported  that  there 
are  more  Mississippi  physicians  who  are  drug  users  at  present  than 
there  has  ever  been  known  or  suspected  before. 

After  seeing  this  group,  who  called  themselves  The  Bedside 
Nurses’  Association,  we  wonder  that  so  many  are  taking  the  time, 
the  effort,  and  bearing  the  expense  of  attending  this  educational 
seminar.  We  congratulate  their  continuing  educational  efforts  and 
deep  interest. 

The  discussion  and  examination  of  these  problems  range  from 
the  consideration  of  personality  and  character  defects  of  the  drug 
and  alcohol  addict  to  the  young  and  adventurous  who  will  try  ex- 
perimenting once.  Why  people  continue  to  lean  on  pills  and  alco- 
hol was  among  these  discussions.  The  question  always  comes  up  of 
marihuana  smoking.  Is  it  the  fore-runner  of  future  habituation  and 
will  it  demand  a stronger  crutch  in  the  future  or  is  it  a passing 
fad  and  fancy?  Is  it  primarily  a social  or  a medical  problem?  Last 
year  under  our  Auxiliary  Drug  Abuse  Program,  many  physicians 
made  talks  at  civic  clubs  and  high  schools.  How  much  good  was 
accomplished  is  uncertain.  But  most  were  reassured,  after  talking 
to  the  high  school  groups,  that  this  is  as  fine  a generation  as  our 
country  has  ever  produced.  The  only  difference  is  that  the  minority 
dissidents  have  the  facilities  to  scream  louder  than  ever  before. 

Before  lifting  a finger  at  nurses  about  drugs  and  drug  abuse, 
we  have  to  take  stock  of  our  own  situation.  In  the  JAMA  in  Sep- 
tember and  the  first  week  in  October  there  were  found  six  physi- 
cians whose  deaths  were  caused  by  self-administered  drugs  and  a 
seventh  death  was  attributed  to  cirrhosis  of  the  liver.  We  as  doc- 
tors must  take  to  heart  the  old  cliche  as  we  remind  our  nurses 
that  any  person  who  takes  a single  self-prescribed  dose  of  medicine 
has  a fool  for  a physician.  *** 

JOURNAL  MSMA 


646 


JOURNAL  OF  THE 
MISSISSIPPI  STATE 
MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION 

VOLUME  XI,  NUMBER  12 
DECEMBER  1970 


The  Four  Faces  of 
National  Flealth  Insurance 


I 

The  year  was  1948,  and  the  legislative  bodies 
of  the  two  nations  which  bore  the  brunt  of 
World  War  II  for  the  Allies  were  up  to  their 
political  ears  in  national  health  insurance.  Ex- 
cept that  in  Great  Britain,  where  the  proponents 
prevailed,  they  candidly  called  it  socialized  med- 
icine. 

But  President  Truman’s  “no  good,  do  noth- 
ing” 80th  Congress,  the  only  one  with  a Repub- 
lican-controlled chamber  since  the  1930’s,  beat 
down  the  Wagner-Murray-Dingell  bill  amid  the 
hulaballoo  of  AMA’s  gaudy  campaign.  By  1950, 
both  the  United  States  and  England  seemed  to 
feel  that  the  issue  was  respectively  settled:  The 
British  had  their  National  Health  Service  as  a 
permanent  fixture  on  the  medical  and  govern- 
mental scenes.  Even  Churchill’s  return  to  power 
with  a Conservative  parliament  didn’t  change 
that. 

In  the  United  States,  voluntary  prepayment 
began  its  phenomenal  growth,  and  the  Eisen- 
hower years  were  times  of  debate,  not  action, 
over  federal  care  of  the  aging.  Now,  it  turns 
out,  the  issues  were  not  settled,  for  Britain  con- 
tinues to  wrestle  with  a clumsy  program  giving 
little  enough  service  for  too  many  pounds  and 


pence  of  taxes.  In  the  United  States,  Medicare 
and  Medicaid  are  here,  and  the  premiere  show- 
ing of  the  Great  Health  Debate  is  taking  shape. 
Clearly,  national  health  insurance  will  be  a ma- 
jor issue  of  the  1972  campaigns. 

The  stakes  are  high  politically  and  econom- 
ically. Of  the  four  major  proposals,  AMA’s 
Medicredit  is  said  to  be  the  least  expensive,  and 
its  costs  are  estimated  at  $10  billion  the  first 
year.  Sen.  Edward  Kennedy’s  (D.,Mass.)  pro- 
posal could  run  as  much  as  $77  billion  annual- 
ly. Present  indications  are  that  battle  lines  will 
be  sharply  drawn  with  a host  of  unlikely  allies 
arrayed  against  an  equally  incongruous  group- 
ing of  adversaries.  It  may  be  difficult  to  say  ex- 
actly who  is  on  whose  side. 

II 

The  four  major  proposals  are  in  formal  leg- 
islative proposals  before  the  lame  duck  2nd  Ses- 
sion of  the  91st  Congress  where  exactly  nothing 
will  happen  to  or  for  them.  But  we  can  antici- 
pate their  reappearance  in  January  with  the  con- 
vening of  the  92nd  Congress  in  more  and  elab- 
orate versions  with  sponsors  by  the  score.  The 
power  bases  of  the  measures  are  the  AFL-CIO; 
the  late  Walter  Reuther’s  Committee  of  100,  a 
UAW-liberal  labor  coalition;  an  axis  of  Sen. 


DECEMBER  1970 


647 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

Jacob  Javitts  (R.,N.Y.),  Gov.  Nelson  Rockefel- 
ler, and  former  HEW  Secretary  Wilbur  Cohen; 
and  the  American  Medical  Association.  In  a nut- 
shell, these  are  the  proposals: 

AFL-CIO  Griffiths  Program.  Entitled  the  Na- 
tional Health  Insurance  Act  of  1970,  H.R. 
15779  was  introduced  by  Rep.  Martha  W.  Grif- 
fiths (D.,Mich.)  in  behalf  of  the  AFL-CIO.  It 
would  cover  all  U.  S.  citizens  and  any  noncitizen 
who  has  resided  in  the  country  for  a year.  Cov- 
erage is  total  and  comprehensive,  offering  pri- 
mary and  specialty  medical  services,  optometric 
and  dental  services,  outpatient  care,  skilled  nurs- 
ing home  services,  home  health  care,  rehabilita- 
tion services,  and  emergency  transportation. 

The  patient’s  choice  of  physician  would  be 
made  annually  and  would  remain  in  effect  for 
that  year.  For  certain  services,  including  physi- 
cian, dental,  and  home  health,  a charge  of  $2 
per  visit  would  be  made  to  the  patients. 

The  Griffiths  plan  visualizes  prepaid  group 
systems  and  capitation  payment,  similar  to  the 
British  NHS.  Payments  to  hospitals  would  be 
made  on  a per  capita  basis  with  adjustment  for 
budgeted  costs,  local  economic  conditions,  popu- 
lation makeup,  and  other  factors.  The  program 
would  be  administered  by  a National  Health  In- 
surance Board  and  would  be  funded  by  an  em- 
ployee tax  of  1 per  cent  and  an  employer  tax  of 
3 per  cent  on  a wage  base  of  $15,000. 

The  price  tag  is  estimated  at  $40  billion  per 
year. 

Committee  of  100 — Kennedy  Program.  For- 
mally called  the  Health  Security  Program,  S. 
4297  by  Sen.  Edward  Kennedy  was  blueprinted 
by  the  late  Walter  Reuther.  With  no  co-pay  pro- 
visions, HSP  would  dig  deep  into  the  tax  till  to 
provide  all  physicians’  services,  except  that  sur- 
gery could  be  done  only  by  an  appropriately 
qualified  specialist  on  proper  referral.  Skilled 
nursing  home  service  would  be  limited,  as  under 
Medicare,  to  120  days  per  spell  of  illness. 

Dental  services  would  initially  be  limited  to 
children  but  scheduled  for  expansion  to  cover 
all  citizens  in  time.  Except  for  nursing  home 
care  limitations,  no  maximums  would  be  set  on 
other  services.  Priority  would  be  given  to  pre- 
paid group  care  delivery  under  capitation  pay- 
ments. Fee-for-service,  although  not  prohibited, 
would  command  lowest  priority,  and  when  the 
trust  fund  runs  low,  these  payments  would  be 
prorated. 

The  plan  would  be  financed  from  three 
sources:  40  per  cent  from  general  revenue 


funds;  35  per  cent  from  employer  payroll  tax; 
and  25  per  cent  from  employee  wage  taxes. 

Cost  estimates  vary,  but  $40  to  $77  billion  an- 
nually is  the  range  mentioned  most  often. 

Medicare-J avitts  Program.  Tagged  the  Nation- 
al Health  Insurance  and  Health  Services  Im- 
provement Act  of  1970,  S.  3711  by  Sen.  Jacob 
Javitts  (R.,N.Y.)  carries  the  blessings  of  New 
York  Gov.  Nelson  Rockefeller  and  the  fine  hand 
of  Wilbur  Cohen.  Merely  an  extension  of  Med- 
icare-for-everybody,  the  program  would  build 
up  to  coverage  of  every  American  by  1973,  add- 
ing on  for  the  present  the  disabled,  the  unem- 
ployed, and  the  poor. 

Offering  comprehensive  care,  the  Javitts  plan 
would  also  provide  prescription  drugs  with  a $1 
per  script  patient  co-pay.  Unlike  other  programs, 
this  one  requires  the  Secretary  of  HEW  to  pre- 
scribe standards  of  education  and  licensure  for 
providers  and  the  qualifications  for  perform- 
ance of  major  surgery.  Although  a federal  pro- 
gram, the  HEW  could  make  contracts  with  states 
for  local  administration.  Payments  for  services 
could  be  optioned  to  a capitation  basis,  health 
insurance  contract,  prepaid  practice  arrange- 
ment, or  a combination  of  these. 

Social  Security  would  be  the  financing  vehicle, 
as  is  now  the  case  with  Medicare,  but  with  a 
sharp  increase  in  that  portion  of  the  tax  for  the 
health  care  portion.  This  would  go  to  3.3  per 


648 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


cent  on  a $15,000  wage  base  by  1975  to  which 
the  federal  government  would  add  an  equal 
amount  from  general  revenues. 

The  program  would  cost,  according  to  Social 
Security  Administration  estimates,  $66  billion 
per  year. 

AMA  Medicredit  Program.  Boasting  20  spon- 
sors in  the  House  of  Representatives,  Medi- 
credit, the  Fulton-Broyhill  bill,  H.R.  18567,  is 
a three-part  program  providing  basic  health  in- 
surance for  every  American.  Part  A provides 
for  issuance  of  health  insurance  certificates  to 
those  whose  family  tax  liability  is  $300  or  less 
annually.  The  certificate  would  be  exchanged 
for  a health  insurance  contract  meeting  statu- 
tory minimums. 

Part  B would  establish  a graduated  scale  of 
tax  credits  applied  to  health  insurance  purchase 
based  on  individual  tax  liability.  It  would  range 
all  the  way  up  to  the  millionaire  who  would  get 
10  per  cent  credit. 

Part  C is  the  now  well-known  Peer  Review  Or- 
ganization (PRO)  under  which  state  medical 
associations  willing  and  able  would  have  statu- 
tory priority  in  contracting  for  peer  review. 

Medicredit  offers  the  least  coverage  but  carries 
the  lowest  price  tag:  $10  billion  a year,  accord- 
ing to  AMA. 

Ill 

The  three  camps  sponsoring  the  tax-based 
plans,  AFL-CIO,  Reuther  group,  and  the  Javitts- 
Rockefeller-Cohen  combine,  along  with  others 
who  will  be  in  the  picture  before  1972,  have 
some  common  preachments  which  are  already 
appearing  as  hard  sell  support  for  national 
health  insurance.  The  arguments  have  a popular 
appeal  which  tends  to  gloss  over  their  failures 
in  logic.  These  are  the  arguments: 

The  cost  of  medical  care  is  going  so  high  that 
only  government  can  foot  the  bill.  The  care- 
cost  equation  is  complex,  and  there  are  neither 
simple  explanations  of  it  nor  absolute  formulae 
to  solve  it. 

Generally,  insurance  is  the  best  means  of 
spreading  a cost  risk  to  the  greatest  number  for 
the  least  unit  expense  to  the  assured.  This,  how- 
ever, is  not  necessarily  true  in  government  pro- 
grams, because  taxation  is  not  now  nor  will  it 
ever  be  the  same  as  an  actuarially-determined 
premium.  Taxation  falls  heaviest  upon  those 
frequently  least  able  to  pay:  The  young  wage 
earner,  who,  for  example,  must  pay  ever-increas- 
ing Social  Security  taxes  to  carry  the  current  pro- 
gram. 

Government  is  not  necessarily  noted  for  effi- 


ciency in  medical  care  financing  and  administra- 
tion, either.  So  the  role  of  government  as  the 
big  daddy  for  all  health  care  is  as  dubious  as  it 
is  questionable. 

The  United  States,  including  the  medical 
community,  has  historically  accepted  limited 
governmental  roles  in  health  care,  such  as  the 
Hill-Burton  hospital  program,  public  health  ser- 
vice, research  financing,  and  the  like.  But  the 
track  record  proves  anything  but  competence  to 
do  the  whole  job. 

National  health  insurance  is  inevitable.  This 
is  the  favorite  ploy  of  the  hour,  saying,  in  ef- 
fect, it’s  coming,  so  get  on  the  bandwagon. 
These  same  proponents  like  to  say  that  the  Unit- 
ed States  is  the  only  nation  in  the  world  with  no 
national  health  system.  Closely  associated  with 
this  assertion  are  all  sorts  of  tricky  statistics  on 
infant  mortality,  care  availability,  bankrupting 
costs,  and  the  like. 

Under  most  NHI  proposals,  about  the  only 
thing  that  is  inevitable  is  a back-breaking  tax 
burden  and  no  guaranteed  solutions  to  health 
delivery  problems. 

National  health  insurance  will  deliver  more 
care.  We  must  be  careful  to  separate  medical 
care  organization  from  financing  when  we  speak 
of  supply.  All  the  financing  in  the  world  will 
not,  of  itself,  train  a single  additional  physi- 
cian or  build  a single  new  hospital  bed. 

When  we  extend  the  care  purchasing  base,  as 
was  done  with  Medicare  and  Medicaid,  we  mere- 
ly increase  the  pressures  of  demand  on  care  or- 
ganization. 

IV 

Just  about  everybody  recognizes  that  the 
winds  of  change  are  blowing,  and  change  has  oc- 
curred in  the  delivery  of  medical  care  in  the 
United  States.  But  this  is  not  a sufficient  reason 
to  abandon  the  concept  of  private  care  organiza- 
tion. Conversely,  it  is  all  the  reason  in  the  world 
to  strengthen  private  organization  with  innova- 
tions built  around  the  integrity  of  private  medi- 
cine and  its  astonishing  ability  to  deliver  quality 
care. 

Not  to  be  lost  in  the  NHI  shuffle  are  peer  re- 
view under  exclusive  physician  control,  medical 
association-sponsored  care  foundations,  new 
concepts  in  hospitals  with  graduated  levels  of 
care  intensity,  medical  manpower  extensions  in 
new  allied  professional  fields,  and  a host  of  im- 
provements with  solid  promise. 

Of  course,  nothing  is  absolute  in  terms  of 
comparison,  but  it  seems  as  if  private  air  lines 
in  the  U.  S.  offer  more  and  better  service  than 


DECEMBER  1970 


649 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

nationalized  air  carriers.  No  telephone  system 
in  the  world  can  compare  to  our  privately  op- 
erated AT&T,  nor  will  any  state-owned  automo- 
bile industry  ever  outproduce  Detroit. 

So  if  this  shoe  fits  in  privately  delivered  med- 
ical care,  the  nation  will  be  well-advised  to  try 
it  on  for  size.  National  health  insurance  is  no 
panacea,  is  no  economic  solution,  is  no  guaran- 
tor of  care  delivery,  and  is  quite  expensive.  We 
will  all  do  well  to  remember  that  there  is  no 
such  thing  as  free  lunch. — R.B.K. 

The  Growing  Role 
of  the  Joint  Commission 

The  Joint  Commission  on  Accreditation  of 
Hospitals  has  quietly  grown  into  a service  or- 
ganization of  a much  wider  spectrum  than  its 
name  implies.  Quite  possibly,  JCAH  will  be 
serving  many  more  medical  facilities  than  short 
term  acute  general  and  medical  hospitals  within 
the  present  decade. 

The  Joint  Commission  came  into  being  in 
1951  when  the  task  of  inspecting  and  accredit- 
ing hospitals  became  more  of  a burden  than  the 
professional  organization  originating  the  idea 
could  bear.  As  with  so  many  innovations  which 
have  upgraded  medical  care  in  the  United 
States,  hospital  inspection  and  accreditation  was 
a program  of  the  American  College  of  Sur- 
geons. 

Begun  as  a voluntary,  self-initiated  care  im- 
provement project,  the  ACS  accreditation  pro- 
gram remains  today  essentially  the  same  as  ini- 
tially conceived  and  implemented.  No  hospital 
is  forced  to  submit  to  accreditation  inspection, 
although  it  is  to  the  distinct  advantage  of  the 
institution  to  do  so. 

Now,  with  vastly  expanded  activities,  JCAH 
is  sponsored  by  four  organizations:  the  Ameri- 
can College  of  Physicians,  the  American  College 
of  Surgeons,  the  American  Hospital  Association, 
and  the  American  Medical  Association.  By  ap- 
portionment of  commissioners,  actually  the  vot- 
ing directors,  no  single  organization  can  or  does 
dominate  the  commission.  The  internists  and 
surgeons  have  three  commissioners  each,  while 
AHA  and  AMA  respectively  have  seven  for  a to- 
tal of  20  voting  members.  The  organizations 
bear  their  proportionate  share  of  expenses  nec- 
essary to  operate  the  Joint  Commission  above 
earnings  from  fees  charged. 


A scant  four  years  ago,  JCAH  initiated  its 
Long-Term  Care  Facilities  Accreditation  Pro- 
gram. Still  another  activity,  the  Accreditation  of 
Rehabilitation  Facilities  Program,  is  now  opera- 
tional. With  the  long  established,  original-pur- 
pose hospital  program,  JCAH  now  has  three  im- 
portant areas  of  work. 

Two  new  programs  are  in  developmental 
stages:  the  Accreditation  Council  for  Facilities 
for  the  Mentally  Retarded  and  the  Accredita- 
tion Council  for  Psychiatric  Facilities.  A basic 
aim  is  to  get  these  new  activities  in  full  swing 
by  or  before  completion  of  the  community 
mental  health  and  retardation  centers  program 
which  is  going  great  guns  throughout  the  na- 
tion. 

Strengthening  this  service  expansion  by  JCAH 
is  the  affiliation  of  15  national  organizations  in 
the  nursing  home,  care  of  the  aging,  rehabilita- 
tion, speech  and  hearing,  voluntary  health  agen- 
cy, and  mental  health  fields.  JCAH  is  consulting 
these  organizations  in  developing  yardsticks  with 
which  to  measure  care  quality  in  the  new  areas 
of  service. 

Over  the  years,  JCAH  has  been  discussed  and 
cussed,  praised  and  berated,  thanked  and  at- 
tacked for  its  work.  By  and  large,  however, 
American  medicine  has  agreed  that  exacting 
measures  of  institutional  care  quality  are  desir- 
able and  that  JCAH  provides  a service  which  is 
essential.  Areas  of  disagreement  have  generally 
centered  around  how  the  task  should  be  under- 


“ Beautiful  opening , Parmillee — only  it  happens  to 
be  in  my  arm!” 


650 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


taken  and  not  on  the  goal  of  the  task  itself. 

The  growth  of  JCAH  activities  in  the  exten- 
sion and  innovation  of  health  care  delivery  will 
be  influential  and  important  to  patients,  physi- 
cians, and  health  service  institutions. — R.B.K. 

The  Doctor  Has  Everything, 

Except  Time 

With  wry  humor,  a physician  was  recently 
heard  to  observe  that  “I  could  easily  attend  all 
of  the  meetings  of  all  of  the  organizations  to 
which  I belong,  read  all  the  journals  and  medi- 
cal publications  I receive,  and  fill  out  all  the 
forms  that  now  deluge  me,  but  there  is  one 
change  I’d  have  to  make:  I couldn’t  see  any  pa- 
tients.” 

The  strange  and  distressing  paradox  in  this 
day  of  superefficiency,  of  instant  communica- 
tion, nanosecond  information  retrieval  by  com- 
puters, and  all  kinds  of  assorted  miracles  of  sci- 
ence and  technology  is  that  the  doctor  of  medi- 
cine finds  new  and  additional  burdens  upon  his 
shoulders.  Every  new  medical  care  program 
brings  with  it  forms  and  paperwork — so  much 
so,  in  fact,  that  it  is  not  unusual  to  find  one  to 
five  employees  in  physicians’  offices  whose  job  is 
forms  completion. 

Staff  meetings,  local  medical  societies,  the 
state  association,  AMA,  a host  of  specialty  soci- 
eties, voluntary  health  agencies,  committees,  and 
just  about  any  meeting  of  any  organization 
which  pops  into  the  imagination  compete  sav- 
agely for  the  time  of  the  busy  physician.  His 
daily  mail  can  be  measured  in  pounds  rather 
than  pieces  as  the  medical  literature  proliferates 
to  a point  of  disbelief. 

Then  there  are  the  throwaway  publications, 
also  without  number,  the  tide  of  one-time  mail- 
ings, and  other  chunks  of  printed  matter  clog- 
ging the  postal  pipeline.  Now  we  approach  the 
era  of  audio  tapes,  special  frequency  radio,  and 
even  TV  for  medical  audiences. 

It  requires  no  effort  to  understand  why  medi- 
cal meeting  attendance  is  steadily  decreasing. 
For  example,  more  than  64,000  registered  at  the 
1965  AMA  annual  convention  at  New  York  with 
just  under  25,000  M.D.'s  participating.  Last 
June  at  Chicago,  registration  was  less  than  15,- 
000  with  only  8,000  physicians  present.  State 
medical  associations,  nearly  all  with  growing 
memberships,  show  decreases  in  annual  session 
registration. 


Sooner  or  later,  something  will  have  to  give, 
because  physicians  cannot  meet  the  demands  up- 
on their  time  which  seem  to  get  worse,  not  bet- 
ter. Better  communication  with  the  doctor,  re- 
quiring less  of  his  time,  simplification  of  paper- 
work together  with  a substantial  decrease  in  vol- 
ume, and  greater  efficiencies  in  serving  his  or- 
ganizational needs  are  musts  in  the  immediate 
future.  Many  physicians  are  beginning  to  feel 
that  they  have  enjoyed  about  as  much  of  this 
progress  as  they  can  stand. — R.B.K. 

Hijacking  and 
Health  Insurance 

Air  piracy  has  become  a serious  and  grave 
problem  for  the  traveling  public,  the  air  line  in- 
dustry, and  the  government.  At  stake  in  every 
such  incident  are  the  lives  of  dozens,  property 
amounting  to  millions,  and  national  sovereignty 
because  every  scheduled  U.  S.  airliner  beyond 
our  borders  is  a flag  carrier. 

It  may  be  small  comfort  to  those  diverted  un- 
expectedly to  Jose  Marti  International  Airport 
at  Havana,  but  the  chances  are  that  their  volun- 
tary prepayment  or  health  insurance  covers  care 
of  illness  and  injury  which  could  occur  during 
the  illicit  excursion.  The  Health  Insurance  In- 
stitute reports  that  “almost  all  of  the  newer  hos- 
pital, surgical,  and  major  medical  insurance 
company  policies  apply  anywhere  on  this  planet 
or  in  the  atmosphere,  for  that  matter.” 

HII  further  explains  that  air  line  “hijacking 
is  not  considered  an  exclusion  under  these  poli- 
cies.” The  statement  is  qualified,  however,  with 
the  further  explanation  that  “if  hijacking  were 
considered  an  act  of  war,  insurance  benefits 
would  not  be  covered.” 

Legal  precedents  to  date  hold  air  piracy  to  be 
a felony  committed  by  individuals  with  jurisdic- 
tion vested  in  the  nation  in  which  the  crime  oc- 
curs or  whose  flag  is  violated  internationally.  It 
has  been  speculated  that  piracy  of  four  aircraft 
by  Arab  revolutionaries  could  have  been  held 
as  an  act  of  war,  but  the  revolutionary  groups 
have  no  recognition  diplomatically. 

The  HII  report  says  that  either  full  benefits 
would  be  payable  for  hijack  victims,  even  in  a 
nation  with  which  the  U.  S.  has  no  diplomatic 
relations,  or  else  emergency  care  and  special  risk 
coverage  would  apply.  Medicare  does  not  cover 
hijack  victims,  because  the  only  across-the-bor- 
der  payments  authorized  are  emergency  admis- 


DECEMBER  1970 


651 


EDITORIALS  / Continued 

sions  to  certain  close  by  Canadian  and  Mexican 
hospitals. 

In  recent  years,  the  American  tourist  has  been 
attracted  to  travel-accident  policies  which  usu- 
ally cover  him  while  on  his  foreign  junket.  Gen- 
erally, however,  his  regular  health  and  medical 
coverage  is  valid  so  long  as  he  travels  by  sched- 
uled carrier  at  home  or  abroad.  Ill  or  injured 
travelers  should  consult  the  nearest  U.  S.  embas- 
sy or  consulate  when  stricken  abroad  as  the  most 
reliable  source  of  advice  for  securing  needed 
medical  care. 

But  without  U.  S.  diplomatic  representation 
where  a purloined  airplane  might  end  up,  it  is 
still  a little  comforting  to  know  that  voluntary 
health  insurance  protection  goes  along,  too. — 
RB.K. 

Can  He  Do  the  Job? 
Then  Hire  Him! 

“Can  the  man  do  the  job?”  This  is  the  ques- 
tion asked  by  the  American  Mutual  Insurance 
Alliance  about  the  handicapped.  If  the  answer 
from  the  prospective  employer  is  in  the  affirma- 
tive, AMIA’s  reply  is  “Hire  him!” 

There  is  no  stronger  supporter  of  the  Presi- 
dent’s Committee  on  Employment  of  the  Hand- 
icapped than  the  insurance  industry.  Along  with 
the  handicapped  who  often  do  not  get  hired,  de- 
spite ability  and  job  performance  capacity,  the 
insurance  companies  are  frequently  misunder- 
stood, and  three  popularly  held  myths  bear  this 
out.  These  are  damaging  to  the  employment  of 
the  handicapped,  and  all  center  around  the  im- 
paired and  workmen’s  compensation  insurance: 

— Handicapped  workers  are  more  likely  to 
have  accidents  than  other  employees. 

Fact:  The  U.  S.  Department  of  Labor  has 
the  hard  data  to  prove  that  impaired  employees 
have  fewer  disabling  accidents  than  nonim- 
paired  employees  exposed  to  the  same  job  haz- 
ards. The  handicapped  experience  about  the 
same  number  of  minor  injuries  on  the  job  as 
their  whole  counterparts.  The  secret  of  job 
safety,  handicapped  or  not,  is  proper  classifica- 
tion and  placement. 

— An  employer’s  workmen’s  compensation  in- 
surance premium  will  rise  if  he  hires  the  hand- 
icapped. 

Fact:  That  any  employee  has  a physical  im- 
pairment does  not  make  him  inherently  unsafe 


on  the  job.  Workmen’s  compensation  rates  are 
based  solely  on  the  relative  hazards  of  a compa- 
ny’s operations  and  its  accident  experience. 

— The  insurance  company  “won’t  let  the  em- 
ployer” hire  the  handicapped. 

Fact:  The  best  refutation  of  this  myth  is  in 
the  insurance  companies  themselves:  They  are 
among  the  largest  employers  of  the  handi- 
capped and  leaders  in  employee  rehabilitation. 

As  modern  medicine  continues  to  make  con- 
tributions toward  rehabilitation  to  bring  back 
to  gainful  employment  many  a worker  hitherto 
lost  to  society  and  himself,  physicians  can  help 
dispell  myths  about  employment  of  the  handi- 
capped. If  the  man  can  do  the  job,  hire  him. — 
R.B.K. 


MISSISSIPPI  POSTGRADUATE 

INSTITUTE  IN  THE 

MEDICAL  SCIENCES 

Jan.  18-22,  1971 

Cancer  Chemotherapy  Intensive  Course 
University  Medical  Center,  Jackson 
Jan.  18-22,  1971,  beginning  at  8 a.m. 

Sponsored  by  The  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine  postgraduate  education 
committee,  with  the  support  of  the  Mississip- 
pi Postgraduate  Institute  in  the  Medical  Sci- 
ences 

Coordinators: 

Warren  N.  Bell,  M.D.,  professor  of  clinical  lab- 
oratory sciences,  chairman  of  the  department, 
and  associate  professor  of  medicine,  The 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 

G.  D.  Deraps,  M.D.,  instructor  in  medicine,  The 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 
In  this  one-week  intensive  course,  partici- 
pants will  attend  rounds,  clinics,  lectures, 
group  discussions  and  case  presentations.  Em- 
phasis will  be  on  office  screening,  tumor  diag- 
nosis, natural  history  of  disease  and  indica- 
tions and  treatment  of  various  malignancies. 
Registration  is  limited  to  a class  of  five  fam- 
ily physicians  from  the  40  enrolled  in  the  Mis- 
sissippi Postgraduate  Institute  in  the  Medical 
Sciences,  which  is  funded  by  the  Mississippi 
Regional  Medical  Program.  Unlike  the  other 
intensive  courses  which  will  be  offered  twice 


652 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


in  the  1970-1971  series,  cancer  chemotherapy 
will  only  meet  for  one  session. 

CIRCUIT  COURSES 
Southern  Circuit 

Biloxi — Jan.  6 — Session  1,  Howard  Memorial 
Hospital,  6:30  p.m. 

Hattiesburg — Jan.  7 — Session  1,  Methodist 
Hospital,  6:30  p.m. 

Session  1 — Peripheral  Vascular  Disease 
Arteriograms,  Dr.  Carlos  Chavez 
Surgical  Approach,  Dr.  J.  Harold  Conn 

Southwest  Circuit 

McComb — Jan.  12 — Session  2,  Southwest  Mis- 
sissippi General  Hospital,  7 p.m. 

Session  2 — Carcinoma  of  the  Thyroid,  Dr. 
Coupery  Shands 

Presentation  and  Diagnosis  of  Hypothy- 
roidism and  Hypoparathyroidism, 
Dr.  Herbert  G.  Langford 

FUTURE  CALENDAR 

November  30-December  4,  1970 

Neurological  Diseases  and  Stroke  In- 
tensive Course 
Cardiology  Intensive  Course 

December  7-11 

Nephrology  Intensive  Course 
December  11 

Infections  in  Obstetrics  and  Gynecol- 
ogy Seminar 

January  6,  1971 

Circuit  Course,  Biloxi 

January  7 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 
January  11-15 

Neurological  Diseases  and  Stroke  In- 
tensive Course 

January  12 

Circuit  Course,  McComb 
January  18-22 

Cancer  Chemotherapy  Intensive  Course 
February  1-5 

Electrocardiography  Intensive  Course 
February  3 

Circuit  Course,  Gulfport 
February  4 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 


February  16 

Circuit  Course,  Natchez 

February  18 

Neurology  Seminar 

February  23 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 
March  1-5 

Gastroenterology,  Intensive  Course 
March  3 

Circuit  Course,  Bay  St.  Louis 
March  4 

Circuit  Course,  Hattiesburg 

March  5 

Renal  Seminar 

March  8-12 

Nephrology  Intensive  Course 
Cardiology  Intensive  Course 

March  9 

Circuit  Course,  Meridian 
April  5-9 

Pediatrics  Intensive  Course 
April  6 

Circuit  Course,  Meridian 
April  13 

Circuit  Course,  McComb 
April  19-23 

Radiology  Intensive  Course 
April  20 

Circuit  Course,  Natchez 
A pril  2 7 

Circuit  Course,  Columbus 
May  3-6 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Association, 
Biloxi 

May  11 

Circuit  Course,  Meridian 


William  L.  Bass,  Jr.,  a native  of  Laurel,  has 
been  appointed  full-time  director  of  the  Coast- 
al Mental  Health  Association. 


Tom  H.  Blake  of  Jackson  recently  returned 
from  a six-day  bear  and  goose  hunt  to  Naknek. 
Alaska. 


DECEMBER  1970 


653 


PERSONALS  / Continued 

Edgar  E.  Bobo  of  Jackson  has  been  elected 
chief  of  staff  at  Rankin  General  Hospital  for 
the  coming  year.  Other  new  officers  are  Charles 
Williams,  vice  chief  of  staff;  Robert  Rester, 
secretary;  and  Allen  Hollis,  Executive  Com- 
mittee member. 

Albert  E.  Breland,  Jr.,  a native  of  Hatties- 
burg, has  joined  the  staff  of  the  Veterans  Ad- 
ministration Center  in  Jackson.  Dr.  Breland  is 
a graduate  of  the  University  of  Mississippi 
School  of  Medicine  and  completed  his  intern- 
ship and  neurology  residency  there. 

Eugene  A.  Bush  of  Laurel  was  named  Alumnus 
of  the  Year  of  Jones  County  Junior  College  at 
recent  homecoming  activities  at  the  college. 

Carlos  M.  Chavez  of  Jackson  has  become  a 
Fellow  of  the  American  College  of  Chest  Phy- 
sicians. 

Robert  D.  Currier  of  Jackson  and  UMC  pre- 
sided over  a meeting  of  the  Central  Society  for 
Neurological  Research  in  St.  Louis  recently.  Dr. 
Currier  is  currently  president  of  the  society. 

Thomas  H.  Gandy  of  Natchez  presented  slides 
from  his  personal  collection  for  a program  on 
“Natchez  Under  the  Hill”  at  the  15th  annual 
Louisiana  Art  and  Folk  Festival  in  Columbia. 

Jack  C.  Hoover  of  Pascagoula  announces  the 
relocation  of  his  office  for  the  practice  of  ob- 
stetrics and  gynecology  to  the  Bel  Air  Shopping 
Center. 

Don  E.  Killelea  of  Natchez  was  guest  speaker 
at  a recent  meeting  of  American  Legion  Post 
No.  4.  He  spoke  on  care  of  mentally  retarded 
children.  Dr.  Killelea  also  appeared  on  the  pro- 
gram of  the  Annual  Assembly  of  the  Louisiana 
Academy  of  General  Practice  in  New  Orleans. 

Leroy  B.  Lamm,  director  of  the  Gulfport-Bi- 
loxi  VA  Center,  has  been  named  director  of  the 
Veterans  Administration’s  10-state  Southeastern 
Medical  Region. 

Lynda  G.  Lee  of  Jackson  and  UMC  was  guest 
speaker  at  the  October  meeting  of  the  Central 
Mississippi  Chapter  of  Mississippi  Medical  As- 
sistants. Her  topic  was  medical  genetics. 

John  B.  Levens,  Jr.,  of  Bay  St.  Louis  has  been 
elected  chief  of  staff  of  Hancock  General  Hos- 
pital. Other  new  officers  are:  M.  L.  Dodson,  vice 


chief  of  staff,  and  John  Rutherford,  III,  sec- 
retary-treasurer. 

J.  Hampton  Miller,  formerly  of  Jackson,  an- 
nounces the  opening  of  his  office  at  2142  Com- 
merce Street,  Grenada,  for  the  practice  of  ob- 
stetrics and  gynecology. 

Floy  Jack  Moore  of  Jackson,  professor  and  di- 
rector of  the  UMC  television  project,  has  been 
appointed  representative  to  the  Scientific  Ex- 
hibit by  the  Section  on  Psychiatry  and  Neurolo- 
gy of  the  American  Medical  Association.  In  this 
capacity,  he  will  coordinate  all  applications  for 
scientific  exhibits  from  the  specialty  field  for 
AMA  annual  and  clinical  conventions. 

William  H.  Parker  of  Heidelberg  was  installed 
as  president  of  the  Mississippi  Academy  of  Gen- 
eral Practice  at  the  annual  meeting  in  Biloxi. 
James  Stephens  of  Magee  was  named  president- 
elect. 

S.  Ray  Pate  of  Jackson  has  been  certified  by 
and  is  a Diplomate  of  the  American  Board  of 
Psychiatry  and  Neurology. 

Bernard  S.  Patrick  of  Jackson  and  UMC  at- 
tended an  October  brain  tumor  symposium  in 
Columbus,  Ohio. 

Donald  M.  Sherline  of  Jackson  and  UMC  par- 
ticipated in  the  District  Four  regional  annual 
conference  of  the  American  College  of  Obste- 
tricians and  Gynecologists  in  Charleston,  S.  C. 
His  paper  was  entitled  “Methods  of  Relieving 
Pain  During  Delivery,”  and  he  also  spoke  on 
“The  Choice  of  Anesthesia  for  Obstetric  and 

Medical  Complications.” 

Virginia  Small  of  Greenville  has  been  named 
a Greenville  Woman  of  Achievement  during 
Business  and  Professional  Women’s  Week. 

C.  D.  Taylor,  Jr.,  of  Pass  Christian  and  chair- 
man of  the  Legislative  Council  of  the  state 
medical  association,  spoke  on  the  physician’s 
place  in  politics  to  the  Gulfport  Medical  Aux- 
iliary recently. 

Walter  Taylor  of  Clarksdale  was  guest  speak- 
er at  the  District  Four  meeting  of  the  Mississip- 
pi Heart  Association  in  Sumner.  He  discussed 
high  blood  pressure. 

Dan  R.  Thornton,  Jr.,  of  Meridian  attended 
the  District  Seven  American  College  of  Obste- 
tricians and  Gynecologists  meeting  in  Mexico 
City.  Dr.  Thornton  completed  a five-year  term 
as  the  section  chairman  for  Mississippi  and  was 
elected  treasurer  of  District  Seven. 


654 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Ancel  C.  Tipton,  Robert  D.  Currier,  and  Ar- 
min  F.  Haerer,  all  of  Jackson  and  UMC’s  Di- 
vision of  Neurology,  participated  in  a fall  con- 
ference on  epilepsy  at  the  University  of  South- 
ern Mississippi. 

Henry  B.  Tyler  of  Jackson  was  guest  speaker 
at  a recent  Indianola  Rotary  Club  meeting.  He 
spoke  on  the  latest  techniques  in  cardiovascular 
surgery. 

David  Van  Landingham  of  Jackson  was  guest 
speaker  at  a recent  Mississippi  Women’s  Cabinet 
on  Public  Affairs  meeting.  Dr.  Van  Landingham 
discussed  his  family’s  trip  to  Gaza,  Israel,  where 
they  spent  their  vacation  helping  at  the  Baptist 
Hospital. 

James  C.  Waites  of  Laurel  has  been  elected  to 
a three-year  term  on  the  Laurel  Chamber  of 
Commerce’s  Board  of  Directors. 

L.  D.  Webb  of  Calhoun  City  received  the  Cal- 
houn City  Chamber  of  Commerce’s  first  Out- 
standing Citizen  award  for  community  service. 
Dr.  Webb  is  mayor  of  the  city,  and  is  active  in 
church  and  civic  affairs  as  well  as  chief  of  staff 
of  Hillcrest  Hospital. 

Eugene  F.  Webb  of  Itta  Bena  has  been  elected 
chief  of  medical  staff  of  the  Greenwood  Leflore 
Hospital.  Other  officers  elected  were  John  D. 
Wofford,  assistant  chief  of  staff;  and  J.  V. 
Ferguson,  Jr.,  secretary-treasurer.  Milton  T. 
Person  was  elected  to  serve  on  the  Executive 
Committee. 

Ray  Wesson  of  Ocean  Springs  has  been  named 
chairman  of  the  Ocean  Springs  Hospital  medi- 
cal staff.  Hugh  Boyd  is  chairman-elect,  and 
Frank  Schmidt  is  secretary-treasurer  for  the  fis- 
cal year  which  began  Oct.  1,  1970. 

Clark  Williams  of  Vicksburg  has  been  elected 
president  of  the  West  Mississippi  Medical  So- 
ciety. Charles  Marascalco  of  Vicksburg  is  vice 
president,  and  M.  E.  Hinman  is  secretary. 


terned  Knoxville  General  Hospital,  Knoxville, 
Tenn.,  one  year;  Emeritus  member  of  MSMA  and 
AMA;  died  Oct.  22,  1970,  age  70. 

Hightower,  Charles  Counce,  Sr.,  M.D., 
Jefferson  Medical  College  of  Philadelphia 
1910;  interned  South  Mississippi  Infirmary,  Mc- 
Comb,  Miss.,  1910-1915;  Emeritus  member  of 
MSMA  and  AMA;  Past  President  of  South  Mis- 
sissippi Medical  Society;  died  Oct.  28,  1970, 
age  84. 

Myers,  Onnie  Preston,  M.D.,  Tulane  Uni- 
versity School  of  Medicine  1935;  interned 
Southern  Baptist  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  La.,  one 
year;  urology  residency,  same,  one  year;  Secre- 
tary of  Central  Medical  Society  1953-1955;  Pres- 
ident of  Central  Medical  Society  1956-1957;  died 
Oct.  23,  1970,  age  65. 

Stallworth,  William  Lea,  M.D.,  Tulane 
University  School  of  Medicine  1925;  in- 
terned Touro  Infirmary,  New  Orleans,  La.,  one 
year;  died  Oct.  2,  1970,  age  70. 


Abraham,  Ralph  Ellis,  Meridian.  Born  Meridi- 
an, Miss.,  June  22,  1940;  M.D.  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  Miss., 
1965;  interned  Parkland  Memorial  Hospital, 
Dallas,  Tex.,  one  year;  surgery  residency,  Uni- 
versity Medical  Center,  Jackson,  Miss.,  July  1, 
1966-June  30,  1970;  elected  Oct.  6,  1970  by  East 
Mississippi  Medical  Society. 

Cannon,  Charles  Neil,  Philadelphia.  Born  Mc- 
Donald, Miss.,  June  12,  1924;  M.D.  University 
of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson, 
Miss.,  1961;  interned  Duval  County  Medical 
Center,  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  one  year;  surgery  res- 
idency, same,  July  1,  1962-June  30,  1964;  elected 
Oct.  6,  1970  by  East  Mississippi  Medical  Society. 


Cowart,  Hiram  Benjamin,  M.D.,  Memphis 
Hospital  Medical  College  1912;  died  Sept.  30, 
1970,  age  88. 


Eberhard,  John  Jacob,  M.D.,  University 
of  Tennessee  College  of  Medicine  1931;  in- 


Dowdy, Billy  Gene,  Greenville.  Born  Hayti, 
Mo.,  Nov.  9,  1938.  M.D.  University  of  Tennes- 
see College  of  Medicine,  Memphis,  Tenn.,  1964; 
interned  John  Gaston  Hospital,  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  one  year;  radiology  residency,  Methodist 
Hospital,  Memphis,  Tenn.,  August  8,  1965-Au- 
gust  7,  1970;  elected  Oct.  14,  1970  by  Delta  Med- 
ical Society. 

Hurst,  Marion  Fieldon,  Meridian.  Born  Hen- 
derson, Tenn.,  Oct.  14,  1938.  M.D.  University  of 
Tennessee  College  of  Medicine,  Memphis, 


DECEMBER  1970 


655 


NEW  MEMBERS  / Continued 

Term.,  1963;  interned  Pensacola  Educational 
Program,  Pensacola,  Fla.,  one  year;  radiology 
residency,  Ohio  State  University  July  1,  1965- 
June  30,  1968;  elected  Oct.  6,  1970  by  East  Mis- 
sissippi Medical  Society. 

Little,  Thomas  Dale,  Meridian.  Born  Meridi- 
an, Miss.,  June  16,  1936.  M.D.  University  of 
Mississippi  School  of  Medicine,  Jackson,  Miss., 
1962;  interned  Cincinnati  General  Hospital, 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  one  year;  orthopedic  surgery 
residency,  Georgia  Baptist  Hospital,  Atlanta, 
Ga.,  July  1,  1966-July  1,  1967  and  January,  1968- 
January  1970;  residency,  Scottish  Rite  Crippled 
Children  Hospital,  Decatur,  Ga.  July,  1967-Jan- 
uary,  1968  and  January,  1970  to  July,  1970; 
elected  Oct.  6,  1970,  by  East  Mississippi  Medical 
Society. 

Wood,  William  Martin,  Meridian.  Born  Pitts- 
boro.  Miss.,  Nov.  8,  1924.  M.D.  University  of 
Tennessee  School  of  Medicine  1946;  interned 
Southern  Baptist  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  La., 
one  year;  neuropsychiatry  residence,  V.  A.  Hos- 
pital, Gulfport,  Miss.,  March  1,  1965  to  Novem- 
ber 27,  1965;  psychiatry  residency,  V.  A.  Hos- 
pital, Gulfport,  Miss.,  January  14,  1966  to  May 
31,  1970;  elected  Oct.  6,  1970,  by  East  Mississip- 
pi Medical  Society. 

Lilly  Discontinues 
Manufacturing  C-Quens 

Eli  Lilly  and  Company  has  announced  that 
it  has  decided  to  discontinue  manufacturing  its 
oral  contraceptive  product  C-Quens®  and  that 
it  is  advising  the  nation’s  physicians  to  transfer 
their  patients  using  C-Quens  to  other  means  of 
fertility  control  in  an  orderly  manner. 

The  company  emphasized  that  there  is  no 
cause  for  patient  alarm.  Women  taking  C-Quens 
should  continue  until  advised  by  their  physi- 
cians on  a change. 

The  reason  for  the  action  is  that  continuing, 
long-range  studies  have  disclosed  breast  nodules 
in  some  beagles  that  had  been  given  10  and  25 
times  the  human  dose  of  the  components  of 
C-Quens.  These  nodules,  none  of  which  were 
malignant,  resemble  those  that  often  occur  in 
old  female  beagles  and  that  are  generally  ac- 
cepted to  be  benign. 

The  company  emphasizes  that  these  observa- 
tions in  dogs  cannot  be  transposed  directly  to 


human  beings  and  that  there  is  no  evidence 
known  to  the  company  of  any  increase  in  the 
frequency  of  breast  tumors  in  women  using 
C-Quens. 

The  same  kind  of  long-range  studies  in  other 
laboratory  animals — mice,  rats,  and  monkeys — 
and  eight  years  of  clinical  investigations  in 
women  support  the  safety  of  the  drug. 

Natchez  School  Offers 
Med  Self-Help  Course 

Because  of  the  large  number  of  machines  in 
use  daily,  Vocational-Technical  School  in  Natch- 
ez is  offering  a “Medical  Self-Help”  course. 

Though  injuries  from  the  machines  are  infre- 
quent, Director  Richard  Fallin  and  others  on 
the  school  staff  felt  the  program  was  necessary. 

Instructors  for  the  11-lesson  course  are:  Juli- 
an White,  Adams  County  Civil  Defense  Board; 
Mrs.  Lee  Newman,  Jefferson  Davis  Hospital; 
Mrs.  Yvonne  Bertolet,  Mrs.  Betsy  Wright,  and 
Miss  Joan  Ainsworth,  University  of  Southern 
Mississippi  Resident  Center  Nurses  Training; 
Ed  Patton  and  Lt.  Louis  Gonnellini,  Natchez 
Fire  Department. 

Purpose  of  the  course  is  to  provide  knowledge 
and  some  skills  in  treating  injuries  and  caring 
for  the  sick. 

The  “Medical  Self-Help”  training  program 
is  a cooperative  effort  of  the  Office  of  Civil  De- 
fense, U.  S.  Public  Health  Service,  and  the 
Council  on  National  Security  of  the  American 
Medical  Association. 

The  use  of  “Medical  Self-Help”  techniques 
assumes  that  a physician  or  nurse  may  not  be 
available  for  a relatively  long  period  of  time. 
First  aid  is  based  on  professional  care  being 
soon  available,  in  contrast. 

The  skills  that  the  students  learn,  therefore, 
are  to  be  applied  under  emergency  conditions 
only.  To  aid  in  acquiring  these  skills,  the  stu- 
dents will  have  practice  sessions  following  most 
of  the  lessons. 

The  11  classes  are  divided  into  lessons  on  ra- 
dioactive fallout  and  shelter;  healthful  living 
in  emergencies;  artificial  respiration;  bleeding 
and  bandaging;  fractures  and  splinting;  trans- 
portation of  the  injured;  burns;  shock,  nursing 
care  of  the  sick  and  injured. 

“The  training  learned  at  the  Vocational-Tech- 
nical School  will  enable  students  to  care  for 
themselves  and  others  during  school  hours  as 
well  as  away  from  school,”  Fallin  commented. 


656 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


MSMA  Membership  Opened  to  UMC 
Upperclassmen,  Will  Have  New  Society 


Third  and  fourth  year  students  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine  will 
soon  hold  membership  in  the  state  medical  asso- 
ciation. A special  committee  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  is  working  on  organization  with  class 
officers  and  student  representatives. 

Action  to  authorize  a degree  of  membership 
for  medical  students  was  approved  by  the  House 
of  Delegates  at  the  102nd  Annual  Session  last 
May,  according  to  Dr.  Paul  B.  Brumby  of  Lex- 
ington, president  of  the  association,  and  Dr. 
Mai  S.  Riddell,  Jr.,  of  Winona,  chairman  of  the 
Board. 

Members  of  the  special  committee  working 
with  the  students  are  Drs.  M.  Beckett  Howorth, 
Jr.,  of  Oxford,  chairman,  Robert  E.  Blount  of 
Jackson,  and  W.  E.  Moak  of  Richton.  Dr. 


President  Paul  B.  Brumby,  left,  and  Dr.  Robert  E. 
Blount,  UMC  dean,  right,  discuss  medical  student 
membership  with  Don  Blackwood,  UMC  student 
body  president. 

Howorth  is  an  association  officer.  Dr.  Blount  is 
acting  dean  and  director  of  the  University  Med- 
ical Center,  and  Dr.  Moak  is  a member  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees. 


Student  leaders  representing  upperclassmen 
are  Don  Blackwood  of  Jackson,  student  body 
president;  Baxter  Irby,  Jr.,  of  Grenada,  presi- 


Student  class  officers  confer  with  Dr.  M.  Beckett 
Howorth,  Jr.,  of  Oxford.  From  the  left,  Paul  Welch, 
Dr.  Howorth,  Baxter  Irby,  Jr.,  and  David  Suttle. 


dent  of  the  senior  class;  David  Suttle  of  Jack- 
son,  vice  president  of  the  senior  class;  and  Paul 
Welch  of  Laurel,  vice  president  of  the  student 
body.  Other  class  officers  are  serving  on  commit- 
tees. 

The  action  of  the  House  of  Delegates  grew 
out  of  Resolution  No.  8 at  the  May  1970  annual 
session.  The  resolution  provides  for  a degree  of 
dues-free  student  membership  with  a special 
component  society  for  the  group  at  UMC.  The 
new  unit  will  be  provisionally  chartered  as  the 
University  Medical  Society. 

The  juniors  and  seniors  will  conduct  their 
own  society  affairs,  including  election  of  dele- 
gates to  the  annual  session.  The  House  action 
permits  first  and  second  year  students  to  partici- 
pate in  SAMA,  the  Student  American  Medical 
Association  chapter  at  UMC. 


DECEMBER  1970 


657 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Student  membership  in  state  medical  associa- 
tions has  been  urged  by  AMA.  Four  state  associ- 
ations have  created  the  new  degree:  Colorado 
and  Kansas  have  chartered  student  societies 
along  the  lines  contemplated  in  the  Mississippi 
action,  while  Indiana  and  Pennsylvania  have 
opened  general  voting  membership  to  the  stu- 
dents. 

Association  spokesmen  said  that  student  mem- 
bership among  state  associations  is  growing,  and 
it  is  anticipated  that  more  than  25  states  will  im- 
plement a degree  of  voting  membership  during 
1971. 

Meridian  Doctors  Meet 
With  Bar  Association 

Medical  malpractice  litigation  and  screening 
panels  were  main  topics  of  discussion  at  the  ini- 
tial joint  meeting  of  Lauderdale  County  phy- 
sicians and  the  Lauderdale  County  Bar  Associa- 
tion in  Meridian  recently. 

Key  participants  were  Drs.  Frank  H.  Tucker, 
Jr.,  and  Thomas  Little  and  lawyers  Walter 
Eppes  and  Gerald  Adams. 

Dr.  Tucker  led  the  program  with  a presenta- 
tion on  res  ipsa  loquitur,  followed  by  discus- 
sion of  the  topic. 

Those  present  discussed  the  Arizona  county 
committee  of  doctors  and  lawyers  which  more 
or  less  arbitrates  medical  malpractice  suits  and 
determines  whether  suits  have  merit. 

It  was  decided  to  form  a similar  screening 
committee  in  Lauderdale  County.  Three  physi- 
cians were  appointed  to  the  committee:  Drs. 
George  Arrington,  Joe  Covington,  and  Billy  Gil- 
lespie. 

George  Warner,  chairman  of  the  Lauderdale 
County  Bar,  appointed  Eppes  as  representative 
of  the  defense  lawyers  and  Adams  as  represent- 
ative of  the  plaintiff  lawyers. 

The  newly-formed  committee  was  instructed 
to  write  the  Arizona  committee  for  guidelines 
in  organization  and  activities. 

In  other  program  highlights,  Eppes  discussed 
the  state  statute  on  privileged  communication 
and  workmen’s  compensation.  Dr.  Little  com- 
pared Mississippi  malpractice  rates  to  those  of 
surrounding  states,  and  Adams  led  the  final  dis- 
cussion about  medical  reports. 


Dr.  Reid  Speaks 
at  Medical  Center 


Dr.  H.  Alistair  Reid,  senior  lecturer  and  consul- 
tant physician,  Liverpool  School  of  Tropical  Medi- 
cine, Liverpool,  England,  was  guest  speaker  for  Cen- 
ter Assembly  at  the  University  of  Mississippi  Medical 
Center.  Dr.  Reid,  whose  specialty  is  clinical  tropical 
medicine,  stopped  to  speak  enroute  from  Thailand 
and  Taiwan.  Welcoming  Dr.  Reid,  Dr.  Thomas 
Brooks,  professor  of  preventive  medicine  and  chair- 
man of  the  department,  is  at  left;  Dr.  Robert  E. 
Blount,  acting  director  of  the  University  Medical 
Center  and  acting  dean  of  the  University  of  Missis- 
sippi School  of  Medicine,  is  second  right,  and  Dr. 
Hugh  Keegan,  professor  of  preventive  medicine,  is 
at  right. 

New  Orleans  Medical 
Assembly  to  Meet 

The  34th  annual  meeting  of  The  New  Or- 
leans Graduate  Medical  Assembly  will  be  held 
March  8-11,  1971,  with  headquarters  at  The 
Roosevelt  Hotel. 

Nineteen  outstanding  guest  speakers  will  par- 
ticipate and  their  presentations  will  be  of  inter- 
est to  both  specialists  and  general  practitioners. 
The  program  will  include  50  informative  dis- 
cussions on  many  topics  of  current  medical  in- 
terest, in  addition  to  a clinicopathologic  confer- 
ence, medical  motion  pictures,  roundtable 
luncheons,  and  technical  exhibits.  This  program 
is  acceptable  for  accredited  hours  by  the  Ameri- 
can Academy  of  General  Practice. 

A program  of  entertainment  for  visiting  la- 
dies has  also  been  planned. 

For  further  information,  contact  Secretary, 
Room  1538,  1430  Tulane  Avenue,  New  Orleans, 
La.  70112. 


658 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Book  Reviews 

Emergency  Treatment  and  Management.  By 
Thomas  Flint,  Jr.,  M.D.  and  Harvey  D.  Cain, 
M.D.  733  pages.  Philadelphia:  W.  B.  Saunders 
Company,  1970.  $11.50. 

This  volume  on  emergency  treatment  and 
management  has  been  a main  standby  for  phy- 
sicians doing  emergency  work  of  any  kind  since 
its  first  publication  in  1954.  It  contains  a most 
conscientious  review  of  all  possible  situations 
encountered  by  emergency  personnel.  This  is  its 
fourth  edition  and  I believe  it  to  be  its  best. 

A special  section  is  devoted  to  acute  poisoning 
which  includes  a brief  description  of  all  types 
of  poisons  one  might  encounter,  their  antidotes, 
and  treatments.  This  section  is  easy  to  read  and 
the  poison  problem  with  which  one  is  confront- 
ed can  be  quickly  located. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  mention  all  of  the 
areas  this  text  covers,  but  I was  very  pleased 
with  their  writeup  on  tetanus  and  a proper  im- 
munization program.  The  indications  for  the 
use  of  tetanus  toxoid  and  human  tetanus  im- 
mune globulin  have  been  somewhat  confusing 
in  the  past  several  years  and  this  section  was  well 
done. 

In  addition  to  active  emergency  care,  a sec- 
tion is  provided  on  legal  problems  in  emergency 
care  which  includes  responsibilities  of  physi- 
cians in  emergency  cases,  testimony  in  court,  ob- 
ligation of  a physician  as  a witness,  etc.  All  phy- 
sicians in  this  type  of  work  are  coming  more 
and  more  into  contact  with  legal  problems  and 
this  should  prove  most  helpful  to  them.  This 
again  proves  to  be  a valuable  compilation  for 
those  doing  emergency  room  care.  It  is  recom- 
mended that  it  be  available  in  all  emergency 
room  libraries. 

R.  J.  Field,  Jr.,  M.D. 


At  Your  Own  Risk:  The  Case  Against  Chiro- 
practic. By  Ralph  Lee  Smith.  167  pages.  New 
York:  Trident  Press,  1969.  $4.95.  Paperback  $.95. 

In  this  concise,  easily  read  book,  the  author, 
an  experienced  medical  journalist,  presents  the 
story  of  chiropractic. 

Mr.  Smith  gives  his  purpose  as  “to  set  forth 
what  a chiropractor  is,  what  he  believes,  and 
what  he  does.”  The  author  covers  these  topics 
thoroughly  beginning  with  the  invention  of 
chiropractic  by  an  Iowa  grocer,  D.  D.  Palmer  in 
1886. 

The  book  appears  to  be  factual.  The  author’s 
conclusions  came  from  his  own  experiences  wilh 
chiropractors  and  results  of  U.  S.  government 
(HEW)  studies. 

Especially  interesting  were  the  chapters  on 
chiropractic  use  of  x-rays  and  the  lack  of  train- 
ing in  basic  science  and  diagnostic  skills  found 
in  graduates  of  schools  of  chiropractic. 

In  the  chapter  on  gadgeteers,  Mr.  Lee  goes  in- 
to detail  about  the  expensive  gadgets  chiroprac- 
tors buy  and  use.  Many  have  been  confiscated  by 
government  officials  as  frauds  They  actually 
have  no  therapeutic  function,  he  points  out. 

The  work  is  attractively  presented  by  the  pub- 
lisher, and  is  highly  recommended  to  all  physi- 
cians who  must  tell  their  patients  the  true  facts 
about  the  cult,  as  well  as  to  the  lay  public  who 
must  keep  informed  in  order  to  protect  them- 
selves. 

Nola  P.  Gibson 

ACS  Inducts  19 
State  Physicians 

Nineteen  Mississippi  physicians  were  among 
1,551  surgeons  inducted  as  new  Fellows  in  cap- 
and-gown  ceremonies  during  the  annual  five-day 
clinical  congress  of  the  American  College  of 
Surgeons. 

New  members  from  Jackson  are  Drs.  Richard 


DECEMBER  1970 


659 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

C.  Boronow,  Carlos  M.  Chavez,  Wafford  H.  Mer- 
rell,  Jr.,  Bernard  S.  Patrick,  Robert  R.  Smith, 
and  Henry  B.  Tyler. 

Other  Mississippi  initiates  are  Drs.  Jerry  R. 
Adkins  of  Biloxi,  Richard  L.  Colson  of  Gulf- 
port, Ernest  J.  Holder  of  Laurel,  John  E.  Lind- 
ley  and  L.  Vaughan  Rush,  Jr.  of  Meridian, 
Clyde  H.  Gunn,  Jr.,  of  Moss  Point,  Harvey  C. 
Sanders  of  Mound  Bayou,  H.  Van  Craig  and 
John  R.  Young,  Jr.,  of  Natchez,  Perry  J.  Hocka- 
day  of  Pascagoula,  Robert  D.  Kirk,  Jr.,  of  Tu- 
pelo, and  W.  Briggs  Hopson,  Jr.  of  Vicksburg. 

Lt.  Col.  Morris  A.  Schultz,  USAF  MC,  of 
Keesler  Air  Force  Base  was  also  inducted. 

Fellowship  is  awarded  to  those  surgeons  who 
fulfill  comprehensive  requirements  of  accept- 
able medical  education  and  advanced  training 
of  surgery,  and  who  give  evidence  of  good  mor- 
al character  and  ethical  practice. 

Med  Technologists  Get 
Postgraduate  Training 

Medical  technologists  in  south  Mississippi  will 
receive  extra  training  in  four  special  sessions  at 
the  University  of  Southern  Mississippi,  which 
began  Nov.  4,  and  will  continue  through  Jan- 
uary. 

A test  project  which  may  be  offered  in  other 
parts  of  the  state,  the  refresher  series  was  re- 
quested by  the  Mississippi  State  Society  of  Medi- 
cal Technologists.  It  is  part  of  the  Mississippi 
Postgraduate  Institute  in  the  Medical  Sciences, 
which  is  supported  by  the  Mississippi  Regional 
Medical  Program.  The  University  Medical  Cen- 
ter and  Mississippi  State  Medical  Association 
were  coapplicants  for  this  project  in  1969. 

Each  session  will  emphasize  a different  aspect 
of  practical  medical  technology.  Instructors  will 
be  registered  medical  technologists  from  the 
University  of  Mississippi  Medical  Center,  Mis- 
sissippi Baptist  Hospital,  Mississippi  State  Hos- 
pital at  Whitfield  and  Coahoma  County  Hos- 
pital. 

Late  afternoon  classes,  two  in  November  and 
two  in  January,  allow  participants  to  work  in 
their  respective  laboratories  a half-day,  attend 
the  course,  and  return  home  at  a reasonable 
hour. 


Miss  Baptist  Hospital 
Elects  1971  Officers 

Dr.  Noel  C.  Womack,  Jr.,  chief  of  the  medi- 
cal staff  of  Mississippi  Baptist  Hospital  in  Jack- 
son,  has  announced  medical  staff  officers  who 
will  begin  one-year  terms  Jan.  1,  1971.  Dr.  A.  L. 
Meena  is  incoming  chief  of  staff  and  Dr.  R.  P. 
Henderson  is  president-elect. 

Dr.  H.  C.  Ethridge  will  be  vice-president,  and 
Dr.  J.  O.  Manning  will  serve  as  secretary  of  the 
staff  in  197 1 . 

Chiefs  and  assistant  chiefs  of  the  medical  sec- 
tions for  1971  are:  surgery.  Dr.  L.  R.  Hodges, 
chief,  and  Dr.  Louis  A.  Farber,  assistant  chief; 
medicine,  Dr.  Perrin  L.  Berry,  chief,  and  Dr. 
G.  B.  Shaw,  assistant  chief;  pediatrics,  Dr.  Wil- 
fred Q.  Cole,  chief,  and  Dr.  Cecil  G.  Jenkins,  as- 
sistant chief; 

Also,  obstetrics-gynecology,  Dr.  Henry  H. 
Webb,  chief,  and  Dr.  Charles  M.  Head,  assistant 
chief;  psychiatry,  Dr.  Bruce  M.  Sutton,  chief, 
and  Dr.  H.  A.  Kroeze,  assistant  chief;  and  gen- 
eral practice,  Dr.  Charles  N.  Wright,  chief,  and 
Dr.  J.  P.  Buckley,  Jr.,  assistant  chief. 

All  newly-elected  officers  are  from  Jackson. 

Mental  Health 
Facilities  Are  Studied 

In  the  growing  movement  toward  community- 
based  care  of  the  mentally  ill,  new  relationships 
are  developing  between  community  mental 
health  centers  and  state  mental  hospitals. 

These  relationships  will  be  studied  under  a 
$73,069  contract  announced  by  Dr.  Bertram  S. 
Brown,  director,  National  Institute  of  Mental 
Health. 

The  award  to  Socio-Technical  Systems  Associ- 
ates, Boston,  is  part  of  NIMH’s  continuing  ap- 
praisal of  the  national  community  mental 
health  centers  program. 

“The  analysis  will  seek  to  determine  what 
working  arrangements  exist  between  centers  and 
mental  hospitals,  and  how  these  relationships 
affect  the  quality  of  services  available  to  pa- 
tients,” Dr.  Brown  said. 

Some  community  mental  health  centers  and 
state  mental  hospitals  are  formal  affiliates,  while 
others  have  developed  informal  working  ar- 
rangements. The  researchers  are  to  find  out  what 
political,  administrative,  and  fiscal  factors  oper- 
ate in  each  type  of  relationship,  and  what  im- 
plications these  factors  have  for  the  patient. 


660 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Comprehensive  information  about  coopera- 
tion between  state  hospitals  and  mental  health 
centers  will  be  gathered  from  professional  lit- 
erature, site  visit  reports,  grant  applications, 
state  plans,  and  other  sources.  Investigators  will 
then  survey  all  centers  which  have  been  in  op- 
eration for  at  least  six  months. 

Based  on  the  information  obtained,  the  rela- 
tionships will  be  categorized  into  types,  and  a 
small  sample  of  facilities  within  each  category 
will  receive  concentrated  attention. 

Health  Care  Leaders 
Initiate  Liaison 

Continuing,  high  level  liaison  between  the 
state  hospital  and  medical  associations  has  been 
initiated  to  strengthen  mutual  goals.  This  was 
the  joint  announcement  of  Lowery  A.  Woodall 
of  Hattiesburg,  president  of  the  Mississippi 
Hospital  Association,  and  Dr.  Paul  B.  Brumby 
of  Lexington,  medical  association  president. 

The  health  care  organization  leaders  said  that 
the  first  of  a series  of  meetings  has  been  con- 


ducted “where  we  talked  of  almost  every  associ- 
ation activity  with  complete  candor.”  They  said 
that  the  conferences  were  also  attended  by  the 
two  chief  executives  of  the  associations,  Charles 
W.  Flynn  of  MHA  and  Rowland  B.  Kennedy 
of  MSMA. 

Mr.  Woodall,  who  is  executive  director  of  the 
Forrest  County  Hospital,  said  that  “we  discov- 
ered more  mutual  goals  than  we  imagined,  and 
we  recognized  fully  that  hospitals  and  physi- 
cians have  a large  community  of  common  inter- 
est in  health  and  medical  legislation.” 

Dr.  Brumby  agreed,  adding  that  “our  associa- 
tions, working  together,  can  achieve  new  objec- 
tives in  serving  the  patient,  which  is  the  only 
reason  for  our  respective  existences.” 

Also  agreed  at  the  initial  presidential  confer- 
ence was  a plan  for  interorganization  informa- 
tion exchange,  including  observers  from  one  as- 
sociation to  selected  committee  meetings  of  the 
other  on  an  exchange  basis. 

Both  Mr.  Woodall  and  Dr.  Brumby  said  that 
“a  major  effort  will  be  made  to  seek  parallels  in 
legislative  objectives  during  the  1971  Regular 
Session.”  Both  leaders  said  that  further  meet- 
ings are  planned. 


Lowery  A.  Woodall,  left,  president  of  the  Missis-  Brumby,  MSMA  president,  at  the  first  liaison  meet- 
sippi  Hospital  Association,  confers  with  Dr.  Paul  B.  ing  of  the  health  care  organization  leaders. 


DECEMBER  1970 


66  1 


ORGANIZATION  / Continued 

Census  Information 
Is  Made  Available 

Information  from  the  1970  U.  S.  census  use- 
ful in  mental  health  planning  will  soon  be 
made  available  to  the  states  by  the  National  In- 
stitute of  Mental  Health. 

Using  a system  developed  under  a contract 
with  the  General  Analytics  Corporation  of  Be- 
thesda,  Md.,  the  NIMH  will  be  able  to  draw  up 
profiles  of  state-designated  mental  health  ser- 
vice, or  “catchment,”  areas  as  a service  to  the 
states. 

The  profiles  will  be  made  by  using  Bureau  of 
the  Census  statistics  on  population,  socio-eco- 
nomic status,  ethnic  composition,  household 
composition,  and  family  structure,  style  of  life, 
housing  conditions,  and  other  factors. 

States  requesting  the  profiles  can,  in  turn, 
make  the  information  available  to  community 
mental  health  centers,  the  planners  of  new  cen- 
ters, and  other  interested  parties. 

The  states  have  already  received  from  NIMH 
a prototype  catchment  area  description  for 
Dane  County,  Wise.,  based  on  1968  census  pre- 
test data,  to  help  them  plan  for  usage  of  the 
1970  statistics. 

The  profiles  can  be  provided  to  the  states  in 
a variety  of  forms,  including  computer  tapes 
and  printed  reports.  Some  of  the  materials  will 
be  free  of  charge,  and  others  available  at  cost. 

Questions  about  the  profiles  may  be  addressed 
to  Dr.  Charles  Windle,  Chief,  Program  Analysis 
and  Evaluation  Section,  Division  of  Mental 
Health  Service  Programs,  National  Institute  of 
Mental  Health,  5454  Wisconsin  Avenue,  Chevy 
Chase,  Md.  20015. 

In  a related  service,  the  National  Clearing- 
house for  Mental  Health  Information  will  of- 
fer researchers  an  experimental  data  retrieval 
service  to  answer  questions  involving  catchment 
areas  of  more  than  one  state.  Requests  for  in- 
formation retrieval  can  be  addressed  to  Dr.  Jon 
K.  Meyer,  Chief,  National  Clearinghouse  for 
Mental  Health  Information,  5454  Wisconsin 
Avenue  (WT),  Chevy  Chase,  Md.  20015. 


250  Students  Attend 
Pre-Med  Day 


Nearly  250  students  from  some  23  senior  and 
junior  colleges  and  universities  throughout  the  state 
came  to  the  University  of  Mississippi  Medical  Center 
for  a view  of  medicine  in  action  in  October.  Surgery 
resident  Dr.  Robert  A.  Smith,  right , of  Heidelberg 
explains  a heart  assist  device  to,  from  left,  Miss 
Pat  Callicutt,  pre-med  advisor  Glenn  Bennett,  Miss 
Patty  Hardon,  all  of  Northeast  Junior  College,  and 
sophomore  medical  student  Janies  Balaski  of  Pic- 
ayune. 


Drs.  Eisler  and  Ratliff 
Join  UMC  Faculty 

Two  new  faculty  members,  Dr.  Richard  M. 
Eisler  and  Dr.  Jack  L.  Ratliff,  have  joined  the 
University  of  Mississippi  School  of  Medicine 
teaching  staff. 

Dr.  Eisler,  who  assumed  his  post  in  Novem- 
ber, is  assistant  professor  of  psychiatry  (psy- 
chology). He  earned  B.A.  and  M.A.  degrees 
from  Hofstra  University  and  the  Ph.D.  degree 
from  the  State  University  of  New  York.  Prior 
to  his  Mississippi  appointment,  Dr.  Eisler  was 
clinical  psychologist,  Crisis  Intervention  Service, 
Fort  Logan  Mental  Health  Center,  Denver,  Col- 
orado. 

Dr.  Ratliff,  surgery  instructor  and  fifth-year 
thoracic  surgery  resident,  received  his  M.D.  de- 
gree from  the  University  of  Mississippi  School 
of  Medicine.  His  faculty  position  was  effective 
in  September. 


662 


JOURNAL  MSM A 


SUBJECT  INDEX 


The  letters  used  to  explain  in  which  department  the 
matter  indexed  appears  are  as  follows:  "E,”  Editorial; 
"N,”  News;  "L,”  Letters  to  the  Editor;  the  asterisk  (*) 
indicates  an  original  article  in  the  JOURNAL,  and  the 
author’s  name  follows  the  entry  in  brackets.  "Deaths,” 

A 


"Personals,”  and  "New  Members”  are  indexed  under 
the  letters  "D,”  "P,”  and  "M”  respectively. 

Matter  pertaining  to  MSMA  is  indexed  under  "Mis- 
sissippi State  Medical  Association.”  For  the  author  in- 
dex see  page  671. 


Abortion 

the  next  90  days,  decision  on  [Ken- 
nedy] 443-E 

and  the  law  [Kennedy]  335-E 
Abraham,  W.  H.,  Jr. 
installed  as  Fellow  of  American  Col- 
lege of  Obstetricians  and  Gyne- 
cologists, 143-N 

Addie  McBryde  Memorial  Rehabili- 
tation Center  for  the  Blind 
construction  begun  on  east  wing  of 
UMC,  529-N 
Additives 

Congress  criticizes  HEW's  handling 
of  cyclamate  issue  [Kennedy] 
447-E 

HEW  and  FDA,  need  to  realign  per- 
spectives [Kennedy]  71-E 
Ainsworth,  Temple 
named  AUA  president-elect,  405-N 
Alcohol 

writers  have  tendency  to  be  alco- 
holics [Kennedy]  445-E 
Alcoholic  Hepatitis 
review  of  32  cases  [McKell  and 
Mora]  *477 

American  Academy  of  Allergy 

announces  postgraduate  course,  43- 
N 

American  Academy  of  General 
Practice 

new  project  in  medical  communica- 
tions, 619-N 

takes  new  name,  American  Acade- 
my of  Family  Physicians,  623-N 
American  Academy  of  Ophthalmol- 
ogy and  Otolaryngology 
holds  75th  annual  session  in  Las 
Vegas,  571-N 

American  Academy  of  Orthopaedic 
Surgeons 

publishes  book  on  sports  medicine, 
619-N 

American  Board  of  Family  Practice 
gives  second  exam.  457-N 
American  Academy  of  Pediatrics 
slates  heart  disease  course,  608-N 
American  College  of  Cardiology 
schedules  19th  annual  scientific  ses- 
sion, 45-N 

grants  fellowship  to  Dr.  James  D. 
Hardy,  304-N 

American  College  of  Chest  Physi- 
cians 

southern  chapter  announces  annual 
session.  576-N 

announces  1971  Richman  Essay 
Contest,  617-N 

American  College  of  Obstetricians 
and  Gynecologists 

installs  Drs.  Webb  and  Abraham  as 
Fellows,  143-N 


installs  Drs.  Hull  and  Henderson  as 
Fellows,  302-N 

American  College  of  Physicians 
plans  gastroenterology  course,  50-N 
sponsors  meet  for  Mississippi  and 
Louisiana  internists,  85-N 
sets  April  course  on  physiology. 
125-N 

presents  internal  medicine  course, 
522-N 

sponsors  5-day  postgraduate  course, 
526-N 

plans  kidney  disease  course,  527-N 
discusses  health  care  issues,  530-N 
slates  genetics  course.  568-N 
sponsors  neurology  course,  576-N 
holds  scientific  meeting  in  Atlanta, 
614-N 

American  College  of  Surgeons 

56th  clinical  congress  to  meet, 
301-N 

leadership  in  cancer  programs  [Ken- 
nedy] 507-E 

American  Council  of  Otolaryngol- 
ogy 

opens  headquarters,  137-N 
inducts  19  state  physicians,  659-N 
American  EEG  Society 
plans  1970  meeting,  146-N 
sets  continuation  course,  198-N 
American  Heart  Association 
meeting  features  arteriosclerosis, 
92-N 

meeting  reports  development  of  ar- 
tificial placentation  system,  96-N 
announces  deadline  for  grants-in-aid. 

571- N 

plans  43rd  annual  scientific  session. 
568-N 

American  Medical  Association 
announces  Sheen  Award  deadline, 
128-N 

Committee  on  Medicine  and  Reli- 
gion and  MSMA  committee  [Ken- 
nedy] 193-E 

establishes  specialty  department, 
126-N 

1970-71  AMA-ERF  campaign  set. 

572- N 

inside  story  on  membership  [Ken- 
nedy] 1 19-E 

Judicial  Council  plans  ethics  con- 
gress, 404-N 

Medicredit:  AMA's  care  delivery 

system  [Kennedy]  69-E 
president-elect  is  state  native.  456-N 
slates  occupational  health  congress, 
450-N 

sponsors  medical  aspects  of  sports 
meet,  624-N 
staff  reorganizes,  452-N 


American  Pharmaceutical  Associa- 
tion 

seeks  repeal  of  antisubstitution  laws 
[Kennedy]  561-E 
American  Psychiatric  Association 
salutes  SKF  remotivation  project. 
622-N 

American  Urological  Association 
Dr.  Ainsworth  is  president-elect. 

405-N 

Amputation 

in  patients  with  peripheral  vascular 
disease  [Warren]  *581 
Anencephaly 

in  utero,  roentgen  diagnosis  of 
[Levi]  *554-RS 
Anesthesia 

related  to  maternal  mortality  in  Mis- 
sissippi [Sherline]  *413 
Appendectomy 

data  show  it's  safe  [Kennedy] 
71-E 

Arrington,  Lamar 

retires  from  Blue  plans  board,  404- 
N 

Arteriosclerosis 

studied  at  AHA  annual  meeting. 
92-N 

task  force  plans  for  a 10-year  re- 
search assault,  626-N 

Artificial  Limbs 

Israeli  develops  artificial  arm,  47-N 
Arts  Festival,  Mississippi 
involves  doctors'  wives,  134-N 
Aspirin 

may  be  prescription  drug  [Kenne- 
dy] 394-E 

Auxiliary  to  MSMA 
plans  1970-71  AMA-ERF  campaign. 
456-N 

Aycock,  W.  J. 

Robins  Award  winner  looks  back 
over  51  years  of  practice.  504 

B 

Barnett,  William  O. 
named  MAMA  physician  of  the 
year,  362-N 

Blood  and  Blood  Banking 

association  holds  annual  meeting. 
86-N 

Blount,  Robert  E. 

named  UMC  acting  director  and 
dean.  620-N 
Blue  Cross-Blue  Shield 
promotes  Max  Gilliland,  139-N 
Dr.  Arrington  retired  from  board. 
404-N 

Book  Reviews  and  Books  Received 
Adams,  John  P.:  Current  Practices 
in  Orthopaedic  Surgery  [Thomp- 
son] 199 

American  Academy  of  Orthopaedic 
Surgeons:  Symposium  on  Sports 
Medicine  [Rush]  35 


DECEMBER  1970 


663 


Brainerd,  H.,  Krupp,  M.  A.,  Chat- 
ton,  M.  J.,  and  Margen,  S.:  Cur- 
rent Diagnosis  and  Treatment 
[Dill]  282,  613 

Daniel,  W.  A.,  Jr.:  The  Adolescent 
Patient,  518 

Duke-Elder,  Sir  Stewart:  The  Prac- 
tice of  Refraction,  Ed.  8 [Blount | 

35,  281 

Egan,  Donald  F.:  Fundamentals  of 
Inhalation  Therapy  [Campbelll 

36,  341 

Ellis,  Philip  P.,  and  Smith,  Donn 
L.:  Handbook  of  Ocular  Thera- 
peutics and  Pharmacology  [Rog- 
ers) 36.  341 

Flint,  Thomas,  Jr.,  and  Cain,  Har- 
vey D.:  Emergency  Treatment 

and  Management,  Ed.  4 [Field] 
518,  659 

Gaisford.  John  C.:  Symposium  on 
Cancer  of  the  Head  and  Neck — 
Total  Treatment  and  Reconstruc- 
tive Rehabilitation  [Shands]  282, 
453 

Georgiade,  Nicholas  G.:  Plastic  and 
Maxillofacial  Trauma  Symposium 
[Harthcock]  128 

Hepner.  James  O.,  Boyer,  John  M., 
and  Westerhaus,  Carl  L.:  Person- 
nel Administration  and  Labor  Re- 
lations in  Health  Care  Facilities 
[Clover]  282,  453 

Jaffe,  Norman  S.:  The  Vitreous  in 
Clinical  Ophthalmology  [Buck- 
ley]  282,  573 

Kirklin.  John  W.,  and  Karp,  Rob- 
ert B.:  The  Tetralogy  of  Fallot 
From  a Surgical  Viewpoint,  518 
McLennan,  Charles  E. : Synopsis  of 
Obstetrics,  Ed.  8,  282 
Moore,  Condict:  Synopsis  of  Clin- 
ical Cancer,  Ed.  2.  282 
Moritz.  Alan  R..  and  Morris. 
R.  Crawford:  Handbook  of  Legal 
Medicine  [Kennedy]  517 
Moss,  Bernice  R..  Southworth,  War- 
ren H.,  and  Reichart,  John  L.: 
Health  Education,  36 
Muehrcke.  Robert  C.:  Acute  Renal 
Failure:  Diagnosis  and  Manage- 
ment [Hatten]  36,  613 
Nose,  Yukihiko:  Manual  on  Arti- 
ficial Organs,  Vol.  1,  The  Arti- 
ficial Kidney  [Bower]  199 
Reisman,  Leonard  E.,  and  Matheny, 
Adam  P.,  Jr.:  Genetics  and  Coun- 
seling in  Medical  Practice  [Jack- 
son]  35 

Smallpiece,  Victoria:  Urinary  Tract 
Infection  in  Childhood  and  Its 
Relevance  to  Disease  in  Adult 
Life  [Alvis]  281 

Smith,  J.  Ned,  Jr.,  and  Lee,  Kyo  R.: 
Essentials  of  Gastroenterology 
[Marascalco]  127 

Smith,  Philip:  Arrows  of  Mercy,  36 
Smith.  Ralph  L.:  At  Your  Own 
Risk:  The  Case  Against  Chiro- 
practic [Gibson]  659 
Solomon.  Philip,  and  Patch,  Vernon 
D.:  Handbook  of  Psychiatry 

[Wilson]  282.  573 


Stephenson,  Hugh  E.,  Jr.:  Cardiac 
Arrest  and  Resuscitation  [Tyler] 
36,  517 

Stone,  James  H.:  Crisis  Fleeting 
[Blount]  281.  403 

Texter,  E.  Clinton,  Jr.:  Physiology 
of  the  Gastrointestinal  Tract 
[Mora]  77 

Urry,  D.  W.:  Spectroscopic  Ap- 

proaches to  Biomolecular  Confor- 
mation, 5 1 8 

Wilson,  Charles  C.,  and  Avery, 
Elizabeth:  Healthful  School  En- 
vironment, 518 

Winokur,  G.,  Clayton,  Paula  J.,  and 
Reich,  Theodore:  Manic  Depres- 
sive Illness  [McKinley]  281,  403 
Young,  Clara  G.,  and  Barger,  James 
D.:  Introduction  to  Medical  Sci- 
ence [Burman]  77 
Brumby,  Paul  B. 

Dr.  Brumby  Day  held  in  Lexington, 
618-N 

honored  by  Holmes  County  Com- 
munity Hospital  Board,  528-N 
Business  Consulting 
becomes  a profession,  90-N 
Butler,  Frank  L.,  Jr. 
named  to  MSMA  Committee  on 
Publications,  301-N 
Button  Power 

teenage  style  [Kennedy]  512-E 
C 

Cancer:  See  Neoplasms 
program  of  American  College  of 
Surgeons  [Kennedy]  507-E 
cancer  quiz,  17,  133 
genetic  aspects  in  humans  [Jackson] 
*365 

Carcincma 

management  of  early  invasive  car- 
cinoma of  the  cervix  [Hickman 
and  Gibson]  *253 

CARE-SOM 

new  dimensions  in  emergency  medi- 
cal rescue  services  [Shell  et  al] 
*257 

Cardiology 

medical  textbook  published,  84-N 
pacemaker  management  of  heart 
block  [Bowlin]  *309 
course  offers  teacher-training,  457-N 
Cardiovascular  Disease 
idiopathic  hypertrophic  subaortic 
stenosis  [Hatten]  *106 
Cardioversion 

direct-current  with  Diazepam  as 
sedative  agent  [Rosenblatt  and 
Nettles]  *57 
Carter,  Robert  E. 

resigns  as  UMC  dean  and  director, 
527-N 

honored  at  UMC  reception,  617-N 
CBS 

produces  documentaries  jaundiced 
against  medicine  [Kennedy]  336- 
E 

Census 

information  is  available,  662-N 
Central  Medical  Society 
elects  new  officers,  98-N 


Cervix 

early  invasive  carcinoma  of  [Hick- 
man and  Gibson]  *253 
Chemoprophylaxis 
for  prevention  of  tuberculosis  in 
Mississippi  [Reid | *485 
Chicago  Medical  Society 
sets  two  postgraduate  courses,  622- 
N 

Chiropractic 

Sen.  Eastland  sponsors  bill  to  in- 
clude services  under  Medicare 
[Kennedy]  607-E 
Clinicopathological  Conference 
XCVI  | Brent  and  Schiesari-Missis- 
sippi  Baptist  Hospital)  262 
CHP,  Division  of 

study  would  consolidate  state  agen- 
cies and  abolish  State  Board  of 
Health,  615-N 
Contraceptives,  Oral 
Sen.  Nelson’s  hearings  on  pill  com- 
plications [Kennedy]  276-E 
Coronary  Care  Units 
UMC  unit  nears  completion,  574-N 
Coronary  Disease 

surgery  on  coronary  artery  course 
set,  456-N 

Corporations,  Professional 
governor  signs  bill  into  law  [Ken- 
nedy] 191-E 
C-Quens 

Lilly  discontinues  making,  656-N 
Cyclamates 

Congress  criticizes  HEW’s  handling 
of  issue  [Kennedy]  447-E 

D 

Deaths 

Armstrong,  G.  G.,  Sr.,  32 
Cannon,  Russell  H.,  280 
Cooke,  James  K.,  197 
Cowart,  H.  B.,  655 
Cowsert,  Louis  E.,  339 
Dean,  Sara  R.,  448 
Eberhard,  J.  J.,  655 
Fox,  James  H.,  124 
Grant,  Roy  G.,  518 
Graves,  Z.  B.,  399 
Green,  James  C.,  76 
Hightower,  C.  C.,  Sr.,  655 
McDougal,  Luther  L.,  76 
Moore,  Wallace  C.,  Jr.,  399 
Myers,  O.  P.,  655 
Otken,  Luther  B.,  Sr.,  32 
Pitchford,  Ruth  D.,  197 
Raney,  Daniel  H.,  32 
Robertson,  M.  H.,  280 
Stallworth,  W.  L.,  655 
Suttle,  Thomas  C.,  76 
Towns,  Sherrod  R.,  568 
Trudeau,  Eugene  A.,  339 
Wingo,  Oliver  B.,  125 
Dental  Care 

need  for  more  insurance  coverage 
[Kennedy]  510-E 

Diabetes  Association  of  Mississippi 
reorganized  to  include  lay  members, 
282-N 
Dialysis 

home  training  unit  established  at 
UMC,  454-N 

in  cases  of  poisoning  [Bower  and 
Hume]  *639 


664 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Disasters 

medical  response  to  Camille  evaluat- 
ed, 45-N 

State  Board  of  Health  commended 
for  service  after  Hurricane  Ca- 
mille, 80-N 
Drug  Abuse 

much  new  legislation  introduced 
[Kennedy]  393-E 
exhibit  is  available,  522-N 
and  youth  [Guernsey)  *585 
Drug  Dependence 
study  published  by  NIMH,  81-N 
Drug  Industry 

Rx  for  inflation  and  drug  costs 
[Kennedy]  509-E 
Drugs 

and  youth  [Guernsey]  *595 
Ole  Miss  develops  insect  sting  drug, 
140-N 

E 

Eastland.  Sen.  James  O. 
helps  chiropractors  [Kennedy]  607-E 
Education,  Medical 
UAB  announces  3-year  M.D.  pro- 
gram, 620-N 
Egeberg,  Roger  O. 
calls  for  public,  private  aid,  92-N 
Eisier,  Richard  M. 
joins  UMC  faculty,  662-N 
Emergencies 

surgical,  of  the  newborn  [Miller] 
*585 

Emergency  Department,  Hospital 
guidelines  to  increase  efficiency 
[Milam]  *61 

Emergency  Rescue  Service 
CARE-SOM,  new  dimensions  in 
[Shell,  et  al]  *257 
Endometriosis 

an  unusual  cause  of  colon  obstruc- 
tion [Colbert]  *502 
Ethics,  Medical 

AMA  Judicial  Council  plans  3rd  na- 
tional congress,  404-N 
changing  methods  and  changeless 
principles  [Keller]  *110 
Exceptional  Parent  Magazine 
new  magazine  for  parents  of  chil- 
dren with  disabilities,  576-N 

F 

Family  Planning 

State  Board  of  Health  reports  on 
project,  88-N 

project  serves  four  counties,  450-N 
Family  Practice  Specialist 
medicine’s  new  man  [Kennedy] 
273-E 

Field  Memorial  Hospital 

installs  modular  lifeguard  system, 
527-N 

Flying  Physicians  Association 
meet  in  Canada,  409-N 
Food  and  Drug  Administration 
warns  against  Bard  Urethral  Cathe- 
ters, 36-N 

Upjohn  gains  right  to  argue  against, 
42-N 

Pfizer  comments  on  recall,  78-N 


G 

Gastrointestinal  Lesions 

role  of  potassium  therapy  [Emer- 
son] 321 
Genetics 

and  inherited  human  cancer  [Jack- 
son]  *365 

ACP  course  slated  for  November, 
568-N 

Gettysburg  Commission 
headed  by  M.D.,  360-N 
Gilliland,  Max 

promoted  by  Blue  plans,  139-N 
Grimes,  D.  A. 

named  UMC  hospital  director,  406- 
N 

H 

Hall,  Wesley  W. 

AMA  president-elect  and  state  na- 
tive, 456-N 
Handicapped,  The 
AMIA  supports  employment  of  the 
handicapped  [Kennedy]  652-E 
Hardy,  James  D. 
awarded  ACC  fellowship,  304-N 
Health 

leaders  meet  in  Washington,  299-N 
Health  Care  Delivery 
Jackson  chamber  honors  health  care 
team  [Kennedy]  26-E 
Medicredit,  AMA’s  plan  for  care  de- 
livery [Kennedy]  69-E 
Henderson,  W.  EL 
installed  as  Fellow  of  American 
College  of  Obstetricians  and  Gyn- 
ecologists, 302-N 
Heart  Attack 

studied  at  Alabama  Medical  Center, 
97-N 

Heart  Block 

pacemaker  management  of  [Bow- 
lin] *309 

Heart,  Booster  System 
unveiled  by  NHI.  91-N 
Hematology 

problems  in  the  newborn  [Pullen 
and  Smith]  *543 
Hepatitis 

acute  alcoholic-review  of  32  cases 
[McKell  and  Mora]  *477 
Hijacking 

and  health  insurance  [Kennedy] 
651-E 

Hill-Burton  Act  [Hospital  Survey 
and  Construction  Act] 
durability  of  the  program  [Kenne- 
dy] 446-E 
Hill,  Stanley  A. 

named  delegate  to  AMA,  402-N 

Homicide 

increases  in  the  United  States  [Ken- 
nedy] 394-E 

Hospitals 

guidelines  to  increase  efficiency  of 
emergency  department  [Milan] 
*61 

cost  dilemma  of  services  [Kenne- 
dy] 277-E 

Field  Memorial  gets  lifeguard  sys- 
tem, 527-N 

Hughes,  Sen.  Harold  E. 
ungrateful  liberal  [Kennedy]  511- 
E 


Hull,  Calvin  T. 

installed  as  fellow  of  American  Col- 
lege of  Obstetricians  and  Gyn- 
ecologists, 302-N 
Hypnosis 

new  seminar  offered  at  Mississippi 
State  University,  449-N 

I 

Immunization 

program  now  financed  by  State 
Board  of  Health,  454-N 
Infants,  Newborn 

recent  advances  in  care  of  [Brann] 
*327 

resuscitation  of  (Smith  and  Brann) 
*417 

bacterial  infections  in  [Wright  and 
Brann]  *493 

hematologic  problems  of  [Pullen 
and  Smith]  *543 

surgical  emergencies  in  [Miller] 
*585 

Infection,  Bacterial 
in  the  newborn  [Wright  and 
Brann]  *493 

Instruments,  Microsurgical 
new  line  introduced,  523-N 
Insurance,  Health 
and  hijacking  [Kennedy]  651-E 
need  for  more  dental  care  coverage 
[Kennedy]  510-E 

executives  combat  rising  costs,  93-N 
four  faces  of  national  health  insur- 
ance [Kennedy]  647-E 
Insurance,  Professional  Liability 
House  Bill  407  threatens  low  premi- 
ums [Kennedy]  118-E 
Internal  Revenue  Service 
sends  cards  explaining  1040.  80-N 
pre-addressed  labels  speed  returns, 
128-N 

early  filing  speeds  up  returns,  145- 
N 

International  College  of  Surgeons 

schedules  17th  congress  in  Paris, 
130-N 

schedules  3rd  western  hemisphere 
congress,  530-N 

3rd  western  hemisphere  congress  to 
meet  in  Las  Vegas,  616-N 
Inversion,  Uterine 

case  report  XIV  of  Maternal  Mor- 
tality Study  [Nassar]  *541 

J 

Jenkins,  W.  N. 

honored  for  50  years  of  service, 
572-N 

Joint  Commission  on  Accreditation 
of  Hospitals 

growing  role  [Kennedy]  650-E 

K 

Kidney 

ACP  sponsors  course  on  renal  dis- 
eases, 527-N 

Kidney,  Artificial 

in  acute  renal  failure  [Bower] 
*317 

use  of  in  cases  of  poisoning  [Bower 
and  Hume]  *639 


DECEMBER  1970 


665 


L 

Lakeland  Graduate  Medical  Assem- 
bly 

schedules  Frontiers  of  Medicine 
1970,  36-N 
Lampton,  T.  D. 
named  RMP  director,  647-N 
Language 

Memphis  psychiatrist  publishes  Now 
70’s  Dictionary  [Kennedy]  561- 
E 

Leathers,  Waller  S. 

portrait  donated  to  UMC,  622-N 

Legislation 

is  everybody’s  crisis  [Kennedy] 
389-E 

new  beefed-up  MSMA  program  to 
ask  aid  of  all  members,  569-N 
punitive  bill  aimed  at  physicians 
[Kennedy]  118-E 
Letters  to  the  Editor 
Rubella  lecture  at  Mississippi  State 
University  [Ricks]  76-L 
Liability 

without  negligence,  Illinois  State  Su- 
preme Court  decision  [Kennedy] 
607-E 

Lifeguard  System 

Field  Memorial  Hospital  installs 
modular  system,  527-N 
Eli  Lilly  and  Company 
discontinues  manufacturing  C-Quens, 
656-N 

Linton,  Patrick  H. 

named  new  psychiatry  chief  at  Ala- 
bama, 132-N 
Long,  Lawrence  W. 
receives  ICS  award.  85-N 
Lotterhos,  William  E. 
becomes  president  of  AAGP.  623-N 
discusses  new  AAGP  program,  619- 
N 

M 

Magnuson,  Harold  J. 

receives  IMA  Knudsen  award.  292- 
N 

Marihuana:  See  also  Drug  Abuse 
grown  by  Ole  Miss  School  of  Phar- 
macy, 84-N 

bibliography  published  by  Ole  Miss 
School  of  Pharmacy,  621-N 
Maternal  Mortality 
related  to  anesthesia  in  Mississippi 
[Sherline]  *413 

case  report  XIV  of  study  [Nassar] 
*541 

McCaskill,  Luther  W. 
acquitted  of  abortion  murder,  136-N 
charges  against  dropped,  302-N 
McCleave,  Rev,  Dr.  Paul  D. 
appears  before  MSMA  Committee 
on  Medicine  and  Religion  and 
UMC,  40-N 

M.  D.  Anderson  Hospital 
plans  cancer  rehabilitation  confer- 
ence, 574-N 
Measles 

Rubella  campaign  gets  good  results, 
43-N 

Meat,  Synthetic 

meatless  meat  developed  [Kenne- 
dy] 193-E 


Medicaid 

in  Mississippi:  a bare  bones  begin- 
ning [Kennedy]  23-E 
Alabama  qualifies  Mississippi  physi- 
cians, 132-N 

more  regulations  announced,  135-N 
Greene  County  screened,  280-N 
Medicare 

increases  hospital  deductibles,  84-N 
more  regulations  announced,  135-N 
four  M.D.’s  indicted  for  fraud,  143- 
N 

Part  1-B  [Kennedy]  275-E 
Part  C [Kennedy]  387-E 
Medicredit:  See  also  American  Med- 
ical Association 

AMA’s  plan  for  national  health  in- 
surance [Kennedy]  69-E 
Medical  Care  Foundations 
private  delivery  that  works  [Ken- 
nedy] 557-E 
Medical  Careers 

corpsmen,  new  manpower  tool 
[Kennedy]  276-E 
Medical  Ethics 

changing  methods  and  changeless 
principles  [Keller]  *110 
Medical  Organization:  See  also  spe- 
cific titles  such  as  American  Med- 
ical Association,  Mississippi  State 
Medical  Association 
medicine  for  the  70’s  [Royals] 
*374 

Medical  Science 

changing  methods  and  changeless 
principles  [Keller]  *110 
Medical  Services 

cost  more  today  [Kennedy]  337-E 
Medihc 

new  manpower  tool  [Kennedy] 
276-E 

Members,  New 
Abraham.  Ralph  E.,  655 
Barry,  Esther  Garcia,  568 
Bennett,  Kenneth  R.,  125 
Blaylock,  Darrell  N.,  339 
Cannon,  Charles  N.,  655 
Chavez,  Carlos  Manuel,  76 
Cockrell,  Marion  E.,  Jr.,  125 
Collins,  Rex  W.,  125 
Collins,  Ted  Zanny,  516 
Day,  Larry  H.,  339 
Dowdy,  B.  G.,  655 
Durfey.  A.  P.,  Jr.,  279 
Ederington,  John  B.,  125 
Evers,  Carl  G.,  399 
Fulcher,  Luther  H.,  Jr.,  125 
Gifford,  W.  B„  279 
Giles,  William  G.,  339 
Goodlow,  William  H.,  Jr.,  125 
Gore,  Edward  K.,  279 
Hamernik,  R.  J.,  279 
Hammett,  Larry  J.,  339 
Hartness,  Durward  S.,  339 
Hickerson,  Otrie  B.,  125 
Hoover,  Jack  C.,  339 
Humphrey,  Charles  R.,  Jr.,  568 
Hurst,  Marion  F.,  655 
Kliesch,  William  F.,  399 
Kobs,  Darcey  Gus,  Jr.,  516 
Lewis,  Fredric  A.,  448 
Little,  Thomas  D.,  656 
Lynch,  W.  F.,  Jr.,  279 
McFadden,  J.  W.,  279 


Miller,  Richard  Charles,  197 

Mitchell,  Larry  Morris,  516 

Owens,  L.  J.,  612 

Ozborn,  C.  A.,  280 

Pandey,  Shanti,  568 

Rester,  Robert  Raymond,  197 

Richardson,  Travis  Quitman,  516 

Scott,  Edward  G.,  Jr.,  339 

Smith,  Jimmie  L.,  339 

Speck,  James  W.,  197 

Sprabery,  Archie  P.,  197 

Vesa,  Antonio  Gregori,  568 

Walden,  Thomas  B.,  197 

Walker,  B.  L„  280 

Ward,  Roderick  D„  Jr.,  339 

White,  Ellison  F.,  197 

Wilder,  S.  J.,  Jr.,  280 

Wood,  William  M.,  656 

Mental  Health 

facilities  are  studied,  660-N 

Meridian  gets  center,  523-N 

Meridian 

physicians  and  lawyers  meet,  658-N 
Microfiche  Camera 
new  low  cost  table  top  model.  529- 
N 

Mississippi  Association  of  Medical 
Assistants 

Dr.  Barnett  named  MAMA  physi- 
cian of  the  year,  362-N 
Mrs.  Pace  named  AAMA  trustee, 
43-N 

Mississippi  Baptist  Hospital 
elects  1970  officers,  78-N 
elects  1971  officers,  660-N 
Mississippi  Heart  Association 
holds  annual  assembly,  291-N 
breaks  ground  for  headquarters 
building,  406-N 

offers  CPR  faculty  training  course, 
457-N 

announces  1971-72  research  grants 
and  fellowships  program,  618-N 
Mississippi  Hospital  Association 
elects  officers,  455-N 
meets  with  MSMA  leaders,  661-N 
Mississippi  Jaycees 
collect  drug  samples  for  Vietnam, 
282-N 

Mississippi  Regional  Medical  Pro- 
gram 

awards  cardiopulmonary  grant,  29-N 
Dr.  Lampton  is  named  director,  447- 
N 

expands  activities,  41-N 
Mississippi  State  Board  of  Health 
and  UMC  set  up  neurological  clin- 
ics, 42-N 

commended  by  USPHS,  80-N 
crippled  children's  service  trans- 
ferred [Kennedy]  390-E 
Dr.  Mitchell  named  director  of  local 
health  services,  452-N 
family  planning  project  serving  four 
counties,  450-N 

Greene  County  screened  for  Med- 
icaid, 280-N 

Hinds  County  children  immunized 
against  Rubella,  362-N 
Mr.  Whitaker  selected  for  study, 
457-N 

now  finances  immunization  pro- 
grams, 454-N 

reports  on  family  planning  project, 
88-N 


666 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Rubella  campaign  gets  good  results, 
43-N 

sponsors  radiological  courses,  407-N 
studies  simultaneous  vaccinations, 
126-N 

three  appointed  by  governor,  361-N 
warns  about  animal  bites,  rabies, 
78-N 

would  be  abolished  in  CHP  (PMM) 
plan,  615-N 

Mississippi  State  Medical  Associa- 
tion 

auxiliary  plans  1970-71  AMA-ERF 
campaign,  456-N 

beefed-up  legislative  program  to  ask 
aid  of  all  members,  569-N 
Board  of  Trustees — new  officers, 
361-N;  sets  102nd  Annual  Session 
for  May  11-14,  129-N 
building  addition  opened.  283-N 
Central  Medical  Society — elects  of- 
ficers, 98-N 

commended  by  state  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives, 282-N 
Committee  on  Medicine  and  Reli- 
gion— complete  care  of  whole 
man  [Kennedy]  193-E;  MSMA 
and  UMC  hear  AMA's  Dr.  Mc- 
Cleave,  40-N 

Constitution  and  By-Laws,  378 
economic  asset  of  membership 
[Kennedy]  559-E 

Committee  on  Publications — Dr. 
Frank  L.  Butler,  Jr.,  appointed, 
301-N 

governor  signs  professional  corpora- 
tions into  law,  304-N 
headquarters  addition  formal  open- 
ing set  by  Board  of  Trustees,  79- 
N 

Hill,  Stanley  A.,  is  new  AMA  dele- 
gate, 402-N 

House  of  Delegates — handbook  of 
102nd  Annual  Session,  187;  news 
report  on  proceedings,  347-N;  text 
of  proceedings,  427-N 
102nd  Annual  Session — official  call 
and  program,  163;  Dr.  Brumby 
inaugurated  president.  Dr.  Brown 
named  president-elect,  343-N 
103rd  Annual  Session — scientific  as- 
sembly begins  work,  358-N;  sci- 
entific assembly  begins  work  and 
invites  exhibits,  essays,  451-N 
1970  Directory  mailed.  86-N 
membership  opened  to  upperclass 
UMC  students,  657-N 
new  membership  service  to  itemize 
dues  initiated.  519-N 
newsletter  gets  facelifting  [Kenne- 
dy] 25 -E 

President's  Page,  Royals — 'Needed 
Now,’  22;  'Best  Part  of  the  Job,’ 
68;  'Or  Lose  by  Default,’  116; 
‘Continuum  of  Crisis,’  190;  ‘Past 
and  Future:  The  Task  Ahead.’  272 
President's  Page,  Brumby — 'Changes 
and  Challenge,’  334;  'The  Mak- 
ing of  an  M.D.,’  386;  'Our  Medi- 
cal Democracy,’  442;  'Dilemma  in 
Blue,’  506;  ‘Growing  Pains,’  556; 
‘A  Busted  Play,’  602;  ‘LPN's 
Fight  Drug  Abuse,’  646 


Robins  Award,  W.  J.  Aycock  is  re- 
cipient, 349-N 

Wiygul,  Frank  M.,  Jr.,  named  sec- 
tion officer,  143-N 
Mississippi  State  University 
announces  seminar  in  hypnosis, 
449-N 

Mitchell  Lectures  feature  Dr.  Coop- 
er, 39-N 

Mississippi  Thoracic  Society 
holds  annual  meeting,  301-N 
new  officers,  405-N 
Mississippi  Tuberculosis  and  Respi- 
ratory Disease  Association 
Dr.  Tate  is  guest  speaker,  304-N 
Mitchell,  J.  Daniel 
is  UM  alumni  president-elect,  455- 
N 

Mitchell,  Shelby  W. 

named  director  of  local  health  ser- 
vices of  State  Board  of  Health, 
452-N 

Mound  Park  Hospital  Foundation 

schedules  postgraduate  courses,  85- 
N 

Myeloma 

multiple  or  plasma  cell  [Blount] 
*268-RS 

Myocardial  Infarction 

Alabama  sets  up  study  centers,  97-N 
emergency  surgery  for  [Tirnmis 
et  al]  * 101 


N 

Narcotics 

the  old  admonition  [Kennedy]  120- 
E 

National  Health  Insurance 
four  faces  of  [Kennedy]  647-E 
Natchez  Vocational-Technical 
School 

offers  medical  self-help  course,  656- 
N 

National  Institutes  of  Health 

meets  with  task  force  on  arterio- 
sclerosis, 626-N 

National  Heart  and  Lung  Institute 

establishes  specialized  research  cen- 
ters, 626-N 

works  with  task  force  on  arterio- 
sclerosis, 626-N 
Neurological  Disorders 
syringomyelia  in  Mississippi  [Tip- 
ton  and  Haerer]  *533 
Newborn  Care 

Seminar  I,  Recent  Advances  in 
[Brann]  *327 

Seminar  II,  Resuscitation  of  [Smith 
and  Brann]  *417 

Seminar  III.  Acute  Bacterial  Infec- 
tions in  [Wright  and  Brann]  *493 
Seminar  IV,  Newborn  Hematologic 
Problems  [Pullen  and  Smith]  *543 
Seminar  V,  Surgical  Emergencies  in 
[Miller]  *585 

UMC  adds  nursery  and  intensive 
care  unit,  530-N 

New  Orleans  Graduate  Medical  As- 
sembly 

holds  33rd  annual  meeting,  88-N 
sets  34th  annual  assembly,  658-N 

NORC 

4th  study  on  health  care  and  cost 
[Kennedy]  605-E 


Nursing 

mandatory  licensure  for  Mississippi 
]Kennedy[  605-E 

master’s  degree  offered  at  UMC, 
624-N 

O 

Obstetrics 

and  gynecology,  practical  uses  of 
steroids  and  gonadotropins  [But- 
tram  et  al]  * 1 

prevention  of  maternal  Rh  sensiti- 
zation: anti-Rh  immune  globulin 
[Wilson]  *53 
Ophthalmology 

management  of  posterior  segment 
intraocular  foreign  bodies  [Gold- 
berg] *149 

Overland  Terrain  Vehicles 

can  be  dangerous  [Kennedy]  73-E 

P 

Pace,  Mrs.  Thomas  D.,  Jr. 
named  AAMA  trustee,  43-N 
Panama 

Panama  Limited  discontinued  [Ken- 
nedy] 606-E 
Peer  Review 

in  Mississippi  [Kennedy]  603-E 
Pegram,  G.  Vernon,  Jr. 
studies  sleep  problems  at  UAB.  614- 
N 

Peripheral  Vascular  Disease 
amputations  in  patients  with  [War- 
ren] *581 
Personals 

Abide,  John  K.,  278,  448,  513 
Adkins,  Jerry  R.,  570 
Allard.  George,  278 
Allen,  Raymond  A.,  570 
Allison.  James  W.,  448 
Amacker.  Dempsey  T.,  337,  611 
Atwood,  John  G.,  278 
Aycock,  W.  J.,  611 
Bailey,  James  W.,  513 
Bailey,  S.  Lamar,  513,  570 
Baird,  Frank,  513 
Ball,  David  A..  513 
Ball.  Ottis  G..  278 
Banahan.  B.  F.,  Jr.,  449 
Barnes,  G.  Spencer,  75,  278,  516 
Barnett,  Jim.  75,  513 
Barnett,  William  O.,  30 
Bass,  William  L.,  Jr.,  653 
Batson.  Blair  E.,  30 
Beacham,  A.  V.,  397,  448 
Benefield,  T.  E.,  Jr.,  612 
Bennett,  Kenneth  R.,  570 
Berry,  Sidney  R.,  516 
Biles,  G.  Lacey,  30,  397 
Blake,  Tom  H..  653 
Blake,  Thomas  M.,  570 
Blakey.  Durward,  75 
Blissard,  Thomasina,  337 
Blount,  Robert  E.,  30 
Bobo.  Edgar  E.,  654 
Bobo,  William  B.,  196 
Boggess,  Julian  E.,  570 
Boggs,  Julian  E.,  Jr.,  338 
Booth.  J.  E.,  75 
Boren,  F.  C.,  278 
Boswell,  Hugh  P.,  Jr.,  513 
Bouchillon,  C.  D.,  Ill,  124 
Bounds,  L.  H.,  30,  123 
Bower,  John  D.,  30 


DECEMBER  1970 


667 


Boyd,  Hugh  L„  448,  655 
Bramlett,  E.  V.,  570 
Bramlett,  Julian,  338 
Brann,  A.  W.,  Jr.,  612 
Breland,  A.  E.,  Jr.,  654 
Brock,  Ralph  H.,  30 
Brooks,  Tommy,  196 
Browning.  Raymond  W.,  30 
Brumby,  Paul  B.,  30,  123,  278 
Buckley,  Theresa  L.  R.,  278,  612 
Burgess,  Duane  C.,  123,  338 
Burman,  R.  G.,  278 
Bush,  Eugene  A.,  654 
Caldwell,  R.  E.,  513 
Caldwell,  Robert  S.,  196 
Caldwell,  W.  E.,  513 
Cannon,  Charles  N.,  123,  196 
Carney,  P.  Temple,  123,  397 
Carter,  David  K.,  513 
Carter,  Robert  E.,  30,  123,  196 
Carruth,  E.  L„  612 
Catchings,  Charles  E„  448 
Caruther,  S.  B.,  513 
Cavett,  James  R.,  Jr.,  513 
Chase,  Vernon  A.,  513 
Chavez,  Carlos  M.,  654 
Clark,  Howard  D.,  278 
Clark,  L.  J.,  Jr.,  278 
Cleveland,  C.  Hal,  30,  338 
Clippinger,  D.  L.,  75,  513,  612 
Cobb,  Alton  B.,  30,  338,  612 
Cockrell,  Marion  E.,  123,  448 
Conerly.  Dawson  B.,  Jr.,  397 
Conner,  Douglas  L.,  448 
Cook,  Gaines  L.,  30 
Copeland,  Clyde  X.,  Jr.,  123 
Cotten,  Milam  S.,  513 
Cottrell,  Hugh  B„  30,  196,  570 
Covington,  Joe  S.,  123 
Cox,  Charles  J.,  338 
Craig,  Harris  V.,  448 
Crawford,  J.  P.,  75 
Crawford,  Walter,  30,  570 
Criss,  Ralph  J.,  Jr.,  397 
Crosthwait,  James  L.,  570 
Crowson,  William  N.,  448 
Culpepper,  J.  P.,  Jr.,  75 
Currier,  Robert  D..  123,  654,  655 
Davis,  John  R.,  513 
Dodson,  M.  L.,  654 
Donald,  Robert  L.,  30,  448 
Doster.  James  T.,  196,  278 
Downer,  John,  278 
Draughn,  D.  H.,  612 
Durfey,  A.  P„  278 
Durfey,  A.  P.,  Jr.,  278 
Durfey,  John  R.,  278 
Easterley,  C.  E.,  397 
Eggerton,  William  E.,  30 
Ehrich,  Melvin,  75 
Ellis,  Ernest  E.,  338 
Eure,  W.  R„  397 
Fabian,  Leonard  W.,  448 
Ferguson,  J.  V.,  Jr.,  655 
Ferrington,  Elizabeth,  278 
Field,  R.  J.,  Jr.,  612 
Flechas,  Enrique,  449,  612 
Flowers,  William  M.,  196 
Folk,  Ben  P.,  75 
Frye,  Harry  C.,  Jr.,  75,  278 
Fulcher,  Luther  H.,  278 
Gabbert,  Elmo  P.,  448 
Gaddy,  Ira  E.,  Jr.,  30 
Gandy,  Thomas  H.,  338,  654 


Garrett,  E.  S.,  Jr.,  448 
Gary,  William  A.,  196 
Gates,  R.  F.,  30 
Gates,  William  C.,  513 
Gatling,  Robert  R.,  570 
Giffin,  James  R.,  123 
Gilbert,  Wendell  N.,  75,  278 
Giles,  Hannelore  H.,  30 
Gillespie,  Guy  T.,  Jr.,  123,  196 
Gillespie,  H.  Lamar,  278 
Godfrey,  William  E„  III,  196 
Grabowski,  Stanislaw,  123 
Green,  Earl  W„  513 
Green,  George,  75 
Green,  John  E.,  513 
Grenfell,  Raymond  F.,  30 
Guyton,  Arthur  C.,  30 
Haerer,  A.  F.,  123,  448,  655 
Hale,  Carl  R.,  30,  196 
Hardy,  James  D.,  123 
Harrington,  John  N.,  278 
Harris,  Elmer  J.,  278 
Hatten,  Karl  W.,  123,  338,  570, 
612 

Hawkins,  Mary  E.,  278 
Hays,  Arthur  V.,  338 
Hays,  James  C.,  397,  570 
Hays,  Martha,  123 
Hedgewood,  Henri  M.,  123 
Hellems,  Harper  K.,  30 
Henderson,  Robert  P.,  278 
Hendrick,  James  G.,  30,  448 
Hendrix,  James  H.,  Jr.,  279 
Henneberger,  George,  448 
Herring,  Emmett,  513 
Hiatt,  Warren  A.,  75 
Hicks,  G.  Swink,  30 
Hilbun,  Ben  M.,  612 
Hinman,  M.  E.,  655 
Hogan,  Marcus,  278 
Holleman,  Henry,  5 1 3 
Hollingshead,  C.  A.,  338,  397 
Hollingsworth,  Elizabeth,  516 
Hollingsworth,  J.  W.,  448,  570 
Hollis,  Allen,  654 
Holmes,  Verner  S.,  124 
Hoover,  Jack  C.,  123,  654 
Hopkins,  Gerald,  30,  123 
Horn,  Paul  L.,  Jr.,  30 
House,  J.  R.,  Jr.,  612 
Howard,  Anse  B.,  Ill,  571 
Howell,  John  B.,  Jr.,  338 
Howell,  Leroy,  76,  449 
Howell,  T.  R„  338 
Hutchinson,  Richard  G.,  30 
lies,  Jerry  W.,  30 
Irby,  Oscar  W.,  338 
Ireland,  Robert,  75 
Jaquith,  W.  L„  30,  338,  612 
Jenkins,  W.  N„  513 
Jeter,  Marvin  H.,  570 
Jobe,  Louis  H.,  397 
Johnson,  Ben  B.,  449 
Johnson,  Richard,  124 
Jones,  Edley,  Sr.,  124 
Kaplan,  Jerry,  76 
Keel,  Dan  T.,  Jr.,  279 
Killelea,  Donald  E.,  196,  654 
Kimbrough,  George  T.,  570 
Kirk,  Andy  E.,  76,  449 
Kliesch,  Nancy  L.,  397 
Kliesch,  William  F.,  570,  612 
Knox,  I.  C.,  Jr.,  338 
Kuljis,  Joseph,  612 


Laird,  Earl  L.,  513 
Lake,  Wesley  W.,  338 
Lamb,  Woodrow,  513 
Lamm,  Leroy  B.,  654 
Landry,  V.  E.,  397 
Lane,  Dewey  H.,  Jr.,  124,  279,  570 
Lane,  John  T.,  397 
Langford,  Herbert  G.,  30,  449 
Lee,  A.  Eugene,  513 
Lee,  Mary  Alice,  196 
Lee,  Lynda  G.,  654 
Lee,  Ray,  124 
Lehmann,  Louis  C.,  196 
Levens,  John  B.,  Jr.,  654 
Lewis,  Fred  A.,  278 
Lewis,  Henry  L.,  Ill,  75 
Lingle,  Jerry,  513 
Little,  Gerald  M.,  397 
Little,  Thomas  D.,  513 
Lockard,  Blanche,  75 
Lockwood,  William  R.,  513,  570 
Logan,  James  G.,  338 
Long,  Lawrence  W.,  124 
Long,  William  A.,  Jr.,  279 
Lotterhos,  William  E.,  30,  32,  124, 
196,  338,  449,  570, 

Love,  M.  S.,  279 
Lowe,  C.  Foster,  513 
Lummus,  Floyd  L.,  279 
Magee,  Harold  G.,  449 
Mann,  J.  E.,  612 
Manning,  J.  O.,  513 
Marascalco,  Charles,  655 
Martin,  Ben  F.,  516 
Martin,  Thomas  Stanley,  32 
Martinolich,  A.  K.,  30 
Masterson,  Chester  W.,  397 
McDonald,  Thomas  J.,  338 
McDonnieal,  S.  H.,  Jr.,  397 
McDougal,  L.  L.,  197 
McFadden,  John,  124 
McFarland,  Wesley  L.,  338 
McKell,  William  M„  Jr.,  397 
McKinley,  Robert  L.,  Jr.,  124,  338, 
612 

McLain,  James  L.,  279 
McRae,  John  M.,  196 
McVey,  Eric  A.,  30 
Meena,  Albert  L.,  32 
Miller,  J.  Hampton,  654 
Mink,  Paul  E.,  570 
Mitchell,  C.  B.,  197 
Mitchell,  Shelby  W„  32,  338, 
Mitchell,  Tom  H.,  278 
Moore,  Floy  J.,  654 
Moore,  Paul  H.,  397 
Moore,  Steven  L.,  32,  612 
Morgan,  Frank  J.,  Jr.,  513 
Moynihan,  Patricia,  124 
Mullens,  J.  R.,  Jr.,  124 
Munn,  William  G.,  32,  279 
Murfee,  John  A.,  Jr.,  449 
Murry,  Charles  M.,  Jr.,  570 
Mutziger,  Dudley  H.,  32 
Naef,  Richard  W.,  123 
Nealy,  Wren  R.,  516 
Netterville,  Rush,  124 
Nix,  J.  Elmer,  516 
Norman,  Joe  Robert,  516 
Oates,  J.  K.,  Jr.,  124 
O’Neal,  K.  Ramsay,  278 
Owens,  Louis  J.,  448 
Owens,  W.  F.,  Jr.,  123 
Packer,  James  M.,  278 


668 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


Pandey,  Shanti,  449 
Parker.  William  H.,  278,  654 
Pate,  S.  Ray,  654 
Patrick,  Bernard  S.,  654 
Pearson.  Glenn  T.,  32 
Peeler,  Joe  G..  Jr.,  279 
Pennington,  V.  M.,  612 
Person.  Milton  T.,  655 
Pharr,  Max  L.,  338 
Philpot,  Van  B.,  Jr.,  338 
Pickle,  A.  C.,  197 
Pittman.  James  A.,  570 
Polk,  Octavius  D.,  123 
Prescott.  J.  T.,  124 
Profilet,  William  B.,  Jr.,  516 
Purvis,  Thomas  L.,  Jr.,  196 
Puryear,  Lamar,  Jr.,  516 
Rader,  Ben  B.,  Jr.,  449 
Raines,  D.  C.,  Ill,  278 
Raulston.  William  R.,  278 
Rayner,  D.  R.,  612 
Read,  Allen  M.,  570 
Redd,  Janice,  30 
Reeves.  Ernest  P.,  197 
Rester,  Robert,  32,  654 
Riemann.  E.  T.,  Jr.,  30 
Robbins.  E.  P„  449 
Roberts,  Curtis  D.,  32,  124, 
Robinson,  R.  B.,  196 
Rodriguez,  Gaston,  30 
Rose,  Walter,  612 

Rosenblatt,  William  H..  397.  516, 
570 

Ross,  Joe  M.,  Jr.,  30 
Ross,  T.  E.,  Ill,  197,  612 
Ross,  Thomas  G.,  570 
Royals.  James  L.,  30 
Rubenstein,  L.  A..  612 
Russell.  S.  C.,  76,  612 
Rutherford,  J.  D.,  Ill,  570,  654 
Rutledge,  Lewis  J.,  124 
Samson,  Roland,  32 
Santina,  Henry  D.,  516 
Schmidt.  E.  J.,  197 
Schmidt.  Frank.  655 
Schmidt,  Harry  J..  Sr.,  76 
Schmidt.  Richard  C.,  76 
Scott,  E.  G.,  Jr.,  612 
Sharbrough,  Richmond.  32 
Shaw,  Boyd,  124 
Sherline.  D.  M.,  612,  654 
Simmons.  Thomas  H..  570 
Small.  Virginia.  654 
Smith.  Perrin  N.,  513 
Sneed,  Ralph,  338 
Steckler.  David  R.,  570 
Stephens,  James,  654 
Stewart.  Edsel  F.,  516 
Stockton.  Wendell  H.,  516 
Stodard.  Preston  R.,  338 
Stowers.  K.  B.,  397 
Stowers,  W.  K.,  397 
Surratt,  Robert  T.,  124 
Sutherland,  Claude  G.,  196 
Sweat,  William  A.,  570 
Tannehill,  Antone  W.,  Jr.,  279 
Taquino,  Maurice  A.,  32.  397,  612 
Tatum.  Frank  K.,  76,  124, 

Tatum,  Fred,  123 
Taylor,  C.  D.,  Jr.,  197,  654 
Taylor,  Walter  T„  30,  338,  654 
Thaggard.  Lamar,  397 
Thompson,  J.  T..  570,  612 
Thompson.  Robert  H.,  516 


Thornton,  Dan  R.,  Jr.,  654 
Tibbs,  Robert  C.,  II,  397 
Tillman,  Clifford,  338,  516 
Tipton,  Ancel  C.,  655 
Todd,  Norman  W.,  32 
Tolbert,  Virginia  S.,  338,  449 
Totten,  James  C.,  Jr.,  449 
Treadwell,  Walter,  124 
Tyler,  Charles  C.,  397 
Tyler,  Henry  B.,  612,  655 
Tyrone,  Nelson  O.,  397 
Van  Landingham,  David  J.,  655 
Vise,  Guy  T.,  32 
Vise,  Guy  T.,  Jr.,  570 
Waites,  James  C.,  279,  449,  655 
Watkins,  J.  W.,  397 
Watson,  David  G.,  30.  32 
Webb,  Eugene  F.,  655 
Webb.  L.  D.,  516.  655 
Wells,  Fred,  Jr.,  571 
Wesson,  Ray  L.,  570,  655 
White,  Elbert  A.,  Ill,  76,  124 
White,  W.  B.,  338 
Wiener,  Julian,  397 
Williams,  Charles,  654 
Williams,  Clark,  655 
Williamson,  Stoney,  571 
Wilson,  David  B.,  30,  32,  338,  516 
Wilson,  David  T.,  571 
Winstead,  W.  B„  516 
Wiygul,  Frank  M..  Jr.,  197 
Wofford.  John  D.,  124,  655 
Womack,  Noel  C„  Jr.,  196,  449 
Wood.  William  L„  Jr.,  76,  124 
Woodbridge.  Hardy  B.,  Jr.,  338,  449 
Wyatt,  Rhea  L.,  124 
Yates,  Andrew  J.,  397 
Yerger,  L.  B.,  Jr.,  123 
Young.  John  R..  Jr.,  279,  338 
Pfizer  Laboratories 
comments  of  FDA  recall,  78-N 
Physical  Education 
new  image,  sports  science  [Kenne- 
dy] 446-E 
Physicians 

Arts  Festival  involves  wives,  134-N 
can  now  incorporate  in  Mississippi 
[Kennedy]  191-E 

family  practice  specialist  [Kenne- 
dy] 273-E 

four  indicted  for  Medicare  fraud, 
143-N 

have  everything  but  time  [Kennedv] 
651-E 

Pituitary 

tumors,  roentgen  changes  in  the  sel- 
la turcica  [Conley]  *600 

Poisoning 

significance  of  analytical  toxicology 
in  the  treatment  of  [Hume  and 
Bower]  *636 

use  of  in  cases  of  poisoning  [Bower 
and  Hume]  *639 

Pollution 

environment  at  stake  [Kennedy] 
27-E 

Potassium 

therapy  and  gastrointestinal  lesions 
[Emerson]  *321 
Project  Care-Som 

new  dimensions  in  emergency  med- 
ical rescue  services  [Shell  et  al] 
*257 


R 

Rabies 

State  Board  of  Health  warns  about, 
78-N 

Radiologic  Seminars 
Tracheoesophageal  Fistula  [Col- 
bert] *18 

Subclavian  Steal  Syndrome  [Mc- 
Cay] *66 

Inferior  Vena  Cavography  [Ball] 
*114 

Intravenous  Cholangiography  [Bar- 
low]  *160 

Multiple  Myeloma  [Blount]  *268 
Reversible  Vascular  Occlusion  of  the 
Colon  [Bouchillon]  *331 
Ureteropelvic  Junction  Obstruction 
[Burrow]  *372 

Duplications  of  the  Renal  Pelvis  and 
Ureter  [McCay]  *424 
Endometriosis:  An  Unusual  Cause 
of  Colon  Obstruction  [Colbert] 
*502 

Roentgen  Diagnosis  of  Anencephaly 
in  Utero  [Levi]  *554 
Roentgen  Changes  in  the  Sella  Tur- 
cica in  Pituitary  Tumors  [Con- 
ley] *600 

Paget's  Disease  [McCay]  *644 
Ratliff,  Jack  L. 
joins  UMC  faculty,  662-N 
Redbook  Magazine 
publishes  new  mother’s  guide,  86-N 
Reid,  H.  Alistair  speaks  at  UMC, 
658-N 

Renal  Failure 

artificial  kidneys  in  the  management 
of  [Bower]  *317 
Research 

specialized  centers  established  by 
NHLI,  626-N 

Respiratory  Disease 
modern  concepts  in  treatment  of  in- 
sufficiency [Shaw]  *13 
Resuscitation 

of  the  newborn  [Smith  and  Brann] 
*417 

Rh  Sensitization 

prevention  of:  anti-Rh  immune  glob- 
ulin [Wilson]  *53 
Richman  Essay 

1971  contest  announced  by  ACCP, 
617-N 

Rubella:  See  measles. 

S 

Safety 

restraining  devices  help  mother 
make  sure  [Kennedy]  119-E 
Sanders,  John  R. 
gets  Yugoslavian  fellowship,  82-N 
Sleep 

studied  by  UAB  scientist,  614-N 

Smith,  Kline  and  French  Labora- 
tories 

remotivation  project  receives  APA 
award,  622-N 
Smoking 

new  angle:  invasion  of  privacy 

[Kennedy]  117-E 


DECEMBER  1970 


669 


Social  Security  Administration 
self-employed  M.D.’s  insured  for 
disability,  39-N 

to  sue  five  care  facilities,  139-N 
St.  Dominic-Jackson  Memorial  Hos- 
pital 

elects  medical  staff,  136-N 
Stenosis 

idiopathic  hypertrophic  subaortic 
[Hatten]  *106 
Sterility 

evaluation  studies  by  microbiologist, 
5 1 8-N 

Student  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion 

reactivated  at  UMC,  402-N 

Sumner,  A.  F. 

Mississippi  Attorney  General  speaks 
to  UMC  Student  Assembly,  62 1 - 
N 

Surgery 

coronary  artery  course  set,  456-N 
emergencies  of  the  newborn  [Mil- 
ler] *585 

for  early  invasive  carcinoma  other 
cervix  [Hickman  and  Gibson] 
*253 

of  the  thymus  [Bernatz]  *629 
Syringomyelia 

in  Mississippi  [Tipton  and  Haerer] 
*533 

T 

Tamp-R-Tel 

new  packaging  concept  introduced 
by  Wyeth,  295-N 
Tate,  Charles  F.,  Jr. 
addresses  TB-RD  association,  304- 
N 

Taxes 

bill  proposed  to  end  inheritance  tax, 
94-N 

pre-addressed  labels  speed  returns, 
128-N 

the  agony  and  ecstasy  of  [Kenne- 
dy] 72-E 

Technicon  Corporation 
announces  Auto  Analyzer  II,  131-N 
Teenage  Nation 

profile  of  our  children  [Kennedy] 
565-E 

TELEMED 

develops  multiprocessing  computer, 
404-N 

Thiede,  Henry  A. 

named  UMC  assistant  dean,  612-N 

Thymus 

surgery  of  [Bernatz]  *629 
Toxicology 

significance  of  in  treatment  of  poi- 
soning [Hume  and  Bower]  *636 
Tri-State  Thoracic  Society 
meets  at  Biloxi,  50-N 
Tuberculosis 

27  months  of  chemoprophylaxis 
for  prevention  of,  in  Mississippi 
[Reid]  *485 
Tumors 

pituitary,  roentgen  changes  in  the 
sella  turcica  [Conley]  *600 


U 

University  of  Alabama  Medical  Cen- 
ter 

announces  3-year  M.D.  program, 
620-N 

names  new  psychiatry  chief,  132-N 
opens  intensive  care  unit,  81-N 
scientist  studies  sleep,  614-N 
to  study  heart  attack,  97-N 
uses  NIRU  computer,  49-N 
University  of  California 
announces  master  of  public  health 
program,  626-N 

hosts  postgraduate  education  pro- 
gram, 41-N 

sponsors  postgraduate  courses,  85-N 
offers  hypertension  course,  82-N 
presents  OB-GYN  seminar,  361-N 
University  of  Illinois 
plans  postgraduate  laryngology  and 
bronchoesophagology  course,  612- 
N 

University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Medicine 

adds  newborn  nursery  and  intensive 
care  unit,  530-N 
adds  five  to  faculty,  5 2 8-N 
alumni  house  dedicated,  401-N 
and  State  Board  of  Health  set  up 
neurological  clinics,  42-N 
announces  faculty  changes,  616-N 
announces  new  appointments,  50-N 
Attorney  Gen.  Sumner  speaks  at 
Student  Assembly,  621-N 
Blount,  R.  E.,  named  acting  direc- 
tor and  dean,  620-N 
Carter,  R.  E.,  resigns  as  dean  and 
director,  527-N 

commencement  activities  announced, 
304-N 

construction  begins  on  blind  reha- 
bilitation center,  529-N 
coronary  care  unit  nears  comple- 
tion, 574-N 

Eisler,  R.  M.  and  Ratliff,  J.  L.,  join 
faculty,  662-N 

establishes  home  dialysis  unit,  454- 
N 

graduates  75  M.D.'s,  407-N 
Grimes,  D.  A.,  named  hospital  ad- 
ministrator, 406-N 

honors  Dr.  and  Mrs.  R.  E.  Carter  at 
reception,  617-N 

instituted  baccalaureate  degree  pro- 
gram for  medical  record  librari- 
ans, 526-N 

Leathers’  portrait  given  to  school, 
622-N 

medical  alumni  president-elect  is  Dr. 

J.  Dan  Mitchell,  455-N 
medical  technologists  get  postgrad- 
uate training,  660-N 
MSMA  membership  opened  to  up- 
perclassmen. 657-N 
offers  nurses  master  degree  program, 
624-N 

Reid,  H.  Alistair  speaks,  658-N 
SAMA  chapter  reactivated,  402-N 
Snavely  Medical  Library  dedicated, 
526-N 


Thiede,  Henry  A.,  named  assistant 
dean,  612-N 

ups  faculty  to  182,  450-N 
ups  freshman  class  to  95,  528-N 
250  students  attend  Pre-Med  Day, 
662-N 

University  of  Mississippi  School  of 
Pharmacy 

develops  insect  sting  drug,  140-N 
grows  marihuana,  84-N 
organizes  pharmacy  museum,  198-N 
publishes  marihuana  index,  621-N 
ups  standing,  137-N 
University  of  Southern  Mississippi 
student  health  services  offer  com- 
prehensive program,  37-N 
Upjohn  Company,  The 
court  gives  right  to  argue 

V 

Vascular  Disease 

peripheral,  amputations  in  patients 
with  [Warren]  *581 
Vietnam  Returnees 
acute  illness  among  [Blount]  *8 

W 

Webb,  Henry  H. 

installed  as  Fellow  of  American 
College  of  Obstetricians  and  Gyn- 
ecologists, 143-N 
West  Mississippi  Medical  Society 
elects  officers,  146-N 
Williams,  M.  Ney 

heads  Gettysburg  Commission,  360- 
N 

Whitaker,  Harold  H. 

selected  for  USPHS  study,  457-N 
Wiygul,  Frank  M.,  Jr. 
named  MSMA  section  officer,  143- 
N 

Woman’s  Auxiliary  to  MSMA 
plans  1970-71  AMA-ERF  campaign, 
456-N 

Wood,  Chad  and  Judy 
Mississippian's  children  graduate 
from  UT,  86-N 
Wong,  Vernon  G. 

appointed  NEI  clinical  director,  624- 
N 

Wyeth  Laboratories 

designs  Ovral  3-month  package, 
574-N 

development  reported  at  AHA  meet- 
ing, 96-N 

films  win  awards  at  12th  annual 
American  Film  Festival,  623-N 
introduces  new  packaging  concept, 
295-N 

president  is  foundation  chairman, 
409-N 

Y 

Yale  Medical  School 
gets  $2  million  grant,  90-N 
Yellow  Pages 

consumer  study  shows  active  mar- 
ket use  for  pharmacies,  524-N 
Youth 

and  drugs  [Guernsey]  *595 


670 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


AUTHOR  INDEX 


The  letters  used  to  explain  in  which  department  the  Page;  "RS,”  Radiologic  Seminar.  The  asterisk  (*)  indi- 
matter indexed  appears  are  as  follows:  "E,”  Editorial;  cates  an  original  article  in  the  JOURNAL. 

"N,”  News;  "L,”  Letters  to  the  Editor;  "PP,”  President’s 


A 

Alvis,  J.  L.,  281-BR 

B 

Ball  O.  G.,  * 1 14-RS 
Barlow,  J.  B.,  *160-RS 
Bernatz,  P.  E.,  *629 
Blount,  J.  G.,  *268-RS 
Blount,  R.  L.,  281-BR 
Blount,  R.  E.,  *8,  403-BR 
Bouchillon,  C.  D..  *331-RS 
Bower,  J.  D.,  199-BR.  *317,  *636, 
*639 

Bowlin,  J.  W.,  *309 
Brann,  A.  W„  Jr.,  *327,  *417,  *493 
Brent,  A.  E..  262-CPC 
Brumby,  P.  B„  334-PP.  386-PP, 
442-PP,  506-PP.  556-PP.  602-PP, 
646-PP 

Buckley,  T.  L.  R..  573-BR 
Burman,  R.  G.,  77-BR 
Burrow,  N.  W.,  *372-RS 
Buttram,  V.  C.  B.,  * 1 

C 

Campbell.  G.  D.,  341-BR 
Clark,  J.  E„  *257 
Colbert,  W.  T„  *188,  *502-RS 
Conley,  L.  M.,  *600-RS 

D 

Davis,  David.  *101 
Dill,  A.  R.,  613-RB 

E 

Emerson.  D.  N.,  *321 

F 

Field,  R.  J.,  Jr.,  659-BR 


G 

Gibson,  N.  P.,  659-BR 
Gibson,  J.  Y.,  *253 
Goldberg,  M.  F.,  *149 
Guernsey,  C.  E.,  *595 

H 

Haerer,  A.  F.,  *533 
Hardy,  J.  D.,  *101 
Hatten,  K.  W.,  *106,  613-BR 
Hickman,  B.  T.,  *253 
Hume,  A.  S.,  *636,  *639 

J 

Jackson,  J.  F.,  35-BR,  *365 

K 

Keller.  W.  K.,  *110 
Kennedy,  R.  B.,  23-E,  25-E,  26-E, 
27-E.  69-E.  71-E,  72-E,  73-E, 
118-E,  119-E,  120-E,  191-E, 

193-E.  273-E,  275-E.  276-E, 

277-E.  335-E.  336-E,  337-E.  387- 
E,  389-E,  390-E,  392-E,  394-E, 
443-E,  445-E,  446-E,  447-E,  507- 
E.  509-E,  510-E.  511-E,  512-E, 
517-BR,  557-E.  559-E,  561-E. 

565-E.  603-E,  605-E,  606-E,  607- 
E.  647-E,  650-E,  651-E,  652-E 

L 

Lehan.  P.  H..  *101 
Levi,  S.,  *554-RS 

M 

McCay.  T.  S.,  *66-RS,  *424-RS. 
*644-RS 

McKell,  W.  M.,  Jr.,  *477 
McKinley,  R.  L..  Jr.,  403-BR 


Milam,  J.  T.,  *61 

Miller,  R.  C.,  *585 

Mora,  Lidio  O.,  77-BR,  *477 

N 

Nassar,  G.  J.,  *541 
Nettles,  D.  C.,  *57 
Nicholas,  P.  Y„  *257 

P 

Pullen,  J.,  *543 

R 

Reid,  L.  R.,  *485 
Ricks,  H.  C.,  76-L 
Rogers,  J.  B.,  341-BR 
Rosenblatt,  W.  H.,  *57 
Royals,  J.  L.,  22-PP,  68-PP.  116 
PP,  190-PP,  272-PP,  *374 
Rush,  H.  L..  35-BR 

S 

Schiesari,  L.,  262-CPC 
Shaw,  G.  B.,  *13 
Shell.  B.  J.,  *257 
Sherline,  D.  M.,  *413 
Smith.  R.  E.,  *417 
Smith,  R.,  *543 

T 

Thompson,  W.  B.,  199-BR 
Timmis.  H.  H.,  *101 
Tipton.  A.  C..  Jr.,  *533 
Tyler,  H.  B.,  517-BR 

W 

Warren,  R..  *581 
Wilson,  G.  M.,  573-BR 
Wilson.  W.  B„  *53 
Wriaht.  D.  I.,  *493 


TABLE  OF  PAGES 


January  

1 

to 

52 

July  

365 

to 

412 

December  

629 

to 

674 

February  

53 

to 

100 

August  

413 

to 

476 

By-Laws  of  the 

March 

101 

to 

148 

September  

477 

to 

532 

Association 

378 

to 

385 

April  

149 

to 

252 

October  

533 

to 

580 

Transactions  of  the 

May  

253 

to 

308 

November 

581 

to 

628 

House  of  Delegates  . 

427 

to 

473 

June  

309 

to 

364 

DECEMBER  1970 


671 


MPAC 

AMPAC 

give  you  IMPACT,  doctor! 

But  make  it  a mutual  impact,  doctor,  because  your  PAC 
needs  you  and  you  need  your  PAC.  Both  AMPAC  and 
each  of  the  50  state  PAC’s  are  voluntary,  nonprofit,  un- 
incorporated, autonomous  groups  whose  members  are 
physicians,  their  wives,  and  others  in  allied  professions. 
Every  group  is  bipartisan,  bound  by  no  party  label.  The 
voting  record,  platform,  and  program  of  a candidate — 
not  his  party — is  what  the  PAC  considers. 

The  basic  purpose  is  twofold:  To  educate  in  political 
affairs  and  to  provide  a means  through  which  the  physi- 
cian-citizen can  effectively  make  his  voice  heard  in  the  po- 
litical arena.  MPAC  is  medically  oriented  and  medically 
directed  by  a 10  member  board  consisting  of  nine  physi- 
cians and  a Woman’s  Auxiliary  representative. 

With  the  elections  behind,  MPAC  is  looking  ahead  to 
1971  when  there  will  be  a job  to  do.  Make  your  voice 
count  by  sending  your  dues  today,  $10  for  MPAC  and 
$10  for  AMPAC.  Better  send  dues  for  your  wife,  too. 


MISSISSIPPI  MEDICAL 
POLITICAL  ACTION 
COMMITTEE 


672 


JOURNAL  MSMA 


EM)  BATTERY  REPLACEMENTS 
Newest  Welch  Allyn 


RECHARGEABLE 

HANDLE 

Fits  all  WA 

medium-handle 
set  cases 


• Provides  satisfactory  illumi- 
nation longer  between  charges 
than  standard  medium  bat- 
teries. 

• No  separate  charger. 

• Cannot  overcharge. 

• May  be  recharged  thousands 
of  times. 

• Will  never  corrode. 

• Fits  all  WA  instruments. 

No.  717  Rechargeable  bat- 
tery handle  $20.00 

No  717-B  Extra  bottom 

section  14.50 

Also  available  as  part  of 
combination  sets. 


urn  surgical;* 


663  NORTH  STATE  STREET 
JACKSON.  MISS..  FL  2-4043 


Ef- 
fic- 
iency 

Dicarbos 

ANTACID 

Your  ulcer  patients  and 
others  will  confirm  it.  Specify 
DICARBOSIL  144's-144  tab- 
lets in  12  rolls. 

ARCH  LABORATORIES 

~ 319  South  Fourth  Street.  St.  Louis,  Missouri  63102 


Index  to  Advertisers 


American  Cancer  Society  ......  10B 

Arch  Laboratories .673 

Blue  Cross  Blue  Shield  8 

Campbell  Soup  Company 644A 

Hill  Crest  Hospital  6 

History  of  Medicine  Limited  14 

Hynson.  Westcott  and  Dunning,  Inc 3 

Kay  Surgical,  Inc 673 

Lederle  Laboratories  4,  7 

Leonard  Wright  Sanatorium  11 

Eli  Lilly  and  Company front  cover,  18 


Medicenters  of  America,  Inc second  cover 

MPAC,  AMPAC  672 

New  Orleans  Graduate  Medical  Assembly  12 

Pharmaceutical  Manufacturers  Association  660A 

William  P.  Poythress  and  Co.,  Inc 652A,  652B 

A.  H.  Robins  Company  10,  10 A,  14A,  14B,  15 

Roche  Laboratories  . . . . 660B,  660C,  660D,  fourth  cover 

Schering  Corporation  16,  17 

G.  D.  Searle  Company 644B,  644C 

Smith  Kline  and  French  Laboratories 644D 

Stuart  Pharmaceuticals 634,  635 

Thomas  Yates  and  Company third  cover 


DECEMBER  1970 


673 


The  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  United  States,  the  most  influential 
and  powerful,  broad-representation  business  organization  in  nation, 
has  denounced  the  Kennedy-Reuther-Woodcock  national  health  insuranc 
bill.  Chamber  points  out  that  annual  costs  of  fantastic  and  unreal 
istic  program,  estimated  at  $77  billion  a year,  would  be  $1,000  pei 
American  family.  A blue  ribbon  task  force  of  15  top  business  and 
industry  leaders  is  studying  health  delivery  system  for  Chamber. 


A special  exhibit  on  man’s  use  of  drugs  will  be  presented  by  the 
Smiths onian  Institution  in  1971.  Pharmaceutical  Manufacturers  As- 
sociation is  coordinating  drug  makers*  contributions  which  will  sho 
progress  in  pharmacology,  benefits  of  proper  use  under  medical  man- 
agement, and  abuses  no w prevalent.  Exhibit  will  open  next  March 
and  continue  until  September.  Smithsonian  and  PMA  officials  say 
that  2 million  Americans  will  view  the  major  presentation. 


A study  of  fees  for  five  inpatient  procedures  for  Medicare  benefi- 
ciaries shows  that  charges  to  this  age-sensitive  group  have  not 
risen  as  rapidly  as  physicians'  fees  for  all  services.  Procedures 
studied  are  choleys tectomy,  reduction  of  fracture  of  neck  of  the 
femur,  and  prostatectomy  and  medical  care  of  OVA  and  myocardial  in- 
farction. National  Association  of  Blue  Shield  Plans  says  study 
supports  fact  that  physicians  have  not  abused  Medicare. 


New  trend  to  regulate  hospital  charges  is  looming  on  medical  hori- 
zon. New  York  legislature  recently  gave  Commissioner  of  Health  the 
authority  to  fix  hospital  charge  rates.  California  will  consider 
legislation  next  year  to  create  state  regulatory  agency  which  would 
exercise  control  over  hospital  charges.  One  aspect  of  new  program 
would  be  requirement  of  uniform  hospital  accounting  procedures  and 
public  reports  on  hospital  finances. 


Dental  care  insurance  is  growing  and  gaining  favor,  but  built-in 
problems  remain  to  be  solved.  Last  year,  2.9  million  Americans  had 
some  form  of  dental  care  insurance  which  paid  out  $78  million  in 
benefits.  Most  plans  have  healthy  deductible  of  $20  to  $50  per 
course  of  care  and  co-pay  requirement  up  to  25  per  cent.  Biggest 
problem  is  nonacute  aspects  of  dental  conditions  and  postponability 
of  care,  invariably  making  conditions  worse  and  care  costs  higher. 


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